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Frequently Asked Questions
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Snorkeling gear is included with most Puerto Rico snorkeling tours. This includes masks, fins, and snorkels, as well as flotation devices. You can find more information about snorkeling gear in your confirmation email or on the booking page. Keep in mind that if you require a prescription mask, not all providers are able to offer one, so plan to bring your own.
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Wear comfortable clothes with a bathing suit underneath so you’re ready to get wet. Not all snorkel locations offer places to change. Bring a towel, sandals, reef-safe sunscreen, water, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof camera. Check to see if your tour includes lunch, or plan to bring a snack of your own.
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Snorkeling is a great family-friendly activity, especially in Puerto Rico where you can find many shallow spots and calm waters that are well suited for beginner snorkelers. When you book a snorkeling tour, you can feel secure knowing that you’ll be accompanied by experienced professionals who take water safety extremely seriously. With years of experience, your snorkel tour guides will ensure you have a great time while being there to help you every step of the way.
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Most snorkeling tours are well suited for beginners, and tour guides will help get you acquainted with the underwater world. At a minimum, it’s best if you are comfortable in the water and have basic swimming skills. You can always wear a flotation device to make your snorkel tour more comfortable.
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There are so many amazing sea creatures and marine life you might encounter during your snorkel tour. Besides amazing coral formations and colorful schools of fish (trumpet fish, parrotfish, blue tangs), you can also come across sea urchins, eels, crabs, lobsters, sea fans, starfish, turtles, manatees, dolphins, barracudas, stingrays, and more.
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Depending on where you take your snorkeling tour, transportation options may be available, like on the Tobias Culebra Power Boat tour. For mainland snorkeling tours, like in San Juan, La Parguera, and Fajardo, you can easily get to your tour via taxi or car rental. For snorkel tours in Vieques and Culebra, check to see if the tour operator provides transportation when booking the tour. In most cases, you can expect to spend around $20 per person for transportation.
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Rain showers are pretty common in Puerto Rico. It is a tropical island, after all! However, in most cases, it can be raining in San Juan and clear and sunny in Fajardo. Showers move quickly and don’t last long. Plus, you’ll be getting wet during your snorkel tour anyway. In the event that dangerous weather conditions arise, your tour operator will contact you to reschedule your tour or provide you with a refund depending on their cancellation policy.
Dive Into Paradise: The Best Snorkeling Spots in Puerto Rico
With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs, Puerto Rico is a world-class destination for underwater adventure. Whether you are staying in the heart of San Juan or escaping to the pristine shores of Culebra and Vieques, the “Island of Enchantment” offers an aquatic playground for every skill level.
From swimming alongside sea turtles and eagle rays in secluded coves to exploring hidden beaches accessible only by boat or kayak, these are the experiences that make visitors never want to leave.
Why Snorkel in Puerto Rico?
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Warm Waters Year-Round: Enjoy calm, Caribbean temperatures no matter when you visit.
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Diverse Marine Life: Encounter colorful tropical fish, manatees, and thriving elkhorn coral forests.
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Adventure for Everyone: Choose from family-friendly shallows at Escambrón Marine Park or more adventurous drifts for advanced swimmers.
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Guided Excursions: Book a professional boat tour or a unique kayak snorkeling trip to reach the island’s best-kept secrets.
Ready to explore? Discover our top-rated snorkeling destinations across the archipelago below.
San Juan Snorkeling
If you’re only in Puerto Rico for a short trip and don’t have time to leave the main island, don’t worry! You can still enjoy a great day of snorkeling from Escambron beach, also known as Balneario El Escambron, right by the Caribe Hilton Hotel.
The rock formations in this area protect it from the rough surf of the Atlantic, making it a calm place for the whole family to snorkel and enjoy. The wildlife in this area is accustomed to snorkelers and scuba divers, so you can see the tropical fish and sea turtles up close.
Culebra
Culebra Island is considered the best snorkeling destination in Puerto Rico and one of the best in the world due to its preserved coral reefs, wide variety of beaches, clear waters, and amazing marine life including fish, turtles, and rays. You have plenty of beaches to choose from — Tamanrido, Flamenco, Carlos Rosario, Punta de Soldado, among many others — all of them offering stunning snorkeling spots and wildlife.
If you’re hoping to see sea turtles, Tamarindo is a great option. For pristine waters, choose Carlos Rosario. For shallow, family-friendly waters, check out Datiles. There’s something for everyone on Culebra and a variety of excellent tour operators who can take you there.
Fajardo
Fajardo is conveniently located near San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest, so if you’re stationed in this area for your vacation, it’s the perfect spot to go snorkeling! There are a variety of tour operators offering catamaran trips from Fajardo to the nearby small cays, where you can swim and snorkel among the tropical fish and coral reefs.
The small cays off Fajardo on Puerto Rico’s northern coast tend to have bigger, more turbulent waves, which might not be ideal for small children or beginners. If you’re an experienced swimmer, however, you can have a lot of fun snorkeling here.
Vieques
This island was occupied by the Navy for decades, meaning it was virtually deserted and the coral reefs were protected from human damage. Today, it’s a stunning place to snorkel due to the pristine reefs and interesting artifacts left behind by the Navy. This island is a truly unique place to snorkel, home to fish, hawksbill turtles, rays, and nurse sharks.
Vieques has great snorkeling beaches, including Blue Beach, Mosquito Bay, and Punta Arenas. The waters around this island are crystal clear, offering amazing visibility. If you’re a snorkeling aficionado, you might want to spend at least a few days exploring everything Vieques has to offer.
La Parguera
Located in Lajas on the southern coast of the main island, La Parguera offers a totally different snorkeling experience, with turquoise Caribbean waters, mangroves, coves, natural pools, salt marshes, and more. There is an abundance of wildlife for snorkelers to enjoy, including dolphins, turtles, barracudas, and manatees.
Due to its popularity, La Parguera can get quite crowded in the summer and holidays, so for a more solitary experience, it’s best to visit on a weekday, early in the morning, or outside of the peak season. It’s best to enjoy La Parguera with a tour operator, as they’ll know the best spots and times of day to snorkel. La Parguera is also home to two bioluminescent bays, and there are operators who offer night snorkeling tours.