Snorkel Miami's Underwater Jungle: Nurse Sharks and Reefs Just 15 Minutes Away

(This article was submitted by Hunson, a site member and teacher at Miami Beach Elementary School)

My wife and I finally got the chance to partake in the Crandon Park kayak and snorkeling tour. Previously, we took the hour drive to John Pennekamp State Park for snorkeling (great trip by the way!), but Crandon Park is much closer—it’s only about fifteen minutes away from South Beach. If you are limited for time, this is a great way to see South Florida’s outdoors.

I called the EcoAdventure Tours office on Friday (305-365-3018) and we made reservations for the 9:30am–1pm trip the next day (Saturday). It was an easy drive on Saturday morning from South Beach to the Eco Adventures office in Crandon Park.

While we were waiting for the tour to begin, we visited the Eco-Tour’s museum room. They have a great variety of hands-on exhibits for kids and adults!

Our two tour guides went over the basic instructions on snorkeling. We paid for the trip ($50 a person, local residents $35) and headed out to the beach. Along the way, our guide R.J. stopped to show us the edible sea grapes. They are about the same size as regular grapes but taste somewhat like a tart plum. Good to remember if you are ever stranded on a desert island!

The guides demonstrated proper kayaking technique and we climbed aboard our tandem kayaks. We paddled north along Key Biscayne to Bear Cut Preserve, the site of a fossilized mangrove reef.

A Husband and Wife Underwater Adventure

We donned our snorkeling gear (it’s provided by the tour guides) and swam around the reef. My wife quickly spotted a nurse shark tucked in the reef. We had a great time snorkeling around finding colorful fish. I especially enjoyed following the large schools of 2-inch-long silver fish!

After about 45 minutes of snorkeling we were getting tired so we loaded our snorkeling gear back on the boats and with the wind at our backs paddled back to the launch. It was a nice trip and we were back in South Beach by 1:30 in the afternoon.

If you enjoy the beach, Crandon Park is a great beach with picnic tables and palm trees right on the beach. The park also has a great network of paved trails for walking and biking if you would like to explore more of the park on your own.

Key Biscayne Snorkeling Today (2026 Update)

In 2026, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation department still operates guided kayak and snorkel trips from Crandon Park on Key Biscayne. The tour is now called "Half Moon Shipwreck Snorkel Adventure" and remains a popular, beginner-friendly option with similar wildlife sightings—nurse sharks, reef fish, and schools of baitfish are still common. Prices have increased (adult rates $75). Gear is provided, and reservations are required—call 305-365-3018 or check the city's EcoAdventures website for current schedules.

Hunson’s review captures the relaxed, accessible charm of this quick getaway—it’s still a solid choice for anyone wanting go snorkeling in Miami. Underwater photography has improved, since taking the tour. Here are some recent photos of snorkeling in Key Biscayne.

Editor’s Note: Originally published October 08, 2007 and updated in 2026 to reflect pricing changes, with Hunson's original experience preserved.