Key West Jet Ski Adventure: 27-mile guided tour with small groups

27 miles of Key West by jet ski, with stops at sandbars and the mangrove maze

A 90-minute guided jet ski tour around the entire Key West island, covering 27 miles with stops at mangrove creeks, Submarine Pitts, sandbars and Key West Harbor. You ride one jet ski (up to two riders per craft) with an experienced local guide leading small groups. Life jackets, safety whistle and dry bag are included. Wetsuits available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Key West Jet Ski Adventure

• Join guided jet ski tour
• Explore mangrove creeks
• Visit submarine pits
• Relax at sandbars
• Cruise by Key West Harbor
• See Southernmost Point from ocean

The experience

You ride a jet ski for 90 minutes straight around the island, with an experienced local guide leading the way. One booking is one jet ski that holds up to two riders, so you either pilot it solo or bring someone along. The route covers 27 miles and hits the spots most visitors only see from land: the mangrove creeks where the Keys looked centuries ago, the protected forest maze that shelters wildlife, Submarine Pitts (a former Navy base from the Cuban Missile Crisis), sandbars where you can swim and reset, and views of Key West Harbor and the Southernmost Point from the ocean side. The guide points out dolphins and sea turtles when they're around.

What sets this apart is the small group size. Unlike other operators, tours here stay small, which means less noise, less crowding on the water, and a guide who can actually talk to you instead of herding a mob. You get an experienced local who knows where to find the wildlife and which stops are worth the time. Life jackets, a safety whistle and a dry bag come with every ride. Wetsuits are available if you want them.

Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and a safety briefing. You'll need a government-issued photo ID to rent. If you were born after 1987, you'll need a valid boater's license or you can take Florida's boater safety course on the spot (about 15 minutes, $9.99). Drivers aged 16 and 17 can pilot alone with an adult present to sign waivers and witness a safety test. Ages 14 and 15 can drive with an adult riding on the back. The weight limit is 400 pounds per jet ski.

What’s included

• One jet ski (up to two riders per craft).
• experienced local guide leading small groups.
• life jackets, safety whistle and dry bag.
• wetsuits available upon request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 16:00

Book up to1h before

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Key West Boat & Jet Ski Adventures

Is this one for you?Small groups mean you're not competing for the guide's attention or fighting through a crowd on the water, which matters if you want to actually hear what's happening and move at a pace that lets you take it in. The tour starts in Key West with no car needed, so it works whether you're staying downtown or just passing through the island.

Traveler reviews

4.64★★★★★★★★★★

70 verified traveler reviews

5 ★61

4 ★2

3 ★2

2 ★1

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the mangrove creek part of the tour actually like?

Mangrove Creeks is a protected forest with natural rivers that form a maze-like pattern, creating a nursery for wildlife and showing what the Keys looked like before development. You navigate through it on the jet ski and can spot birds, fish and other animals in their natural habitat.

Can I take someone else on my jet ski, or do I have to ride alone?

Each jet ski holds up to two riders, so you can bring a passenger along. One booking covers one jet ski, whether you're riding solo or with someone else on the back.

Do I need a boater's license to drive the jet ski?

If you were born after 1987, you need either a valid boater's license or you can take Florida's boater safety course right there before the tour starts (about 15 minutes, $9.99). Drivers born in 1987 or earlier don't need one. You'll always need a government-issued photo ID.

What happens if we see dolphins or sea turtles?

The guide keeps an eye out for local dolphins and sea turtles along the route and will point them out when they appear. Sightings aren't guaranteed, but they're common enough that the operator mentions them as part of the experience.

Where do we start, and how do I get there?

The tour operates in Key West. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car or rental. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and the safety briefing before the 90-minute ride begins.