Snorkeling and diving in Pompano Beach

Why Pompano is good for snorkeling

Broward County’s coast has a series of reefs running parallel to the beach, and in Pompano Beach the inner reef and rock ledges come relatively close to shore. That means you do not always need a boat to see coral, sponges, sea fans and reef fish. On calm, clear days, snorkelers swim out from the beach; on choppier days, a boat trip to the outer reefs and wrecks is the better plan.

Conditions decide everything. Visibility can be excellent one morning and murky the next after wind or rain. Check the surf and the lifeguard flags before you go in, and plan to snorkel on days with little wind and small waves.

Snorkeling from the beach

Local dive guides point to a stretch of flat rock and coral known as the Pompano drop-off, south of the pier. The reef there has hard and soft coral, sponges and the usual tropical fish. Distances and exact spots vary by source, and the sand moves with storms, so ask a local dive shop or a lifeguard where the reef is showing on the day you go.

Swim with a buddy, wear fins, and keep your swim inside the guarded area when you can. Lifeguards watch the city’s swimming areas seven days a week, 9 AM to 4:45 PM. Bring a float with a dive flag (more on that below) so boats can see you.

• Go early, before the afternoon wind picks up.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard for long swims.
• Look, do not touch. Coral is alive and easily damaged.
• Stay well away from the pier: fishing lines and hooks are in the water.

The SS Copenhagen shipwreck

The SS Copenhagen is a British steamship that struck the reef south of Hillsboro Inlet in May 1900, carrying coal to Havana. Today it is one of Florida’s underwater archaeological preserves, designated by the state in 1994 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It lies roughly 3.3 nautical miles south of the inlet, just outside the second reef on the Pompano drop-off, in water that published sources put anywhere from about 15 to 39 feet deep.

That depth makes it one of the few historic wrecks you can enjoy as a snorkeler as well as a diver. It is usually reached by boat, and there are mooring buoys at the site; tying up to them, rather than anchoring, protects the wreck and reef. The preserve is protected by state law, so nothing may be disturbed or removed. Take photos and leave everything where it lies.

Shipwreck Park, for scuba divers

The city’s Shipwreck Park is an artificial reef project managed with the nonprofit Shipwreck Park Foundation. Its centerpiece is the Lady Luck, a 324-foot former tanker sunk in 2016 about a mile offshore from the pier. The hull rests on sand at around 120 feet, with the top of the stack around 50 feet down, surrounded by other wrecks already covered in marine life.

This is a scuba site, not a snorkel spot. You will need to be certified for the depth, and you will reach it with a dive charter or your own boat. If you are new to diving, Pompano has dive shops and instructors who run courses and guided trips; book with one you trust and check current certifications.

Dive conditions, charter schedules and site status change. Confirm with a licensed operator and check the marine forecast before you go.

Florida’s divers-down flag rules

Florida law requires anyone snorkeling or diving to display a divers-down flag, a red rectangle or square with a white diagonal stripe. When you display it from the water, on a float or buoy, it must be at least 12 by 12 inches. From a boat, it must be at least 20 by 24 inches and flown at the highest point.

FWC’s guidance is that divers should stay within 300 feet of their flag in open water and within 100 feet in inlets, rivers and navigation channels. Boaters must slow to idle speed within those distances. In practice, that means swimming with your flag float and staying close to it, especially near Hillsboro Inlet, where boat traffic is heavy and the current can be strong.

Gear, rentals and tours

If you snorkel often, bring your own mask; a good fit matters more than anything else. Fins, a snorkel and a flag float are easy to pack or rent locally. Guided snorkel trips are offered by local dive shops and generally include gear and a guide. Prices and schedules vary, so compare a few and ask what the trip includes.

Rinse off at the beach shower on the way back, then hang your gear to dry by our courtyard pool. Beach towels and chairs are available for guests, so you only need to pack the snorkel kit.

Pair it with

Snorkelers and anglers often share the same boat docks. If part of your group wants to fish, see Hillsboro Inlet charters. If the ocean is too rough, the Intracoastal is calmer for a paddle: see water sports. And from March through October, be mindful of nesting areas on the sand; our sea turtle season guide explains why.

For a base, our studios suit a couple of divers with gear, and our suites give a family more room to spread out wet things.