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Snorkeling in clear emerald water in Destin, Florida
🤿 Destin, Florida

Snorkeling in Destin, FL

Hermit crabs, puffer fish, sergeant majors and the odd octopus at the Destin Jetty and the bay's grass flats, with dolphins on the ride out. Here's everything to know before you jump in.

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🏆Book a tripPelican Adventures, our Platinum Partner 📍Where you'll goThe Destin Jetty and the grass flats 🐠What you'll seeCrabs, tangs, puffers, octopus, dolphins 👨‍👩‍👧Kids & rulesAges 3+, non-swimmers welcome aboard 🎒What to bringPlus the best time of year to go ❓QuestionsBeginners, season, gear, visibility

Heads up: Pelican Adventures is a paid Platinum Partner of What’s Good Local, and the feature below is advertising. We may earn a commission on some bookings — at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure below.

★ Platinum Partner ★

Destin Snorkel Tours

Pelican Adventures • Destin Harbor

A 2½-hour trip to the Destin Jetty and the grass flats of Choctawhatchee Bay, with a CPR-certified snorkel instructor in the water with you. Perfect for beginners, families and experienced snorkelers alike.

✓ Mask, snorkel & fins✓ Sanitized gear in all sizes✓ Fish food & water toys✓ Cooler on board

98%recommend · 1,684 reviews
★4.4700+ reviews
★4.5280+ reviews
Book Your Snorkel Trip

📍 600 Harbor Blvd, Destin • (850) 650-3825 • Sign waivers ahead of time
Underwater video packages available • Private charters on the Anticipation, up to 28 guests

📍 Where you'll snorkel

Two stops, picked on the day by the captain based on tides and conditions.

🪨 The Destin Jetty

The man-made rock wall that protects East Pass, right where Choctawhatchee Bay meets the Gulf. The rocks draw fish, crabs and the occasional octopus, and dolphin pods are often seen around the jetty. Tides, currents or jellyfish can limit access some days.

🌿 The bay grass flats

Calm, shallow seagrass in Choctawhatchee Bay, full of sea snails, small fish and crabs, and a good place to hunt for shells. When the jetty is rough, the crew spends more of the trip here.

Snorkeling on your own? East Pass carries strong tidal currents and heavy boat traffic, so the jetty is best done with a guided trip. From the beach, check today’s beach flag before you go in.

🐠 What you might see

Water clarity changes with the tides and rainfall, but even cloudy days have plenty to look at.

🦀 Blue crabs🐚 Hermit crabs🐙 Octopus (sometimes)🐟 Sergeant majors🐠 Tangs🐟 Damselfish🐡 Puffer fish🐠 Wrasse🐌 Sea snails🐚 Seashells to collect🐬 Dolphins on the ride

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids, swimmers & the rules

2½ hoursthe whole trip, dock to dock
3 yrs + 30 lbsminimum age and weight for kids
45 mincheck in this early before departure
Non-swimmerswelcome on the trip, but stay on the boat while others snorkel
CPR-certifiedsnorkel instructor in the water with you
Waiversrequired; a parent or guardian signs for anyone 17 or under

🎒 What to bring & when to go

Bring

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Water and drinks (no glass)
  • Dry clothes for the ride back

Nice to have

  • A waterproof camera
  • Polarized sunglasses for spotting fish from the boat
  • Or skip the camera and get the underwater video package

Best time of year

April through October, when the water is warmest and visibility is at its best. Winter trips are possible, but the water is cooler and conditions less reliable.

Book early in your trip

Snorkeling depends on tides, wind and water clarity. Booking in the first days of your vacation leaves room to try again if conditions don't cooperate.

❓ Snorkeling in Destin: common questions

Where is the best snorkeling in Destin?
The Destin Jetty at East Pass is the best-known spot: the rocks attract fish, crabs and sometimes octopus, and dolphins are often nearby. The seagrass flats in Choctawhatchee Bay are calmer and shallower, and better for beginners and shell hunting. Pelican Adventures' tour visits both, depending on conditions.
Is snorkeling in Destin good for beginners?
Yes. The guided trip includes a safety briefing, all the gear, fitting help from the crew, and a CPR-certified snorkel instructor in the water with you. The grass flats are shallow and calm, which makes them an easy first snorkel.
Do I need to know how to swim?
To snorkel, yes. Non-swimmers are welcome to come along on the boat but stay aboard while the rest of the group is in the water.
How old do kids have to be?
Children must be at least 3 years old and weigh at least 30 pounds. A parent or legal guardian has to sign the waiver for anyone 17 or under.
How long is the snorkel tour?
About 2½ hours from the dock and back. Plan to check in 45 minutes before departure.
What gear is included?
Masks, snorkels and fins, sanitized and in all sizes, plus fish food, water toys and a cooler on board. Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and drinks (no glass).
What will I see?
Blue crabs, hermit crabs, sergeant majors, tangs, damselfish, puffer fish and wrasse, with the occasional octopus at the jetty. The grass flats have sea snails, small fish, crabs and seashells. Dolphins are often spotted on the ride.
When is the best time of year to snorkel in Destin?
April through October. The water is warmest and clearest then. You can snorkel in winter, but the water is colder and conditions are less predictable.
How clear is the water?
It varies with the tides and recent rain. Clear days at the jetty can be excellent, and even on cloudier days there's plenty to see up close in the shallows.
What if conditions at the jetty are bad?
Tides, currents or jellyfish sometimes limit access to the jetty. When that happens, the crew spends more of the trip at the grass flats instead.
Can I snorkel the Destin jetties on my own?
It's not a good idea for most visitors. East Pass has strong tidal currents and steady boat traffic. A guided trip handles the timing, gear and safety for you. If you snorkel from the beach instead, check the day's beach flag first.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes, a waterproof camera is a great idea. Pelican Adventures also sells underwater action video packages if you'd rather just enjoy the water.
Can I book a private snorkel trip?
Yes. Private charters run on the Anticipation, which carries up to 28 guests, to the East Jetty and grass flats for snorkeling and shelling. A Destin Harbor tour can be added. Call (850) 650-3825.

More fun on the water

Making a day of it? These pair well with a snorkel trip.

🐬Dolphin tours 🎣Deep sea fishing ⛵Boat tours 🏄All water activities 🚩Today's beach flag

How we checked. Trip details come from Pelican Adventures’ own snorkeling page, checked October 28, 2026. Schedules and prices change; check the live booking calendar before you go.