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17 Best Snorkeling Tours in Puerto Rico in 2024
Are you looking for the best Puerto Rico snorkeling tours? I’ve got you!
I have visited the Caribbean many times and participated in countless snorkel tours over the years.
Despite being a poor swimmer, I have found snorkeling in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean to be one of my favorite things to do.
But, it can be quite a challenge to find the perfect snorkel adventure in Puerto Rico, with so many options to choose from.
So, to make searching for a quality tour easy for you, I have created a list of the top snorkeling tours in Puerto Rico!
Let’s (literally) dive in.
My Top 3 Picks
#1 TOP PICK
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
Snorkeling Tours Near San Juan
1. San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour
5/5 Stars (7,225+ Reviews)
This San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour is a fantastic choice if you want to make lasting memories on your trip. It’s one of the few tours that offer snorkeling in San Juan, so you won’t need to travel far to get to your meeting point!
Unfortunately, there is no hotel pick-up, but getting to the meeting point near Escambron Beach is easy.
From there, you’ll board the boat, and the guides will take you offshore to the snorkeling spot, where you can see loads of tropical fish, turtles, vibrant coral, and occasionally a baby squid or octopus!
A professional diver will accompany you on your trip and create stunning underwater GoPro footage for you to take home.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Included: Snorkeling Gear, GoPro Video
“Great experience. Stephanie and Eric are amazing guides. Saw lots of sea turtles. Would totally do again.” – Rene (Read more reviews here)
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2. Learn to Snorkel with Fish and Turtles
5/5 Stars (350+ Reviews)
This Puerto Rico snorkeling adventure is one of the best options for beginners or people trying snorkeling out for the first time.
The operators intentionally designed this tour for people who want detailed instructions and tips on how to snorkel. They also ensure that each guest gets a lot of personal attention from the tour guide throughout the experience.
It’s an adults-only experience, and all instructors are PADI certified and will teach you how to breathe and float correctly while in the water.
As a bonus, they have a wide variety of safety equipment you can borrow during the tour, including life vests.
Duration: 2 hours
Included: Equipment
“Fun, and safe experience. Many fish and turtles to see. Overall a great time! Also photos and videos included with tickets. Instructor is friendly, well educated and a great turtle navigator.” – Alora (Read more reviews here)
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3. Jet Snorkel-Snorkeling with Turtles
5/5 Stars (1,655+ Reviews)
If you are looking for a fun and unique experience, then jet snorkeling with turtles in Puerto Rico is a perfect fit for you!
This jet-powered snorkel is easy to use and will help you swim against stronger currents. That way, you can enjoy the crystal clear water, fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs without doing all the hard work yourself.
The tour takes about one and a half hours and includes detailed instructions and demonstrations with a knowledgeable guide.
Sadly, no food or drinks are included in this tour (not even soft drinks), but the sea turtle experience is well worth it!
Duration:1.5 hours
Included: Use of snorkeling equipment
“The jet packs made it super easy to snorkel and we saw lots of turtles. The tour guides also provided all the pics, so it was a great adventure” – Brittany J. (Read more reviews here)
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4. Power Snorkel Adventure
5/5 Stars (75+ Reviews)
This San Juan Power Snorkel Adventure is a great fit for anyone who wants to see amazing marine life at a fun and faster pace.
After a quick instruction with the Sublue Whiteshark MixPro water vehicle, you can explore the sea floor on your own while effortlessly moving up to 4 miles an hour.
My favorite thing about this tour is that the instructors will accompany you with a GoPro and share the images and videos free of charge.
Of all the Puerto Rico snorkeling tours available, it’s awesome that this one provides footage of the experience so you can share it with your friends and family back home.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Included: Equipment, Photos & Videos (not guaranteed)
“We saw sea turtles, squid, urchins and lots of fish. Swam through a “shipwreck”. Had a great time. Underwater photos and videos included in the package. No attempt to up sell. Dive is right off the beach so no long boat ride.” – Clyde R. (Read more reviews here)
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5. Small Group Snorkeling Guided Tour from San Juan in Puerto Rico
5/5 Stars (5+ Reviews)
If you plan to book one of the guided snorkel tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico but want a more intimate experience, then this small group snorkeling tour is a great option.
No experience is required to participate, and it’s great for beginners because you won’t be traveling far from shore.
The actual guided snorkeling experience is 45 minutes and begins right off the shore in front of the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan.
Another unique part of this tour is that you’ll get to see sea horses, which are pretty elusive in the Caribbean. Also, the guides will provide pictures of your snorkeling adventure in Puerto Rico free of charge.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Included: Snorkeling Equipment, Water, Pictures
“My friend had never been snorkeling and was very wary. The crew made her feel safe and comfortable. It was a great first experience! The ocean was quite rough that day, but we were in an area protected by a sea wall so it wasn’t as choppy.” – Ashley (Read more reviews here)
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6. Mermaid Snorkel Tour and Video Shoot
4.5/5 Stars (30+ Reviews)
This Mermaid Snorkel Tour and Video Shoot in San Juan is a wonderful excursion for kids and teens. This photoshoot experience allows you to experience life as a mermaid, fulfilling many people’s childhood dreams!
Your photographer will help you fit into a fabulous mermaid costume and teach you some cool poses for the photo shoot.
You’ll also learn to swim with the tail and snorkel throughout the bay. The team will even take some cool underwater footage with a GoPro of your experience.
After your snorkeling tour, you get to take these photo memories free of charge directly to your phone.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Included: Mermaid Tail and Snorkel Equipment
“Best excursion especially for kid/teens. Super fun dressing up like a mermaid and a beginner level snorkel experience. I have not one complaint. Our tour guide was amazing and great with my teen girls. Andres you made this day memorable for all of us!!! Thank You” – Catherine B (Read more reviews here)
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Best Snorkeling Tours in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
7. Snorkel Icacos Island Aboard El Kraken – Private Charter
5/5 Stars (5+ Reviews)
Hop on board the spacious El Kraken boat for this private charter Fajardo snorkeling tour.
The tour starts in Fajardo and takes you to the San Juan Cordillera Islands. The La Cordillera Reef and Nature Reserve around the islands are among the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico.
The crew of your private boat will help you find the best sections of the reef to snorkel, and they can adjust the itinerary if you aren’t having great luck. This customizable itinerary is one of the top perks of booking a private tour.
The Catamaran Snorkeling Tour in Puerto Rico might look exceptionally expensive. But, if you’re traveling with your extended family or a large group, you can split the cost and might even end up with a bargain.
Duration: 5 hours
Included: Lunch, Drinks, Snorkel Gear, Safety Belt, and Floaters
“Great experience for our family. Loved the crew; so friendly and helpful. The snorkeling was awesome. It was fun to eat and drink onboard and the staff accommodated our dietary preferences. Overall a great experience and would highly recommend.” A Tripadvisor Reviewer, Jan 2023 (Read more reviews here)
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8. Private Sailing and Snorkeling in Puerto Rico Tour with Open Bar
5/5 Stars (45+ Reviews)
Grab your five best friends and enjoy a day of beautiful snorkeling on board this spacious, private sailboat. This private tour will take you to some magnificent offshore islands recognized as some of the best places to snorkel in Puerto Rico!
The ship provides a fully stocked open bar and a crew devoted to making this day a memorable experience.
This tour is also great for beginner snorkelers since the crew is happy to give introductory lessons to snorkeling and provide you with safety floaties. As a poor swimmer myself, I highly appreciate this extra effort to make guests feel comfortable at any level.
Duration: 6 hours
Included: Appetizers, Open Bar, Floaties, Paddle Boards, and Snorkeling Equipment
“Top notch captain and crew. They went out of their way to make sure everyone had a wonderful time and trip. The quality of the experience was exceptional. Highly recommend.” – Alan T. (Read more reviews here)
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9. Guided VIP Snorkeling Tour
5/5 Stars (20+ Reviews)
This guided VIP Snorkeling Tour on board the Dragon Fruit is an absolute treat for beginners and advanced snorkelers alike.
The tour takes you snorkeling in Puerto Rico from Fajardo with a private group of up to 6 people. You’ll get to visit two different coral reefs on this snorkeling boat tour, and hopefully, you will spot some marine life along the way.
The locations vary, but if you have a choice, the Cordillera Cays Nature Reserve is awesome!
While enjoying the marine life, the crew will prepare a lovely lunch with their signature Dragonfruit cocktail for you and your friends.
The knowledgeable local guide will help pick the best snorkeling spots and give introductory lessons if needed. Your tour guide can even teach you some free-diving techniques on this trip.
Duration: 4 hours
Included: Lunch, Snorkeling Equipment, and Signature Cocktails
“What a wonderful afternoon with Ruthie and Captain Scotty. Great fun, good snorkeling, good food. Both are safety-first.. know the good spots… even named some of the local fish. So glad we chose Sympatico and the Dragon Fruit.” – Michael B. (Read more reviews here)
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Best Snorkeling Tours in Rincon
10. Rincon Snorkeling Adventure
5/5 Stars (125+ Reviews)
The Rincon Snorkeling Adventure is an amazing choice if you want to learn more about the marine life in Puerto Rico.
Before jumping into Rincon’s crystal clear waters, your professional guide will give you a fish identification briefing so you know what to look for. In my opinion, this is a cool personal touch that sets it apart from other Puerto Rico tours.
If you wish to borrow an underwater camera, you can pay a little extra for access to one.
Since it’s a small group tour, you will get extra attention from your guide, making for a more enjoyable experience away from large crowds.
Duration: 3 hours
Included: Equipment
“Claire is hands down the best!! I had never snorkeled before and she is super kind, patient and a great instructor. She has a passion and love for the ocean and it shows in her knowledge of everything in the water. I would highly recommend these guys for you snorkeling adventure!! Every staff member was great!” -Alisa H. (Read more reviews here)
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Best Snorkeling Tours to Culebra
11. Half-Day Boat Tour to Culebrita or Culebra Beach Hopping
5/5 Stars (5+ Reviews)
If you’re traveling with your friends or family, consider booking this private half-day boat tour to Culebra. The island is well known for having the best beaches for snorkeling in Puerto Rico!
Since it is a private trip, you can choose between multiple routes and design the itinerary according to your preferences.
The boat will provide everything you need for a great half-day adventure to Culebra Island or Culebrita Island, where you can enjoy the water and beautiful reefs.
A Culebra snorkeling trip should be on every traveler’s itinerary! If a private trip is too expensive, consider speaking with other travelers and sharing the boat with a group of people. This makes it so much more affordable.
Duration: 5 hours
Included: Snacks, Beverages, Equipment, Floaties
“We are 3 friends who stayed at Fajardo and decided to do this Culebrita tour. We took the early ferry to Culebra, where Tony greeted us. He was very professional, easy to understand safety protocol and punctual. We felt very safe. Overall 5+ stars, we wish next time we can stay longer and enjoy the full-day version of Culebrita!!!!” – Tripadvisor (Read more reviews here)
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12. Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Culebra Island with Lunch
4.5/5 Stars (225+ Reviews)
If you book this 7-hour morning & afternoon snorkeling boat tour to Culebra island, you’ll enjoy amazing marine life in calm, clear waters. It’s the perfect trip for families with smaller children and beginners.
The main stop is Flamenco Beach, which looks like something out of a dream. It’s known for its shallow turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and intriguing abandoned tanks.
A marine biologist is always on board to teach you everything you want to know about the fish.
Additionally, they serve a delicious lunch on this trip, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Duration: 7 hours
Included: Equipment, Lunch, Beverages
“This experience was incredible! From the moment we got picked up at our hotel by Tito. The entire staff was super friendly, incredibly professional and extremely knowledgeable. It’s so worth it! One of them is a marine biologist” – Chloe F. (Read more reviews here)
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Best Snorkeling Tours to Icacos Island
13. Icacos Boat Trip and Beach Day Package
5/5 Stars (335+ Reviews)
This boat trip from Fajardo to Icacos Island is one of the top tours Puerto Rico has to offer and a great fit for people wanting a ‘remote island’ experience in the Caribbean.
After the transfer to Icacos Island, they give you all the gear you need, leaving you to explore independently. Where you go and how long you spend snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing is completely up to you.
The downside is that you’ll only get snorkels and goggles. Fins, safety equipment, and lunch are not included in this trip.
Duration: 5 hours
Included: Light refreshments, Snorkel and Glasses, Beach umbrellas
“The tour guides on this trip are amazing. They had everything set up and ready for us on the beach, they took a snorkeling, offered to take my son to jump off the pier, provided toys for the beach. It was a great day!” – Monica D. (Read more reviews here)
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14. Icacos Deserted Island Catamaran & Picnic Cruise
5/5 Stars (1,430+ Reviews)
There are many reasons why visitors love this Icacos Deserted Island Cruise.
The tropical island of Icacos is an authentic Caribbean Paradise where deserted beaches and stunning marine life await you.
Your crew on this Icacos snorkeling tour will spoil you with a delicious picnic lunch and pina coladas. Keep in mind to pre-order in case you are vegetarian. Otherwise, you might end up with a turkey sandwich.
You can look for sea shells on the beach or discover the underwater world with your snorkel.
Life Jackets on the island are not always available, so bring your own if you depend on them.
Duration: 5.5 hours
Included: Lunch, Drinks, Equipment, Beach volleyball
“Great trip. Fun and friendly staff. The highlight was when a dolphin came right by the swimmers to play!!” – Milagros G. (Read more reviews here)
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15. Icacos Island Snorkel & Boat Tour (All-Inclusive)
5/5 Stars (715+ Reviews)
Of all the Icacos Island snorkeling tours, this is one of the highest-rated, taking you on a fantastic day trip to the golden sands and rich coral reefs on a deserted island.
This tour is especially great for beginner snorkelers. They offer floating devices and safety belts for beginners to borrow. Plus, an experienced guide introduces you to the underwater world and helps with snorkeling techniques.
A deli-style lunch and drinks, including Puerto Rican Rum, are all included.
Duration: 5 hours
Included: Beverages, Snorkeling Equipment, Lunch
“Staff was friendly and amazing. Awesome environment, snorkling was super fun and easy even for beginners. Local staff to get great tips for the area. English friendly.” – James S. (Read more reviews here)
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Snorkeling Tours in Parguera
16. Private Parguera Snorkeling, Sunset & Biobay Swim
5/5 Stars (29+ Reviews)
This 8-hour Private Snorkeling Excursion is truly a one-of-a-kind trip.
After a full day of incredible snorkeling, you’ll end the tour at the famous Parguere Bio Bay, where you can observe millions of unique bioluminescent microorganisms lighting up the water in the famous bay. Plus, it’s the only bio bay in Puerto Rico where you can swim, so feel free to jump into the glowing bay!
Other great stops on this tour are Cayo Caracoles and Lajos, where you will watch the sunset.
Lunch and snorkeling equipment aren’t included on this tour, but the guide will show you where to rent a snorkel and take you to a restaurant where you can try authentic Puerto Rican food.
Since the tour is private, you can add different stops and change the itinerary. You can even upgrade your tour to visit Gilligan’s Island and see some waterfalls.
The bioluminescent snorkeling is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience!
Duration: 8 hours
Included: Nonalcoholic Drinks
“The whole tour was memorable & personable! It was a once in a lifetime experience. Carlos was very knowledgeable, friendly and went above & beyond. Will be using him again in the future when we come back to Puerto Rico!” – Melissa. (Read more reviews here)
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Best Snorkeling Tours in Aguadilla
17. Snorkeling Adventure in Aguadilla
5/5 Stars (44+ Reviews)
The Snorkeling Adventure Tour in Aguadilla is great for experienced snorkelers and beginners.
The tour begins with a safety briefing and some instructions on using the gear, and they supply visitors with a floating device. Another thing I love about this tour is that the guide will explain in-depth all the fish and marine life you encounter on your snorkel.
This tour is hands-on and a great experience in Aguadilla, especially for beginners who need more guidance.
Duration: 2 hours
Included: Snorkeling Equipment and Floating devices
“We took the kids (14, 21, and 29) who had all different types of swimming endurance and skill. They all had a great time and saw alot of fish and sea turtles. The guides were excellent and I would highly recommend this activity to anyone who loves the water!” – Sabrina C. (Read more reviews here)
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FAQs
Is there any good snorkeling in Puerto Rico?
Yes, there is good snorkeling in Puerto Rico, where you can swim in crystal clear waters and see vibrant marine life. The best snorkeling spots are Fajardo, Vieques, and Culebra.
What is the best time of year to snorkel in Puerto Rico?
The best time of the year to snorkel in Puerto Rico is between December and January. These months have statistically the least chance of rain throughout the year and the most transparent water.
Is San Juan good for Snorkeling?
San Juan is okay for snorkeling. If you only have a day in Puerto Rico, it’s worth doing. But other parts of Puerto Rico, like Culebra and Fajardo, offer better snorkeling conditions.
Are there any coral reefs in Puerto Rico?
Yes, there are many coral reefs in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is known to have a uniquely diverse marine ecosystem. Part of that ecosystem is mangrove forests and beautiful coral reefs. The best coral reef for snorkeling in Puerto Rico is on Culebra Island.
Can I swim with turtles in Puerto Rico?
Yes, you can swim with turtles in Puerto Rico. Culebra Island is one of the most famous snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico and is home to a large population of sea turtles.
Is Snorkeling in Puerto Rico safe?
Yes, Snorkeling in Puerto Rico is considered to be very safe. During the winter, the waters are very calm and suitable for beginners. Specific snorkeling tours even cater to beginners, offering extra instruction and floatation devices.
Do I need previous snorkeling experience to go on a tour?
No, you do not need previous snorkeling experience to go on a tour. Most day trips and tours in Puerto Rico are beginner-friendly and offer instruction for guests who haven’t snorkeled before.
If it rains, will our snorkeling tour be canceled?
No, your tour will usually not be canceled when it rains. Puerto Rico is a tropical island, so occasional rain showers are common and usually followed by lots of sunshine. In the event of a severe storm, the tour provider will contact you ahead of time and cancel or postpone the tour.
Final Thoughts: Puerto Rico Snorkeling Tours
There is such a wide array of Puerto Rico snorkeling tours available that it’s hard to know exactly where you should go and which ones are worth the price.
But that’s why I wanted to do this deep dive!
Hopefully, this list of the top snorkel tours in Puerto Rico has helped you find the one that’s right for your budget and travel style!
I highly suggest booking this Learn to Snorkel experience for beginner snorkelers and unsure swimmers. However, if you are an experienced swimmer and want the best snorkeling possible in Puerto Rico, book a tour of Culebra Island.
Whichever tour you pick, it will be a fantastic Caribbean experience, and you will make some lovely memories along the way.
Can’t get enough of Puerto Rico just yet? Find out what it’s like to live there with this guide to the Pros and Cons of living in Puerto Rico.
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