If you’ve never tried making your travel plans to Key West as part of a vacation package, you may be missing out. Not only can you get terrific deals but you may also discover experiences and excursions that you might not otherwise find on your own. With a vacation package, you book more than one part of your trip at a time for a combined cost–usually, this includes your airfare, hotel stay, and rental car. Depending on whether you consult a travel agent or use an online vacation site, you may be able to add on excursions, too. Here are just a few of the best-known excursions in Key West that you’ll want to ask about including in your vacation package.
Eco Tour by Boat or Kayak
Eco tours are perhaps the hottest trend in tourism. Vacationers are treated to a comfortable boat ride or propel themselves through the water on kayaks, depending on your preference. Tours generally cover mangrove forests and calmer backcountry waters where fish, turtles, shore birds and other wildlife are abundant. Visitors get the chance to see these animals in their natural habitats instead of behind zoo enclosures. Tour guides offer history, legend, and commentary about these special ecosystems that make Key West the jewel that it is, and why it’s so important to preserve them to maintain the environmental and biological diversity of the area.
Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is virtually all-underwater and located off the coast of Key West. It’s accessible only by ferry, and seats fill up fast so it’s best to get your reservations made as soon as you know your Key West vacation is happening. The peaceful, shallow waters offer a great opportunity for new and experienced snorkelers to have an adventure together while exploring coral reefs and abandoned shipwrecks from hundreds of years ago that are now home to abundant sea life. Outside of the water, Dry Tortugas National Park includes a historic fort that’s open for tours and offers events like re-enactments. You can also walk the promenade, swim at the beach, or kayak around the smaller islands that make up the park. It’s a great spot for birdwatching, too.
Charter Fishing Trips
People come to Key West from around the world for the famously diverse types of fish you can catch here. From grouper and snapper to mahi and tarpon, there’s always a new kind of fish in season in Key West. Because of its great location where multiple bodies of water meet, large populations of fish move through these waters regularly, and a chartered fishing trip makes angling easy. There’s no need to worry about packing your fishing gear–everything is provided for you, from rods and reels to bait. You can book full or half-day charters, and experienced crews are more than willing to offer pointers if you need them. All you have to bring is your sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks. Local captains like the one at All In Fishing Charters know the best places where the fish are biting, and if you happen to make the catch of the day, there are plenty of restaurants in Key West that will cook your catch and serve it to you family-style.
Sunset Cruise
The most lovely thing about Key West sunsets is that they are truly magnificent practically every day of the year, even on the shortest winter days. Sunset cruises typically launch around two hours before the sun goes down so you have plenty of cruising time to sightsee Key West from the water and arrive at a great spot for sunset-gazing. Experienced boat captains ensure a comfortable ride and know the best places to get an unobstructed view of the setting sun. Some charter may include light snacks, drinks, and music while others allow you to bring your own. If that’s the case, make sure you get food from one of the best seafood restaurants around, Eaton Street Seafood Market and Restaurant. All of their menu items can be packed to-go, and their grilled lobster is a perennial favorite.
Food Tour
Key West offers a great mix of cuisines from around the world, including creative fusions that incorporate local ingredients for dynamic new flavors and ingredient pairings. While it’s impossible to visit every restaurant that catches your eye, booking a food tour is a wonderful way to get a taste of what’s popular at the most well-known restaurants and the hidden gems. Try fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, key lime pie made from scratch, and tacos, just as a few examples.
As you can see, there are so many amazing excursions that are worth your time in Key West, even if you’re only visiting for a weekend getaway. Making them part of your vacation package from the very beginning of your planning ensures that you have the time in your itinerary to enjoy these adventures for yourself.
An avid traveler, Douglas Scott has been to over 50 countries. He has an extensive background in tourism and hospitality management, along with a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Douglas is very knowledgeable about travel-related topics – they are always up to date on the latest deals for flights, hotels, and other adventures around the world.
