Key West Tours

In Key West, fun and authenticity blend in a symphony of experiences. The best things to do in Key West range from exquisite gastronomic tours to supernatural encounters on the night streetcar, each activity leads you to discover this Caribbean-hearted gem with an American ID.

Embark on a relaxing ride on the tourist train, experience the thrill of spotting dolphins, enjoy cruises nestled in one of the locations on the map of the best sunrises and sunsets in the world and close the day in the most iconic terraces and bars. In this article, you will find a summary of the best experiences on the island along with their prices, advantages and disadvantages for you to choose the one that suits you. Let's go for it!

A vibrant tour that takes you to explore the natural habitat of playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, a favorite of the little ones, so this tour goes straight to the things to do in Key West with kids. Aboard a catamaran or sailboat, you'll sail out into the Gulf of Mexico, marveling at the grace and beauty of these amazing marine mammals.

The tour takes place at Key West Wildlife Refuge, and is eco-friendly, with "Dolphin SMART" certification, a national program that guarantees a responsible and respectful observation experience with marine life. A marine biologist usually accompanies the participants in the activity and, at the end of the observation, you can dive or snorkel surrounded by the marine ecosystem.

In addition, if you are looking for an even more magical experience, you can participate in a sunset tour and contemplate the unforgettable sunset of Key West. A marine adventure that combines fun, education and connection with nature.

Details of interest

• Price: from 76 € per person.
• Duration: from 3 hours and up.
• What you should know: this tour is a favorite for families. Adults and children enjoy the encounter with the dolphins. You must know how to swim to participate in the extra activities such as snorkeling or scuba diving. This activity can be done in the morning and afternoon.
• What the tour may include: Dolphin watching cruise. Boat ride. Guide service by a marine biologist. Snorkel equipment. Open bar with beer, wine or rum. Bottled water.
• Pros: The activity is usually fun, dynamic and suitable for all ages.
• Cons: The guide service is usually offered in English only. Groups are often large. Transportation to and from lodging is usually not included.

Explore the charming old part of town while delighting your senses by booking a gastronomic tour in Key West. The cuisine in this archipelago is based on seafood, such as hogfish, yellowtail snapper and grouper. Cuban snacks with prawns, grouper tacos and shrimp adorn the dishes, while the "caracola" or fried conch shell (Conch Fritters) surprises diners.

The jewel in the culinary crown is the famous key lime pie, whose unique and authentic flavor is a must during your visit. Yes, it sounds simple and even common, but in Key West they have a special flavor. Just as you want your authentic Neapolitan pizza in Naples or your croissant in Paris because they have their touch, so does this tart, the flavor is a delicacy of the gods.

Gastronomic tours will take you to the best places to taste these delicacies, with at least three tastings and a drink, while you explore the charm of Key West's Old Town. Discover why these flavors are so appreciated in this region and let your palate be the guide in this unforgettable gastronomic journey.

Details of interest

• Price: from 86 € per person.
• Duration: 3-4 hours approximately.
• What you should know: this type of tour is done on foot. The group meets at a central point and then walks through the Old Town district, which adds a touch of city-tour to the activity. Often you can book a bike tour that combines the dining experience in Key West.
• What the tour may include: this type of tour often includes 3-7 tastings and some drinks. Local gastronomic guide service. Bottled water.
• Pros: the tour is done in small groups and the tastings are the equivalent of a full lunch or dinner (sometimes even more than that because the portions can be generous).
• Cons: Transportation service is not included.

Florida' s lively nightlife is well known, and Key West is no exception. Make your night memorable by booking a Key West pub crawl, a must-do activity in the area.

Pub crawls often take you on a 3-hour tour of the island's most prominent pubs. Accompanied by a professional guide, explore Key West's vibrant nightlife scene as you visit between 5-6 bars, from the iconic Duval Street to the picturesque harbor.

Enjoy a free drink at each stop, from exotic cocktails to classic craft beers to Key West's iconic rum. Immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere of the city and meet new friends while dancing to live music with local DJ's and bands. Capture the essence of the night with memorable photos and take home a souvenir T-shirt.

Details of interest

• Price: from 34 € per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• What you should know: this activity is designed for people over 21 years old. You will visit between 5-6 bars and terraces.
• What the tour may include: guide service. 5-6 alcoholic drinks such as rum, beer or cocktails (including the Brisa Caribeña option). A souvenir.
• Pros: The tour is fun, and the guides are usually energetic, an attitude in keeping with the local ambiance. This is the ultimate Key West experience to start the nightlife with friends or alone.
• Cons: Transportation to and from lodging is not usually included. Food is not included.

One of the best ways to get around Key West -especially the first few days of your visit to the archipelago- is by using the trolleybus. Aboard this scenic transport you'll get close to the city's most iconic sites, such as the Hemingway House, Southernmost Point, the historic harbor, Civil War Fort East Martello and Harry S. Truman's Little White House.

You can choose to purchase your 24-hour or 48-hour sightseeing streetcar ticket. In both cases you will have the freedom to hop on and off at any of the 13 strategic stops, allowing you to discover more than 100 sights at your own pace.

On the trolleybus you hear live commentary from a local guide. At those places of interest, you can get off and explore in depth, with the comfort of knowing that approximately every 30 minutes the trolleybus will pass by the same spot.

Details of interest

• Price: from 52 € per person.
• Duration: about 90 minutes.
• What you need to know: you can buy tickets in advance to take advantage of discounts or at any of the trolleybus stops at full price. The ticket can be for 1 or 2 days, in which case it must be used on consecutive days. The trolleybus operates from Monday to Sunday from 09:00 - 17:00 hours every day of the year except for the last Saturday of October when the Fantasy Fest, the Key West Carnival, the largest event in the archipelago, is held.
• What the tour may include: services of a professional live guide. Unlimited trolley transportation around Key West with 13 pre-arranged stops. Discount coupons.
• Pros: the convenience of having the assistance of a live guide during your tour of the city's landmarks. The trolleybus ticket gives you access to a number of discounts at the best attractions. It also includes admission to the Sails to Rails Museum or Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
• Cons: The live guide is in English.

Visiting Key West in 2 days or on a short break and want to see its main monuments and tourist sites in a short time? I invite you to book a ticket for the tourist train, the solution to tour the old town relaxed, from the comfort of a cozy train.

The Key West tourist train, mostly known as "Conch Train" takes you on a ride for about 75 minutes with live commentary by a local guide. It passes the Hemingway House Museum, the Butterfly Conservatory, Southernmost Point and Harry S. Truman's Little White House. The meeting point? The train departs from Front Street Depot, and ends at Mallory Square, Key West's iconic tobacco plaza, art galleries and museums.

Also, if you're looking for things to do in Key West at night, pencil this tour in for the end of the day and stay on Duval Street, the street of trendy nightclubs and bars to make the most of your day.

Details of interest

• Price: from 43 € per person.
• Duration: 70 - 75 minutes for the full tour.
• What you should know: unlike the tourist bus, this train makes only 3 stops, so the tour is faster. The tourist train operates from Monday to Sunday from 09:15 - 16:45 every day of the year except the last Saturday in October.
• What the tour may include: services of a live local guide. Unlimited sightseeing train transportation around Key West. Discount coupons at selected stores, bars, restaurants and museums.
• Pros: the tour is quick but thorough, works perfect for creating memories at major landmarks in the city. Works very well with children because of the dynamic environment, despite being seated without much movement, the 70 minutes are entertaining thanks in no small part to the train.
• Cons: The guide is offered in English.

Follow Key West' s fascinating nighttime history up close aboard the Tramway of the Damned. Along with a guide as a 17th century gravedigger, you can explore the city's darker side when you book a ghost tour.

Pass by architectural gems like the Marrero House and Porter Mansion, where their dark secrets come to light. Key West's Martello Museum of History and Art Gallery, better known as the Fort East Martello Museum, reveals the legend of Robert Eugene Otto and his diabolical doll, Robert, in a supernatural experience.

Make a brief stop to enter the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, one of Key West's best museums, and learn the haunting story of the cursed silver bar. This tour is approximately one hour, and immerses you in the ghostly legends of the island as you stroll through the streets under the moonlight.

At the end, return to the meeting point having followed one of the keys to understanding the small paradise of Key West among anecdotes, stories and secrets that give rise to the name of this Florida archipelago, Key West.

Details of interest

• Price: from 35 € per person.
• Duration: about 60 minutes.
• What you should know: this type of tour is offered in small groups, to offer an immersive experience in this "paranormal space" of Key West. Adults and children are welcome.
• What the tour may include: Ghost streetcar tour. Live narration. Local guide service. Admission to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
• Pros: The tour is fun and spooky at the same time, and the whole family can join (except those with heart conditions).
• Cons: Shuttle service is not usually included.

If there is one activity that characterizes Key West, it is its adventure and water sports. From snorkeling to kayaking to the must-do: the jet ski tour, a fascinating journey where experts guide adventurous visitors for more than 40 kilometers around Key West.

Navigate among the mangrove islands, pass by the underwater wells, tour the Florida Marine Sanctuary and stop at a sandbar to cool off in crystal clear waters and capture the view of the southernmost point from the sea.

This type of tour is conducted with two guides to ensure everyone's safety, while allowing them to carry two passengers per bike. The first leads the way, providing adrenaline for those looking for speed, while the second ensures a smooth ride for those who prefer to enjoy at their own pace.

Interesting details

• Price: from 144 € per person.
• Duration: from 90 minutes onwards.
• What you need to know: the rental is per jet ski and not per passenger, therefore, the price allows two passengers to ride on each jet ski.
• What the tour may include: rental of the latest generation jet ski. Professional guide service (usually 2 guides for each group). Life jackets.
• Pros: the tour is done in small groups.
• Cons: transfer from the hotel is often not included.