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Key West Sail: Explore Mangroves & Wildlife
4.9
78 Ratings
Key West
Sail, snorkel, and kayak Key West’s serene backcountry. Spot dolphins, explore mangroves, and unwind with drinks on deck. Adventure awaits!
Sail, snorkel, and kayak Key West’s serene backcountry. Spot dolphins, explore mangroves, and unwind with drinks on deck. Adventure awaits!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Key West National Wildlife Refuge - Situated at the southernmost point of the United States in the Florida Keys, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary of natural splendor and biodiversity. Covering more than 200,000 acres, this refuge features a variety of habitats such as mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, serving as…
- Key West National Wildlife Refuge - Situated at the southernmost point of the United States in the Florida Keys, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary of natural splendor and biodiversity. Covering more than 200,000 acres, this refuge features a variety of habitats such as mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, serving as a crucial sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife.
- Key West Historic Seaport - The Key West Historic Seaport is a lively center of maritime history, culture, and activity located in the heart of Old Town Key West. Rich in tradition and charm, this historic seaport provides an intriguing look into the island’s nautical heritage while offering a vibrant atmosphere for both locals and visitors.
What's Included
- Filtered Water
- Carbonated beverages
- Snacks
- Premium snorkeling equipment
- Professional Guide
- Lunch
- Unlimited beer and wine, for guests >21 years of age
- Filtered Water
- Carbonated beverages
- Snacks
- Premium snorkeling equipment
- Professional Guide
- Lunch
- Unlimited beer and wine, for guests >21 years of age
What's Not Included
- Gratuity
- Gratuity
Additional Information
Setting sail from Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Appledore Star offers a genuine sailing adventure en route to Key West’s backcountry.
Spend the day discovering the uninhabited mangrove islands within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Be on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and a variety of other wildlife that inhabit the Refuge….
Setting sail from Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Appledore Star offers a genuine sailing adventure en route to Key West’s backcountry.
Spend the day discovering the uninhabited mangrove islands within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Be on the lookout for dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and a variety of other wildlife that inhabit the Refuge. The captain is familiar with areas where dolphins are often spotted and will inform you if any are seen.
Upon arrival at the mangrove islands, the schooner anchors, and the exploration begins. The day is split between guided kayaking and snorkeling tours. The warm, shallow waters are calm and protected by the uninhabited mangroves, making kayaking effortless.
After the tours, return to the schooner to rinse off with fresh water and unwind on deck. Enjoy a selection of complimentary cold beverages, including frosty cold beer, wine, homemade sangria, chilled sodas, and filtered water. Experience the essence of relaxed island living.
- Vegetarian option is available. Must notify operator 72 hours prior ro departure.
- Please advise of any specific dietary requirements 72 hours prior to departure.
- Total trip time is 5 hours; time at each location is dependant on weather, refuge conditions and Captain’s discretion.
- To re-board the schooner after snorkeling and kayaking, you are required to climb aboard a platform secured to the boat just below the waterline, from there you climb a ladder back aboard the schooner.
Location
200 William St
William Street
Check-in is located at the far end of William Street, just to the right of the Western Union sign. From Elizabeth Street, keep the water on your left and follow Lazy Way Lane past the shops. The Marker Resort on your right, and the Schooner Wharf Bar on your left. The booth will be on your left.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(78 Ratings)
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1 star
611kristif
Jul 20, 2025
Great time and amazing views w/ an excellent crew! - Great time! Captain Joe and Luana were wonderful and really made this experience one we will never forget. Our group (ages 15-59) snorkeled and kayaked and enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedom03759504034
Jul 19, 2025
Appledore Mangrove Kayak and Snorkel Trip - I booked a mangrove and snorkeling schooner trip on the Appledore. Captain Joe first mate Christina, and deckhand Colin were all welcoming, knowledgeable and professional. The kayaking through the mangroves was quite an experience! We saw osprey, rays, lots of sea turtles, and learned about the history the mangrove islands have played throughout time in the Keys. After returning to the boat, we went snorkeling and then on the return trip the schooner hoisted sail while we had a delicious lunch and a few drinks. Thank you Appledore team, my wife and I had a great time and it was the highlight of our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolynflorida
Jul 18, 2025
Best Sailing, snorkeling , kayak adventure ! - This has been one of my favorite days in Key West. The Appledore is a beautiful schooner and Christina and Joe did everything possible to be sure that everyone had the best experience possible . The snorkeling was fun and to be able to kayak into a mangrove forest was magical.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawncx786ci
Jul 16, 2025
Perfect day on the ocean - This excursion was A+ in all aspects. The boat captain and first mate were friendly and eager to share their knowledge of the ocean, wildlife and sailing. The boat was comfortable with cushion seats for us to watch the beautiful ocean and sky change as the day progressed. The food was delicious and drinks were ice cold. I would go with this crew again in a heart beat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z5325oimelissaw
Jul 3, 2025
Best Day of Summer! - Captain Sandy and Christina were an amazing and knowledgeable crew. Water was amazing. We snorkeled then improvised kayaked around the boat due to low tide, they wanted to make the trip memorable and fun for us. Nice lunch, something for everyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chriscp387dv
Jul 1, 2025
Absolutely great excursion! Highly recommended - Amazing trip with Luana, captain Joe, and Christine. Thank you for a wonderful excursion. I'd strongly recommend them for any tourist
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trevas738
Jun 29, 2025
A most amazing day on the water! - This was well worth the money! We had a wonderful day on the boat, snorkeling and kayaking. Joe and Christina are excellent guides and very patient, helpful and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our day so much that we rebooked for the evening sunset cruise. Joe made a call and set it up while we were out in the kayak. Incredible service and we had a most beautiful day! Thanks again Joe and Christina!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
195barbiej
Jun 29, 2025
Perfect Day - We had a wonderful time kayaking and snorkeling. Captain Joe and Christina were wonderful explaining everything. The views were beautiful. Would recommend doing and plan to do it again also.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adventure31049571772
Jun 21, 2025
Unforgettable Eco Adventure for Educators – A Perfect Blend of Fun and Learning - I organized the Key West Schooner Backcountry Eco Tour—Sail, Snorkel, and Kayak—for a group of science teachers as part of a professional development program, and it exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, the experience was seamless. Melissa went above and beyond to accommodate our group’s needs, ensuring everyone felt welcome and comfortable.
The combination of kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling in pristine waters, and sailing aboard a classic schooner created a perfect balance of relaxation and exploration. The lunch was a standout—delicious, fresh, and a definite highlight of the day.
This tour was not only a hit with my group but also a great educational experience that connected directly to the science curriculum. I’ll absolutely keep them in mind for future groups, especially those who appreciate hands-on, outdoor experiences like snorkeling and kayaking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracygi5956zo
Jul 8, 2025
My wife and I as well as 18 other people that were on the cruise line that booked through cruises.com were unable to mak - If you book this through cruises.com, more than likely you will not be able to make the tour because cruises.com does not take into consideration that there's a Time change between our port of departure and key West.
My best recommendation is to book tours through the cruise line that you are on. Then you Ensure that you get to your excursion and back to the ship before departure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
