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Key West Sail: Explore Mangroves & Wildlife
4.9
114 Ratings
Key West
Sail, snorkel, and kayak Key West’s serene backcountry. Spot dolphins, explore mangroves, and unwind with drinks on deck. Adventure awaits!
Sail, snorkel, and kayak Key West’s serene backcountry. Spot dolphins, explore mangroves, and unwind with drinks on deck. Adventure awaits!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Key West National Wildlife Refuge - Situated at the southernmost point of the United States in the Florida Keys, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary of natural splendor and biodiversity. Covering more than 200,000 acres, this refuge features a variety of habitats such as mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, serving as…
- Key West National Wildlife Refuge - Situated at the southernmost point of the United States in the Florida Keys, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary of natural splendor and biodiversity. Covering more than 200,000 acres, this refuge features a variety of habitats such as mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, serving as a crucial sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife.
- Key West Historic Seaport - The Key West Historic Seaport is a lively center of maritime history, culture, and activity located in the heart of Old Town Key West. Rich in tradition and charm, this historic seaport provides an intriguing look into the island’s nautical heritage while offering a vibrant atmosphere for both locals and visitors.
What's Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Filtered Water
- Carbonated beverages
- Snacks
- Premium snorkeling equipment
- Professional Guide
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
- Filtered Water
- Carbonated beverages
- Snacks
- Premium snorkeling equipment
- Professional Guide
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Gratuity
- Gratuity
Additional Information
Setting sail from Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Appledore Star offers a genuine sailing adventure en route to Key West’s backcountry.
Spend the day discovering the uninhabited mangrove islands within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Be on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and a variety of other wildlife that inhabit the Refuge….
Setting sail from Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Appledore Star offers a genuine sailing adventure en route to Key West’s backcountry.
Spend the day discovering the uninhabited mangrove islands within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Be on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and a variety of other wildlife that inhabit the Refuge. The captain is familiar with areas where dolphins are often spotted and will inform you if any are seen.
Upon arrival at the mangrove islands, the schooner anchors, and the exploration begins. The day is split between guided kayaking and snorkeling tours. The warm, shallow waters are calm and protected by the uninhabited mangroves, making kayaking effortless.
After the tours, return to the schooner to rinse off with fresh water and unwind on deck. Enjoy a selection of complimentary cold beverages, including frosty cold beer, wine, homemade sangria, chilled sodas, and filtered water. Experience the essence of relaxed island living.
- Total trip time is 5 hours; time at each location is dependant on weather, refuge conditions and Captain’s discretion.
- To re-board the schooner after snorkeling and kayaking, you are required to climb aboard a platform secured to the boat just below the waterline, from there you climb a ladder back aboard the schooner.
Location
200 William St
William Street
Check-in is located at the far end of William Street, just to the right of the Western Union sign. From Elizabeth Street, keep the water on your left and follow Lazy Way Lane past the shops. The Marker Resort on your right, and the Schooner Wharf Bar on your left. The booth will be on your left.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(114 Ratings)
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Onair757627
Aug 12, 2026
Great family excursion! - Joe and Kristina were amazing hosts/captains/shipmates!!! We lucked out and only had 6 people total on our trip on a Wednesday. Joe and Kristina were so very nice and professional. Their instructions were simple and clear, they made sure we were comfortable at all times, they had ice water to drink and always asked if we had questions. Snorkeling was great and the kayak tour through the mangroves with Kristina was amazing! Joe controlled our sailboat with ease and got us out and back with such skill …..I couldn’t believe how effortless he got us out of port and back to the dock without a hitch! Lunch, after snorkeling and kayaking, on the way back to the dock was perfect, cocktail shrimp, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad and coleslaw with condiments ……everything was fresh and cold…….such a great end to a hot day! Chocolate chip cookies at the very end just made it even better lol! I would 1000% recommend this to anyone thinking about it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
147tiffanyh
Aug 3, 2026
The Best of KW - The Bugeye Backcountry Tour was, without a doubt, our favorite experience in Key West! From the moment Captain Luana gave the safety briefing, we knew we were in expert hands. Mate Christina was fantastic—her snorkeling and kayaking instruction made everyone feel comfortable and confident, which made the adventure even more enjoyable.
We sailed to a beautiful, secluded area of the backcountry where we had plenty of time to snorkel (although I happily chose to float and soak it all in!). My son absolutely loved seeing all the fish. After snorkeling, we explored the mangroves by kayak, including a fascinating hurricane hole. Along the way, we spotted even more fish and an abundance of wildlife.
When we returned to the boat, we were treated to a delicious handcrafted lunch that was the perfect ending to an incredible morning.
What really made this tour stand out was how personal it felt. Captain Luana and Mate Christina were so friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. With a smaller group, there were no crowds, no waiting around, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy every part of the experience.
I would recommend the Bugeye Backcountry Tour to anyone visiting Key West. It was an unforgettable adventure and a highlight of our entire vacation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ina_r
Jul 26, 2026
Amazing experience - The experience was amazing! The kayaking, snorkeling, crew was amazing, wonderful experience overall
Review provided by Viator
Wangle
Jul 20, 2026
Key West trip - Great experience with wonderful knowledge guides
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbericson
Jun 10, 2026
Great Tour!!! - Our snorkeling and kayaking tour was great!! Christina did a fabulous job explaining everything and was very passionate about her job and the ocean!
When snorkeling we saw angel fish and lobsters. When we kayaked we saw green sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and tons of beautiful birds!
We also saw a water spout! It was really cool kayaking in the mangrove islands and the hurricane cove.
Lunch on the return trip, after a fun day on the water was delicious!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A2934cumw
Jun 4, 2026
Great experience! - My husband and I did this tour and loved it! Was probably the highlight of our trip to the Keys. The captain and first mate Christina were great and it was very informative. It is obvious Christina is very passionate about the area and was a great guide. There was no wind the day we went, so we did not get to sail, but the water was great and we did get to see a water spout. The ladder and platform system they have on the boat made it easy to get in and out (we are in our 60s and not in the best shape) when snorkeling or kayaking. Saw tons of birds, turtles, horseshoe crabs and multiple types of fish. Lunch on the return trip as very good. We would highly recommend the trip and will probably do it again the next time we are in the Keys.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fordfamilyshorthorns
Jun 2, 2026
Excellent Water Adventure - Great Experience with Luana and Kristina as the ship staff! The day I went was a very small group so it was like having a private charter!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D9985rldebbiet
May 15, 2026
Immersed in Key West nature! - What’s lovely way to spend the day in Key West! We were in skilled and knowledgable hands with Captain Morrison and first mate Christina! Crew attended to our every need, making sure we stayed hydrated etc, and I appreciated the attention to the needs of this pristine environment as well as those of us humans there just to appreciate the beauty. We had ample time to spend in and on the water. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leonard_g
Apr 11, 2026
Family Fun - Very pleasant cruising experience with a great crew. Crew is friendly and hospitable. Mangrove kayaking portion includes exploring a “hurricane hole” where sailors and pirates would weather storms in an emergency.
Review provided by Viator
Abby_k
Jul 1, 2026
Pretty good trip - We went out with luana and vitaly it was overall a great way to spend the day out on the water, not far from the coast, water was a little murky this day lunch included and drinks too which was nice, kayaking fun too, didn’t see coral reef and as many fish as other tours and spots saw a horseshoe crab crew overall good would have liked to go out a little further and seen more in the water
Review provided by Viator
