Most boat trips specialize. This one combines three Keys staples in one outing: a sail, a kayak through mangrove-lined channels and a snorkel on a coral reef. Operated by Danger Charters, the half-day trip lasts about four and a half hours, with roughly two and a half hours spent in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and about an hour back in Key West. The host describes about an hour of kayaking through mangrove-canopied canals and streams, followed by about an hour of snorkeling above a coral reef, with all equipment provided. You can choose a morning or afternoon tour, and the afternoon option catches the Key West sunset. Refreshments are generous: the listing includes light refreshments, fresh fruit, snacks, water and soft drinks, plus unlimited beer and wine for adults, along with towels, wetsuits in winter and hotel pickup and drop-off.
The variety is the attraction. Instead of choosing between a kayak tour, a snorkel trip and a sail, you get a taste of each in a single half-day, led by a professional guide, with a maximum of twenty guests, which keeps things relaxed. The sailing portion gives you the quiet of wind power on the way out and back, a very different feel from motorized catamarans. The kayak segment shows the mangrove edge of the backcountry, where fish and birds shelter in the roots, and the snorkel segment adds coral and reef fish. A single trip cannot go as deep as a dedicated reef or mangrove tour, but it is excellent value and a good way to decide which type of trip you want to repeat.
The departure is at 255 Front Street, at the base of the Opal Key Resort, and the listing asks you to arrive thirty minutes early and returns to the same place. The minimum drinking age is twenty-one, the trip is not wheelchair accessible, and you should bring sun protection and a towel if you want your own, since the listing is inconsistent about towels. Choose the afternoon departure if sunset is the priority, and the morning departure if you prefer calmer water and cooler temperatures. Cancellation is free up to twenty-four hours before, and sailing trips are affected by winter cold fronts and strong winds, so keep a backup day. Seasickness remedies are worth taking in advance if you are prone.
Who it suits: active couples, friends and families with older children who like variety and do not want to commit a full day to a single activity. It is also a good fit for a first-time visitor with only one free half-day for the water. Travelers who want a more intensive snorkel, or a quieter sunset, may prefer a single-purpose trip. Many visitors pair this with a conch train or trolley ride, a dinner in Old Town and a night walk down Duval, which makes for a full, easy day.
Plan the rest of your day around the departure. A morning trip pairs well with a late lunch and an afternoon at the Hemingway Home or the beach, while an afternoon trip gives you a relaxed evening with dinner after sunset. Keep your valuables light, bring a small bag with a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes, and wear a swimsuit under your clothing. The crew handles the gear, but a comfortable pair of water shoes helps in the kayaks, and your own mask is worth bringing if you have a prescription.
What to expect
The experience
A 4.5-hour sailing trip with about an hour of mangrove kayaking and about an hour of reef snorkeling, with drinks and snacks included. Morning and afternoon departures are offered; sunset is on the afternoon option.
Best time
Afternoon for the sunset, morning for calmer water. Winter cold fronts can affect any departure.
How long
About four and a half hours.
Tips
Arrive thirty minutes early at 255 Front Street, bring sun protection, and take a seasickness remedy if you need one. Guests must be twenty-one to drink.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Sailing, kayaking and snorkeling in one half-day.
- Families
- Good for older children and teens who swim and paddle; minimum drinking age rules apply to adults.
- Couples
- Excellent on the afternoon departure with sunset.
- Pair with
- A quiet dinner in Old Town or the Mallory Square celebration the next day.
- Time needed
- A half day.
Good questions
What activities are included?+
About an hour of kayaking through mangrove channels and about an hour of snorkeling above a reef, plus time sailing, according to the listing.
Is sunset included?+
Only with the afternoon option, according to the listing.
What is provided?+
Snorkel gear, a guide, refreshments, beer and wine for adults, wetsuits in winter and hotel pickup are listed. Bring sun protection, and a towel if you want your own.
Where does it leave from?+
255 Front Street, at the base of the Opal Key Resort. Arrive thirty minutes early.
How big is the group?+
The listing gives a maximum of twenty travelers.
