Key West Schooner Sail & Full Bar: 2-Hour Tall Ship

Raise the Sails on a 19th-Century Tall Ship in Key West

You board at the Key West Historic Seaport, help the crew raise the sails on a traditional tall ship, and take a turn steering. The two-hour sail includes a full open bar, water, and guidance from an English-speaking crew member. No stops, no transfers. Just the boat, the water, and the thing you came for.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Key West waterfront

• Board the 2-masted schooner
• Help raise the sails
• Take a turn at the wheel
• Enjoy sailing on the Gulf of Mexico
• Pass by Mallory Square
• Pass by Key West Historic Seaport

The experience

There's something about standing on the deck of a real schooner that makes you want to move. Not because you have to, but because the crew is about to hand you a rope and ask you to help hoist the sails. The Appledore is a 2-masted vessel that sails out of Key West's historic seaport, and the whole point of this sail is that you're not just watching. You're part of it. The boat leaves from the waterfront near the old buildings and shops of the seaport, and within minutes you're helping raise canvas the way sailors have done for centuries.

The sail itself runs two hours, no stops, which means you're on the water the whole time. The decks are wide enough to move around, and there's a full open bar for anyone over 21, so you can hold a drink in one hand and take a turn at the wheel in the other. An English-speaking guide walks you through what's happening: why the sails catch the wind the way they do, how to read the water, what the crew is doing and why. It's not a lecture. It's someone who knows the boat talking to people who are curious about it, which is a different thing entirely.

The Appledore is old-school in design but modern in how it's built, so the ride is steady and the railings are solid. Bottled water and soda are included, and the bar is genuinely open, not a token pour but a real one. Infants can come along if they sit on an adult's lap, and the crew says it's suitable for all fitness levels, which means you don't need to be an athlete to do this. You just need to want to be on a boat with your hands on a rope and the Gulf of Mexico in front of you.

What’s included

Your sail includes a full open bar for guests over 21, bottled water, soda, and an English-speaking guide who walks you through the sailing and invites you to help raise the sails and take a turn at the wheel. The two-hour experience departs from the Key West Historic Seaport with no additional stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 49

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Key West Schooners

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually do something on the water rather than watch from a seat. The hands-on part is what makes the difference, and the bar means you can relax between turns at the wheel.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

113 verified traveler reviews

5 ★109

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

How long is the sail?

Two hours on the water with no stops.

Can I help raise the sails?

Yes. The crew invites passengers to participate in hoisting the sails as part of the experience.

Is there a bar on the boat?

Yes, a full open bar for guests 21 and older. Soda and bottled water are also included.

Where does the boat depart from?

The Key West Historic Seaport, located along the waterfront in the historic district.

Can I steer the boat?

Yes, you can take a turn at the wheel during the sail.

What language is the guide in?

English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on board.