Key West’s sandbars are all about hanging out in the sun, floating with friends in the clear water, and chilling in a way that’s not possible to do without being “knee-deep in the water somewhere.” Now, to enhance your sandbar experience, you might want to consider bringing along some toys. Floaties, lounges, noodles, et cetera, and so forth. Here are some of the most popular water toys we see when the party gets started on the sandbars of the Florida Keys.
What Toys to Take to the Key West Sandbar?
You don’t have to bring anything with you on a sandbar trip, but then you don’t have to not bring anything, know what I mean? Key West sandbar tours are worth it no matter how you roll.
All I’m trying to say here is this: Everyone’s sandbar style is different, and that’s okay! Some people just want to float in the sand and sip their marg’, while others want to fly around the shallows on a fancy electric surfboard. There’s probably a happy middle, though, where you happily sip a mojito (slight upgrade) while floating on a comfy lounge mat (significant upgrade).
Here’s a look at the most popular toys you might see at the Key West sandbar, from $5 required equipment to $10,000 gadgets for the cool kids.
Folding camp chair for the sandbar
This one isn’t so much a toy as a necessary article of faith for Zac Brown fans. Let us review the facts of sandbar life as we know them. Here’s the passage; contemplate this with me, my congregation:
“Knee deep in the water somewhere,
got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair,
only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair.”
Now, if this is the holy word, which it undeniably is, then there’s no way Man can enjoy the Key West sandbar life without a chair. Because without a chair, Man cannot worry about when the tide’s gonna reach it, and without that worry, he cannot, therefore and hitherto, have the blue sky breeze blowing wind through his hair.
We can all agree that bald men may skip the chair and simply bring a bottle of high-SPF sunblock.
Inflatable lounges, hammocks, or tubes for sandbar lounging
The sandbar, being a multi-denominational community, welcomes all sorts of people. Include those whose religion forbids them from worrying about when the water will reach their chair, and even those who chose to dive in and get soaked with no chair at all.
Truth be told, it’s the best solution for the middle of the day when the sun is beating down.
Now, several excellent products are available on the market that allow you to sit comfortably while floating in the water column like a giant jellyfish. The sitting device you choose is up to your own personal style and, if you insist, religion. Let us start with those extravagant gilded options and work down to lowly peasant seats.
Numerous styles of grand inflatable chairs, loungers, and hammocks are absolutely perfect for sandbar floating. Some are pretty flimsy and inexpensive, designed for few uses in the Holiday Inn’s pool. Others are hardcore Keys people tools, ready to take a pounding at the Key West sandbar every day of the year. Pick your budget, and go find your chair!
Tubes are much the same, just no hammock net or inflatable seat under you. There are tubes designed to be towed by the boat, which you could use if you have one, or simple, cheaper ones intended to be used as lounges.
There are also several even simpler options. The water saddle is just a foam mat cut to be worn like a giant floating diaper. After reading that description, I can’t recommend it.
Once you’ve blown up your place to sit, you’ll need something to hold your beer (or any of the other killer cocktails for the sandbar). And for that, they make the inflatable floating bar. Is there nothing they haven’t thought of? I think I’ve found my new religion.
Floating mats (Lily Pads) at the sandbar
The current hot ticket at the sandbar is the floating pad, usually called a Lily Pad because that brand made all the big bucks. It’s just a giant foam mat. It’s practically indestructible, and when you sit on it, it just sort of sinks a little, allowing you to wallow around in your own splash pool. You can lounge, sit, and do whatever it is that you do, and there’s always a nice foam barrier between you and any creepy sandbar critters.
Floating mats like these are great, but they’re also huge — not exactly something you can pack for a vacation. Locals keep them on their boats, and they roll up and get strapped to the top or something.
Noodles alla vodka at the sandbar
The ultimate multi-tasker of sandbar toys — the mighty foam noodle. You can sit on it like a bendy horse, stand on it to practice your floaty surfing moves, or smack people over the head with it. You can have jousting matches, or you can play a sort of sandbar rugby with them if you’re a sticky wicket like that. It’s the sort of water toy that provides endless options.
But picking the right noodle for the sandbar is no easy matter; there’s a wide range of noodles in the world. The cheap ones you find at most big box stores are fine, but the foam does deteriorate in the sun after a while. The best ones are the larger diameter with a hole in the middle. In other words, you want the penne, or at least the ziti, but not the angel hair or spaghetti noodles. The ones they sell at West Marine are much denser and longer-lasting. They hurt more when you’re smacked over the head by them, too.
Fins and snorkels for Keys sandbar adventures
If you want to do some snorkeling, having your own mask, fins, and snorkel is always nice. You can pick up cheap sets anywhere on the island or head to the dive shops for higher-quality options. Most charter boats have a few sets, too.
Classic beach ball for sandbar parties
If you want to be at the party, sometimes you’ve got to start the party. The best way? Start by throwing a big, colorful beach ball and people and see what happens.
Paddleboards or kayaks for exploring the sandbar
If you want to roam and explore a little, paddlecraft are the way to go. Since you’ll be getting to the sandbar on a bigger boat, it’s more convenient to go with inflatable models rather than rigid ones. If you’re going on a charter, you’ll have to check with your captain to see if the boat has room for that sort of thing.
Inflatable paddleboards roll into a large backpack or duffle bag, but they require about 10 minutes of hard work to get them pumped up to full pressure (or no-sweat with an electric pump). Once up to pressure, they paddle nicely and are fun to poke around in the mangroves and look for critters in the little creeks. They’re best on very calm days when you don’t have to worry about paddling back against a strong breeze.
Electric surfboard or e-foil for rampaging at the sandbar
If quietly exploring mangrove creeks and looking for bird life isn’t your style, maybe you’d like zipping around like a cormorant with a firecracker up its rear. That’s right; an electric surfboard allows you to zoom around the sandbar at breakneck, reckless speeds while looking super cool.
Of course, looking this cool doesn’t come cheap. Most of these boards cost north of $10,000, what with their water jet engines and fancy waterproof lithium battery packs. But, if you ask me, there are few better ways to spend 10 Gs.
What Are Your Favorite Sandbar Toys?
Florida is known for many things: Giant flying cockroaches, terrible drivers, snakes that eat alligators, and some of the best sandbars in America. With a claim to fame like that, it’s no wonder that we’ve figured out all the best toys to take the Key West sandbar.
For the record, on Casual Monday’s charters to the Key West sandbars, we carry:
• Beach umbrella
• Pool noodles
• Cooler
• Ice
• Bottled water
• Bluetooth stereo
• Lifejackets, Safety Equipment, and First Aid Kit
Optional Add-ons
• Giant Lillypad Mat
• Paddleboards
• Catering
• Charcuterie Board
So, if you’ve got one of those huge swans or gigantic flamingos wearing sunglasses and enough hot air in your body to blow them up, then give me a call, and let’s get out to the Key West sandbar to play with our toys.
