Getting on the Water: Snorkelling the Florida Reef, Sandbars & Sunset Schooners

The first rule of visiting Key West is simple: do not spend your entire trip on land. The magic of the Lower Keys lies 3 to 8 miles offshore, where shallow turquoise sandbars, uninhabited mangrove islands and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States surround the island. Most boats depart from the wooden docks of the Key West Historic Seaport (Key West Bight Marina) near Mallory Square.

1. Half-Day Coral Reef Snorkelling Trips (Morning vs Afternoon)

Large sailing catamarans (operated by eco-certified outfits like Danger Charters, Fury, Honest Eco, Sunset Watersports and Sebago) sail 6 miles south to protected Sanctuary Preservation Areas like Sand Key Lighthouse Reef, Rock Key or Western Sambo:

• Why Morning Departures Have the Clearest Water: morning winds are calmest and the sun is overhead, giving you 15 to 25 metres of underwater visibility over purple sea fans, elkhorn and brain coral, rainbow parrotfish, blue tangs, angelfish, nurse sharks and sea turtles; remember to pack mineral reef-safe sunscreen and a rashguard. Alternatively, book the Afternoon Snorkel and Sunset Sail Combo, which sails straight from the reef into sunset.

2. The Local Favourite: A Backcountry Kayak & Sandbar Eco-Tour

If winds exceed 18 knots and the outer reef is choppy, book a half-day or full-day Backcountry Sandbar and Mangrove Kayak Charter (on a shallow-draft schooner like Danger Charters' Wind & Wine, Honest Eco's Squid dolphin boat, or a private sandbar charter to Boca Grande, Woman Key or Snipes Point). You cruise into the sheltered flats of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, paddle kayaks through mangrove tunnels spotting baby lemon sharks and ospreys, and anchor on an isolated white sandbar in waist-deep water.

3. Evening Sunset Sail on a Historic Wooden Tall Ship Schooner

At least one evening, trade the busy pier at Mallory Square for the deck of a two-masted wooden schooner, such as Schooner America 2.0, When and If (built in 1939 for General George S. Patton) or Appledore Star, helping hoist the canvas sails as the sun sinks into the Gulf.