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Looe Key Reef

Florida Keys Lobster Charter

Lobster is best caught and cooked fresh. What better way to catch your own 5-star meal? Go lobster hunting and saltwater fishing with our guided fishing tours and charters.

Best Lobster Fishing in the Keys

Come catch your groceries fresh in the deep blue sea! At Saltwater Seafari, we offer a variety of fishing tours to include reef, offshore, and lobster hunting.

LOBSTER SEASON:
Regular Season: August 6th- March 31st
Mini Season: Varies year to year

The lower Florida Keys has the area’s largest lobster population with a variety of areas to explore both gulf side and Atlantic!

Lobster fishing in the keys with Jennifer Parramore
Lobsters in a bucket
Lobsters being held up by a woman

Try Lobster Snorkeling in the Florida Keys!

Lobster fishing is truly a unique experience. Add in the gorgeous backdrop of the famous Florida Keys and you have a winning combo! That’s why we’re thrilled to offer guided fishing and lobster tours to visitors to Marathon, Florida.

Our lobster charters require previous snorkeling experience. Our lobster charters require snorkeling experience, clearing your ears, and diving down to depths of 6-15 feet to ensure an enjoyable trip. See basic skills requirements.

Photo of boat tour waiting for the snorkelers and swimmers to return from their fun.

Our Lobster Fishing Charter Provides:

➨ A USCG-Certified Licensed Captain
➨ All Lobster Gear
➨ Nets
➨ Drinks
➨ Spots and Expertise

Lobster Hunts with Saltwater Seafari!

Saltwater Seafari offers Florida Keys Lobster Charters to visitors and residents wanting to enjoy the fishing and fun on beautiful Florida waters. 

 

Seasonal Lobster Hunt Tour

4 HOURS

Enjoy exploring Looe Key Reef on your own private boat!

Our 4-hour tour is a seasonal trip based on the abundant lobster season. Mini season is July 27-28, 2022 (last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July each year) Regular season is Aug. 6-March 31

Join us for a guided hunt in the waters around Big Pine Key. Our captains will hunt with you and show you how to spot, net, and measure lobster like a pro. Our waters are home to an abundance of lobster, ensuring you have plenty of tails to take home for dinner!

Starting at: $950

Seasonal Lobster Hunt Tour

6 HOURS

Join our 6 hour private lobster hunt in the lower keys for the mini season and regular season. This is still our standard lobster hunt experience but with two extra hours of fun!

Price includes all snorkeling and lobster gear. This is a guided excursion located in Big Pine Key. We will have a cooler on the boat stocked with ice, bottled water, and various other drinks. You are welcome to bring any snacks or drinks that you would like.

Starting at: $1,425

One-of-a-Kind Florida Fishing Tours

CUSTOMIZED

The Florida waters are home to more than just tasty lobster! We also offer a reef charter where you can expect to catch yellow tail snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, kingfish and much more.

Our offshore trips will target the bigger species of fish, such as mahi, wahoo, and tuna.

We can customize the trip however you like!

Starting at: $1,500

Minimum Basic Skills Needed for Lobster Fishing
Chasing lobster in the Florida Keys can be an exciting and thrilling adventure for all participants. However, some previous snorkeling skills are required to make the most of this charter. Lobster charters are not suitable for children under the age of 8.

If you have never snorkeled before or consider yourself a beginner, we recommend to try our 2 hour snorkeling tour for an intro to snorkeling.

Lobster are usually found in depths ranging from 6-15+ feet. They are most often found hiding underneath structures or inside holes along the bottom of the surface. In order to successfully catch the lobster, you will need to be able to snorkel to these depths while holding your breath for 30 seconds using the necessary equipment to tickle the lobster from the hiding spot. YOU ALSO NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CLEAR YOUR EARS TO EQUALIZE PRESSURE AT DEPTH OF 6-15 FEET.

Once you tickle the lobster out they will attempt to hide again and will shoot backwards which will require you to follow the lobster on the same breath you originally descended on. You should know how to clear your ears and be comfortable swimming in these depths.

Our guides are happy to assist you and teach you how to use the equipment however; we legally cannot catch or harvest your lobster for you. Your participation level plays a large role in the enjoyment of your charter. For more information or suggestions related to this charter please give our office a call at (305) 900-8160

How deep are the lobster?

Lobster are generally found in waters from 5 feet to 15 feet. If were not successful in depths of 5 feet, we will move out to deeper waters.  You must be ready for this if you want a good lobster trip. 

Can I catch lobster from the surface?

No you must be able to dive down on a breath and tickle the lobster out of a hole.  You will then net the lobster and bring it to the surface to measure.  We recommend that you are able to hold your breath for at least 30 seconds.

Can beginners do this?

We have had some people that have never done this before be successful at it.  We have also had people who are skilled at swimming and snorkeling that have had problems.  Everyone is different and the current and conditions will also play a role. 

Lobster Snorkeling Tour Locations

Our lobster trips don’t just help you land a catch. You also get a great tour of the Florida waters. Photo-ops are abundant!

Book Now to plan your trip to any of these exciting  destinations!

  • Marathon, FL
  • Big Pine Key
  • Looe Key Reef
  • Picnic Island
  • Tarpon Belly Key
  • Marvin Key
  • Snipe Point
  • Sawyer Key
  • Newfound Harbor Preservation

Testimonials

Our customers LOVE our chartered lobster hunting and fishing trips – and are happy to rave about us online! Don’t believe us? Read some of our shining Saltwater Seafari reviews.

Take family to Miami for a few days, decided to drive down to the keys for a day and explored. I called for the tour a bit late in the day (around noon). Jennifer and Matt got the boat ready for us by 3. Took us to a few spots, picked up a few lobsters (too bad we couldn’t keep them as they’re not in season), and conch. The kids and my wife had absolutely a blast. Jennifer was more than helpful with our kids in the water. Made us feel much comfortable. Highly recommend these good folks.– Huy T.

“Saltwater Seafari is an incredible charter! This family oriented company is very knowledgeable with the area and the immense amount of sea life. I learned so much on this trip. The professionalism of the staff was superb. The boat and equipment is clean. I’m am very fortunate that I chose this company while spending time in the keys. The secluded locations they took me to that I was able to snorkel, is what made my trip to the keys forever memorable. What a beautiful area and outstanding charter. I will definitely choose Saltwater Seafari again.” –Amanda H.
See more Google Reviews
5 Gold stars with a google icon below them.

Book a Lobster Charter Trip

Saltwater Seafari offers snorkeling tours, boat tours, fishing trips, and more all across the Florida Keys. If you are looking for individual tours, group tours, or something fun for the whole family, book with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions – Florida Keys Lobster Charter

Learn more about Saltwater Seafari snorkeling tours and more! Below we answer common questions so you can come prepared and have fun!

What should I expect on the day of my lobster hunt or fishing trip?

You will receive a confirmation text from us in the hours prior to your trip. This will include details specific to our location, parking, and meet up instructions. If we have inclement weather, we will be in contact with you to discuss other options. After a brief overview of the boat and safety information we will embark on your journey.

What should I bring to my tour?

Pack a bag for the trip to include; towels, sunscreen, cameras, sunglasses, and any snacks or drinks you would like for the duration of your trip. The boat is equipped with a large cooler that will be iced down and stocked with bottled water. You may bring any snacks or drinks that you would like to add to the cooler.

How does pricing work?

Our pricing is for a private boat. This allows us to stray away from a typical itinerary and explore areas that may be best suitable for your group. The private boat price covers a maximum of 6 passengers.

How many people can go on the tour?

We can take up to 12 passengers, split between our 2 boats. We can only accommodate a maximum of 6 passengers per boat.

Are there any age restrictions on the lobster hunt or fishing trips?

We welcome children that are 8 years and older aboard however, if a small child is on board the boat, they must have an adult accompany them the entire time.  We do not recommend small children because of the length of time, supervision, and depths of water required. Also keep in mind that our lobster charters take place in deeper water that may not be suitable for young children.

How do I catch a lobster in Florida?

Chasing lobster in the Florida Keys can be an exciting and thrilling adventure for all participants. However, some previous snorkeling skills are required to make the most of this charter.

If you have never snorkeled before or consider yourself a beginner, we recommend to try our 2 hour snorkeling tour for an intro to snorkeling.

Lobster are usually found in depths ranging from 6-15+ feet. They are most often found hiding underneath structures or inside holes along the bottom of the surface. In order to successfully catch the lobster, you will need to be able to snorkel to these depths while holding your breath and using the necessary equipment to tickle the lobster from the hiding spot.

Once you tickle the lobster out they will attempt to hide again and will shoot backwards which will require you to follow the lobster on the same breath you originally descended on. You should know how to clear your ears and be comfortable swimming in these depths.

Our guides are happy to assist you and teach you how to use the equipment however; we legally cannot catch or harvest your lobster for you. Your participation level plays a large role in the enjoyment of your charter. For more information or suggestions related to this charter please give our office a call at (305) 900-8160

Lobsters in a bucket

We look forward to cruising with you! Your participation is key in ensuring the best experience possible.

Yellow Snorkel Island
Snorkeling
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Boat Tours
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Lobster Charters

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Sandbar Trips
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Looe Key Reef