Key West is one of the most beautiful places not only in the United States, but in the entire world. It makes sense, then, that tons of tourists flock here every year.
The natural beauty and incredible climate that stays consistent pretty much year-round makes it a great place to hang out outdoors. The natural landscape, ocean, and electric sun come together for gorgeous sunsets every night, and there are many great places to watch them.
However, nothing compares to one of the top Key West sunset cruises, which we’re here to bring you today!
Best Sunset Cruises in Key West
Key West Sunset Sail Aboard Schooner | Small-Group Key West Sunset Sail with Wine | Key West: Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar | |
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Departure Point: | 202 William St, Key West | 255 Front St, Key West | 201 William St, Key West |
Departure Time: | Varies by time of year | Varies by time of year | Varies by time of year |
Duration: | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
Includes: | Complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda, individually-plated hors d'oeuvres | Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, wine tasting, light refreshments | Buffet dinner, open bar, live music, sunset cruise |
Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Key West Sunset Sails For 2024
- Key West Sunset Sail Aboard Schooner
- Small-Group Key West Sunset Sail with Wine
- Key West: Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar
- Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music & Hors D’oeuvres
- Key West Sunset Cruise with Live Island Music
- Sunset Sail Cruise in Key West
- Key West Sushi Sunset Cruise
Key West Sunset Cruise Reviews
1. Key West Sunset Sail Aboard Schooner
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 202 William St, Key West
- Departure Time: Varies by time of year
- Includes: 2-hour sailing experience aboard America 2.0, complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda, individually-plated hors d’oeuvres
If you want to feel like youβve gone back in time almost 200 years, then you have to check out first tour out! The Key West Sunset Sail Aboard Schooner tour will take you over the beautiful ocean on a replica of the 1851 Schooner America.
This smooth ride is luxurious, a load of fun, and one of the best ways to watch the sun go down on the island. Meet up around 4 pm along with the rest of your group to board the ship. Youβre immediately greeted by the crew, who are super friendly and make the experience that much better.
Once you take a seat (or stand if you prefer), youβll be served with complimentary hors dβoeuvres along with a nice selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
This is a great way to meet other tourists or locals, bring the entire family on board, or simply experience it with your significant other.
Set sail, enjoying the sounds of the water underneath the ship as you head towards Mallory Square. There are a ton of people who come to the square to watch the sunset β wave to them from the ship!
Next, youβll sail by the famous Fort Zachary Historic State Park, which has its own unique history and looks impressive from the water! At this point, the sun will start going down. However, not before you reach the incredible views that Sunset Pier has to offer!
The neon orange reflects wonderfully off the water, and the music and other people nearby just makes it that much more magical.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Small-Group Key West Sunset Sail with Wine
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 255 Front St, Key West
- Departure Time: Varies by time of year
- Includes: Unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, wine tasting, light refreshments
Are you a lover of wine and/or beautiful sunsets on the water? If you are, then youβre the perfect guest for the Small-Group Key West Sunset Sail with Wine Tour! This is a bit more of an intimate cruise, where the one prior to this was made for the larger crowds of people.
Make sure to check in approximately 30 minutes before the departure time the crew advises you of, ensuring everyone gets on board and comfortable. We found the crew to have incredible attention to detail, and were very friendly, putting safety at the forefront of the operation.
Once you board the 65-foot schooner, youβll realize that thereβs plenty of seating room, and you wonβt be squashed in with other passengers.
Once you set sail, youβll be served a choice of wine, 4 different kinds of beers, along with delicious charcuterie selections such as a wonderful cheese, cracker, meat, and olives plate.
Rest assured the crew will keep the wine flowing with 8 different selections available! We personally enjoyed the summer sausages, brie, and green apples with honey, however, there really is something to suit any taste.
If youβre looking to plan a fantastic date night with your other half, this is really the way to go due to the smaller group sizes and alcoholic beverage selections against a stunning background.
Watch the sun go down over the horizon of endless shimmering water, with the sun reflecting off of it. This creates an orange glow that looks almost unreal at times. Make sure to take out the camera for some excellent photo ops!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Key West: Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 201 William St, Key West
- Departure Time: Varies by time of year
- Includes: Buffet dinner, open bar, live music, sunset cruise
Who doesnβt love endless food and drinks? If youβre enjoying a wonderful vacation in Key West, you shouldnβt have to limit yourself and try everything that catches your eye. On the Key West: Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar tour, you donβt have to!
This is yet another 2-hour, intimate cruise with smaller group sizes. With that being said, if youβre going with a significant other, itβs a great date night option. However, just as well, itβs a fun time for the entire family though it tends to lean more towards adults.
Are you looking for a calm, relaxing cruise tour instead of a party cruise? There are plenty of both in Key West, and this one falls into the category of the former, despite the ship being called βThe Party Catβ.
The smooth ride on the ship along with the chill music makes for a serene way to enjoy the afternoon.
Once you board, enjoy a buffet comprised of fresh tropical fruit and dishes. You can expect options such as: roast pulled-pork in mojo sauce, deep-fried sweet plantains, black beans and rice, grilled chicken, friend fish, mixed veggies, pasta with mini shrimp, along with Cuban bread and butter.
Drinks are also delicious, with endless margaritas, rum runners, champagne, beer, wine, and spirits. After dinner, head upstairs to the upper deck to groove the night away to some live music!
The local musicians are very talented and entertaining, setting the tone for a fun evening as you watch the sun set with the electric colors spreading across the sky.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music & Hors D’oeuvres
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 205 Elizabeth St , 205 Elizabeth St, Key West
- Departure Time: Varies by time of year
- Includes:Beer, wine, champagne, sangria and soft drinks, chef’s selection of hors d’oeuvres, full liquor bar included, live music from local Key West musicians
If youβre on the hunt for an amazing sunset cruise but are on a budget, put this one at the top of your list! The Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music & Hors Dβoeuvres is all that and more.
Oh, but itβs not just a cruise! Itβs a 2-hour excursion where you get to try a little bit of southern flavor with peel-and-eat shrimp and an upscale twist with fresh hors dβoeuvres. If you want to escape the crowds that gather on shore to watch the sunsets, we canβt think of a better way to do it!
Meet up at the tour office located between Conch Republic and Schooner Wharf 30 minutes before the departure time (around 4 pm). Board the sleek, 60-foot catamaran that sports a whopping 1,500 feet of deck space!
With smaller group sizes, everyone has more than enough room to walk around and mingle, or kick back and relax.
The crew is incredibly friendly, and always attentive and there to make sure everyone has a great time. Once you board, youβll be able to revel in amazing live entertainment, and all-you-can-eat drinks and snacks.
Yep, you read that correctly! The music does vary, but typically youβll have some jazz and smooth music to accompany you. Drinks consist of beer, soft drinks, sangria, full liquor bar, wine, champagne, and more.
As the sky starts changing colors, youβll cruise by important landmarks along the coast, such as Mallory Square, Navy Mole Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, and more. Make sure to take your camera out to take some photos of the blue waters meeting the orange sky!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Key West Sunset Cruise with Live Island Music
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 631 Greene St , 631 Greene St, Key West
- Departure Time: 4 pm
- Includes: Appetizers, dishes, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks
Does dancing to some island grooves from local musicians while you eat, drink, and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the water sound like a good time to you? Then give the Key West Sunset Cruise with Live Island Music a good look! This is yet another cruise thatβs easy on the wallet and a couple of hours of good vibes.
From the very get-go, itβs an awesome experience thanks to the attentive and friendly staff, and positivity all-around. We should let you know that this is kind of a more upbeat experience than the others, which have a more relaxing setting.
The band plays everything from reggae to rock, and the crowd can get a bit lively! However, itβs a ton of fun! The crew will escort you onto the spacious catamaran, which is clean, and looks to be quite new.
Thereβs ample seating everywhere, aside from the large dance floor so you can bust a move without worrying about anyone getting in your way!
Enjoy unlimited appetizers, beer, margaritas, wine, sangria, champagne β whatever you feel like having! There are plenty of soft drinks and water available as well, if you donβt want any of the other options.
Enjoy cruising along the calm waters as the sky turns pink, orange, and yellow, reflecting off of the ocean. Youβll get to see Mallory Square, Sunset Key, and Key West Harbor as you sail along.
This is a very welcoming experience, with a lively atmosphere thatβs perfect for guests of all ages! However, it may not be ideal for children who do not like loud music as this is a live band. Itβs a great way to dance a little, enjoy cruising along, and have some appetizers while being back just in time for dinner!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
6. Sunset Sail Cruise in Key West
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: 631 Greene St , 631 Greene St, Key West
- Departure Time: 4:00 pm
- Includes: Sunset sail, snacks, coolers of ice with cups and bottled water
Next up, we bring you the Sunset Sail Cruise in Key West, which is a crowd favorite. Have you ever thought that being a pirate may be fun? Well, then this tour should immediately hit the top of your list because youβre about to get as close as possible to that!
Weβre sure thereβs no other Key West sunset cruise like this one, as youβll be riding on the islandβs most photographed ship? Why does it hold this title?
Because the Schooner Jolly II Rover is the only squared-rigged, topsail schooner in the Historic Seaport! You may have heard of it referred to as the islandβs famous βRed Sails in the Sunsetβ tall ship!
If sailing catches your interest, youβll love how interactive this cruise is. Youβll be able to help raise the sails, steer the ship, and βshoot the cannonsβ. However, itβs never obligatory. You can be as involved as you want, no pressure.
The crew is one of the friendliest weβve encounters, which is really saying something! Itβs not uncommon for the shipβs owner to come out and visit with everyone, either. The crew will give an interesting historical account of the ship, the area, and much more.
As you sail, make sure to take advantage of the unlimited snacks and ice-cold water onboard. On here, you wonβt be hearing any music or rowdy environments. This tour is designed to be peaceful and allow you to take in the experience of sailing while enjoying the natural beauty around you.
Youβll cruise into Man Oβ War Harbor, see Christmas Tree Island, mansions on Sunset Key, Mallory Square, Navy Mole, and Fort Zachary Taylor!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
7. Key West Sushi Sunset Cruise
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure: Barefoot Billy’s Boat Cruises – Garrison Bight Marina , 719 Palm Ave, Key West
- Departure Time: Varies by time of year
- Includes: Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soda, snacks, restroom on board
Youβre probably already aware of the fact that Key West has some of the best seafood in the United States. This means that thereβs a ton of good sushi offered on the island as well. If you want to enjoy some delicious sushi rolls while watching the pink sunset electrify the water and sky, check out the Key West Sushi Sunset Cruise!
This boat is one of the smallest ones of any sunset cruise weβve seen in Key West, however, this offers a more intimate experience thatβs great for sharing with your loved one(s). The captain and crew do a great job of keeping you entertained while making sure everyone is tended to properly.
Once on board, youβll be served platters of sushi so make sure you save some room! This is a great way to get to try different types of rolls that you havenβt had before. There are plenty of other snacks and many beverages available as well, just in case someone in your group isnβt a sushi fan.
Even if you are bringing the entire family, thereβs enough fresh food for everyone with everything cooked to perfection!
While the captain tours you around, theyβll share many stories, personal anecdotes, and historical accounts that will have you at the seat of your chair!
Cruise by Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West Lighthouse and Keeperβs Quarters Museum (seemed to be most peoplesβ favorite), and the incredible Southernmost Point.
This is the lowest latitude land in the contiguous North American States so make sure to get a photo or two!
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Why You Should Take a Dinner Cruise in Key West
Taking a Key West dinner cruise, especially at sunset is a great way to experience the beauty and charm of this unique island in Florida.
- Scenic Views: Key West dinner cruises have awesome views of the sunset, the coastline and of course the ocean. You can enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area while enjoying a meal.
- Unique Experience: A dinner cruise in Key West is a unique and memorable experience, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday. It is a romantic way to spend an evening with a loved one or a fun way to enjoy time with friends and family.
- Delicious Food: Most Key West dinner cruises offer a variety of delicious food options. It will range from fresh seafood to traditional American cuisine. Most cruises include live music or entertainment during and after dinner.
- Convenience: A Key West dinner cruise is a very convenient way to enjoy an evening out on the water without the hassle of navigating the island or finding parking. Some cruise operators even include transportation to and from the boat.
- Historical and Cultural Value: Key West has a rich history and culture. Some dinner cruises offer educational and informative commentary from the boat captain about the area’s history and landmarks. This is a great way to learn more about the island while enjoying dinner.
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The Key West Sunset Sail Aboard a Schooner is our Editors Choice for the best Key West sunset cruise