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 Captain Zak on the Casual Monday 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
• We’re pet friendly
• Clothing optional!

Trip Itinerary

You can book a sandbar charter in Key West for mornings or afternoons. It’s 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 12:00 or 2:00 pm for the afternoon trip. The entire trip lasts about four hours.
• Sand bar tours start and end at Hurricane Hole Marina on Stock Island.
• Load up and leave the marina (9:00 am, 12:00 pm, or 2:00 pm)
• Head out into the backcountry (45 min)
• Sand bar time! We usually visit multiple sand bars each trip (2.5 hours)
• Head back in (45 min)

It’s about a 45-minute ride out to the sandbars. 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 best sandbars Key West FL has to offer.

We’ll spend about two and a half hours enjoying the sandbars. 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 Captain Zak know if you have a special request. Of course, we can’t make promises, but we often spot dolphins and manatees. Plus, there are 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, we’re pet-friendly!)

What Not to Bring
• More than five friends (six passengers maximum)
• Glass bottles

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
◦ Captain Zak’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)

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

Casual Monday Charters in Key West, Florida specializes in Sandbar Hopping, Snorkeling, and Sunset Charters year round. If its your first time on the water or you're a seasoned boater we are here to ensure your comfort and safety on the water.