The Key West trip guide

Key West
is out on
the water.

Jet skis, the reef, charter boats, sunset at Mallory Square. Pick the trip, then compare every operator side by side before you book.

Compare jet skis → Compare snorkel trips → Compare charters →

Start here

Which trip is for you?

Want speed? Jet ski toursGuided rides around the island. See every operator's price, ride length and meeting point. Compare jet skis → Want to see fish? Snorkel the reefBoat trips out to the reef. Compare trips by price, time on the water and where you board. Compare snorkel trips → Want to fish? Charter boatsFishing, sunset and private charters. Line them up by price, length and dock. Compare charters →

Not sure yet?

Plan a day

Tell us how long you have and what you like. You get a ready day, with a compare link for every trip on the water.

A full day on the water

3 stops, ending at sunset

Things to do

Swipe through the island. The first three link to side-by-side operator comparisons.

Group of jet ski riders off Key WestCompareJet ski toursOpen water around the island Snorkeler swimming over coralCompareSnorkel the reefCoral, fish, clear water Sailboat at sunset off Mallory SquareCompareSunset sailCharters: fishing, sunset, private Southernmost Point buoy, Key WestSouthernmost buoy"90 miles to Cuba" Buildings at Front and Duval StreetDuval StreetThe main drag of Old Town Historic wooden conch-style house with carved porchesConch housesWooden porches, Bahamian style Basket of conch fritters with limeConch frittersThe first thing to order Driving the Seven Mile BridgeSeven Mile BridgeThe drive down is half the trip
02

Fish

Snorkel the reef

The Florida Keys sit beside the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S. Snorkel boats take you out to it from Key West, gear included on most trips.

Compare every snorkel trip →

keywestsnorkeling.net lines up every operator: price, length, meeting point.

Snorkeler above a coral head with a school of fishSnorkeling the Keys reef, 1970s archive photo
03

Fish, or just float

Charter boats

Three ways to charter out of Key West: a fishing trip offshore or on the flats, a sunset sail with the crowd at Mallory Square in view, or a private boat that goes where your group wants.

Compare every charter →

keywestcharterboat.net compares every boat side by side: price, length, dock.

Key West harbor in the early 1900s, black and whiteBoats have worked this harbor for over a century. Key West harbor, early 1900s (Library of Congress).
Sunset over the water from Mallory Square with a sailboatSunset from Mallory Square
04

On foot

Old Town

Back on land, the whole of Old Town is walkable. Five stops most first trips hit, in no particular order.

Southernmost Point buoy, painted red, black and yellow

Southernmost Point buoy

The striped concrete marker at Whitehead and South Street. It reads "90 miles to Cuba". Expect a photo line.

Duval Street buildings from above

Duval Street

Old Town's main street, running from the Gulf side to the Atlantic side. Bars, shops, galleries.

Two-storey conch-style wooden house with carved railings

Conch-style houses

Wooden homes with deep porches and carved trim, built in a Bahamian style.

Mallory SquareThe sunset celebration every evening: street performers, food carts, and the crowd watching the sun drop.
Hemingway HomeErnest Hemingway's house in the 1930s, now a museum known for its six-toed cats.
Walk itOld Town is compact. Most visitors walk or rent a bike.
05 Full guide coming soon

What to eat

The short list for a first trip. Our full eating guide is on the way.

Conch frittersFried, with a dipping sauce and lime
Key lime pieMade with the small, sharp Key lime
Cuban coffeeStrong, sweet, small. Order a cafecito
Conch fritters in a paper-lined basket with limeConch fritters, Key West

Before you book

See every operator side by side.

Jet ski toursPrice, length, meeting point for every operator.Compare jet skis → Snorkel tripsPrice, time on the reef, where you board.Compare snorkel trips → Charter boatsFishing, sunset and private, compared.Compare charters →