Lobster Diving Fun in Marathon Florida

Freedive Lobster Trips with Captain Kevin Johnsen

Lobster diving in the Florida Keys is one of the most rewarding things you can do on the water — and one of the most physically demanding. I’m Captain Kevin Johnsen with Florida Keys Reel Adventures, and my lobster diving charters out of Marathon put you in the water to catch Florida spiny lobster with your bare hands. No SCUBA gear, no shortcuts. Just you, a tickle stick, a net, and whatever breath you’ve got in your lungs.

I run these trips from the regular season opening in August through the end of October, when the water is warmest and conditions are at their best. We’ll be freediving in 8 to 12 feet of water around natural ledges in the Gulf of Mexico or hard-bottom reefs on the Atlantic side — shallow enough to reach, deep enough to make you work for it.

How Lobster Diving Works

This is a strictly freediving experience. You’ll dive down to rocky ledges and reef structure where lobster like to hide, and use a tickle stick to coax them out of their holes and into a small hand net. It sounds simple. It isn’t.

Catching lobster takes technique, timing, and stealth. These things are fast and they don’t want to be caught, so you need to be patient and precise with your approach. Each dive requires a solid 20- to 40-second working breath hold at the bottom — long enough to spot your target, get into position, and make your move before coming back up for air.

I’ll teach you the technique. I’ve put lobster in the hands of teenagers and folks in their 70s, and the method itself isn’t complicated once you see it in action. But the technique is only half the equation — the other half is your ability to get down there and execute it.

We work in pairs out on the water to conserve energy and cover more ground. It’s a true team effort, and when your partner nets one you flushed out of a ledge, the celebration is real. There’s nothing quite like surfacing with a legal lobster in your net knowing you earned it!

Is This Trip Right for You?

I want to be straight with you on this one because it matters: lobster diving is a physically demanding activity, and your success on the water is directly tied to your fitness and snorkeling ability. That said, if we get out there and your group decides lobstering isn’t for you, no problem — we can switch gears and go fishing or do something else with the rest of the trip. I’d rather change the plan than have anyone not enjoy their day on the water!

This trip is best suited for people who are already in reasonable shape and comfortable in the water. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you do need to be able to swim confidently, hold your breath for 20 to 40 seconds while working at the bottom, and repeat that effort over the course of the trip without gassing out. If you’re not a confident swimmer or you haven’t snorkeled before, this probably isn’t the right starting point.

I’d also strongly recommend watching some lobstering videos before your trip so you know what to expect. Showing up with a basic understanding of what we’re doing makes a huge difference in how quickly you start catching. I have plenty on my Youtube channel, videos page, or you can email me for some links.

A couple of gear notes: during cooler months, bring or rent a wetsuit to stay comfortable in the water. And please leave full-face snorkel masks at home — they don’t work well for freediving and will hold you back. Check the trip details below for the full rundown on what to bring.

A couple of gear notes: during cooler months, bring or rent a wetsuit to stay comfortable in the water. And please leave full-face snorkel masks at home — they don’t work well for freediving and will hold you back. Check the trip details below for the full rundown on what to bring.