Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Spots in Key West

Key West is home to one of the world’s largest coral reefs, and it’s well worth exploring.

2 min readAug 19, 2018By Lydia Schrandt

Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Spots in Key West

Hi, I'm Lydia!

Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

Home to the third-largest coral reef in the world and one of the best spots for diving in the United States, Key West is a destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, from those who are just dipping their fins in the water to more experienced divers. These are some of the best spots.

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Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Florida Reef)

Fish in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Florida Reef).Photo Credit: Joe Quinn / Shutterstock

This large marine sanctuary protects the 220-mile (354-kilometer) Florida Keys Reef, the third largest coral barrier reef in the world and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. The reef runs from Key Biscayne to Dry Tortugas, with plenty of spots for diving and snorkeling along the way.

Dry Tortugas National Park

An aerial view of Dry Tortugas National Park.Photo Credit: Stacy Funderburke / Shutterstock

Dry Tortugas National Park, made up of seven small islands, is situated in the middle of a coral reef and offers some of the best snorkeling in Key West. Many tour companies offer snorkeling excursions for either half or full day that focus on reef viewing or shipwreck exploration.

Key West National Wildlife Refuge

The ocean around Key West National Wildlife Refuge.Photo Credit: Key West National Wildlife Refuge

The crystal clear waters of Key West National Wildlife Refuge allow snorkelers to spot sea turtles and other marine critters living among the mangrove forests. The park is also popular for kayaking, and the two activities can be combined into a single guided outing.