Private Snorkeling Charter · Key West
A private Key West snorkeling charter — your captain picks the reef.
Most Key West snorkel trips drop 30 to 50 strangers on the same reef at the same time, every day, regardless of what the water actually looks like. Ours doesn’t. Wind shifted overnight? We move. Visibility flat at the usual spot? We move.
Perry departures include complimentary Perry Hotel pool and gym access — an approximately $35 value.
Local crew. Small groups. Private experiences.
Private snorkeling planned for the day in front of you. A local captain chooses the route around weather, tides, visibility, and your group's comfort level.
Take the reef up a notch
Toys & gear for your trip.
Add underwater power to your snorkel day — plus what already comes aboard your Jeanneau.
Waydoo Subnado
Glide the reef without the kick — a beginner-friendly, guide-supervised underwater scooter.
$100/person · $150/person for a connected pair
Reserve at least 2 days ahead.
Add a Waydoo →eFoil The Keys
Electric hydrofoil lessons or a sandbar add-on, coordinated with our eFoil partner.
Reserve at least 5 days ahead — high demand.
See eFoil options →- 18′ Floating Lily Pad. Already comes aboard your Jeanneau — a post-snorkel float and group lounge space.
- O’Brien Paddleboard. Included on your charter — cruise the flats between reef stops.
- Perry Hotel Day Pass. Perry departures include complimentary Perry Hotel pool and gym access — an approximately $35 value.
Add-ons are arranged on your Six Fins booking — mention them when you reserve. All toys & add-ons →
Why Private
Why a private charter beats the big snorkel boats.
The 50-passenger reef boats out of Key West are fine for what they are — cheap, predictable, and busy. A private charter is a different product entirely. Here’s what changes.
Captain reads the day
Wind, current, water clarity, jellyfish reports — the captain weighs all of it before choosing your spot. Big boats can’t pivot. We can.
Just your group
No strangers crowding the ladder. No 50 fins kicking up sand at the same reef anchor. Your friends, your family, your kids — that’s it.
Your timing
Stay longer at the spot that’s firing. Skip the one that isn’t. Add a sandbar stop on the way back. The clock works for you.
Real instruction
First time? Nervous swimmer? Eight-year-old who’s never put a face in the water? The captain has the time to actually walk you through it.
Where We Snorkel
Patch reefs, mangrove edges, bay-side spots.
We don’t publish a fixed list of named reefs because the right spot depends on the day. Here’s the general menu the captain picks from.
Shallow patch reefs
Scattered coral heads in 8 to 20 feet of water, alive with parrotfish, sergeant majors, blue tangs, the occasional nurse shark resting under a ledge. Great visibility on lighter-wind days.
Mangrove edges
The nursery for everything that lives on the reef. Juvenile fish, baby barracudas, schools of glass minnows under the roots. Shallow, calm, and surprisingly fishy — great when the Atlantic side is blown out.
Sheltered bay spots
Calm water on the gulf side of the island. Good for first-time snorkelers, kids, and anyone who’d rather not bob in chop. Visibility is usually 10 to 25 feet here.
Old wrecks and structure
A handful of shallow wrecks and artificial-reef pieces hold fish density you don’t see on the natural reef — barracuda, snapper, the occasional goliath grouper hovering in the gloom. Conditions-dependent.
What’s Included
What’s on the boat.
No surprise add-ons. The flat charter rate covers everything below.
- Snorkel gear for everyone on board. Masks, snorkels, fins in adult and kid sizes. Bring your own mask if you have one you love.
- Pool noodles and floats. For anyone who wants a hand at the surface or just wants to float and watch.
- Bottled water and ice. Cold water on board the whole trip. Bring your own snacks or drinks — the cooler’s yours.
- USCG-licensed captain. A working Key West captain who lives on these waters. Local knowledge, current charts, and the legal credentials to safely run a charter operation.
- Fuel. All fuel is included in the flat rate. No fuel surcharge, no per-mile fees.
- Safety gear. USCG-approved PFDs in all sizes, first aid kit, marine radio. Standard, but worth saying out loud.
30′ Jeanneau — the right boat for snorkeling.
A wide swim platform with an easy ladder. Stable in chop. Shade on board for the in-between moments. Enough beam to spread out and dry off without climbing over each other. The Jeanneau’s draft is shallow enough to nose into the spots the bigger reef boats can’t reach — which, on a snorkel trip, matters.
See the Boat & Tour Details →Pricing
One flat rate. No per-person charges.
The boat is yours for the trip. Bring up to the boat’s capacity — the price doesn’t move.
Private Snorkel Adventure
4-Hour Charter
$1,195
Flat rate for the whole boat. Gratuity not included.
Want a longer trip? Half-day and full-day snorkel charters are available on request — great for combining snorkeling with a sandbar stop or a dolphin loop. Call (305) 906-2880 to quote.
How the Day Actually Goes
What “captain picks the reef” looks like in practice.
You roll into Perry Marina on Stock Island. Captain’s already been on the dock a while — checked the morning wind, looked at radar, called a buddy who fished the Atlantic side yesterday. Before you set foot on the boat, he’s got a plan A, plan B, and plan C.
Gear fitting happens at the dock so you’re not fumbling with mask straps in chop. Quick boat walkthrough, swim platform, ladder, how to signal him if you need a hand. Then we’re moving.
On the run out, he’s reading the water. If visibility looks soupy at the first spot — we don’t stop. We push to plan B. If plan B is firing, we stay longer. The route is a sketch, not a script. That’s the whole product.
On the way back, usually time for one more stop — a sandbar to stand in waist-deep water, a quiet cove, a mangrove channel to drift through. Up to you and the captain.
Frequently Asked
Snorkeling charter, quick answers.
Where do we actually snorkel?
Your captain chooses the snorkel spot on the day of the charter. Depending on wind, current, visibility, and guest comfort, that may be a shallow patch reef, a backcountry mangrove edge, a bay-side spot, or structure that is holding fish.
Six Fins does not force every trip to the same reef regardless of conditions. The value of a private snorkel charter is that the captain can move to the water that looks best that day.
Is this a private snorkeling trip?
Yes. The boat is reserved for your group only. No strangers, no crowded ladder, no 50-person reef boat, and no fixed anchor drop with everyone kicking up sand around you.
A private charter lets the captain adjust the pace for first-timers, kids, nervous swimmers, and guests who want more time at the best spot.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are included in adult and kid sizes. Six Fins also carries floats or pool noodles for guests who want extra support at the surface.
If you have your own mask that fits well, bring it. A comfortable mask can make a big difference, especially for first-time snorkelers.
Is the snorkeling charter good for beginners?
Yes. A private snorkel charter is one of the best ways for beginners to snorkel in Key West because the captain has time to fit gear, explain signals, choose calmer water, and let guests ease in near the boat.
If someone in your group is nervous, tell Six Fins before departure. The captain can shape the first stop around comfort before moving to deeper or more active water.
Is this good for kids?
Yes. The Jeanneau has a stable platform, easy boarding, shade, a private head, and room for families to spread out. Snorkel gear is available in kid sizes, and the captain can choose calmer, shallower water when children are on board.
For younger kids or weaker swimmers, floats and noodles can make the experience easier and more relaxed.
What is the best season for snorkeling in Key West?
Key West snorkeling can be good year-round, but visibility depends more on daily wind and water conditions than the calendar. Lighter wind often means better visibility, while strong wind can make the usual spots less appealing.
That is why Six Fins uses a captain-picked approach. If the first spot does not look good, the captain can move instead of locking your group into one fixed reef.
How much does a private snorkeling charter cost?
The Private Snorkel Adventure is $1,195 for a 4-hour private charter for up to 6 guests. Pricing is per boat, not per person.
The charter includes the USCG-licensed captain, fuel, snorkel gear, safety gear, cooler with ice, and bottled water. Gratuity is not included.
Can we add a sandbar, dolphin watching, or another activity?
Sometimes, but if you want to combine snorkeling with a sandbar, dolphin watching, eco touring, harbor cruising, or multiple stops, the better fit is usually the Custom Combo Charter.
The Custom Combo Charter is Six Fins' most popular private charter because it gives your group 6 or 8 hours to build the day around more than one activity. The standard 4-hour snorkel charter is best when the main goal is a private snorkel trip without rushing.
What should we bring?
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, swimwear, towels, sunglasses, a hat, snacks, drinks, and any personal snorkel gear you prefer.
Six Fins provides the boat, captain, fuel, snorkel gear, safety gear, cooler with ice, and bottled water. Bring less than you think; the boat is already set up for the day.
What happens if visibility is poor?
If the charter can run safely but visibility is poor at one spot, the captain may choose a different reef, bay-side area, mangrove edge, or sheltered location. If Six Fins or the captain determines conditions are unsafe, guests may be rescheduled or refunded according to the applicable booking policy.
A private snorkel charter is built around that flexibility.
Ready to find the clear water?
Book the boat, tell us your group size, and we’ll handle the rest. Captain reads the morning and picks the reef. You bring the sunscreen.
Questions first? Email info@sixfinscharter.com or browse all boat charters.