Fort Lauderdale boasts one of the most prolific reef areas not only in Florida, but in the entire continental United States. Fort Lauderdale is known for its extensive network of coral reefs, which support a diverse array of fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms. Several reefs lie at swimming and boating distance from the shoreline which offers an abundance of options for exploring the rich marine biodiversity off the shores of South Florida.
Intro to snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale
Three natural reef systems run parallel to the Atlantic coast of Florida. The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Tract spans 360 linear miles from Dry Tortugas National Park to the St. Lucie Inlet. This is part of the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, roughly two thirds of which lies within Biscayne National Park And the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are rocky areas and cracks and crevices where you’ll see eels, sea turtles and even sharks off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale.
Where to snorkel in Fort Lauderdale
I’ve mapped out many of the sites listed here. Others are harder to map out but I’ve included more specific dive maps below, whenever possible.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is one of the best beach-dive areas in the world, second to the Great Barrier Reef.
SS Copenhagen
The SS Copenhagen was an English steamship which sank in 1900 and was abandoned by its crew. It has since become an official reef and an underwater archaeological preserve. You can find a laminated map of the site at most local dive shops.
Shipwreck Snorkel Trail
Off the Datura Avenue beach entrance is one of the best shore dive areas in Florida. South of Anglin’s Pier sits the shipwreck snorkel trail in 10’ of water, with an incredible diversity of species to appreciate. This trail was constructed by the Marine Archaeological Council and recreated the remains of an early wooden shipwreck. Check out the Anglin’s Pier Reef map – the trail has an anchor, concrete cannons and a pile of ballast stones made of limestone, which are home to a veriety of juvenile tropical fish. The nearby pier keeps boat traffic away, which keeps the waters peaceful for your enjoyment of turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, rays, dolphins, many varieties of colorful fish. It’s always a good idea to swim with a buddy, although it seems theres are always others around this area, so you won’t feel so on your own.
Vista Park
The Vista Park Reef is about 1,000 feet off the shore from Vista Park Beach. Known for its coral reef formations and marine life, you’ll encounter colorful coral, schools of fish, and other marine life in the rocky cracks and crevices, in depths of just 8 to 20 feet. The best part of all – it’s free and no boat ride is needed – just a dive flag, the proper gear and a swimming buddy. Get there in the early morning at high tide for the clearest and calmest waters. As part of the larger Vista Park, located along the Intracoastal Waterway, the park itself offers beautiful views of the waterway and is a popular spot for picnics, walking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Yankee Clipper Rocks (South Beach Park)
This part of the reef is about 75-100 feet offshore of the South Beach Park, east of the B Ocean Resort which was once the Yankee Clipper Hotel. There is a rocky area about 75 feet from shore, where waters are between five and fifteen feet deep, where all sorts of tropical fish can be spotted amongst the crevices. Remember to set out your diver flag if you’re arriving by boat or swimming out.
Pompano Beach
There are several snorkeling spots off the coast of Pompano Beach, between the Pompano Pier and Hillsboro Inlet. Close enough to the beach, these can be explored by swimming or by boat. Popular snorkeling and dive spots include Suzanne’s Ledge, the Hall of Fame, or Oakland Ridges, where you’ll find a sunken shipwreck and offshore ridges near the Gulf stream current. A surfboard will be helpful if swimming out! And as always don’t forget to bring a swim buddy and dive flag.
Twin Ledges
Twin Ledges is a spectacular reef about a half-mile offshore between Las Olas Blvd and Sunrise Blvd. A bit further out, and sitting in relatively deep waters, this one is better reached by boat than swimming out.
I highly recommend these snorkeling trips and glass bottom boat tours.
Hollywood North Beach Park
There are several ledges of reefs to explore off the shores of Hollywood Blvd. While it is possible to swimout, it’s easier to explore here by boat, if possible. If you opt for swimming out, simply pay for metered parking at Hollywood Beach, and of course bring along your dive flag and snorkel gea. Here’s a map of the artificial reefs along Hollywood’s coast, for reference.
Guided snorkeling tours and boat trips
If you’ve not snorkeled before or you didn’t bring gear and don’t intend to buy gear during your stay, try one of these tours. Whether you seek the equivalent of an underwater jet ski, or prefer to stay dry on a glass bottom boat tour, there’s a variety of options to choose from!
Beach Ventures
- 2000 N Ocean Blvd. Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33305
- 1-954-530-9844
- $70 for 30-min beach rental
- $140 for 1.5 hour guided snorkel tour
- $180 for 1.5 guided tour with camera
Beach Ventures offers a two-mile snorkel tour straight from the beach. What’s fabulous about this tour is they also offer Seabobs, which is like an underwater jet ski, to motor yourself around. They’ll tour you along the intracoastal and the ocean side, and they’ll provide the safety harness, mask and optional wetsuit. Guides will help you find Angelfish, Parrotfish, Sergeant Major fish, Hogfish, sea turtles and more.
They also offer seabobs with video cameras so you can record your experience and share with family and friends! Ages 12 and up are welcome and the ability to swim is not a requirement. Additionally, they offer jet ski rental and private yacht charters.
Sunrise Paddleboards
Offering a variety of water sports and adventures, Sunrise Paddleboards is your one stop shop for tours, rentals, lessons and more. When it comes to snorkeling, they offer the following tours on paddleboard!
Reef Snorkel & Ocean Paddle Adventure
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Meeting place: 2520 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- $150 for 2-hour tour; Minimum 2 guests per tour
- Gear includes stand up paddle board, life jacket, mask, snorkel, and fins.
Snorkel Jean Cousteau’s Reef and Snorkel Trail
- Shipwreck Snorkel Trail at Datura Avenue
- Meeting place: 1 Datura Ave. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL
- $65 for 1-hour tour; Group size 2 to 16; Ages 8 to 100 are welcome
- Options for longer tours are available.
Gold Coast Scuba
Gold Coast Scuba offers snorkeling, tankless diving, and SCUBA diving. Their snorkeling adventures include:
Nemo Guided Tour
$149 for 2.5 hours
Snorkeling from the Beach
$45 for 2.5 hours
Snorkeling from the Boat
$65 for 5 hours
Sea Experience Snorkeling Trips & Glass Bottom Boat Tours
- 954-770-DIVE (3483)
- Open 7 Days a Week 8am to 5pm
Sea Experience offers two 2.5-hour snorkeling trips daily at 10:15AM and 2:15PM. Their unique offering is a narrated tour through Millionaire’s Row on the intracoastal, on the way to Port Everglades and then out to the Ft Lauderdale ocean waters. You may opt to snorkel for one hour or stay dry on the glass bottom boat. Snorkeling equipment is included as well as a brief snorkeling instruction.
If this list wasn’t enough, check out these Groupon deals for snorkeling and other adventure options!
Read these snorkeling tips before embarking on your trip
- Early morning is the best time for snorkeling. High tide is when the water is clearest, and the humans have not stirred up the water and scared the creatures away!
- Don’t touch the coral! These delicate sea creatures can be razor sharp, and touching them could kill them.
- Keep your dive flag with you, and always plan to snorkel with a buddy.
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