Beginner-Friendly · Family Reef Charter · 100% Private
Private Snorkel Charter
Miami — Virginia Key
A two-hour private charter to Virginia Key’s shallow artificial reef — USCG-licensed captain, full gear for adults and teens, and kids twelve and under join free.
Miami Tours & Water Adventures
Snorkeling in Miami — What Makes Virginia Key Different?
Most Miami snorkeling puts you on a shared group boat with strangers. This is a 100% private two-hour charter from Rickenbacker Marina to Virginia Key’s artificial reef — six feet deep, calm bay water, and designed for first-time snorkelers and families. Every charter departs with a USCG-licensed captain, full snorkel gear sized at the dock for adults and teens, and kids twelve and under join free when they bring their own properly-fitted gear.
Miami Tours and Water Adventures — Location is provided after booking confirmation · +1 305-772-9942 · Miamiwateradventures@outlook.com · Read guest reviews · Booking & cancellation policies · Contact us
- Duration Two hours from departure to dock-in. Reef time is captain-managed based on conditions.
- Reef Depth Approximately six feet — calm, protected Biscayne Bay water with a limestone-boulder reef structure.
- Group Size 100% private to your party. Up to 33 guests. Per-person rate scales down as your group grows.
- Starting Price From $80 per person for groups of 8+. Kids 12 & under sail free with their own snorkel gear.
The Experience
What Snorkeling in Miami Actually Looks Like
You arrive at Rickenbacker Marina thirty minutes before departure. Coolers are loaded, gear is sized at the dock, and the captain walks through the safety briefing while the dock lines come off. You’re on the water and crossing Biscayne Bay within minutes.
Virginia Key sits a short crossing from the marina. The reef is on the calm bay side of the island — shallow, protected water where the limestone boulders and surrounding seagrass attract the marine life that makes the spot worthwhile. The captain anchors, walks first-timers through fin and mask use, and stays with the vessel while your group snorkels. The water is six feet deep at most. When conditions at Virginia Key are unsuitable, the captain may redirect to an alternative segment of the same private charter so your group keeps the full boat window.
When you’re ready, you climb back on board and cruise back to the marina. You’ve had a full private session at one of the only beginner-accessible reef sites in South Florida — not from a group boat with strangers, but with your own crew, your own schedule, and your own boat.
For regional reef context, see the National Park Service overview of Biscayne National Park and the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Florida boating safety guidelines are published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Continue browsing all Miami water adventures, the Miami Island Adventure Package, or Miami yacht charters.
Ready When You Are
Each departure is a private charter the moment it is booked — once your slot is locked, the boat is yours alone. Reserve early for weekend dates and peak-season weeks in Miami.
Check Availability & ReserveFree reschedule for weather. No hidden fees. Photo ID required at check-in.
Included In Every Charter
Everything You Need On Board
Every snorkel charter runs the same standard: licensed captain, fuel, gear, instruction, and coolers — all in the rate. No hidden fees. Guests are welcome to bring additional snacks and drinks.
- USCG-Licensed Captain Master Merchant Mariner credential. Briefs guests, manages the anchorage, and stays with the vessel throughout your snorkel session.
- Fuel — Round Trip Full round-trip fuel from Rickenbacker Marina to Virginia Key reef and back, included in the per-person rate.
- Snorkel Gear — Adults & Teens Mask, snorkel, and fins sized at the dock. Children twelve and under bring their own properly-fitted gear.
- In-Water Safety Instruction The captain walks first-time snorkelers through mask and fin use, breathing technique, and surface entry before anyone enters the water.
- Coolers, Ice & Bottled Water Stocked on board before your arrival. Bring additional snacks or drinks if you would like — no glass containers permitted.
- USCG-Rated Life Jackets On board for every guest. Life jackets are mandatory during the in-water portion of the charter for all participants regardless of swimming ability.
Transparent Pricing
Per-Person Rates — Private Charter
The rate is per paying guest. Children twelve and under join free. The whole boat is yours regardless of group size. Live rates and availability confirmed at checkout.
- 2 Guests $180 / person
- 3 Guests $140 / person
- 4 Guests $120 / person
- 5 Guests $110 / person
- 6 Guests $100 / person
- 7 Guests $90 / person
- 8+ Guests — Best Rate $80 / person
Kids 12 & under sail free with their own snorkel gear. Captain gratuity is not included — bring cash to tip if you would like. Read our full terms, billing, and cancellation policies.
Live pricing for your exact group size is shown at checkout.
Before You Arrive
Meeting Point & What To Bring
- Meet Location Rickenbacker Marina — 3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. Specific boarding instructions are included in your confirmation email.
- Arrival Time Arrive thirty minutes before your scheduled departure. The captain and vessel are ready at the dock.
- What To Wear Swimwear, sun protection, and water shoes or sandals. No open-toed shoes permitted on the vessel deck.
- What To Bring Towel, sunscreen, and any additional snacks or drinks. No glass containers permitted on board.
- Kids Policy Children twelve and under join free. Bring their own properly-fitted snorkel mask and fins. Ticket adults and teens only at checkout — do not add children.
- Swimming Ability Guests must be comfortable swimming one pool lap. Life jackets are mandatory in the water. Non-swimmers may stay aboard while others snorkel.
- Check-In ID Photo ID required at check-in. Bring the same credit card used during booking. Full details in our booking and cancellation policy.
- Weather & Cancellations Only Miami Tours and Water Adventures determines weather cancellations. Pre-departure cancellations receive a reschedule or full refund. Post-departure weather changes result in a twelve-month credit voucher.
Safety & Standards
How We Run a Safe Private Charter
-
USCG Master Merchant Mariner Credential
Our captain holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Merchant Mariner credential — the federal licensing standard for commercial passenger vessels. Standards maintained by the National Maritime Center (USCG).
-
USCG-Rated Life Jackets for Every Guest
Life jackets are on board for every guest and are required during the in-water portion of the charter without exception. Florida boating equipment requirements are published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
-
Weather-First Cancellation Policy
Miami Tours and Water Adventures makes all weather decisions. If conditions are unsafe before departure, guests receive a reschedule or full refund without exception. Full terms on our terms and cancellation policy page.
-
About Our Team & Credentials
Learn more about our captains and crew on the About Miami Tours and Water Adventures page, or read what guests say on our guest reviews page. We hold a 4.9-star rating across 542 verified guest reviews.
Common Questions
Questions Before You Book
How long does the snorkel charter take?
Two hours from departure to dock-in. Virginia Key is a short crossing from Rickenbacker Marina, so the majority of the trip is spent on the water and at the reef. The captain manages the in-water portion based on conditions that day.
How deep is the reef at Virginia Key?
Approximately six feet. The reef is artificial, built from limestone boulders, and sits in calm protected Biscayne Bay water — one of the most beginner-friendly snorkel depths in the Miami area.
Is this safe for non-swimmers or weak swimmers?
Guests must be comfortable swimming a single pool lap. Life jackets are mandatory in the water. Non-swimmers are welcome to stay aboard while others snorkel — or the captain can redirect the private charter to a Star Island scenic route or Key Biscayne sandbar so everyone still has a full experience on the water.
Are kids really free on this charter?
Yes. Children twelve and under join at no charge when accompanied by a paying adult and bringing their own properly-fitted snorkel gear. They count toward the 33-guest vessel capacity. When booking, ticket adults and teens only — do not add children at checkout.
What is included in the charter price?
USCG-licensed captain, round-trip fuel, snorkel gear for adults and teens, in-water instruction, USCG-rated life jackets, and coolers stocked with ice and bottled water. Captain gratuity is not included — bring cash to tip if you would like. Guests may bring their own snacks and additional drinks. No glass containers on board.
Where do we meet and what time should we arrive?
Rickenbacker Marina, 3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. Arrive thirty minutes before your scheduled departure. Specific boarding instructions are included in your confirmation email. Questions? Call +1 305-772-9942 or email Miamiwateradventures@outlook.com.
What is the weather cancellation policy?
Only Miami Tours and Water Adventures determines weather cancellations. If the captain cancels before departure, guests receive either a reschedule or a full refund. If conditions change after the trip begins, a voucher valid for twelve months is issued. See our full terms and cancellation policy.
Can we bring food and drinks on board?
Yes. The boat carries coolers with ice and bottled water. Guests are welcome to bring additional snacks and drinks. No glass containers are permitted on board for safety reasons.
Build Your Day in Miami
Add More to Your Miami Day on the Water
The snorkel charter pairs naturally with other Miami water experiences. Combine them in a single day or book separately — your group, your pace.
Miami Island Adventure Package
Private boat tour + jet ski time + snorkeling — all in one crewed session. Up to 22 guests. Captain, fuel, gear, and coolers included.
Miami Flyboard Adventure
Water-propelled flyboard session covering hovering, diving, and the core movements of one of Miami’s most high-energy water experiences.
Private Sunset Cruise Miami
A private boat around Miami at golden hour — slower, atmosphere-led, and the natural follow-on to an active morning on the water.
Ready When You Are
Reserve Your Private Snorkel Charter in Miami
Choose your date, confirm your group size at checkout, and receive meeting details by email. The boat is private to your group from the moment you book.