Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset
Description
This trip combines sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and local insight in a laid-back, small-group setting. You'll sail on an authentic schooner into the calm, protected waters of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge—a remote area only accessible by boat. With group sizes limited to 20 guests, the experience feels personal, spacious, and relaxed! Our crew truly sets us apart. They’re knowledgeable, passionate, and always ready to share the history, wildlife, and ecology of the Keys in a fun, engaging way. Whether you're in the water or relaxing on deck, they’re there to guide, support, and make everyone feel welcome—regardless of experience level. Snacks, beer, wine, soda, and water are included onboard, adding to the comfort of your time at sea. If you join the afternoon trip, you'll also enjoy a beautiful sail back to Key West timed with the sunset, making the day even more memorable.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Guests will snorkel and kayak in the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, exploring shallow seagrass beds, coral heads, and quiet mangrove islands. Our crew will lead you through calm, winding channels where you’ll learn about this unique backcountry ecosystem—home to rays, tropical fish, small sharks, sport fish, and the occasional sea turtle. Overhead, keep an eye out for birds like herons, egrets, ospreys, and pelicans that thrive in the mangroves. No kayaking experience? No problem. Our stable sea kayaks are easy to handle, and our crew will have you paddling like a pro in no time.
The trip begins with a sail through Key West Harbor, where you’ll get a front-row view of the island’s colorful past and present. From the water, you’ll see historic landmarks, working shrimp boats, luxury yachts, and the charming mix of old and new that defines the Key West waterfront. As we cruise along the coastline, our crew will share stories about the island’s rich history—from its days as a bustling port town to its reputation as a haven for artists, pirates, and presidents alike.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
- Please bring your own towel and sun protection
Reviews(1,784)
Snorkeling in deeper water which can be very difficult everyone should be in relatively good shape before they take on this experience.
I took this excursion with my teenager. We both had a great time. I hadn’t snorkeled in a long time and appreciated the instructions to refresh my memory. The crew showed us a good time, kept us hydrated, brought out snacks, and pointed out interesting bits of information. This was one of the highlights of our trip overall. I would do it again in a heartbeat if we’re ever back this way!
Our group of seven booked the afternoon Sunset Cruise during our girls trip to Key West, and we all agreed it was a highlight of our trip! I loved how much time we got to spend snorkeling, and we saw some fantastic fish. Kayaking through the mangroves and spotting turtles was a lot of fun. The crew even stayed out a little later than promised to ensure we got to see the full, gorgeous sunset from the water. The crew was thoughtful, attentive and a lot of fun. We all agreed that this excursion was not only a blast but also a great value for everything included. Highly recommended!
Easy paced fun & adventure, really helpful & knowledgeable crew, drinks & snacks onboard. Loved the sunset
The crew was amazing and very knowledgeable! We had the best time. We definitely recommend it and would do it again!
We did the sunset trip and would absolutely recommend. The crew, Micah, Anthony and Laura were fantastic. Attentive, kind and amazingly knowledgeable. The snorkeling was great- lots of different fish. While kayaking we saw a turtle, sharks, and many birds. Laura’s enthusiasm and tons of facts were very impressive. We had a great time. Sunset was beautiful.
We primarily booked this all for snorkeling and kayaking. Love being in the water. I'm not sure why we had to stop and hear a story about silly some made up history. I would sign up for a history tour if that was the case. But our family wants to be in the water. The story should be optional for people staying on the boat.
Thank you for sailing with us and for taking the time to share this review! I’m sorry the short history portion on the sail out didn’t add to the experience for your family. Our crew gives that brief talk as a way to break up the ride and give guests more context about the waters and islands where we snorkel and kayak. The history shared is real Keys history, presented in a light and entertaining way! It’s usually a favorite part of the trip, but we completely understand that your family was most excited to be in the water. Just to clarify, that portion of the trip does not take away from snorkel or kayak time. Our trip is planned with about an hour of snorkeling and about an hour of kayaking. That said, we appreciate your feedback!
This was a wonderful experience with a hard working Captain and Crew. They went out of their way to make it memorable, through the snorkeling, kayaking and onboard drink and snacks.
Great experience for first time parasailers. Me and my 11 yo son went. Bring/wear sunscreen, there is no shade and you’re in the sun for an hour. Wyatt (first mate) did a great job of our photos. Money was worth the memories.
If you only do one thing in Key West, make it this. The crew is exceptional. They weave history, nature, and fun. The snacks and drinks were great, the snorkeling was so amazing. They took us to a gorgeous spot. I loved how knowledgeable the crew was and genuinely they clearly care about the environment (picking up trash when they see it in the ocean, genuinely excited when seeing a sea creature or bird and giving info about each.) The crew seemed to truly enjoy what they do and that was really infectious.
