Anna Maria Island with her sugar-white beaches and emerald blue and green gulf waters is an excellent destination for snorkeling. This snorkeler’s paradise nestled in the Gulf of Mexico is a Florida gem known for its clear waters and abundant marine life. Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or a beginner, Anna Maria Island has something to offer. Here is a map of all my top spots for snorkeling near Anna Maria Island. Read on for a description of each.
Snorkeling Anna Maria Island, you’ll find abundant sea life including manatees, rays, tortoises and dolphins. The island’s small size allows for easy access to several snorkeling spots. You can opt for snorkeling off the shores of the local beaches, or explore further beyond, in search of buried treasure and hidden islands. Popular snorkeling destinations include Egmont Key, Passage Key, Holmes Beach, and the many sandbars and seagrass beds in between. If you didn’t bring your snorkeling gear, not to worry. These charters provide everything you need, except for food and beverage. The best snorkeling tours and charters near Anna Maria Island are listed here.
Coastline Dolphin & Snorkeling Excursions
- 12312 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209 (Safe Harbor Pier 77)
- Phone: 941-201-8429
- Closed Sundays
Coastline Dolphin & Snorkeling Excursions offers a variety of excursions and experiences. Private day trips, snorkeling adventures, and shorter sightseeing tours are a few of the options.
2-Hour Anna Maria Island excursions
$60 per person or $325 for a private trip, up to 6 passengers.
There are various booking options throughout the day, the first at 9am and the last at 5pm.
On this tour you’ll cruise the waters around Anna Maria Island and hopefully spot dolphins and manatees. This tour will stop on a shallow sandbar for some shelling and hands-on interaction with local marine life.
3-Hour Egmont Key excursions
$80 per person or $425 for a private trip up to 6 passengers.
There are various booking options throughout the day, the first departing at 9AM and the last at 5PM.
This is your opportunity to explore a national wildlife refuge in historic Fort Dade and the oldest working lighthouse in Florida. Gopher tortoises roam around the island. Snorkel around sunken ruins of Fort Dade and see sub-tropical fish and other marine life.
4-Hour Egmont Key Excursions
$90 per person or $485 for a private trip up to 6 passengers.
Booking times range from 9AM to 5PM.
A longer tour for those who really like the water and exploring! With this package you’ll see the Passage Key sandbar when you can snorkel for shells and sand dollars. This includes everything that the 2- and 3-hour trips have to offer.
6- Hour and 8-Hour private trips
Also offered are a 6-hour for $675 and an 8-hour for $875. These are private trips only, and are customized to suit your needs.
Passage Key Dolphin Tours
- 1343 Gulf Dr S, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 (Coquina South Boat Ramp)
- Phone: 941-702-2022
- Open every day
Passage Key Dolphin Tours offers a variety of tours which include snorkeling for beginners or simple dolphin and manatee viewing. They offer private charters for up to 6 people and the first tours go out at 9:30AM. Tours range from 2 hours to 8 hours. Head to their website to book.
2-Hour Dolphin and Manatee Tour
$325 for up to 6 people
On this tour you’ll simply cruise the crystal blue waters around Anna Maria Island and probably spot dolphins and manatees.
Three or Four-Hour Dolphins and Beginners Snorkeling Tour
$450 for 3 hours / $550 for 4 hours
On this tour you’ll explore local sandbars and likely find sand dollars, crabs, sea urchins, and conch shells in shallow waters. No fins needed – this is a great snorkeling tour for beginners. You’ll also discover dolphins in all their favorite places.
Egmont Key Snorkeling Tour (4, 6 or 8 Hour)
$550 for 4 hours / $750 for 6 hours / $899 for 8 hours
This tour generally travels to Egmont Key, while the longer tours leave plenty of time to visit other spots. Explore Passage Key, or simply cruise around in search of dolphins. Snorkel Egmont Key and the submerged historical structures of batteries Burchstead and Page. You’ll have the opportunity to walk the cobblestone streets of the historic 19th-century Fort Dade and visit the Egmont Key Lighthouse. Island dwellers include gopher tortoises and nesting birds.
Big Wili Water Adventures
- 4108 99th St W, Bradenton, FL 34210
- Phone: 941-737-5142
- Open every day
Big Wili Water Adventures lets you customize your own trip! Offerings include snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a variety of sightseeing and island hopping tours for those who prefer to observe from the boat. They also offer private fishing charters and private sunset tours. Book your tour between 8AM and 4PM. Here are your options for building your own tour.
Two hour trip $275 / Three hour trip $375 / Four hour trip $475 / Five hour trip $575 / Six hour trip $675
Choose your own adventure
- Paddleboarding (2 paddleboards included)
- Snorkeling & Swimming
- Sandbar & Island Hopper Tour
- Egmont Key & Passage Key Tour
- Eco Tour
- Sightseeing & Nature Tour
- Dolphin & Manatee Sightseeing
- Island Hopper AKA Booze Cruise
Nature Coast Excursions
- 752 Manatee Ave, Holmes Beach, FL 34217
- Phone: 941-779-8717
- Closed Saturday & Sunday
Nature Coast Excursions offers 3, 4, and 6-hour charters for up to 6 passengers. Snorkeling is one option, but so is sandbar hopping, bird watching, and sight seeing. Book times between 9AM and 3PM on weekdays.
3- or 4- Hour Charter
$425 for Three Hour Private Charter / $525 for Four Hour Private Charter
You’ll see the essentials on this tour – the clear shallow waters brimming with dolphin, manatee, rays, and other marine life. At Egmont Key State Park and National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll see the historic lighthouse and explore Fort Dade. Explore secluded beaches and walk nature trails. Swim and picnic at the shoreline. Snorkel the ruins of Fort Dade, nearby shallow grass flats of Egmont Key, and or Passage Key for shells and sand dollars.
6 Hour Charter
$725 for Six Hour Private Charter
A more complete excursion, with extra time for relaxing at sand bars, exploring surrounding keys, swimming, and snorkeling.
YOLO Parasailing & Adventures
- 135 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 (Located in: The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar)
- Phone: 941-778-5000
- Open every day
Yolo offers a snorkeling adventure starting on their boat, which can hold up to 6 passengers. The ride is 30 minutes to Egmont Key, the secluded island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. Here you can snorkel around the sunken fort and beds of seagrass. Private snorkeling trips out to Egmont Key take a minimum of three hours and the price is $25 per person per hour.
Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours
- 5325 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 (Located in Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection)
- Phone: 941-281-3461
- Open every day
Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours offers boat tours, snorkeling trips and pontoon rentals out of Holmes Beach. They offer a base price for the first six people, and then $45 for each additional person. Book the 9AM or 2PM option. This is a great option for larger groups, with a capacity of up to 18 passengers.
$425 for 3-Hour Charter (up to 18 passengers) / $503.50 for 4-Hour Charter (up to 18 passengers)
Spirit Cruises
- Bridge Street Pier, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
- Phone: 941-253-8503
- Open every day
Book a spirit cruise and enjoy a charter lasting 2-6 hours. You’ll have relaxing cushioned seating and plenty of shade. All charters are private and accommodate up to 6 passengers. Customize to your exact specifications! Masks, flippers, and snorkels are provided, as well as beach toys, floats and other fun things. You’ll end up on a local island where you can kick back, snorkel, swim, shell, picnic, paddle board and relax.
2-Hour Sightseeing and Island Hopper
$300 for up to 6 people
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the island, while enjoying sightings of marine life. Search for manatees and dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico and intracoastal waterway. Disembark in shallow water for paddle boarding, or snorkeling. Find colorful shells at Longboat Key, Beer Can Island, or Jewfish Key. Enjoy a bite or beverage at local eateries!
2-Hour Sunset/Cocktail Cruise
$300 for up to 6 people
4PM to 6PM
This tour is the same as Sightseeing and Island Hopper, minus paddle boarding and snorkeling. Bring along your favorite beverages and snacks.
3-Hour Sightseeing, Island Hopping, Snorkeling & Paddleboarding
$400 for up to 6 people
Navigate the intracoastal waterway and see dolphins and manatees. Tour the fisheries, paddle board and snorkel. Kick back on an island and look for shells, sea urchins, sand dollars and starfish. Buckets and nets provided.
4-Hour Sightseeing & Fun in the Sun Excursion
$500 for up to 6 people
This is their most popular tour, which includes sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. Find an island to explore and see the Cortez Fishing Village.
6-Hours The Spirit AMI Experience $700
$700 for up to 6 people
This longer tour includes Longboat Key, Beer Can Island, Passage Key preserve, shelling, paddle boarding and snorkeling. Boad disembarks at AMI City Pier and the famous ‘Rod and Reel Pier’ – perfect spots for paddle boarding, snorkeling, and shelling.
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