The Blu Q Catamaran operated by Honest Eco Tours is such a fun, chill Key West experience, especially for a sunset sailing. We enjoyed an evening out on the Blu Q during Key West Pride and found the sailing to not just be a beautiful way to take in the sunset from the water, but the crew and the other guests made the trip even more fun. I know that not everyone likes to make friends everywhere they go, and that’s normally me too, but this sailing trip was different.
I’ve got the full scoop on going sailing on the Blu Q and have some great suggestions for making your trip delightful. If you have any questions about sailing on the Blu Q or planning your time in Key West, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan great adventures.
Highlights of Honest Eco Catamaran Sunset Sailing
Sometimes when we’re in Key West we are on the go so much that we have to intentionally set time aside to relax, and that’s usually when we find a nice sunset sail to enjoy. We’ve done them with kids and on our own, just adults, and it’s always nice.
The thing I really enjoy about doing the Honest Eco Tours sunset sailing, besides seeing dolphins and just being on the water in general, is the community vibe of it. The Blu Q catamaran has several seating areas and standing spaces where guests all get to hang out together. Add to this that the sunset sailings welcome a BYOB situation, and you make friends really swiftly.
Even though the sunset sailing with Honest Eco Tours welcomes guests bringing their own adult beverages, it’s not a raucous party and is still very much a family friendly environment. The crew is very helpful in keeping things cold and spotting dolphins, and the friends you make on board remind you how great it is to get to be on vacation.
Book the Blue Q Sunset Dolphin Catamaran tour here!
Tips for a Great Sunset Catamaran Sailing from Key West
When you’re heading out with Honest Eco Tours for a sunset dolphin sailing on the Blu Q catamaran, be sure that you’re on time. In addition to making sure that you don’t miss your boat or delay others, because many guests do bring their own beverages on board, such as sodas, prosecco or beers there’s a bit of coordination that needs to happen with the crew during the boarding process. It’s not a big deal, but also it’s good to allow things to be done in a smooth and timely manner.
Because this is a dolphin watching sailing and not just a sunset cocktail cruise (because it’s not), it’s important to be actively enjoying and appreciating the waters and sights of Key West. As you sail out of the Historic Seaport, there are often manatees and dolphins very near the entrance to the marina. Enjoy the company and friends you make, but don’t forget that wildlife in the Florida Keys is wonderfully active at this time of day. The crew is awesome at finding dolphins, but it’s fun to be a part of the “watching” element. Our kids love getting to be the first ones to spot a dolphin when we’re out on a catamaran, and honestly I do too. Honest Eco Tours is such a fun sunset sailing experience.
Being Prepared for a Sunset Sailing Tour
Going on a sunset sailing is great because you don’t have to stress too much about sun exposure, which is often a concern for daytime boat tours in the Florida Keys. I still recommend a bit of reef safe sunscreen if you’re sensitive, but the light is so low it’s not usually a problem.
For sure bring your camera, and I recommend a 250mm lens if you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Bringing a big lens, larger than a 400mm is hard to manage when you’re on a moving boat. If it’s a very calm evening and you want to bring something bigger than a 400mm lens, go for it. Just make sure with any non-smartphone camera that you allow your gear to come up to temperature, otherwise the lenses will fog and your photos will be crap.
When it comes to the BYOB (bring your own beverage) element of Honest Eco Tours’ sunset catamaran sailing, there aren’t many guidelines to what you can bring. Kid friendly beverages are always a good idea if you’re heading out with minors. For adults that want to bring alcohol, you’re welcome to bring beer, wine, bubbles or other packaged beverages. I wouldn’t recommend showing up with a DIY bar in your backpack, but a responsible selection to enjoy your sunset sailing is fine.
Does the Blu Q do daytime tours?
Yes! The Blu Q is Honest Eco Tours’ sailing catamaran, so they also do daytime snorkeling trips out of the Key West Historic Seaport. Their sister ship, the Squid, also goes from here and does a similar type of tour, but the Blu Q is a sailing catamaran, so it has the added fun and peacefulness of using the wind to get out into the Key West National Wildlife Refuge.
Book the daytime Blu Q snorkeling trip here!
Parking for Honest Eco Tours Blu Q Catamaran
Honest Ecotours Blu Q sunset sailing tour goes out from the Key West Bight Marina in the Historic Seaport. Check in for your tour is right there near the boat, and if you’re confused, look for the other ship, the Squid, and they’ll point you in the right direct.. You’ll see the huge Wyland undersea mural on the Waterfront Brewery building, and that’s a hint that you’re in the right area, so then enter the marina and head to the right. Parking is available in the lot via paid parking meter machines or if you’re staying in the area, it’s very walkable. Visitors staying in the Roosevelt Boulevard hotels (24 North, Gates Hotel, Laureate Hotel) will need to drive over or take an Uber or taxi. There are bike racks here at the marina if you ride over.
Honest Eco Key West Operating Information
To be sure you have the best experience going out on the Blu Q or any Honest Eco tour, here’s the operating information for your visit:
- Operating Dates/Season: year round, office is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Office phone number: 786-745-3091
- Company website: Honest Eco
- Tour check-in address: 231 Margaret St, Key West FL 33040 – KNOW YOUR BOAT before walking into the marina
- Tour booking links: Book Sunset Sailing 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 and evening sailing into the sunset with Honest Eco Tours on the Blu Q. It’s such a nice time and is low key fun to end a day. 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!
