Private Snorkel tours to John Pennekamp coral reef
John Pennekamp snorkel tours to the coral reef in Key Largo are the ultimate private snorkel tours in Key Largo. Our boats are larger than all other private snorkel tour boats in Key Largo and are available for private groups up to 12 people. Make lasting memories with your friends and family with an exclusive group tour to the stunning Key Largo Coral Reef. Just a 35min boat ride on our comfortable purpose built snorkel boats will get you to the amazing Key Largo reefs and you may see turtles and dolphins on the way.
We visit all the premier reefs in Key Largo where we often see a huge variety of fish and often turtles! Check out the onboard fish identification cards to see all the amazing wildlife you will need to look out for.
Reserve one of our exclusive and spacious Private Snorkel Tours to the Key Largo reef. The boat tour will just have your group aboard for the morning or afternoon trip. The reef location depends on you but our captain and crew will advise where they think the best conditions will be for that trip. This is based on their vast experience and being at the reef every day and the capabilities of your group so we do not take you to some of the advanced snorkel reefs if you have young children. However if you want to go to the advanced snorkel reefs we will certainly take you there, your boat your choice!
Our half day Private Snorkel Tour for up to 12 people is $599 and includes all gear and noodles!
You will see all the amazing Caribbean reef fish with their beautiful colors dashing around the reef on their daily business. Be amazed when you see a turtle come off the reef and raise to the surface to get a fresh supply of air. Be mesmerized by the elegant purple sea fans gently moving with the ebb and the flow of the ocean.
Whats included in the John Pennekamp Private Snorkel Tours
This price includes our attentive and knowledgeable crew and best quality snorkel equipment. All of our crews are specially trained by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on management and conservation of our Key Largo coral reefs. Our snorkel equipment is top quality CRESSI equipment. You will be provided with Mask Snorkel and fins that are fitted for you correctly. All customers are required to wear a provided safety vest to ensure that you are visible in the water to other boaters. We also have oodles of noodles available for the ultimate ‘Stress Free Snorkel’!
Our boats have iced water on board for you to fill your water container. If you do not have a water container you are welcome to use our paper cups provided. You can also bring your own party food and drinks, let us know and we will make sure the cooler has plenty of ice!
You can go to any of the great snorkel sites listed on our pages or let us choose where to go in the John Pennekamp State Park. It takes around 35 minutes to get to the reef. You will get up to 1 hr at each of the snorkel sites. You can choose the first reef to snorkel at (subject to weather conditions). The Captain will suggest a choice of 2 as your second snorkel location.
Boats are not permitted to anchor in the sanctuary specially protected areas and are required to use the mooring balls placed on the reef by the sanctuary. There are times when due to weather or mooring ball availability we may have limited options of somewhere suitable for you to move to for the second snorkel stop but we will do our best and explain the options to you.
Before you get in the water you will get a full site brief from the captain on where to go and what to look out for. The reefs we visit all have multiple mooring balls for us to tie up to but we will pick the best part of the reef for your group.
Some of our regular spots on the John Pennekamp Snorkel Tours
Grecian Reef
Grecian reef is a favorite of ours as its has something for everybody young and old, novice and experienced snorkelers. There is always plenty to see as the wildlife goes about their daily business.
We can get some shelter from the oncoming weather if its rough on the day as the reef faces out to the incoming prevailing wind and waves.
The main reef itself is very shallow and can come out of the water at some stages of low tide but our boats can get quite close to the reef and usually start off in around 8 feet of water where the boat moors down to 2 feet of water right on the reefs edge.
The reef is very family friendly and you will see all types of small fish. Watch as the Parrot fish eat the algae off the reef with their big parrot like teeth.
We can often see Turtles at this reef when the reef is uncrowded.
There is also the chance to see Eagle Rays on this reef between May and September
Christ Statue
Christ Statue is our most requested location. The world famous statue is on many peoples bucket list and is a wonder to see when the weather is calm. The statue is located on Key Largo Dry Rocks which is a large circular shaped reef between Grecian reef and North Dry rocks. The statue is one of 3 identical bronze statues cast by CREESI the dive equipment manufacturer. He is over 8 feet tall and stands on a concrete base 3 feet off the seabed. The water around the statue is around 25 feet deep. The statue was put in place in the 1960s after it was donated to John Pennekamp park by the Underwater Society of America.This is an extremely popular snorkel and dive site especially at weekends and public holidays. This area can be very crowded and some times have many snorkelers around the statue. The reef itself is also more exposed to the open ocean so waves can be bigger and current stronger.
As long as the weather is calm this is a great snorkel site but on windy days it becomes an advanced snorkel site.
Molasses Reef
Molasses reef is an advanced snorkel as its generally deeper and often has current. The reef is large and a spur and grove formation and has over 30 mooring balls located for boats to moor up on.
The reef is around 30 feet at its deepest point the coral formations can be seen unto 5 feet below the surface.
A spectacular reef for seeing big shoals of carribean reef fish, turtles and cruising sharks. You are likely to see Eagle Rays passing through during the summer months. These huge creature can be in formations of unto 10 or more and is an awe inspiring sight to behold.
The south end has larger wildlife but also more current. The North end has smaller wildlife and less current. In the middle of the reef there is a large winch from an aching sailing ship that is a great photo opportunity.
This is the reef that the Glass Bottom Boats go to.
Departure times of the John Pennekamp Snorkel Tours
Private Snorkel Tours to the Pennekamp coral reef leave at 8am and 1pm. Tour duration is 3.5 hours. Our early morning departure is so we can go to the very best parts of the reef and not just get what’s left when all the other tour boats arrive. We are passionate to take your group to the best parts of the reef.
We leave as soon as you are ready as we don’t have to wait for lots of other customers to arrive. We are always happy to leave early.
There is plenty of on site parking and we have restrooms and hot showers on the dock next to the shop.
We are located in the Pilot House Marina at MM100 turn at the traffic lights at MM100 into Atlantic Avenue, then first right into Homestead Avenue, follow the road along and turn left at the American Legion. There is a parking lot on the left on the opposite side of the road from the boat racks. Our shop is located right on the dock under the boat racks.
Amazing Private Snorkel Tours to John Pennekamp coral reef
$599 for unto 12 snorkelers!