5 Best Florida Beaches for Snorkeling for Active Adults

Active adults hoping to snorkel in Florida can leave the wetsuit behind. On the southern Atlantic coast, the waters are warm, and there are ample opportunities to throw on a diving mask and some swim fins to explore the tropical habitats beneath the water’s surface.

Coastal Living recently found some of the best beaches in the state for snorkeling. We’ve found which 55+ communities are closest. If you’re a fan of exploring the underwater world we’ve got you covered.

1. Peanut Island in Riviera Beach

Peanut Island is easy to identify by its man-made barrier of rocks. This island off the coast of Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County is a great place to snorkel because the water is clear, calm, and full of bright fish and plant life. There’s also a historic Coast Guard Station and lifeguards on duty. Riviera Beach is an idyllic place to enjoy the beach or take a stroll, with its marina full of fishing boats.

Nearby Communities

• Sugar Sands – Riviera Beach

• Lake Clarke Gardens – Lake Worth

• Baywinds – West Palm Beach

2. Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach

Shore diving and snorkeling are popular activities at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, which is also rich in history. It was once a segregated beach, and the name honors the individuals who turned it into a state park in 1973. The snorkeling is particularly excellent at this beach, thanks to the stunning rock reef and rich underwater ecosystem.

Nearby Communities

• Meadowbrook Lakes – Dania Beach

• Coral Ridge Towers – Fort Lauderdale

• Fountainhead – Lauderdale by the Sea

• Lauderdale West – Plantation

• Hollybrook Golf and Tennis Club – Pembroke Pines

3. Sebastian Inlet State Park in Melbourne

Sebastian Inlet provides miles of coastal recreation, including snorkeling. Visibility is especially good during the summer months, and snorkelers find the best results along the rock reefs near the shoreline. For your safety, make sure you stay within 100 feet of a dive flag at Sebastian Inlet.

Nearby Communities

• Alamanda Key- Melbourne

• Bridgewater at Viera – Melbourne

• Heritage Isle – Viera

4. Bathtub Reef Beach in Stuart

On the Treasure Coast in Stuart, snorkelers delight in the reef system just offshore of Bathtub Reef Beach. You have the chance to see over 500 marine creatures that make these waters their home, including the endangered sea turtle. This beach gets its name from its calm, warm, bathtub-like waters. Stuart was once a refuge for shipwrecked sailors, and its location on the Atlantic makes this quiet community a desirable place to visit and live.

Nearby Communities

• Montego Cove – Stuart

• Sea Pines – Hobe Sound

• Whispering Sound – Palm City

• Eaglewood – Hobe Sound

• Veranda Gardens – Port St. Lucie

5. Snorkel for Shark’s Teeth on Venice Beach

The gulf coast beaches are generally calmer than those on the Atlantic side of the state, and if snorkeling for treasures is what you’re passionate about, you’ll want to visit Venice Beach. Fossils of shark teeth are often found in the shallow waters and snorkeling is a perfect way to discover those natural souvenirs. While you’re at the beach, stay for a sunset on the Venice Pier.

Nearby Communities

• Venetian Falls – Venice

• Boca Royale Golf and Country Club – Englewood

• Fair Winds Village – Nokomis

• Sarasota National – Venice

• Bellacina by Casey Key – Nokomis

Like this post?

Take me back to the top

Cari Oleskewicz

Cari Oleskewicz is a writer based in Gainesville, Florida. She has been writing about real estate, property management, travel, and active adult lifestyles for 10 years. She has delivered lectures on the importance of high-value website copy for small businesses, and has ghostwritten books for real estate investors. Before settling in Gainesville, she lived in Tampa, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; and Florence, Italy. Before launching her writing career, Cari was a communications and editorial strategist for a digital advertising agency in Tampa and managed the communications department of a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities in Maryland. She has also taught middle school and writes poetry. Cari graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1994, with a BA in Communications/Journalism. She currently lives in Tampa, travels frequently, and recently helped her father find the perfect 55+ community to call home. View all authors