The Florida State Park system is one of the nicest places to visit in the US from Palm Beach to the Keys. These reefs are toured by thousands of divers yearly for their beauty and wildlife. Florida’s ocean and shoreline are amazing! Coral reefs are also one of the most threatened marine systems. Scientists estimate that unless we take immediate action, we could lose up to 70 percent of coral reefs by 2050.
Colorful parrot fish, angelfish, wrasses, barracuda, nurse sharks, stingrays, delicate corals, other invertebrates, and turtles – all are inhabitants of Florida’s beautiful coral reefs. The Florida Reef System (FRS) is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental US, with its extensive shallow coral reefs that span 358 miles from the Dry Tortugas near Key West, north along the Atlantic coast to Martin County.
Our treasured coral reefs provide Florida with many benefits. Not only are they home to many species of wildlife, including species listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act, they are integral to the economy of Florida’s tourism industry, including to commercial and recreational fisherman and scuba divers. Additionally, they act as a natural buffer for Florida’s shoreline, helping to lessen the strength of waves, providing natural support for coastal resilience.
AQUI is located in one of the busiest destinations in Broward County, Lauderdale by the Sea: Click here for Directions
The Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is approximately 1.5 square miles in area and is located along Florida’s “Gold Coast” in Broward County, Florida. The entire Town is situated between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Intracoastal Waterway on the west. It is bordered on the south by the City of Fort Lauderdale and on the north by the City of Pompano Beach. The Town is located on a barrier island that is 7 feet above sea level. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is 30 miles north of Miami and 33 miles south of Palm Beach.
Once you arrive in this coastal community of 6,000 residents, it’s a short walk just about anywhere: to the beach, to Anglin’s Pier, or to the numerous shops and restaurants lining Commercial Blvd from Anglin’s Square, the town’s quaint oceanfront district, to the Intracoastal. The town’s vibrant beach area offers live music in various restaurants seven days a week, or if you’d rather just take it easy and stare at the ocean, just sit yourself down on one of the boat benches under the beach pavilion.
COVID & Your Safety
A crisis brings clarity about what is most important: Your well-being and safety. At AQUI, our decision was made to ensure your safety no matter the cost, so at each event, your organizer WILL give you a FREE MASK and have readily available hand sanitizer.
Eco-Tours & Experiences
Snorkeling Eco-Tour
This 1.5 hour eco-tour is dedicated to showcasing our beautiful reefs within a few hundred feet from the coastline. We will spend time in water time snorkeling, and showcasing the abundance of marine life, coral reefs, and the impact of human and natural interactions. We follow local tide charts to get the best visibility and provide safety for all group members. The snorkeling tour is very popular with our guests, who very often want a more intimate experience than just swimming.
Equipment
AQUI provides high quality and complimentary snorkel equipment on all its excursions including children’s sizes. Staff will help size and fit equipment correctly. For those that wish to snorkel-down (freedive), weight belts will be provided.
NOTE: All guests are required to wear a snorkeling saftey vest during the tour. This is for our safety and yours.
For guests that may experience feeling ‘colder’ than your typical person, we do offer Sharkskin Chillproof tops for $5 additional per person. This way you can stay warm and enjoy the sites. If you would like full thermal protection, wetsuits are available for $10. Typically for snorkeling tours, the sharkskin is mostly used.
Safety
Please listen to the thorough briefing given by your guide before entering the water. AQUI guides will often pair snorkelers into buddy teams who should stay close together, within 6 feet / 2 meters apart, and check on each other regularly.
To breathe efficiently through a snorkel, keep your head in water and snorkel at around a 45 degree angle. This will allow the tube to stick straight up prevent water intrusion.
Keep your body flat and use power from the upper part of your legs rather than bicycle kicking with your calf muscles which can cause cramp.
When you stop to look around above the surface of the water or talk to your snorkel buddy be aware of where your legs are and what is beneath you. It is easy to kick, or drift into coral accidently. This could easily damage sensitive species, or in some cases, cause irritation or stings to exposed body parts.
Sea Conditions
The flow of the tide can make a significant difference to the clarity of the water on certain reefs around Fort Lauderdale. We will do our best to plan accordingly the day of your trip to ensure maximum visibility and optimal conditions to snorkel in.
Due to our geographic location on the Atlantic Ocean, we can experience both large ocean swells and local wind driven waves. AQUI will always assess the sea conditions before departing. On occasion conditions might not be what is expected, and an excursion may need to be diverted to more protected areas of the reef.
In the event conditions would not improve and impose safety risk, we will reschedule to ensure a safe and quality experience.
Experience and Instruction
No prior snorkel experience is required on our snorkel eco-tour excursions, but participants should be comfortable swimmers. AQUI guides can provide some basic snorkel instruction in the field including advice on use of equipment and body position in the water. Some snorkel experience is preferred when the destination distance is further from land.
Snorkel lessons are available at AQUI with experienced freediving, and scuba instructors. This can start beachside to maximize comfort and progress to deeper water as students improve their skills and confidence.
Snorkelers already comfortable with the sport and able to swim underwater may benefit from learning some basic freediving techniques.
SCUBA Diving Eco-Tour
SCUBA Diving is simply an amazing and enjoyable experience. The ability to breathe and visualize ecosystems hidden by a layer of water captivates every soul. As a diver, it’s important to make sure your dive site and dive company support sustainable diving. Diving in destinations that take reef and ocean preservation seriously is another great way to keep these biodiverse ecosystems (and the species that call them home) as pristine and vibrant as possible.
Across the East Coast of Florida, and the keys, were surround by these ecosystems. Some are walking distance in a state park, others require marine vessels to get there. We provide tours to a host of locations; however, our most popular is Lauderdale by the Sea.
We provide private guiding both locally, and internationally, for customers looking to have qualified safety instructor with them at all times. We’ve worked with celebrities, production studios, private companies, and completed training in dozens of countries. Visit our ABOUT US page to see why we are recognized internationally for safety and highest quality training standards.
For our most popular tour, there are two reefs full of marine life easily accessible from the shore.
Dive will commence at 9AM, We will meet at the AQUI Water Sports Facility located:
222 Commercial BLVD, STE 106, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308
We feature a coffee bar with freshly ground coffee to get your morning started right.
SCUBA Equipment
PLEASE show up by 8:30AM if you need to rent gear. We have full range of sizes to accommodate most adult and adolescent sizes.
Rental Prices are as follows:
Mask, Fins, Snorkel – $15
Full SCUBA System (BCD, Computer, Cylinder) – $50
Cylinders – Air $10, Nitrox $14
Bring a Dive Flag or Marker Buoy. If you don’t have one, we will provide one.
Safety
Please listen to the thorough briefing given by your guide before entering the water. AQUI guides will often pair divers into buddy teams of 4 (four) who should stay close together, within 6 feet / 2 meters apart, and check on each other regularly.
A maximum of 8 divers will be assigned to one guide; every AQUI guide is certified as a recreational and technical training instructor with extensive experience.
Remember to breathe easy as this experience is not a race across the reefs. There are habitats the size of a basketball, or as small as a half dollar. Excerise proper buoyancy control and avoid the use of your arms if possible. This will ensure you do not silt the area, kick, or drift into coral accidently. This could easily damage sensitive species, or in some cases, cause irritation or stings to exposed body parts.
Sea Conditions
The flow of the tide can make a significant difference to the clarity of the water on certain reefs around Fort Lauderdale. We will do our best to plan accordingly the day of your trip to ensure maximum visibility and optimal conditions to snorkel in.
Due to our geographic location on the Atlantic Ocean, we can experience both large ocean swells and local wind driven waves. AQUI will always assess the sea conditions before departing. On occasion conditions might not be what is expected, and an excursion may need to be diverted to more protected areas of the reef.
In the event conditions would not improve and impose safety risk, we will reschedule to ensure a safe and quality experience.
Experience and Instruction
Our number one priority is your safety. If we feel that your diving skills may cause harm to you, or the environment, we will surface you and your buddy. Proper training is critical when exploring reef systems. Comfort and confidence while executing efficient finning techniques, proper weighting, and buoyancy control will extend your dive times, and protect those around you.
If you are already a certified diver, this is an excellent first step towards taking the correct scuba diving courses. During this course you will learn to build a solid foundation of buoyancy, balance and trim with propulsion. Team and critical skills are conducted to develop autonomy within dive buddies and to a level where you can deal with the unexpected. Additionally, this is an excellent primer for any of our advanced level and technical courses. Doesn’t matter if you are a newly certified diver, or a gung-ho Techie, we can assure you our enhanced skills course will up your SCUBA Game! This course gives every diver an opportunity to learn to effortlessly hold your position, in horizontal trim, while maintaining excellent balance. These are hallmark traits of a truly solid diver.
Discover SCUBA Diving
$175 / Per Person
SCUBA Diving is simply an amazing and enjoyable experience. The ability to breathe and visualize ecosystems hidden by a layer of water captivates every soul. As a diver, it’s important to make sure your dive site and dive company support sustainable diving. Diving in destinations that take reef and ocean preservation seriously is another great way to keep these biodiverse ecosystems (and the species that call them home) as pristine and vibrant as possible.
The Florida State Park system is one of the nicest places to dive in the US from Palm Beach to the Keys. These reefs are toured by thousands of divers yearly for their beauty and wildlife. Hundreds of tropical marine species formed habitats here, and you can expect to see everything from parrotfish, sharks, turtles, rays, and more. You’ll occasionally get that nice moray eel and lobster to catch (when in season).
Maximum Depth will be around 20 feet and average around 15 to 18 feet with a dive time of around 60 minutes. The first reef is approximately 600 feet from the shoreline with an easy swim–while on your back. This allows you to view the shoreline and take note of the entry/exit between the two-story high condos.
We provide private guidance both locally, and internationally, for customers looking to have qualified safety instructors with them at all times. We’ve worked with celebrities, production studios, and private companies, and completed training in dozens of countries. Visit our ABOUT US page to see why we are recognized internationally for safety, and the highest quality training standards.
Click here to Read Our Google Reviews
Address
AQUI Water Sports HQ
222 Commercial BLVD, STE 106, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL 33308
We feature a coffee bar with freshly ground coffee to get your morning started right.
Safety
Please listen to the thorough briefing given by your guide before entering the water. AQUI guides will often pair divers into buddy teams of 2 to 3 who should stay close together, within 6 feet / 2 meters apart and check on each other regularly. A maximum of 3 divers will be assigned to one professional; every AQUI guide is certified as a recreational and technical training instructor with extensive experience in CPR, First Aird, and Rescue.
Remember to breathe easy as this experience is not a race across the reefs. There are habitats the size of a basketball, or as small as a half dollar. Exercise proper buoyancy control and avoid the use of your arms if possible. This will ensure you do not silt the area, kick, or drift into coral accidentally. This could easily damage sensitive species, or in some cases, cause irritation or stings to exposed body parts.
Sea Conditions
The flow of the tide can make a significant difference to the clarity of the water on certain reefs around Fort Lauderdale. We will do our best to plan accordingly the day of your trip to ensure maximum visibility and optimal conditions to snorkel in.
Due to our geographic location on the Atlantic Ocean, we can experience both larger ocean swells and local wind-driven waves. AQUI will always assess the sea conditions before departing. On occasion, conditions might not be what is expected, and an excursion may need to be diverted to more protected areas of the reef.
In the event conditions would not improve and impose safety risks, we will reschedule to ensure a safe and quality experience.
Experience and Instruction
Our number one priority is your safety. If we feel that your diving skills may cause harm to you or the environment, we will surface you and your buddy. Proper training is critical when exploring reef systems. Comfort and confidence while executing efficient finning techniques, proper weighting, and buoyancy control will extend your dive times, and protect those around you. AQUI was founded by a Navy Veteran, and the owners collectively have over 40 years of SCUBA experience at recreational and technical levels. During this course, you will learn about buoyancy, breathing, and dive equipment.
MARINE SCIENCE CAMP
Snorkeling and Underwater Programs
$299 – $399 Per Student
AQUI offers two Marine Science Kids Camps that are designed to educate kids between the ages of 8 to 16 year olds about the aquatic environment. These programs are designed to teach kids how to explore the aquatic environment while snorkeling, or using a Hookah system to explore further (surface supplied breathing apparatus).
The start of each day will include a morning workshop with a guest speaker to teach one of the primary topics: Marine Biology, Conservation, Engagement. These three topics focus on learning how our vast ecosystem comes together, and how to do our part to protect and preserve for future generations. Teams will be formed each day to give participants a chance to work together and come up with creative ideas to protect our environment.
During their time in the water, they are provided with action cameras to capture images of this diverse habitat. After their in water experience, they will download their animal interactions (images they have captured) and then learn about their habitat, biology, and share information amongst other students in the camp. The entire camp is focused on having fun and learning about Marine Science; and what we can do to focus on being “Ocean Friendly” whether on the surface or below the water.
All images and video captured by each student are 100% owned by them, and not AQUI. We encourage them to share on social media, with friends, and family about their experience. Education is key!
Each day will commence at 9AM and finish at 2PM.
Marine Science Snorkeling Day – $299 – 2 Days
First, we will outfit you with proper equipment to enjoy your next two days in the water. Then we’ll show a presentation of local sea life, both on the shore and in the water; followed by a discussion of the local waterways and habitats. Because we never touch any wild animals or fish in the ocean, we’re going to give you cameras so you can search for as many species as you can find.
Over the two days, the team that can identify the most will win an award. The best part, you will be protecting this beautiful and diverse ocean environment equipped with greater knowledge to help others become ocean warriors too!
At the end of each day we instantly share all photographs and stories on our Facebook/Instagram pages so that your family and friends can participate in your adventure.
Upon completion of the two days, the students will have gained knowledge and respect for our ocean, a link to access their photos, and an SSI Snorkeler Certificate. If they are over the age of 10, they are eligible to progress further and learn their Junior Open Water certificate.
Ocean Warrior Underwater Camp – $399 – 3 Days
For participants that want to leave the surface and head up to 10 feet / 3 meters below the surface, our Marine Science Hookah Camp is the way to go! A Hookah system allows you to breathe through a simple to use regulator while your air supply floats on a comforting support raft at the surface. This allows your child to experience our amazing underwater world at their own level of comfort, and an experienced AQUI Guide will be with them throughout the entire tour. Dive times are limited to 45 minutes each due to safety. Each day we will conduct an underwater tour to a different part of the local reef, and do a beach cleanup on the final day. The team with the most trash and debris will win a Free Private Guide day with all expenses included.
Equipment
Depending on the program you select, we provide your child with all the Snorkeling and/or Hookah equipment, plus an action camera. We do recommend you purchase a micro SD card for easy transfer and download of the media your child captures.
Registration, Refunds, & Cancellation
The Marine Science Snorkeling Camp does require registration in advance due to limited availability during peak season. The course fee does include waterproof marine species identification cards in the Atlantic & Caribbean.
All parents must complete the registration with their children and sign the waiver and medical history form for each child. This ensures proper liability forms are completed, and the safety of each participant is upheld.
Cancellation policy is 72 hour notice is required for rescheduling or canceling a camp date. Due to the class sizes, last minute bookings are typically hard to schedule. You may donate, or gift your registration to another student if your child is unable to attend. Contact us for special circumstances.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TOUR
We recommend the following items.
Sunscreen
Temperatures in the summer can reach up to 105°F / 40°C. We recommend Stream2Sea as it’s reef safe and eco-friendly (available in store).
Wetsuit
Wetsuits are personal preference; however, they protect from jellyfish and sea lice. In Winter months, we recommend at least a 3mm for snorkeling; 5mm for diving.
Camera
Capturing the moment leads to a lifetime of memories for you and others. GoPro’s are available upon request for rent — as well as lights.
water & snacks
Salt Water is dehyrdating and we will burn calories while on the tour. Water is available at the facility. Due to allergies, we do not provide food items.
Personal Gear
If you have your own Mask, Fins, and Snorkel, we encourage you to bring them. Our personal gear is sanitized, and available for rent, at no additional charge. Receive a 10% discount if you decide to purchase your own prior to a tour.
Hat / Head Cover
Protecting from prolonged sun exposure is key for beach walks and class discussions in the sand. If you choose to wait on the beach, please bring an umbrella, or shade.
Rashguard
Our preferred method for excellent sun protection, and an awesome skin barrier when wearing a wetsuit. Multiple sizes are available in store.
Sunglasses
It’s Florida after all. Hot, Bright, and sun reflects off the water. Look cool during the tour, and have the added benefit of protecting your eyes.
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