Key West is easily one of the most picturesque pieces of paradise in all of the United States, with plenty of great activities to partake in. However, one activity that you should not miss is a fishing charter tour, if you’re at all interested in the diverse marine life in the local waters.

Influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, this vibrant fishing environment is unlike any other in the world: full of thrills and very rewarding! With experienced local captains with a wealth of knowledge, these 5 top Key West fishing charter tours are well worth the time and money. Let’s jump right in!

Best Fishing Charters in Key West

	Key West Half-Day Fishing Charter	Key West Deep Sea Fishing: Big Fish	Private Fishing Charter from Ramrod Key
Location:	700 Front St, Key West	5950 Peninsular Ave, Naval Air Station Key West	27340 B, 27340 Overseas Hwy, Ramrod Key
Start:	8:00 AM or 2:30 PM	7:30 AM or 1:30 PM	8:00 AM
Duration:	5 hours	4 hours	4 hours
Includes:	Fishing equipment, Bait, Filleting, Fishing License	Bait, bottled water, fishing charter, fishing equipment	License, fishing gear, bait, fresh ice & bottled water
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Key West Fishing Charter Tours For 2024

1. Key West Half-Day Fishing Charter
2. Key West Deep Sea Fishing: Big Fish
3. Private Fishing Charter from Ramrod Key
4. Key West Half-Day Inshore Fishing Private Charter
5. Key West: Private Fishing Charter with Experienced Captain

Key West Fishing Charter Tour Reviews

1. Key West Half-Day Fishing Charter

If you’re on the hunt for a fishing experience that’s equal parts adventure and sheer good times, the Key West Half-Day Fishing Charter excursion is an absolute must.

Your morning or afternoon will take place on a custom-built 64′ catamaran with plenty of room, a speedy ride, and a more stable, relaxing time on the water that’s perfect for those who tend to get an uneasy stomach when on a vessel.

Even if you aren’t a big fisher yourself, you are sure to enjoy the amazing views of the blue waters and marine life while sitting inside the galley to snack or sip.

If you’re interested in doing a tour like this, you absolutely need to go with someone who knows what they’re doing and where they’re going. That’s something you don’t have to worry about here, with a professional, experienced crew with plenty of training.

Whether you’re an absolute newbie or an experienced angler, they’re there to make sure you have just the right level of assistance for best results.

They took us out on the catamaran, sailing for around an hour until we arrived at the incredible reef filled to the brim with life! As soon as we had a fish on, the crew would appear right by our side, with plenty of help and attention.

The captain was incredibly knowledgeable about the target fish, and we saw plenty of different fish, sting rays, sharks, and other types of sea life!

They have pretty much whatever you need, and you can bring 1 cooler per person. They even offered us the option of filleting our catch for us once we got back to the dock,

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Key West Deep Sea Fishing: Big Fish

This next tour is fantastic for newbies and pros alike, with many different duration options and start times to choose from. If it’s your first time doing something like this and don’t want to commit to a full day, you can choose a half-day or 3/4 day duration, as well!

One thing is for sure, though – no matter which one you select, you’re going to have a memorable time on the Key West Deep Sea Fishing: Big Fish experience.

While the previous tour took us out on a large catamaran, this tour uses a saltwater fishing boat that can comfortably hold up to 6 anglers. It offers perhaps a more “authentic” feel to it, and seems like you’re closer to the action as it’s simply not as large.

However, don’t mistake it for a run-of-the-mill fishing boat; nope, this one comes with state-of-the-art navigational gear and all kinds of outriggers, a fighting chair, live bait tank, ice boxes, and all the safety gear you could ever need.

If you ask me, while it is definitely suited for beginners, I’d say that the seasoned anglers will probably appreciate this tour a bit more. With all the high-end gear necessary for reeling in a massive Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, tuna, etc., you’ll really get to revel in the glory of exciting deep sea and reef fishing.

They’ll ask you which fish you’re searching for, and take you up to 18 miles offshore in order to find the best spot for them. The captain and crew were also fantastic, making sure we were accommodated well and happy, and helped us catch a ton of fish. Needless to say, you won’t have to wonder what’s for dinner later!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Private Fishing Charter from Ramrod Key

For many, going out on a fishing charter isn’t the first thing they have in mind when they’re looking to surround themselves in the breathtaking beauty Key West has to offer.

However, regardless if you’re an angler or not, it’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and embrace the rich culture of the Keys. This unique excursion takes place in an intimate setting with small groups, perfect for creating lasting memories and soaking up the natural beauty all around you.

The Private Fishing Charter from Ramrod Key is a 4-hour tour that’s guaranteed to up your angling game, no matter what experience level you’re at!

If you’ve ever wanted to go out fishing for incredible fish in turquoise blue waters with some long-time friends who just happen to be experts, look no further. I brought along a few friends and it was their first going saltwater fishing, and I have to say this was definitely the right choice.

This is more of a personalized, private trip with extremely small groups so you can ask any questions you want and not have to worry about not having someone there to help you. We fished in depths ranging from 2 to 8 feet, so we could see plenty of sharks, barracuda, snapper, and more right there!

The captain and crew were absolutely amazing in guiding us, helping us reel in catch, educating us on the different techniques, and so on. I mean, he even went as far as to clean and filet our fish and sent us to a local restaurant nearby where they grilled and fried it!

I plan on taking this tour again when we return next year for another vacation, and can’t wait to head out onto the water for another full-filled day!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Key West Half-Day Inshore Fishing Private Charter

If you’re looking to cast your line in one of the most picturesque fishing destinations in the US, the Key West Half-Day Inshore Fishing Private Charter experience should be near the top of your list.

This experience combines the thrill of fishing some of the most impressive fish around with the stunning backdrop of the Florida Keys, ideal for anyone who’s new to this area of the world.

As the southernmost point of the continental US, it’s completely surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters brimming with amazing sea creatures!

If you really want to maximize your time out on the water fishing, this is a fantastic tour as they let you choose. You can elect to fish in just one spot, hanging out on the sandbar with a lure and bait, or head around to different fishing spots.

After we met up with the captain and crew, they asked about our specific interests in what we wanted to catch, what was most interesting to us, etc. and tailored our day around that.

They started out by showing us how to use crabs, pilchards, and pinfish as our bait as we fished for tarpon, sharks, snappers, and more. I appreciated that all of the fishing rods and tackle (including the proper fishing license!) were all provided in the ticket price, saving us the hassle.

While they did provide free bottled water, we wanted to bring along some sodas and beer, which is exactly what we did.

I absolutely loved this tour for letting us experience the backcountry and more shallow channels that sit around the Keys, with all the best fishing spots so we caught more than we ever imagined possible.

Despite experience level, you’re nearly guaranteed to catch something on this amazing adventure! The captain even cleaned our fish and made arrangements for it to be cooked up so we could have it for lunch by the dock!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Key West: Private Fishing Charter with Experienced Captain

Get ready for an unforgettable 4 hours out on the shimmering blue waters of the Florida Keys, no matter if you’re a seasoned pro or trying fishing for the first time. It’s a great activity for the entire family, friend group, or even going solo with the captain and crew!

The Key West: Private Fishing Charter with Experienced Captain tour is all about creating great memories, having a great time, learning new things, and hopefully tasting some delicious fish.

There are various departure times available though I do recommend starting off as early as you can to avoid any crowds and to have the fish to yourself. The friendly crew was nice and welcoming and eager to share their fishing tips and tricks so you have the best experience possible.

The spacious, well-equipped vessel was nice and comfortable and I felt confident that if I hooked a big one, I’d have enough support and room to pull it in.

The crew and captain aren’t just there to transport you out into the water though – they’re there to help you catch fish and make sure you’re laughing and enjoying yourself. It’s an exciting time that I’d recommend to anyone, and it seemed that we made some new friends in the process!

We caught some Snapper, Grouper, King Mackerel, and Mahi Mahi, though there are many different types out there that they can help you focus on if you prefer.

If you’re staying in downtown Key West, you’ll love how convenient this tour is, seeing as it’s literally just around the corner. As it’s only 4 hours, it’s great if you’re taking teenagers or even younger kids along who may lose patience on longer tours.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience