When the long road through the Florida Keys terminates at Key West, the only way to keep going is by taking a boat.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Romantic cruises, party boats and water sports tours are just a few of the exhilarating ways to get out onto the water in Florida. In Key West, boat tours are particularly easy to find. The trick is to know which are the most cost effective, safety oriented and reliable. These four boat trips give you a good overview of the many ways to enjoy the water, from snorkeling and wildlife watching to partying on deck and zooming around on a jet ski.
Afternoon Snorkel Sail with Live Music and Cocktails
Both above and below the waves, Key West is beautiful to behold. Board this tour’s 69-foot catamaran and head out to the best snorkeling sites off the coast of Key West. Here, you’ll be able to see some of the area’s 600-plus species of fish and coral. Snorkeling equipment rental is included in the price of your ticket, as are beers, wine and soft drinks. The boat tour itself is part of the fun too, with the chance to enjoy live music on the tours that depart later in the afternoons. Tours depart daily. From $59 per person.
Key West Search for Dolphins Cruise with Snorkeling
You don’t have to get into the cerulean waters around Key West to enjoy the marine life that thrives in these parts. Dolphins regularly breach the waves alongside the boats, while birdlife, such as the magnificent pelicans, is omnipresent. This three-hour tour’s itinerary is designed to seek out dolphins wherever they’re likely to be spotted. And if you wish to snorkel, you’ll have an opportunity to do so. Equipment is provided. Drinks such as beer and wine are available for the return journey to Key West. From $86 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Key West Schooner Sunset Sail with Food & Drinks
The America 2.0 is a beautiful 105-foot schooner, with elegant masts meaning that you can literally set sail into the sunset on this Key West cruise. Head for the horizon, letting the crew do all the hard work, while you munch on hors d’oeuvres and sip an ice-cold drink. Keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles and cumbersome pelicans. Then at sunset, you may even get the chance to witness the fabled Key West ‘green flash’ an unusual phenomenon that sometimes takes place just as the sun dips below the horizon. From $112 per person.
Key West Jet Ski Island Tour
The most exhilarating boat trip from Key West involves jet skiing a guided 28-mile route around the peninsula at the southern tip of Florida. Lasting around 90 minutes, take this adrenaline-inducing tour of the Florida Keys. Two guides accompany the group, one setting a pace for those who need the speed, while the other guides those happy to take a slower journey. The jet skis themselves have space for a second rider, who can join at no extra cost. This tour has at least three daily departures. From $172 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)