Beautiful Catamaran Snorkeling with Fury Key West

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly snorkeling trip from Key West, the Fury catamaran snorkel tour is a great one to choose. Leaving from the Opal Key Marina, this snorkeling trip uses some of the largest catamarans that sail from Key West. I know that might not sound enticing, but it’s actually great to be on a big boat and I’ll explain why. This is a really fun tour and Fury Watersports makes it worthwhile for everyone on board. Have you done a snorkeling tour from Key West or will this be your first?

We’ve got the full scoop on going out with Fury Watersports in Key West for their snorkeling tours. I think it’s pretty fun and is a great addition to a visit to Key West. If you have any questions about this specific tour or other snorkeling in the Florida Keys, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great adventure!

Why do a Snorkeling Tour with Fury Key West

The best part of any snorkeling tour is always getting to see fish and explore the amazing underwater world. The snorkeling tour from Fury Key West is perfect for making sure you have a fun snorkel trip, as the catamarans they use are quite wide and handle the swell of the ocean quite well. A lot of people ask us about getting seasick on snorkeling trips, so I always recommend to book the snorkel tours that are on the larger catamarans, like Fury has, because they feel so much more stable and have a lesser impact on people who suffer from seasickness.

Something else that makes the Fury Key West catamaran snorkeling tours so fun is the general vibe of the crew, both before and after the snorkeling portion. The trip out to the reef is when you get your safety talk and snorkeling instruction, and I will give credit where credit is due: the Fury Key West crews are the funniest. We’ve been on several snorkeling trips with Fury and the crews always have the best lines and set the passengers at ease. While talking about staying off the reef for safety and conservation purposes, our guide put it in the funniest way: “What happens when we bleed in the water?” And of course everyone yelled “Sharks!” To which we responded “No, paperwork.” I mean, she has a point. But my point is that the crews are very perceptive and are great at reading their guests to ensure both an enjoyable and safe experience.

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Now, the true highlight of of the Fury catamaran snorkeling tour, which is exploring the reef. Depending on the weather and how busy it is out on the water there are a few options for where the snorkeling tour may go. Sand Key Reef and lighthouse is great, but Dry Rocks is where I really enjoy snorkeling. Even on a rough seas day, Dry Rocks makes for good snorkeling because it’s a bit deeper and you can easily dive down along the ridges and crevasses. The sea fans, corals and fish are really beautiful and there is no shortage of interesting stuff to explore. Wherever you go snorkeling with Fury Key West, you’ll enjoy it. They won’t take you someplace boring.

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Tips for a Great Fury Key West Snorkeling Tour

I always have to remind myself that not everyone gets to be on the water often and even if you’re on a lot of boats, you may not get to actually snorkel much. If that’s you, here’s everything you need to know for making your snorkeling tour just what you want it to be. First of all, fun happens when you’re safe. If you’re not feeling comfortable with the seas or the snorkeling experience, it’s not going to be fun and then it actually can get dangerous. Always be confident in telling your travel party or the crew that you don’t want to get in the water and then just hang out on board. And if you’re traveling with kids, don’t force them to jump in if they aren’t feeling it. Nervous snorkeling is just not good.

If you are worried about getting seasick heading out for a snorkeling tour with Fury Key West, you should take your necessary precautions. Some people like to use magnetic bracelets and some like to take anti-nausea medication. I prefer neither and jus like to sit on the back of the boat near the center, as this is where there is the least amount of motion. Also, being in the fresh air helps prevent seasickness.

Something extra fun about doing the Fury Key West snorkeling tour is that once you’ve gotten to enjoy your underwater time they open the bar for the “Sip” portion of the tour. The options include non alcoholic, beer, wine, mimosas, margaritas, rum punch and water. This is all included, so if you’re interested, take advantage of bar service and enjoy the catamaran trip back into Key West. I like that the “booze cruise” element of the snorkeling tour is not the main focus of the trip and that it really is all about enjoying the ocean and the wildlife, but then you can also enjoy a drink at sea. Fury Water Sports really does do a good job doing a catamaran snorkeling tour that’s good for all ages, abilities and interests.

Being Prepared for Snorkeling with Fury Key West

First off, be sure that you’re taking care of your skin with reef-safe sunblock. The coral reefs have become so damaged over the years and we all have to do what we can to NOT damage them any further. Sunblock is best put on BEFORE you get onto the catamaran. Spray sun block is not something to do onboard because it makes everything slick, and also most of the spray sunblocks aren’t reef-safe. If you’re concerned about what to use, Fury Key West provides reef-safe sunblock onboard. You also don’t need to bring your own snorkeling gear when you go out on the water with Fury Key West. They provide you with a snorkel, mask, fins and a PFD/life preserver. Yes, you are required to wear a life preserver when you go snorkeling even if you’re a great swimmer and have tons of open water experience. They use the inflatable PFDs so they’re not terribly awkward and once you’re in the water, you don’t even realize it any more.

You should bring a towel for drying off after snorkeling as it can be pretty breezy on the way back into Key West, and then of course you’ll want sunglasses and likely a hat. You can be in the shade on the catamaran or out in the sun, so get comfortable and just be sure not to lose anything off the boat. Even though there is an open bar with non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails, if you want to bring your own beverages (non-alcoholic) and snacks, you’re welcome to. I find that having a granola bar or jerky available just in case it’s a bit of a rough crossing is helpful for both us adults and the kids. Sometimes a light snack like this is ideal for staving off seasickness and giving an energy boost before snorkeling.

When you’re doing a Fury Key West snorkeling catamaran trip, you’ll want to have a camera of some sort for the experience. I snorkel a lot so always have a really good waterproof case for my phone in my backpack, but if you don’t have one yet, be sure to buy one. A clear pouch is NOT a good option for getting good underwater pictures. Spend the same amount or maybe a little more and get a waterproof phone case. Sometimes I use a GoPro too or in stead of my phone, and when I do that I have it on an extension pole. This allows me to get better photos and video CLOSER to the fish than when I try to swim close to them. You do whatever works for you.

Parking for Fury Key West Snorkeling Tours

The Fury Key West snorkeling catamaran trips mostly go out of the Opal Key Marina in the Historic District near Mallory Square. Some Fury Key West tours leave from the Historic Seaport though, so when you’re booking your morning snorkeling or two reef snorkeling tour, double check which marina you’re supposed to go out of. If you’re going out of the Opal Key Marina, there is parking near Mallory Square, and then street parking within a few blocks. Be sure that you’re parking somewhere LEGALLY and if you’re in a paid lot that you’ve purchased enough time. If your snorkeling trip goes out of the historic seaport, there is a large parking lot there by the Waterfront Brewery. Ultimately, if you’re staying in the Historic District or Southernmost Neighborhood, walking to your tour is recommended.