I’m such a sucker for a sail boat, and when you add snorkeling and kayaking to the tour, you’ve got me hooked. Danger Charters in Key West does an awesome job taking guests out into the Key West National Wildlife Refuge to look for animals and spend a day on the water. A combination snorkel/kayak adventure, Danger Charters provides much more activity and engagement than many other snorkeling tours. Between the beautiful on and underwater views, and the paddling through the shallows, this may become your favorite Key West snorkeling tour.
Have you gone out on a snorkeling tour with Danger Charters and had a great time? If you have, I’m sure it was unforgettable. If you have any questions about this particular tour or are looking for more recommendations for snorkeling in Key West and the Florida Keys, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an amazing time in the Florida Keys.
Why Danger Charters Sailing Tour is so Cool
I like the combination of sailing, snorkeling and kayaking. Anytime you can mix multiple activities into one complete experience that is well balanced, you’ve got a winning tour. The Danger Charters sailing tour is much more than simple snorkeling because of how comprehensive it it. As you’re thinking about what you want out of getting out on the water in Key West, if education AND an active day is what you’re looking for, then you’ll love the Danger Charters tour. Having this combination of kayaking and snorkeling makes this one of the best wildlife tours in the Florida Keys.
Something that really takes the cake for me is the actual sailing. When you set sail from the Opal Marina near Mallory Square and the Customs House, if the wind is right you actually get to sail from Key West. With the sails open and the engine off, it’s quiet and beautiful. While not every day on the water has enough wind to get where you need to go for your Danger Charters snorkeling experience, if it’s an option, the crew loves to use the traditional sails. I think it really adds to the experience.
Tips for Sailing with Danger Charters from Key West
The Danger Charters sailing trip is really wonderful for birdwatching, so bring your binoculars or big camera (they actually have binocs to use). There are so many cool birds from magnificent frigate birds to all kinds of wading birds. This is a great Florida Keys wildlife experience. Whether you’re onboard the sailboat or you’re kayaking around the small islands of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, there are lots of opportunities to see creatures above and below the water. Be ready to snap your photos because sometimes those sea turtles or sharks don’t want to hang out for long.
Something I’ve found to be really helpful for the many boat trips we’ve done from Key West is to be sure we (including the kids) have good polarized sunglasses. While I don’t care too much about this for the deep water trips we do, when we’re sailing with Danger Charters in the shallow waters, there is so much to see just below the surface that being able to look through the water really adds to the experience. Keep your eyes peel from the moment you leave the dock!
Gear to Bring on a Sailing / Kayaking / Snorkeling Tour
Before you head out for your kayaking and snorkeling tour with Danger Charters, be sure you’ve applied your reef-safe sunscreen. Traditional sunscreens cause a lot of damage to marine ecosystems, so make sure you have one that’s not going to cause harm.
On the boat itself, you only need to bring your photography gear for both above and underwater shots. Because of how smooth the sailboat experience is, it’s a great opportunity to use a telephoto to get awesome wildlife photos. For the snorkeling portion, you’ll just need your underwater casing (for a big camera) or your phone in a VERY GOOD waterproof case (we recommend a 15 meter rating). You can bring a GoPro if you like, but make sure you’ve got an extender with a strap.
Because the Danger Charters sailing trip includes time on board and time kayaking, I also recommend bringing a wide brimmed hat and a very light shirt to cover your shoulders. Yes, it can be very warm on a calm day, but a light cover up of some sort will save you during a midday paddle in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. You don’t need to bring your own snorkeling gear unless you want to. I like to travel with my own snorkel mask because it fits my face just right, but Danger Charters has options to fit any guest.
Parking for a Danger Charters Snorkeling Tour
There is not dedicated parking for Danger Charters, but there are some options near the marina. There are several paid lots in this part of Key West as you approach Mallory Square. We are usually on foot when we’re in the neighborhood (the Audubon House, Hemmingway House and Key West Lighthouse are nearby), so that’s what I would recommend for you as well. It’s very easy to get an Uber or Lyft anywhere around Key West, and there are lots of taxis too. It’s a very walkable town and you’ll find that driving is more of a pain than a convenience, so plan your time to be both less stressful and more efficient.
Danger Charters Operating Information
To be sure you have the best experience sailing with Danger Charters, kayaking and snorkeling in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, here’s the operating information for your visit:
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Office phone number: 305-304-7999
- Company website: Danger Charters
- Tour check-in address: 255 Front St, Key West FL 33040
- Tour booking links: Book this tour here!
More Fun Things to do in Key West
Key West is many people’s favorite destination in the Florida Keys. You can’t blame them; there are so many wonderful things to do, historic sites, so much wildlife and great food. If you know you’re coming to Key West and need some ideas to add to your itinerary or travel plan, take a look at some of our favorite things to do. You can always just play it by ear, walking from neighborhood to neighborhood, but I like to always have at least a loose plan.
Where to Stay in Key West
If you haven’t planned where to stay in Key West yet, of course we have recommendations. We’ve stayed many place, from luxury resorts to family friendly hotels, cute stays in the historic center to spacious condos on the end of town. There’s the right type of accommodation for any type of traveler in Key West. Keep in mind that with so many things to do and beautiful places to just explore on foot, you may not have a ton of time in your hotel room, so you might not need a ton of space and lots of amenities. Also, Key West is pretty costly for accommodations. As you look for where to stay, balance out your budget by considering hotels that AREN’T directly downtown.
Here are some of our recommendations for where to stay in Key West. We’ll keep adding to this list as we enjoy more wonderful hotels and resorts.
I hope you’ll consider spending a day exploring with Danger Charters. The combination of kayaking, snorkeling and sailing is really special and unforgettable. If you have any questions about visiting Key West or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help plan awesome Florida Keys trips!
