Shark and Wildlife Viewing Tour Key West: No-Water Sharks

Sharks, dolphins, stingrays and native birds in two hours without getting wet

A shark and wildlife viewing tour in Key West operates on an eco-friendly catamaran that travels about 4 miles offshore to shallow waters where bait attracts lemon, nurse, bull, black tip and hammerhead sharks to the boat's side. You observe them from deck in safety and comfort, spotting dolphins, stingrays, barracudas, sea turtles, tarpon and native birds along the way. The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, polarized sunglasses, bottled water, soda and juice. You must call to confirm your departure time before the tour date.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shark and wildlife viewing tour

• Check in for the tour
• Cruise through Key West harbor
• Observe wildlife at National Wildlife Refuge
• Travel through shallow waters near mangroves
• Watch for dolphins, turtles, and birds
• Listen to pilot discuss ecosystem
• Enjoy complimentary drinks and sunglasses
• View sharks attracted by bait
• Take photos of sharks and marine life

The experience

The catamaran leaves Key West harbor and heads into the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, where dolphins and other marine life appear almost immediately. From there, the boat travels about 4 miles through shallow water close to mangrove islands, and your guide discusses the ecosystem as you keep watch for sea turtles, stingrays, barracudas and tarpon. The shallow-water route itself is the wildlife corridor: most of the sightings happen on the way out.

Once at the shark site, the pilot uses bait to draw sharks to the boat's side, and you spend nearly an hour watching them swim right up to you. Lemon and nurse sharks are regulars. Bull, black tip and hammerhead sharks also appear. Because you stay aboard the whole time, there's no entry to the water and no gear to manage: the sharks come to you. Polarized sunglasses cut the glare off the water so you can see them clearly, and you can photograph them from the rail without the chaos of a crowded platform.

Complimentary water, soda and juice flow throughout the two hours, and there's a restroom on board. The boat operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions. You can bring your own lunch if you want to extend the day, though the tour itself runs about two hours from check-in to return.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• polarized sunglasses.
• bottled water, soda and juice throughout the tour.
• onboard restroom.
• nearly one hour of shark viewing at the site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 35

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 effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Key West Extreme Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want close-up shark viewing without entering the water. The catamaran keeps you on deck while bait brings the sharks alongside, so families with younger children and anyone uncomfortable swimming can still get the full experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years); Infant (under 4).

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 sharks will I actually see on this Key West tour?

Lemon and nurse sharks appear regularly, and you'll also see bull, black tip and hammerhead sharks during the nearly one hour of shark viewing at the site. The bait brings them close to the boat's side.

How far from shore does the catamaran go?

The boat travels about 4 miles from Key West harbor to the shark viewing site in shallow water near mangrove islands.

Do I have to get in the water to see the sharks?

No, this is the only shark tour in the USA where guests stay on the boat the entire time. The sharks swim up to the side of the catamaran while you observe from deck.

What other wildlife will I see besides sharks?

On the route to the shark site, you'll spot dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, barracudas, tarpon and native birds. The shallow-water passage through the mangrove islands is where most of these sightings happen.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, polarized sunglasses, bottled water, soda and juice. There's also a restroom on board.

Do I need to call ahead to book this tour?

You must call to confirm your departure time before the tour date, or your spot may not be guaranteed.