You do not have to leave the country to find some of the most beautiful snorkeling spots. From spotting sea turtles in the crystal clear waters of Key West to exploring the frigid waters of Alaska there are some amazing locations to explore in the USA. This post will give you a starting point to planning the best snorkeling getaway in the USA!
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Table of Contents
Best Snorkeling in Hawaii, USA
Molokini Crater- Maui, HI
After a 3-mile boat ride, you arrive at the unique Molokini crater. The crater is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater that makes for the perfect protected snorkeling spot!
After jumping in you will be amazed to see the bright blue underwater world. We saw so many different types of fish, plenty of sea urchins, and a lot of jellyfish. Sea turtles are also a very common sighting at this location as well!
We booked with Maui Classic Charters. I read that it was best to book snorkeling tours in the morning due to the wind in the afternoons. Ours was scheduled for 7 am- 12 pm and it was a bit chilly that early in the morning, but we both forgot all about being cold after jumping in.
On the boat ride to Molokini Crater, you are given breakfast, a warm lunch, and drinks! It was such a fun addition to our 5-days in Maui!
Check out more Maui Snorkeling Tours here to find the best price!
Kealakekua Bay- Big Island, HI
As experienced by Candice from CS Ginger
One of the best things to do on the Big Island in Hawaii is snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. It is a large coral reef in historical Captain Cook Bay. It is one of the best places to snorkel on the big island because of the natural wind protection and its status as a marine sanctuary. Kealakekua Bay is where Captain James Cook first landed on the Hawaiian Islands in 1778.
The easiest way to snorkel in Kealakekua Bay is by kayaking or going on a snorkeling tour. Typically, on the tour, you will have about 2.5 hours to snorkel, plus you get to enjoy a really nice boat ride over to the bay.
Typically, the best place to go snorkeling is on the northeastern side of the bay. The water is usually calmer here, making it easier to snorkel. There are lots of different coral formations in shades of purple, pink and white, fish, eels, and other sea life to see here. You can expect to see visibility up to 100 feet due to the calm water and beautiful shade of blue.
Another place where people like to snorkel is just out from the Captain Cook monument. It is known as Ka’awaloa Flats.
If you don’t want to go on a guided tour, you can hike into the bay. However, it is a 3.8-mile hike with about 1,300 feet in elevation change.
Anini Beach- Kauai, HI
As experienced by Nikki from She Saves She Travels
If you’re looking for one of the best places for snorkeling in the USA, look no further than Kauai, Hawaii. The least populated of the 4 major Hawaiian Islands, Kauai has plenty of beaches that offer amazing snorkeling.
The island of Kauai is most famous for its famous NaPali Coastline and Waimea Canyon. Visitors flock to the island for excellent hiking, beaching, and whale watching. The best times to visit Kauai for snorkeling is summer. During winter, the waves are especially intense, making it dangerous to snorkel in much of the island during the winter months.
Anini Beach is the exception to this rule. In fact, Anini Beach offers some of the best snorkeling in Kauai! With a large, flat entry to the water and very few waves, it’s easy to snorkel year-round.
The coral is incredible at Anini Beach, and the area is known for sea turtles. In Hawaii, it’s especially important to protect the Honu (sea turtles) and their space. Although you should never touch a sea turtle, it’s illegal and you must stay at least 30 feet away from them. Also do not stand on the coral at Anini Beach as it kills it. Snorkeling at Anini Beach in Kauai, you’ll likely see flounder, Hawaiian Dascyllus, Lionfish, and even eels.
Anini Beach has restrooms but no other services. There are no lifeguards, and the nearest restaurants and hotels are in Princeville or Hanalei. You won’t need a tour to snorkel at Anini Beach. Instead, it’s recommended to use snorkel gear from your hotel or vacation rental, or bring your own to the island.
Kona, Big Island (Snorkeling with Manta Rays)
As experienced by me, The Homebody Tourist
If looking for a unique snorkeling experience in the USA, add a night snorkel with Manta Rays to your list! Yep, you read that right…you’ll be snorkeling at night in order to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants.
The tours depart from Kona which is on the west side of the Big Island. You’ll be supplied with a wet suit and snorkel gear while your tour guides discuss safety and information about manta rays.
Then you’ll jump into the dark ocean and grab a hold of the raft that is lit up with a blue light. The blue light attracts plankton which draws the Manta Rays right to the raft.
Plan your trip between the months of May and September to optimize your chances of seeing the most Manta Rays. We visited in February and were met with very (very) choppy waters and only spotted one Manta Ray.
Keep reading::: Cheap and Free Things to do on the Big Island
Best Snorkeling in Florida, USA
Key West, FL
As experienced by Disha from Disha Discovers
The rich marine life of Key West makes it an ideal place for snorkeling. The colorful corals, tropical fish, and turtles are all part of what makes this destination one of the best places to go snorkeling in the United States.
You’ll see parrotfish, stingrays, hogfish, Mahi-Mahi, dolphins, sea turtles, grouper, yellowtail snapper, dolphins, and more. You might even be lucky enough to spot some nurse sharks and hammerheads!
There are several great snorkeling spots around Key West, one of the best being Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. You can rent snorkeling gear there or bring your own. What makes this a great snorkeling spot is that there are two rock barriers where the marine life hangs out, and it’s a great spot for beginner snorkelers too.
If you’re doing a Miami to Key West drive, stop at Bahia Honda State Park for snorkeling as well. Located at mile marker 37, this snorkeling gem is known for its crystal clear waters and abundant marine life.
The park also offers daily snorkeling tours to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, which is a reef. It’s a deeper snorkel spot which means you’ll see larger creatures.
Other great snorkeling spots include Cottrell Key and Sand Key. A great to snorkel at multiple sites is by taking a tour with Fury Water Adventures. They even offer a sunset snorkeling tour which is an amazing experience.
See more Key West Snorkeling Tours here!
Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring- Williston, FL
As Experienced by Mary from Bucket List Places
Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring is an underground spring inside of a prehistoric cave, and a spot for unique and memorable snorkeling. The cave is “prehistoric” due to the many fossils of extinct animals found in the cave. The crystal clear water stays at 72 degrees year-round, leading to steam on colder mornings – settlers thought this was smoke rising from Hell, and dubbed the spring “Devil’s Den.”
Devil’s Den Spring is a privately-owned spring and offers scuba diving and snorkeling in this natural wonder. There is an admission fee to snorkel, and the center also has snorkel gear available to rent. Also, note that snorkeling is available only by appointment during the pandemic.
There is an opening at the top of the cave, which provides light. When you enter the bath-warm water, you’ll get to see the rock formations of the cave system. Unlike most other snorkeling experiences, the setting is almost cooler than the wildlife you’ll see! The cave is home to fish and turtles, and luckily no sharks or alligators since it does not connect to a river or ocean.
Devil’s Den is located in the small town of Williston, Florida. The nearest city is Gainesville, so most transport will go through there. For example, you can take a bus from Orlando to Gainesville, and rent a car for the 30-minute drive from Gainesville to the spring. Renting a car lets you explore some of the other amazing springs in the area, like Ginnie Springs and Blue Grotto.
Miami, FL
As experienced by Lavina from Continent Hop
When it comes to the US, Miami is one of the best places in the States where not only is the weather pleasant but also the beaches are great for activities like snorkelling and surfing.
The best way to get to Miami is to fly to Miami international airport. There’s a lot to do here like admire the Art Deco architecture, enjoy the locals enjoying some games and Cuban food in Little Havana and if you’re a foodie, the variety of fresh seafood here will keep you happy!
However what not many know is that the Florida reef tract is the third largest in the world and spans from Miami right till Florida Keys. In addition to an abundance of marine life there are mangroves here making it perfect if you’re looking for underwater life.
Austin’s dive center in Miami provides equipment on a budget for snorkelling. If you’re at South Beach and prefer not to buy, South Beach Dive Center helps people rent equipment. You will need fins, and snorkel gear at the least. Summer is the best time to go snorkelling here. You’ll find an abundance of tropical fish here as also sting rays, manatees, spiny lobsters to name a few!
Tip!! If wanting to see the most of Miami for a fraction of the cost, be sure to check out the Miami Go City Pass that includes free Admission to over 25 city attractions!
Best Snorkeling in California, USA
La Jolla Cove- San Diego, CA
As experienced by Anna from Anna Tee
La Jolla Cove in San Diego is an incredible place to go snorkeling! It’s gorgeous from the shore, with cliffs over the ocean and beaches to explore, but once you get in the water, it’s a whole other world of colorful fish, sea caves, and marine life. The seals hang out at La Jolla Cove year-round, so you’re guaranteed to see them lounging on the rocks and swimming alongside you in the water.
Summer is the best time to snorkel, as the leopard sharks migrate to La Jolla Cove, staying close to the shore where it’s warm enough to incubate their eggs. These beautiful (and harmless, don’t worry!) sharks are named for the brown spots on their silvery skin, resembling a leopard print, and snorkeling with them is an incredible experience!
No matter when you go, you’ll also have the chance to see starfish, sea turtles, urchins, and lots of vibrant, colorful fish. Some snorkelers have even spotted octopuses, and while dolphins don’t come to the shore, you can sometimes see them in the distant waves.
If you don’t have your own snorkel gear with you, you can rent some nearby, or even take a snorkel tour of La Jolla Cove, so an experienced guide can show you the best spots! If wanting to extend your San Diego vacation (and do all the fun things), be sure to check out the San Diego City Pass that includes admission to 55+ attractions!
Best Snorkeling in Alaska, USA
Ketchikan, AK
Okay… I know what you are thinking. Who in their right mind would want to go snorkeling in the frigid waters of Alaska?! Don’t run away yet. You are given a full wet suit, hood, and gloves. The initial dive in the water is cold, but the wet suit soon does its job and keeps you warm.
It is a whole different experience than tropical snorkeling. It’s much darker, but you can still see so many cool underwater creatures. During our tour with Snorkel Alaska, we saw sea urchins, star fish, jelly fish, and so many more sea creature. They have even spotted Killer Whales before! It was such a fun stop on our Alaskan Cruise!
Best Snorkeling in US Virgin Islands
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
As experienced by Taryn from Chasing Trail Blog
It goes without saying that some of the best snorkeling in the world is found in the Caribbean. For a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, though, head to Buck Island Reef National Monument, 1.5 miles north of St. Croix.
From the surface, uninhabited Buck Island looks like any other pristine, gorgeous island in the Lesser Antilles. It’s what’s underwater that makes it so special — a spectacular elkhorn coral barrier reef surrounds two-thirds of the island.
Buck Island, along with its reefs, has been protected by the government since 1948. There is no fishing allowed, tourism is limited, and boating restrictions are strictly regulated. For example, the only place boats can anchor is off the sandy beach.
As you can imagine, snorkeling at Buck Island is incredible. The water here is warm, crystal clear, and generally very calm. Even better, the monument has one of only three underwater trails in the United States!
You’ll see a stunning garden of colorful coral and hundreds of fish species, all identified by helpful plaques along the trail. You may also get lucky and spot sea turtles, lobsters, or reef sharks.
To snorkel at Buck Island, you have to take a guided excursion from St. Croix. There are three authorized outfitters, and all are very reputable. Most offer half and full-day trips that include snacks or lunch and free time to explore the island.
Consider hiking the trail from West Beach across the island to the observation deck, which overlooks the reef. The family-friendly hiking trail only takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Check out more fun things to do in the US Virgin Islands!
Best Snorkeling in Puerto Rico
Culebra Island
As experienced by Candice from CS Ginger
One of the best places to go snorkeling in the USA is on Culebra Island in Puerto Rico. Culebra is a small island off the east coast of Puerto Rico. It is home to stunning beaches and reefs that are great for snorkeling.
The most popular place to go snorkeling on Culebra is Flamenco Beach. You can easily get to the reef from the shore, or you can take a guided tour. Oftentimes, these guided tours will leave from the Old San Juan area and include transportation to Culebra as well as all of the snorkeling gear you need.
If you are going out to the reef from the shore and you don’t have your own snorkel gear, you can rent it at Flamenco Beach. The most popular snorkeling area is just to the left of the main parking area. There is another great spot called “Shark Cages” that is argued to be the best snorkeling spot. You can find it where the sand ends and the rocks begin on the east end of the beach.
Be sure to leave time to relax at the beach. It is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.
Some of the other popular places to snorkel on Culebra Island are Carlos Rosario, Tamarindo Beach, Melones Beach and Punta Soldado.
Have I convinced you yet?! No need to travel far to explore the magical underwater world. What USA location is next on your USA bucket list? Did I miss any epic USA snorkeling spots?
Be sure to follow along on Instagram for more USA finds!
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