Our Top Marco Island Snorkeling Tips

Marco Island, FL, is a stunning place to visit for so many reasons! Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax, explore the local dining scene, or try your hand at some adrenaline-inducing watersports, you can find it all here.

Looking to try some new experiences during your Marco Island stay? That’s great! One of our favorite Marco Island vacation activities is going snorkeling. If you’re a beginner and haven’t dived beneath the surface before, don’t worry! We’ve put together our piece on top Marco Island snorkeling tips to help guide you in the right direction—and towards local companies who can provide even more of a helping hand.

Let’s get down to it! These are our top Marco Island snorkeling tips:

1. Start Where You’re Comfortable

The best place to begin snorkeling is somewhere you’re comfortable, like a pool or lake. This will make you feel much more at ease than jumping right into the ocean at the beach. You can even try some snorkeling techniques at your Marco Island rental with a pool if that makes you feel most comfortable!

2. Make Sure You Have Comfortable Equipment

There’s nothing worse than having your mask pinch your face and leak water when you’re trying to take in the serenity of local marine wildlife. Ill-fitting equipment is enough to ruin your whole experience!

When you try your mask on for the first time, consider that you’ll be wearing it for the next couple of hours. Are you in pain? Is it snug without being too tight? You want to be sure you’re happy with how it fits, so you can truly enjoy your experience!

The best way to quickly test your mask’s seal and comfort is to press it against your face while forcefully inhaling through your nostrils. The seal should be secure enough that you don’t have to hold the mask to your face. It’s worth taking the time to make sure it’s the perfect fit!

3. Think Fins

Do you need fins to snorkel? Well, it’s not always necessary to have fins on your feet. Buying fins is a good idea if you plan to snorkel out in the open water, as they make you faster and more agile. However, your snorkel and mask are all you need if you're sticking to a more shallow, beginner-oriented area.

If you choose not to buy fins (or forget them), wearing protective footwear is a good idea. In fact, we highly recommend it.

Reef shoes, water socks, or even some light sneakers will work just fine for protecting your feet! There are sharp rocks and shells that you could step on in the water here, and if you cut yourself on the reef, it can take a while to heal.

4. Don’t Snorkel Alone

Always have a buddy with you when you go snorkeling! You never know when an accident could happen, and the last thing you want is to have a misstep occur where you need help and no one is there to help you. Use the buddy system!

5. Know the Waters

Before snorkeling, you want to check things like tides, waves, currents, and weather conditions, particularly if you’re going in the ocean. If you’re unsure of the tides and weather patterns, you can always speak with a lifeguard to learn more about the conditions! When in doubt, though, it’s best to stay on the shore if you can't figure out the conditions. Better safe than sorry!

6. Relax

Before snorkeling, take some deep breaths and try your best to relax. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to float along at the water's surface! Snorkeling may feel a bit awkward at first, but you’ll eventually acclimate. Once you’re used to it, you won’t be able to get enough!

7. Take a Waterproof Camera

If you’re heading out into the gorgeous ocean waters, you’ll find plenty of fish and coral to take pictures of. If you have a waterproof camera, you can take some pictures and have some wonderful memories from your trip.

What Kind of Fish Can We See When We Snorkel on Marco Island?

When you go snorkeling on Marco Island,  you’ll spot types of fish like:

• Snapper
• Grouper
• Snook
• Spotted Seatrout
• Jack Crevalle
• Sheepshead
• Tripletail
• Barracuda
• King Mackerel
• Pompano:
• Hardhead Catfish
• Black Tip Shark
• Goliath Grouper

Where Are the Best Places to Go Snorkeling on Marco Island?

There are plenty of great places to see some beautiful fish off the coast of Marco Island. Here are our favorites:

• Tigertail Beach
• Keewaydin Island
• Clam Pass Park
• Lowdermilk Park
• Vanderbilt Beach
• Barefoot Beach Park

Book Your Marco Island Stay Directly with Marco Island Vacation Properties!

Marco Island Vacation Properties® is a family-owned and operated business that has welcomed visitors to this tropical paradise since 1989. We don’t just hand you the keys and say, “Enjoy your stay.” Our team is available around the clock to assist you with any questions, whether it’s how to work something in your vacation rental or a local recommendation. 

In addition to providing excellent customer service, we offer maintenance and housekeeping support, babysitting, grocery shopping services, and much more. Ready to book your trip? Browse our available Marco Island Vacation rentals now and book your stay directly with Marco Island Vacation Properties!