4 Best Snorkel Spots in Fort Lauderdale

Consider these epic snorkeling spots in Fort Lauderdale during your next vacation to South Florida.

Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale

Despite the big city landscape, South Florida, and Fort Lauderdale specifically, is home to some stunning underwater scenery. It’s amazing, really – just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the urban area are vast landscapes of aquatic life.

Sea turtles readying to nest along the beaches; sleepy nurse sharks tucked underneath a reef ledge; southern stingrays fluttering into the sand; and vast numbers of Caribbean reef fish are a common sight to see. You never know what you might encounter while snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale.

And that’s a huge reason why we love snorkeling here so much. We have the convenience of the big city but the underwater landscape of a remote Caribbean island. How cool?!

The rest of this article will highlight considerations to take before going snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale, the best snorkel sites in the area and how to get to them, plus some gear recommendations for your adventure.

Considerations for Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale

Snorkeling isn’t for everybody. It’s a physically demanding activity and you should approach it as such. Here are a few considerations to take before you go snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale:

• Comfort in the water. Can you swim? Are you comfortable in the ocean? In deep water? Be honest with yourself before you book a snorkel adventure.
• Physical Fitness. Swimming, diving and pulling yourself back onto a boat. Be sure you’re able to do these physically demanding tasks.
• Weather. Who wants to snorkel in the rain?
• Wind. Wind speed is a determining factor on whether or not you should go snorkeling. If the wind is ripping in from the open ocean (the east), chances are waves will cancel your snorkeling fun.
• Waves. If you see whitecaps in the ocean, that’s a good indicator of rough conditions.
• Current. A strong rip current can be dangerous if you’re snorkeling from the beach. Snorkel sites via local boat charters will play with the current and create a safer experience.
• Visibility. Will you even see anything? If the water is looking clear blue from shore, you’re likely to witness some awesome sea life.

Best Snorkel Sites in Fort Lauderdale

These are the four best snorkel sites in Fort Lauderdale based off of our personal experiences. Enjoy!

4. Vista Park Reef

Difficulty: Advanced

Type: Self-Guided from shore

Vista Park Reef is a shallow water coral reef a short swim from shore (approximately 600 – 800 feet). You can access the reef from one of three city parks: Earl Lifshey Ocean Park, Loggerhead Park or Vista Park.

The reef itself is about 12 – 15 feet deep. As you leave the beach, swim past the swim buoys and you’ll notice some small coral structures + algae. Keep swimming.

After a crossing over the last area, you’ll come over a small sand patch, you may think you missed it. You have not. Keep swimming just a little further!

About 100 feet later the reef will come into view. Large relief ledges and coral head jetting upwards toward the surface. You’ve arrived. Have fun!

This snorkel site is entirely self guided – you must bring your own snorkel equipment and dive flag.

Here’s a video of the northern section of the reef (known as Oakland Park Reef) that we explored while scuba diving to give you a good idea of what you might see while snorkeling.

3. SS Copenhagen

Difficulty: Beginners

Type: Boat Charter / Partially Guided

SS Copenhagen is one of the only wrecks that was unintentionally sunk in Fort Lauderdale (the rest were intentionally sunk for diving and fishing purposes).

Unfortunately, the sailors of the SS Copenhagen struck underlying coral reef in May, 1900 before completely abandoning the vessel shortly after. The vessel remained visible above the surface for years until it was completely destroyed during WW2. At the time, the US Navy used the ship as missile target practice right off the shore of South Florida.

Today, remnants of the wreck can be found amongst the coral reef backdrop. It’s an awesome snorkel location for beginners visiting the Fort Lauderdale area.

You need a boat to access the SS Copenhagen for snorkeling. Dixie Divers, a local dive shop, runs frequent snorkeling trips to the snorkel site.

2. Twin Ledges

Difficulty: Beginners

Type: Boat Charter / Partially Guided

Fort Lauderdale’s top snorkeling charter, Sea Experience, brings eager explorers to Twin Ledges: a shallow snorkel site right off of Fort Lauderdale Beach.

The top of the reef is 15 feet deep with ledges dropping off to 18 and 20 feet (west and east, respectively). It’s an awesome reef to explore with lots of life, frequent visits from sea turtles, and a resident nurse shark.

Additionally, the trip with Sea Experience combines a neat boat tour of Millionaire’s Row in Fort Lauderdale (a stretch of mansions and mega-yachts).

1. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Type: Self-guided or guided

Difficulty: Beginners to Intermediate

Forget South Florida. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is one of the coolest snorkel sites in the entire United States. And for good reason.

So much life. So much to see. And so easy to get there. In fact, the reef itself is evident as soon as you pass the swim buoys from the beach. All in all, it’s about a 300 – 400 feet swim to get there. You must use a dive flag when snorkeling at this site.

As for what you might see, the “swiss cheese” coral reef system features cracks and crevices packed full of marine life. Lobsters, nurse sharks, reef fish, and again, the occasional sea turtle all like to make appearances.

Check out our article, Shore Diving at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, for detailed information on the snorkel site. All the information is pertinent to a self-guided snorkel adventure. But if you prefer a guided tour, I highly recommend this guided tour by a few locals. It’s the cheapest guided snorkel tour in the city!

Essential Gear for Snorkeling in Fort Lauderdale

Guided or self-guided, these items are essential for a successful snorkeling trip.

Last Minute Tips and Tricks for Successful Snorkeling

• Scrub your new mask with toothpaste prior to snorkeling for the first time. New masks have a manufacturer’s film on the inside that needs to be removed before entering the water. If you don’t, your mask will consistently fog up.
• Never touch or disturb marine life! It’s harmful for them and for you!
• Always snorkel with a buddy! The more the merrier!
• Take only pictures and leave what you find! Yes, that includes shells!
• Use a dive flag to keep yourself safe.
• Know your own limits and physical limitations.
• Full and deep breaths, horizontal posturing (laying down in the water), and keeping a relaxed state are keys to success and conserving your energy.
• Never snorkel if you’re not completely comfortable! Although, that’s not to say don’t try new things!