Biscayne National Park is 95% water, meaning snorkeling in Biscayne National Park is the best way to explore its beautiful 173,000 acres. It’s home to the 3rd largest reef system in the world, the Florida Reef Tract, and the only extensive reef system in the continental United States.
Unlike other crowded Florida snorkeling spots, Biscayne offers a more secluded and pristine experience, with thriving coral ecosystems, historic shipwrecks, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. You’ll even have the chance to see diverse marine life up close in their vibrant natural habitat!
Whether you’re a seasoned snorkeler or a beginner looking for an unforgettable adventure, this national park promises an up-close encounter with one of the most stunning marine environments in the U.S.
Ready to dive in? Let’s explore what makes snorkeling in Biscayne National Park so extraordinary. Keep reading to learn all you need to know before going snorkeling in Biscayne National Park!
Best Time to Visit Biscayne National Park
The best time of year to visit Biscayne National Park is actually during the winter months (November to April). It’s the dry season with less chance of rain, lower humidity, and milder temperatures. Making it the best time of year to snorkel!
Contrary to what you might initially think, the summer into fall is the worst time to visit. It is the hottest and most humid time of year, with a higher risk of rain, thunderstorms, and hurricanes.
We visited during September, and sadly, we did not have the best weather. The weather called for thunderstorms all day. Thankfully, the storms held off, but it was very cloudy and windy. Not only did it affect water visibility and clarity, but we could not leave the bay and had to snorkel along the mangroves instead of the coral reef. It was still beautiful, and we saw many colorful fish and marine life! However, we were still quite bummed we didn’t get to snorkel the reefs.
How to go Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park
The Biscayne National Park Institute is the official partner with the National Park. It’s a non-profit that partners with the National Park Service to offer a variety of guided tours and experiences within the park. There are two other authorized vendors in the National Park: Ace Diving and Diver’s Paradise. While their main focus is scuba diving, they also offer snorkeling tours.
We booked a private snorkel tour (with 2 of our friends) through Biscayne National Park Institute and had an incredible experience! Since they’re a non-profit, the proceeds from their tours go back into education and research, as well as protecting and preserving the National Park. Most of their tours depart directly from the Dante Fascell Visitor Center which makes it easy! You can check out all their snorkel tour offerings here.
Since Biscayne has over 173,000 acres of underwater areas to explore, there are many unique places to go snorkeling. As we briefly mentioned above, where you snorkel that day is all determined by the weather. So it’s extra important to have good weather on your visit day!
Watch our video before snorkeling in Biscayne National Park!
Tips for Snorkeling in Biscayne National Park
- Bring lots of sun protection! Reef-safe sunscreen, sun shirts, sunglasses, & hats
- Stay hydrated! Don’t forget to pack a water bottle to drink in between snorkel spots
- Take motion sickness medicine before your snorkel tour (there’s nothing worse than feeling seasick miles off the coast!)
- Follow reef-safe snorkeling practices (do not touch coral, remove anything to bring home, & maintain buoyancy, aka. don’t stand up on the reef)
- Bring a dry bag to pack all your items and valuables to keep them dry while on the boat!
- Use a waterproof phone case or GroPro to capture all your underwater adventures!
Planning a trip to Florida? Check out our Visiting Guide for Dry Tortugas National Park! It’s another incredible area to explore and go snorkeling!
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