Catamaran Snorkeling Tour with Sunset Watersports – Key West’s Easiest Snorkel

It doesn’t matter how many times we’re out on different boats snorkeling and exploring, it never gets old. Doing the Sunset Watersports catamaran snorkeling trip out to Sand Key Reef is a great experience and one we’d do again. Being on a catamaran is good for people that are concerned about getting sea sick and heading out to Sand Key Reef is great for beginner snorkelers, so put those things together and you’ve got an ideal Key West snorkeling trip for newbies.

We’ve actually done several different snorkeling trips with Sunset Watersports, but being on their sailing catamaran is my preferred boat. We’ve got all the details on what to expect when you head out on the Sunset catamaran and how to have a great snorkeling experience. If you have any questions about this trip or other snorkeling options, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan a great trip to the Florida Keys.

Highlights of Sunset Watersports Catamaran Snorkeling

Sand Key Reef Lighthouse is just off the coast of Key West and the area all around it has a very large reef to explore. Depending on the winds and currents, the Sunset Watersports catamaran heads out this way to where the water is most calm and drops anchor. This is a wonderful place for beginners with a good combination of reef and sandbar. If you’re not confident, the swell here is easy to manage. If you’re a pro, you can snorkel down or out with ease.

I like the Sunset Watersports catamaran snorkeling tour because it’s such a low-stress wildlife experience. We do a lot of wildlife tours in the Florida Keys and often you need either some good endurance or even more advanced skills, especially for free diving, but with this tour you can enjoy everything on the reef without exerting yourself. As somebody who enjoys underwater photography, the sand that kicks up isn’t ideal for photos, but there’s plenty of wildlife keeping it interesting. Last time we did this tour we saw a brown shark!

Book this tour here!

Tips for a Great Catamaran Snorkeling Tour

I always like to remind parents to be mindful of their kids when they’re planning snorkeling trips, whether it’s an easy snorkeling trip like doing the Sunset Watersports catamaran or if you’re doing something bigger. I don’t just mean be mindful of their behavior on a boat, although that’s very important, but be mindful of what your kiddo is interested in and comfortable doing.

Family snorkeling trips are a great way to build interest in wildlife and the natural world, but some kids have some big fears of the ocean. The catamaran snorkeling trip to Sand Key Reef is a really good one for kids to build their confidence on and overcome their fears. Because of the sandbars out by the reef, it’s a very bright place to snorkel, so darkness under reef edges is minimal. Don’t push it though. Listen to your kids and know when to exercise their comfort levels.

For the people who get seasick on boats, calm days departing from Key West are fantastic on the catamaran. When the swell is bigger or if there’s a bit of wind, you may want to use motion sickness remedies, such as medication or tension bracelets, but the Sunset Watersports catamaran snorkeling tour tends to be very chill and I have not had to deal with motion sickness myself.

Being Prepared for Key West Catamaran Snorkeling

First off, always be ready with your reef-safe sunblock! It’s so important to not introduce additional, damaging chemicals to the ocean and its reefs, but it’s also important to keep your skin safe from sun burns. Apply your reef-safe sunscreen in advance of your snorkeling tour and reapply at least 15 minutes before getting into the water.

For getting photos underwater, you can always use either a GoPro or and Olympus sport camera for good shots when snorkeling. I like to use my smartphone because the camera is so good, so I typically have a waterproof case that’s rated for a minimum of 3 meters (about 10 feet). If you can get one with a 10 meter rating, that’s best and you’ll be able to dive down with it.

Parking for Sunset Watersports in Key West

Sunset Watersports dolphin and snorkeling tour goes out from the Key West Bight Marina in the Historic Seaport. Check in for your tour is right across from the entrance to the Marker Resort (I love this hotel!) in the same building at the Waterfront Brewery. You’ll see the huge Wyland undersea mural and that’s a hint that you’re in the right spot. Parking is available in the lot via paid parking meter machines or if you’re staying in the area, it’s very walkable. Visitors staying in the Roosevelt Boulevard hotels (24 North, Gates Hotel, Laureate Hotel) will need to drive over or take an Uber or taxi. There are bike racks here at the marina if you ride over.