US2U Key West Snorkeling Day Trip From Miami: 15 Hours by Coach and Reef Boat
Quick answer
The US2U Key West snorkeling day trip costs from $79 for 15 hours, with hotel pickup in Miami Beach and 3 hours each way by coach.
It is rated 4.4/5 from 52 reviews on GetYourGuide, and I'd book it as a long but cheap way to reach the reef, with tips and drinks extra.
The US2U Key West snorkeling day trip is a 15-hour coach and boat excursion from Miami Beach hotels to Key West, run by US2U Tours. You choose one of three options when you book: a self-guided day, a 3-hour snorkeling boat trip or a 2.5-hour dolphin watch, and the price starts at $79 per person.
The detail that changes the decision is the clock. The listing's blocks show 3 hours of coach each way, 3 hours on the boat and 3 hours in Key West, which is 12 hours, yet the trip is sold as 15. The extra 3 hours go on pickups and stops that are not itemised, so plan for a day that ends late.
This page covers pickups, the timeline, the options, what is included, sea and weather by month and how it compares with other Miami-to-Key-West tours on my Miami boat tours list. If you only want reef time near Miami, start on the snorkeling tours in Miami page. Other cities are on the harbouradvisor.com home page.
| Operator | US2U Tours (shown as the activity provider on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle and boat | Coach from Miami; boat and bus type vary with weather and group size |
| Price | From $79 per person (struck-through $99) |
| Duration | 15 hours door to door; itinerary blocks add up to 12 |
| Departure times | Not stated on the listing; shown on the booking calendar |
| Pickup | 17 stops on Collins Avenue and nearby: Surf Club, Hotel Riu Plaza, St. Regis Bal Harbour and 14 more |
| Route | Miami Beach, Overseas Highway, Florida Keys boat trip, Key West free time, back |
| Included | Round-trip coach, chosen boat option, basic snorkel gear, free time; tips and boat alcohol extra |
| Language | English |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before the start |
| Rating | 4.4/5 from 52 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the US2U Key West snorkeling day trip and how does the day run?
It is a coach-led day in which the sea is only a 3-hour slice. You ride the Overseas Highway south, spend the middle of the day on a boat or on foot in Key West, and ride the same road back.
| Block | Length | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | not stated | One of 17 stops on Collins Avenue and nearby |
| Coach south | 3 hours | Overseas Highway through the Keys |
| Florida Keys boat | 3 hours | Snorkeling, or the dolphin watch for 2.5 hours |
| Key West | 3 hours | Break and free time, sightseeing |
| Coach north | 3 hours | Back to the same hotel area |
The Overseas Highway is 113 miles long and crosses 42 bridges, according to the Florida Keys tourism board. The listing itself says the boat and the coach can change with weather and group size, so treat every time above as a plan.
Where does the bus pick you up?
The coach picks up at 17 stops along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour, and drops you back at the same area. The list includes the Four Seasons Surf Club, the St. Regis Bal Harbour, Acqualina and the Hotel Riu Plaza Miami Beach.
Because the stops are hotels and street numbers, search the one nearest you on the map. 7500 Collins Avenue on Google Maps and Grand Beach Hotel Surfside are on the map. The listing's pickup list starts at 7500 Collins Avenue and ends at Grand Beach Hotel Surfside, without clock times. A 2024 reviewer arrived about 7 minutes after the pickup time and wished the driver had waited, so be early.
- Pick the closest of the 17 stops when you book.
- Check your voucher for pickup time; the listing does not state it.
- Be at the stop 10 minutes early; Miami traffic is the reason one reviewer was late.
What are the three options, and which should you pick?
The options differ in what you do in Key West, not in how you get there. Self-guided gives the most land time, snorkeling gives the reef, and the dolphin watch gives the longest boat trip at 2.5 hours.
| Option | On the water | Gear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-guided Island Explorer | none | not needed | Walkers and shoppers |
| Snorkel adventure | 3 hours with boat ride | basic mask, fins and vest | Confident swimmers |
| Dolphin watch | 2.5 hours | none | Families and non-swimmers |
If you pick snorkeling, the reef is part of the sanctuary managed by NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which describes itself as North America's only coral barrier reef. A reviewer in 2022 warns to be comfortable in the water, and another calls the vests uncomfortable, so this suits swimmers more than first-timers.
What is included and what is not?
The ticket covers the coach, your chosen boat option, basic snorkel gear and free time in Key West. It does not cover tips or alcohol on the boats.
- Included: round-trip coach from Miami Beach, the boat option you choose, basic snorkel equipment for the snorkel option.
- Not included: tips and alcoholic drinks on the boats; the listing mentions neither food nor parking.
- Not suitable for: pregnant women, per the listing.
- Bring: swimwear, per the listing.
The listing says the price is "from" $79 and shows a struck-through $99, so the price you pay depends on your date and option. Check the calendar for the exact amount.
How does it compare with the other Miami-to-Key-West tours?
Three Miami listings sell this same Key West day. They differ in length, price and pickup, so I compare them in one table.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2U Key West snorkeling day trip (this page) | $79 | 15 hours | 4.4 (52) |
| US2U Key West with dolphin watch or other options | $68 | 15-16 hours | 4.5 (556) |
| Big Dave Tours Key West boat tour | $18 | 18 hours | 4.1 (19) |
The $68 listing comes from the same operator and has 10 times the reviews, so I'd read its review pattern alongside this one. Both sell an overlapping product, and the cheaper one is rated slightly higher. The 18-hour Big Dave day starts at 6:30 AM, so it is the longest of the three.
Is the US2U Key West snorkeling day trip worth it against other Miami-to-Key-West tours?
For travellers who want Key West and the reef in a single day without driving, yes, at about $5 an hour. For anyone who dislikes 6 hours on a coach, no, because the boat is only 3 of 15 hours.
The score of 4.4 is solid but not the best of the group. The sub-scores shown on GetYourGuide are 4.1 for the guide, 4.3 for transportation and 3.9 for value. The value score is the weak one, and a 2024 reviewer sums it up as 3 hours of coach, 2 hours in the water, then 3 hours back.
42 bridges carry the 113-mile Overseas Highway, the road this coach drives each way.
When is the best time of year to go?
The calmest sea is in August, at an average daily maximum wave of 1.9 ft in 2025, but it is also hot and wet. The driest months are February and March, with 2 rain days each.
| Month | Avg daily high | Rain days (1 mm+) | Avg daily max wave | What it means for the boat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70 °F | 6 | 4.0 ft | Coolest month; a layer on deck |
| Feb | 75 °F | 2 | 3.8 ft | One of the driest months |
| Mar | 75 °F | 2 | 4.0 ft | One of the driest months |
| Apr | 78 °F | 6 | 4.9 ft | Highest waves of the year; choppier crossing |
| May | 82 °F | 3 | 3.0 ft | Warm, calm, few rain days |
| Jun | 84 °F | 14 | 3.2 ft | Wet season starts; showers common |
| Jul | 86 °F | 16 | 2.8 ft | Hot; calm seas, frequent showers |
| Aug | 87 °F | 15 | 1.9 ft | Calmest seas; hottest |
| Sep | 85 °F | 20 | 2.0 ft | Most rain days, peak hurricane risk |
| Oct | 83 °F | 20 | 3.4 ft | Most rain days; hurricane season to Nov 30 |
| Nov | 77 °F | 6 | 3.8 ft | Drier again; waves rise |
| Dec | 76 °F | 5 | 3.4 ft | Mild; waves moderate |
This table is for Key West itself, from the Open-Meteo archive and Marine APIs, and the wave figure is a modelled average for one year, not a forecast. The National Hurricane Center dates the hurricane season as June 1 to November 30, with a peak on September 10, so September and October combine 20 rain days with storm risk.
What do passengers say?
Most reviewers are positive. Of the ten written reviews I could read, nine gave 5 stars and one gave 4, so the sample is positive-heavy and the 4.4 average comes from the longer set of ratings.
- Guides: named and praised as safe, informed and entertaining.
- Snorkeling and dolphins: reviewers say the reef was fun and the guide knew where the dolphins were.
- Communication: one reviewer says the company and the guide need to communicate more.
- Key West logistics: a March 2026 reviewer found the meeting point poorly signposted after a late coach, and was told they were late.
- Value: one reviewer found 2 hours in the water expensive after 6 hours of coach.
Reviewers also name another company running the snorkel boat, so the coach and boat may be separate operators; ask US2U which one you will join.
Who should skip it?
Skip it if you dislike long coach rides, are pregnant or want more than a couple of hours in the water.
- Short-day travellers: choose a Miami-based trip such as the Aqua Party Boat sunset cruise.
- Confident swimmers wanting more reef time: compare the other US2U Key West option.
- Pregnant travellers: the listing says it is not suitable.
How do you book the US2U Key West snorkeling day trip?
Book the 15-hour US2U Key West snorkeling day trip from $79 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the US2U Key West snorkeling day trip?
The price is from $79 per person on GetYourGuide, checked 2026-10-17, shown against a struck-through $99. Tips and alcoholic drinks on the boats are not included.
How long is the Key West day trip from Miami?
The listing gives 15 hours including hotel pickup. Its itinerary shows 3 hours by coach each way, 3 hours on the boat and 3 hours in Key West, which totals 12, so about 3 hours go to pickups and stops the listing does not itemise.
Where does the bus pick you up?
The listing offers 17 pickup points along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour, mostly hotels. Your exact stop and time arrive after booking.
What are the three options?
They are a self-guided Key West day with no boat, a snorkeling boat trip with basic gear (mask, fins and vest), and a 2.5-hour dolphin watch cruise. You choose when you book.
Is snorkel gear included?
Yes, basic snorkel equipment is listed for the snorkeling option. One reviewer found the vests uncomfortable, so bring your own mask if you care about fit.
Is the trip suitable for pregnant women?
No. The listing says it is not suitable for pregnant women.
What if the weather cancels the boat?
The listing does not state a weather rule. A 2020 reviewer says the snorkel trip was cancelled for weather and they spent 6 hours in Key West instead, so ask the operator what it offers in that case.
What should I bring?
The listing asks for swimwear. I'd add sunscreen, a towel and a hat, since the listing does not say what is provided on the boat.
Does the trip stop at the Southernmost Point?
The listing names the Southernmost Point buoy as a place you can visit in free time on the self-guided option. It is not a scheduled stop.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing 61929 (checked 2026-10-17); Florida Keys & Key West tourism board (Overseas Highway length and bridges); NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (reef); NOAA National Hurricane Center (season dates); National Weather Service Miami (marine forecasts); Open-Meteo archive and Marine APIs (Key West climate and waves, 2025); GetYourGuide listings 25044 and 409768 for the comparison.
