We are heading to KW in one week and we recently just heard (from a friend) of a ferry that will take us to a private island for a day(short distance away). Supposedly there is a restaurant there and a good beach too. Does anyone know what this may be? I know its not the Tortugas. Also, we saw that sunset water sports offers a day trip called "the do nothin all day island get away" where they take you to a private island to swim and lay on the beach. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks for the help!

The private island is called Sunset Key. It's part of the Westin in Key West.

Is there a ferry that will take you there for the day? Or is it private?

Sunset Key is primarily a residential area, and visitors are not allowed in that section of the island. The Westin manages the Sunset Key Cottages, which are very nice (and expensive) places to stay on the island. The restaurant is Latitudes, and some say it's over-rated and over-priced, but our one experience there was very nice. The ferry ride is a brief 8 minutes.

Visitors can go to Sunset Key on a space-available basis for a small fee. (I can't remember what it is). You might want to know, though, that the beach there, like 99.9% of all keys beaches is man-made. If you want a true beach experience, you should go to Bahia Honda.

thanks! I guess the pictures of the beach looked a lot nicer than the rocky beaches I have been hearing about.

Thanks I just spoke with them and they said the fee for the day is $40...does anyone know if it is worth that price?

I agree w/Susan, go to Bahai Honda. The real name of that island is Tank Island, and there is a reason for that...lol

we wont have a car so I dont think getting to Bahia Honda would be as easy

Just roll with it... its close, its fun and relaxed... part of the keys attitude is to leave the anal behavior behind... who cares if its a man-made beach?!?... its a beach on the water, 10 minutes from sunset pier!!! have fun and relax!

Thanks Gary- I am on the same idea of it being 10 mins away and it has a beach bar!!!

Think about the cost of a car v. $40/per for a ferry ride to a beach on Tank Island.

C'mon SAn... why would you want to rent a car, drive to Bahai, drag all your gear, and waste all that time when you can jump on a ferry and plop into a beachchair... if you go to Key West you gotta have some money for fluff... this isn't about snorkeling... its about wasting away...

Same reason I'd go to the No Name Pub either coming or going. Going to a resort is about as anti-Key West as you can probably get...Drag all my gear ?! my towel & my flip flops ? That would be a chore...

well i will be there for 6 days so I think one day of lounging on the beach/ at a resort is fine with me! Thanks for all the help

Does anyone have any info on the day trips with sunset water sports?

goodoggy - You might also consider going to Ft. Zachary Taylor, which is the nicest beach in Key West. It is rocky, and you'll need water shoes, but it's one of the few places where you can snorkel from the shore. It also has a small cafe.

thanks Susan I am staying in Truman Annex so I think that is a short distance from me

A very short distance, easily walkable.

I think for the money the two best day-trips out of Key West are the combo snorkel / kayak trips with either Danger Charters (approx $100.00 pp)

http://www.dangercharters.com/

Or the Sebago Island T'Ing (approx $80.00 pp)...

http://www.keywestsebago.com/islandting.php

Both provide breakfast, a snorkel stop, lunch, and a kayak paddle aroound a mangrove island. They board at 9:30 and get back at 4:00 or so, so the day is not too long. Danger only takes 20 people and use three small "skipjack-type" sailboats, and the Sebago takes 40 and uses a bigger catamaran. Either is a great day on the water, and FWIW I prefer the Danger trip but do both every vacation. I have a bunch of photos ifg you want to see a typical day.

The other trip I like is the Caribbean Spirit's combo snorkel / sunset sail.

Pjk

Thanks Peter- I would love to see pictures!

goodoggy - Peter is probably better-informed than anyone about water excursions in Key West. Whatever advice he gives you will be spot on!