Headed down island, and wondering how you’ll fill your time? Everyone knows the standard Key West activity is bar-crawling your way down Duval, but surely that’s not all there is to do?
You’re right; there’s more to do in Key West than the bars. And don’t call me Shirley.
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to see the island is on a sandbar boat tour. Are these tours worth it? Let’s see if a Key West sandbar tour is the right activity to fill your time.
What's a Sandbar Key West Tour Like?
First, let’s get one thing straight. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love to get out on the water and explore by boat and those who would rather sit and leave the ship to the Horatio Nelsons of the world. If you’d rather stay ashore — and a boat ride across crystal-clear tropical water does nothing for you — then it’s probably best to avoid a sandbar charter and stick to the bar.
No, the sandbar charter is for those who really get the Florida Keys life. Life down here is all about getting out on the boat and enjoying a day on the water when the weather is perfect and the water is calm. A lot of folks who live here spend more time in their boats than they do in their cars, and they’d much rather commute to work by water than on the highway.
In that respect, a sandbar tour is the perfect way to see Key West and live like the locals do, if only for a few hours. You’ll hop in the boat — ours is a 25′ center console, which is about the perfect boat for the Keys — and we’ll skip across the bays and channels looking for the best spot to hang out.
The best spots to hang out are beautiful places with clear water and a beach. In the local dialect, we call those places like that a sandbar. Sandbars are the best beaches in the Keys. They’re long sandbars and stretch out at low tide around little places like Woman Key and Snipes Key with its famous sandbar swing.
Most sandbar tours follow a similar pattern, but the details change day to day with the seasons, tides, and weather. There’s not much more to it than that, and if a few hours driving around in a fun boat sounds lame to you, you’d best stay ashore. The rest of us will be partying at the sandbar.
Florida Keys Sandbar Tour Options
Many people arrive in Key West after a long road trip trying to find the best beaches in the Keys. But if you never leave the highway, you’ll never find the nicest beaches — because that’s what sandbar tours are for!
Sandbar tours aren’t limited to Key West (but we have the best ones). If you’re staying in the Upper or Middle Keys, have a look under “sandbar tours near me” and see if anyone is offering boat trips. Each island in the chain has its own spots, but some have more than others.
Islamorada Sandbar Tour
Islamorada is the sportfishing capital of the Keys, so it’s the natural go-to place for offshore charters, But they’ve got some nice sandbars up there, too. Try Clearly Unique or Key Largo Adventures for a sandbar tour in Islamorada.
Marathon Sandbar Tour
Marathon marks the halfway point to Key West, and it has a pretty good variety of restaurants and resorts. For sandbar tours, try Marathon Mermaid or Two Conchs Charters.
Big Pine and Sugarloaf Sandbar Tours
Sandbar tours have a lot more options the farther south you go. When you get to the Lower Keys, the islands stretch farther away from the highway, and there is more room for sandbar exploration. It’s also an excellent location to find a kayak rental company or try your hand at backcountry fishing. Try Capt. Clint Moore or Backcountry Tours.
Sandbar Tours Key West
Key West is actually the best spot to head for sandbar tours. The island’s location at the end of the road means there are sandbars in all directions. Some of the best ones, like Boca Grande sandbar, are out past the end of the highway. There are several captains giving sandbar tours in Key West, but Casual Monday is the best.
Ready to Take the Best Sandbar Tours Key West Has Ever Seen?
The next time you’re in Key West, book a trip with Captain Zak on the Casual Monday. He knows all the best spots — sandbars, that is — and gives the best Key West sandbar tours around.
