- Daily Days Daily
- 6 Hours Duration 6 Hours
- Snorkeling, Activity Type Snorkeling Paddling, Activity Type Paddling Island Visit Activity Type Island Visit
Join us for an intimate exploration of the waters of Biscayne National Park!
Quick Details
Departure Location: Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, FL
Duration: 3.5 hours
Start Time: 9:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Age Limit: Ages 8+ on shared trips. All ages welcomed on private trips.
Important Information:
- Fins are required to be worn by all participants while snorkeling as a safety precaution. Snorkel equipment rental is available.
- See Keeping You Safe from COVID-19 Important information regarding new guidelines and procedures for our trips.
Snorkel the reef, wreck, or mangroves!
This half-day guided trip ventures out across Biscayne Bay on a 28′ to 31′ powerboat. Group size is small with plenty of room for social distancing on the boat, private trips are available.
Your captain chooses the Biscayne snorkeling sites or snorkel site based on the day’s weather and sea conditions to ensure safety and an optimal snorkeling experience.
Each trip visit two locations of one of the following site types: In the open ocean, we snorkel around patch coral reef which is full of color and diversity. There are hundreds of species of fish and many interesting sea features to discover. Shipwreck sites can vary from a small collection of coral-encrusted ballast stones to the mangled metal structures of modern ships. On a bayside snorkel near the mangroves, which are home to many species of juvenile sea life and fish, you see soft corals and sea sponges.
For a more enjoyable experience during the winter and spring months, an island visit may be substituted for the second snorkel site depending on the weather and water conditions.
The Institute and park staff explain why coral reefs, mangroves, grasses, and hardbottom habitats are all vital to the health of the local ecosystems.
Our boats are rigged with shade, but there are also additional areas where you can relax in the sun. We have drinking water available, please bring a refillable container to minimize trash. In an open boat, we recommend bringing a light jacket and towels as temperatures on the water can be cooler especially after being in the water. Please don’t bring anything on the boat that can’t get wet!
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This program will depart from Convoy Point located at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in Homestead, FL. 9700 SW 328th Street Sir Lancelot Jones Way Homestead, FL 33033.
You will check-in at the bookstore that’s located on the second floor right next to the visitor center 30 mins before the trip departs. Please complete your waivers before your trip to ensure a smoother check in process.
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This Small Group Snorkel program has an age limit of 8 and older. For safety reasons, because of the size of snorkeling group going out, we request for children younger than 8 to be in private trips so that the captain and staff can focus on the child and your family in any case of an emergency.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This Biscayne National Park snorkeling program is designed for active adults and children over eight who are good swimmers (private trips open to all ages). Open ocean water depth can vary from 7-20 feet. Swimming in the ocean, you may encounter currents and swells which require the ability to swim and float confidently. Inflatable snorkeling vests are required, optional life jackets and pool noodles are available on the boat upon request.
This program travels by high-speed boat in open waters where the jarring motion of the boat could cause problems for pregnant women, those with recent surgeries or back injuries, and can cause motion/sea sickness. To best accommodate you and make your trip safe and enjoyable, please make a note in your reservation or privately notify our captain or mate if:
- You are not an experienced snorkeler
- You have any recent surgeries
- You have any back injuries
- You have any medical conditions
- You are prone to motion/sea sickness
- You are pregnant
- You have any other concerns regarding your safety and health
Please note: If it is determined the trip may not be suitable for you based on the days conditions a full refund will be offered.
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We recommend that you bring along the following:
- Water Bottle
- Snack
- Reef safe sunscreen
- Towel and extra clothes
You can also bring a small cooler and a bag with you on the boat. Please do not bring anything that you don’t wish to get wet. We recommend storing any valuables in waterproof bag.
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What equipment is provided during the tour?
- Snorkel vests are provided if you are taking a snorkeling excursion, you will be given a snorkel vest that must been worn while snorkeling.
- Floatation devices are given on request such as pool noodles and life jackets.
- Snorkeling equipment is available for rent during check-out or on the day of your excursion at our store. Fins are the only equipment that’s required to wear while snorkeling.
- Snorkeling Bundle (Masks, Fins, Snorkel) $10
- Mask $3
- Fins $4
- Snorkels $3
- Shorty Wetsuits $8
Boat Information
- The boat will be a 23’ or 28’ powerboat depending on the size of the snorkeling group that’s going out. This boat doesn’t have a bathroom, we recommend using the bathroom in the visitor center before departing.
- There is a cooler with extra water on the boat, and a cooler to store snacks as well. You can also leave your stuff on the boat while snorkeling, but there is a chance that it will get wet, we highly suggest storing anything that you don’t wish to get wet in a drybag.
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Online waivers will be sent with the booking confirmation. No printing necessary. You can even complete the waivers on your phone! Adults over the age of 18 must complete and submit their own waiver. Minors ages 17 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit a waiver on behalf of the minor. For snorkeling activities there are separate waivers for adults and minors, please be sure you are completing the appropriate waiver. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. To complete the waiver process, you will need to confirm your email address through and email that will be sent by Smartwaiver.
Snorkeling is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. However, there are certain medical conditions that increase risk. If you have a medical condition described on the Medical Statement or any other condition that would be contrary to safe participation in any in-water activities, you must provide documentation that you sought the advice of a physician prior to engaging in snorkeling activities.
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Even if I’m not snorkeling but my family is, can I still sit on the boat?
- Yes, you may still sit on the boat while your family snorkels, but you would still have to pay the full price of a ticket even if you aren’t doing the activity.
What reefs do you go to?
- The captains make the decision on reef locations, so it is very dependent on weather conditions and captains’ choice. Once you book and receive an email confirmation, you will be given the captain’s phone line to ask questions about the location of your trip.
What’s the difference between a Small Group Snorkel vs Snorkel and Island Visit from Coconut Grove?
- The main difference between the two trips is the departure location. ‘Snorkel and Island Visit from Coconut Grove’ leaves from the Northern end of the National Park and is closer to Downtown Miami (about 15-20 min drive). Small Group Snorkel leaves from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center which is on the Southern end of the National Park. The visitor center is in Homestead, FL which is about an hour drive from Downtown Miami. You will go possibly go to different snorkel sites, there is some overlap of sites in the middle of the park where both trips may go. Much depends on the weather of that day. Coconut Grove snorkeling trips takes a max of 6 passengers (including private trips), Small Group has a max of 14 passengers on shared trips.
What’s the difference between a Small Group Snorkel vs Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure?
- The Snorkel and Paddle Eco-Adventure is a six-hour long excursion that takes you to one snorkel location and a paddle at Jones Lagoon where you can explore the vast variety of wildlife and are taught by the captain on the different habitats and how they interact. On this trip, you stop on a small barrier island for lunch. The small group snorkel trip is a three-and-a-half-hour excursion with two snorkel locations. On both excursions your captain chooses the snorkeling sites based on the day’s weather and sea conditions to ensure safety and an optimal snorkeling experience. On both trips the snorkel location(s) would be on one of the following: open ocean around coral reef patches, shipwreck sites, and a bayside snorkel near the mangroves.