Eco Charter
Eco Charters in Key West — Quiet & Private Island Hopping Experience
Looking to get away from the Duval Street crowds and find a little slice of paradise for a little while? If you’re more of the ’toes in the water’ type than the ‘wasting away’ type, hop on an eco tour Key West island experience today. We’ll leave the parties and bar crawls in our wake and set sail for the quiet backwaters far away from the buzzing Highway. Along the way, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for birds, dolphins, fish, and all the really interesting Key West characters.
All About Casual Mondays’ Key West Eco Tours
There’s no denying that the Florida Keys are a nature lover’s paradise—but sometimes it’s hard to see that from the Highway. Nature in the Keys is on the water—be it floating over shallow sandbars in the backcountry or snorkeling on the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
Join us for a relaxing morning or afternoon in nature. You’ll cruise out of town towards what the locals call the “backcountry,” a string of islands and sandbars not connected to the other Keys or US 1.
A few notes about Casual Mondays’ Private Eco Tours Key West:
• Private and affordable eco tours of Key West and the surrounding islands
• Perfect for small groups, with a maximum of six passengers
• Dolphin watching, bird watching, and wildlife spotting in the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
• You can combine multiple activities into one charter trip (i.e., eco tour + snorkeling, eco tour + Key West sunset cruise, or eco tour + sandbar charter)
• The precise location may change based on weather or requests (snorkeling, dolphins, etc.)
• All ages welcome
• Most of our vessels are pet friendly
Trip Itinerary
You can book a Eco tour in Key West for the morning or afternoon. It’s usually a half-day private charter, so times are somewhat flexible to meet the needs of your group.
Generally, we leave the dock at 9:00 am for the morning trip and at 2:00 pm for the afternoon trip. The entire trip lasts about four hours.
• Load up and leave the marina (9:00 am, or 2:00 pm)
• Head out into the backcountry (45 min)
• Explore the mangrove islands and shallow sandbars (2.5 hours)
• Head back to the island (45 min)
It’s about a 45-minute ride out to the backcountry. During the ride, you’ll enjoy a comfortable trip through the backcountry via Lakes Passage and Boca Grande Key. From the water, you’ll enjoy seeing parts of the Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges and other beautiful parts of the Florida Keys’ backcountry that you’d never get to see from US 1.
We’ll pick where we go based on the weather that day or whatever other activities you might be interested in. We try to hit a few different spots so you can get a taste of the backcountry and see some of the best sandbars Key West FL has to offer.
We’ll spend about two and a half hours enjoying the backcountry and the mangrove islands that make up the refuge. Wade in the shallow, clear water while watching for stingrays and fish. Lounge on the beach, snorkel a bit, float with your favorite drink, or just enjoy some sand and sun.
Let your Captain know if you have a special request. Of course, we can’t make promises, but we often spot dolphins and manatees. Plus, there may be some great spots to dive in for a quick snorkel.
We’ll retrace our steps and look for more wildlife in the Refuge on the way back. Dolphins, birds, and all sorts of other treats await.
What To Bring On A Key West Private Eco Tour Charter
Here’s a list of a few items you’ll want to make sure you grab before setting off on one of our Key West eco charters.
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing
• Hats
• Beach towels
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Cameras (make sure they’re waterproof or safely in a secure case!)
• Alcoholic beverages (BYOB)
• Food or snacks you might want for your trip
• Your kids and fur-kids (Yes, the majority of our vessels are pet-friendly!)
What Not to Bring
• More than five friends (six passengers maximum)
If you do have more than 5 friends visit our Bareboat Charter Page
• Glass bottles
• Spray-On Sunscreen
What’s Included When You Book Eco Tours Key West With Us
What’s on the boat? Here are a few items that Captain Zak keeps the Casual Monday stocked with.
◦ Beach umbrella
◦ Lillypad mat (by request)
◦ Pool noodles
◦ Cooler
◦ Ice
◦ Bottled water
◦ Bluetooth stereo
◦ Lifejackets, safety equipment, and first aid kit
◦ The Captain’s extraordinary friendly service and history lessons
◦ Snorkel gear for six (Due to children’s ever-growing faces, we do not provide children’s snorkel gear at this time)
Our Boats
Belzona 325cc Center Console
Still Dreamin'
Still Dreamin’ is our Belzona 325 Luxury Center Console—where performance meets pure comfort. With plush seating, a smooth and stable ride, and plenty of room to stretch out, she’s built for laid-back island cruising and unforgettable days on the water. Whether we’re snorkeling crystal-clear reefs, relaxing at the sandbar, spotting wildlife, or chasing a Key West sunset, Still Dreamin’ delivers a stylish, easygoing charter experience from start to finish.
Intrepid 262 Center Console
Intrepid
The Intrepid 262 was originally designed as a luxury yacht tender, giving it a smooth, stable ride that handles Key West waters comfortably without the harsh pounding common on many center consoles. Its open layout features comfortable bow seating, a spacious aft deck for fishing or lounging, and plenty of built-in storage to keep the deck clean and easy to move around.
A Note From Captain Zak
I’m just a guy with a boat who loves sharing what makes Key West unique. Eco charters in Key West FL, range from cattle-boats packed with people to short rides that don’t even leave town. I want you to see parts of the Keys that most visitors never get to experience—the wild, scenic, and peaceful backcountry. Whether you’re into birding or wildlife spotting—or simply want a quiet nature walk on a sandbar—join me, and let’s find a taste of what makes the Florida Keys one of the most magical places on Earth.
Captain Zak
Somewhere in the backcountry aboard the Casual Monday
