What to Wear Snorkeling in Key Largo

What you wear snorkeling in Key Largo will depend on the time of year, your tolerance to the water temperature, and the need to protect yourself from marine life such as jelly fish. About 75% of the year most people will not be wearing anything other than a bathing suit or rash guard.  Standard snorkeling gear includes snorkel mask, snorkel, fins, and a snorkel vest. During the coldest winter months a windbreaker or sweatshirt is recommended just in case its a bit chilly going out early in the morning or coming back at sunset.

Rental Gear on a Key Largo Snorkeling Tour

Snorkeling tours in Key Largo will include the basic gear to have a great time snorkeling on the coral reef. This gear will be worn while in the water. The typical gear kit includes a snorkel mask. 2 fins, snorkel, and a snorkel vest. The snorkel vest will assist with floatation so you can relax and look at all of the marine life and coral. Most snorkeling tours in Key Largo will allow you to bring your own gear. Some trips do not allow full face snorkeling masks.  Snorkeling rental gear is left on the boat at the conclusion of the tour and will rinsed, cleaned, and sanitized.

Best Snorkeling Clothing for your Tour

If you want to be prepared for your Key Largo snorkeling tour and look like you’ve done this before this is what you’ll want to pick up. We have the best options in our Key Largo Dive Shop. First your going to want protection from the sun while swimming on the surface. On a standard snorkeling tour you will have 2 hours of water time in the direct sun on most days. A long SPF rash guard will protect your upper body from both the sun but also marine life like jelly fish. Additionally a long sleeve rash guard is great to wear under your wetsuit if your snorkeling when water temperatures are in the 70’s. To protect your eyes on the boat ride polarized sun glasses with a retention band is very convenient.

Key Largo Snorkeling Tour Weather Information

Snorkeling in Key Largo is a year round activity. Here is what to expect snorkeling in Key Largo depending on time of year. Most likely regardless of what time of year your come to the Florida Keys the temperate will be 78-88 degrees. April through October is generally above 80 degrees. January and February are generally the colder months with spans of mid to upper 70’s. June, July, and August are the hottest months and temps will be 84-88 degrees. Temperatures generally do not reach or exceed 90 degrees in the Florida Keys. During the winter months if you are coming from a snowy climate you will likely think it is still very warm/hot whereas if you are from warmer climate it may feel a bit chilly driving out to the reef in the morning and coming back in at night. The air temperature does not change much from day to night, maybe a couple degrees. For this reason it is not necessarily cooler in the mornings.

What Not To Wear On a Key Largo Snorkeling Tour

There are a couple things you should leave back at the hotel room when snorkeling in Key Largo. Most importantly do not wear or bring anything that you do not want lost or damaged. Snorkeling tours go more than 3 miles offshore. The boat ride can be windy and there is a lot of wet people on the boat. Most snorkeling charters have community dry storage but it is limited and good for small backpacks. Avoid wearing jewelry especially shiny earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Get on the snorkeling boat prepared and ready to get into the water. Do not wear casual clothing with plans to change on the boats. Sneakers or shoes that cannot get wet are not convenient on a snorkeling charter. There is limited dry storage and snorkeling boats are wet!

What Type Of Sunscreen should I Wear Snorkeling in Key Largo?

Most importantly you will want to use Reef Safe Sunscreen. This is very important for the health of the reef. Reef-safe sunscreen protects the coral reefs from harmful chemicals found in many conventional sunscreens. When wearing standard sunscreen in the water chemical residue washes off the body and damages marine life. Important to note that a very small amount does a lot of damage. The Florida Keys is home to the 3rd largest living barrier reef in the world. It is our number one priority to ensure we do everything possible to protect the reefs.

Key Largo Scuba Diving is your best way to dive and snorkel the Florida Keys. Our team of local experts are passionate about scuba diving, the Florida Keys, and making sure you have an amazing time in the Florida Keys. We are open late and have local experts standing by to help you build the Florida Keys Dive Vacation of a lifetime. Call us, text us, email us, or message us on web chat. We would love to help!