Things to Do in Key West

Key West has plenty to offer on land — the historic homes, the food, Mallory Square at sunset, the famous bars on Duval. There's no shortage of guides for that. This one is about something else: the water.

The single best thing Key West has going for it is what surrounds it. Clear shallow water, productive reefs, world-class fishing grounds, sandbars you can stand waist-deep on in the middle of the ocean, and the Dry Tortugas an hour and a half offshore. That's what locals do here, and it's what most visitors remember years later. This guide is a quick tour of the water-based experiences worth your time — from a couple of hours to a full day — and how to think about which one fits your trip.

Everything below runs out of Hurricane Hole Marina on board Colorado Blue, our 2010 Intrepid 323 Open. Up to six guests, real bathroom, twin 300s. Built for any of these days.

The Water Activities

Sandbar Days

Sandbars are the Key West classic — shallow stretches of clear, knee-to-waist-deep water in the middle of the ocean where the boat anchors up, music goes on, and the day slows down. Swim, float, eat lunch standing in the water, take ridiculous photos. Best for families, groups, and anyone whose idea of a perfect Key West day involves the words "I just want to relax." → See our Sandbar Charter

Snorkeling

The reef is what makes the water here different. Coral, tropical fish, the occasional ray or turtle, and visibility you don't get on most of the Florida coast. A reef snorkel trip is a different day than a sandbar — different spots, different conditions, different feel. Because reef trips depend on conditions and what you specifically want to see, we run them through our Custom Charter, where your captain builds the day around the right reef for that day. → See our Custom Charter

Fishing Charters

Reef fishing, flats fishing, offshore — Key West sits on top of some of the most productive water in the country, and what's running depends on the season and the conditions. Your captain runs the day around what's biting. Best for anglers (obviously), but also a great call for groups where one or two people want to fish and the rest want to ride along. → See our Fishing Charter

Lobstering

Spiny lobster season runs August through March, with the famous two-day mini-season the last Wednesday and Thursday of July. Diving for lobster is a real Florida Keys tradition, and Monroe County has its own specific rules — bag limits, size limits, how you can catch them. We sort the licenses, the gear, and the regulations; you get in the water. → See our Lobstering Charter

Dry Tortugas National Park

About 70 miles west of Key West, the Dry Tortugas are a national park, a 19th-century fort (Fort Jefferson), and some of the most pristine snorkeling water in the country. A full-day trip — and worth every minute. We offer it two ways: a private day with your group for full flexibility, or a shared day trip if you'd rather split the cost. Either way, plan a full day.

Sunset on the Water

Mallory Square gets all the sunset press, but watching it from the deck of a boat, drink in hand, no crowds, is a different thing entirely. About two hours, lower-key, perfect first night in town. → See our Sunset Cruise

Custom Days

The above covers the most common Key West days, but they're not the only ones. Want to combine a couple — a morning sandbar and an afternoon reef snorkel? A full day chasing whatever the captain thinks will be best? An unusual route, a longer day, a specific spot you've heard about? Tell us what you're after and your captain builds the day around it. → See our Private Charter

How to Pick

If you only have one day on the water, a sandbar day is the highest-percentage call for most groups — variety, swimming, photos, easy day. Fishing or lobstering if that's specifically what you came for. Reef snorkeling if you want coral and tropical fish. Dry Tortugas if you've got a full day and want the bucket-list trip. Sunset as a second outing later in the week or a great addition to any of our trips.

Still not sure? Call us — 305-900-7200 — and tell us about your group. We'll point you to the right day.