There is no shortage of snorkeling tours to choose from in Key West. And most of them include free adult beverages. (This is Key West after all.) From morning tours with mimosas to afternoon tours with unlimited cocktails, it was easy to satisfy both your snorkeling and your drinking needs (but only after you finished snorkeling!). Since we were with our kids and are well past our party-boat days, we ignored the beverage options and prioritized the boat ride and snorkeling part of the experience.
We chose the Key West Sailing and Snorkeling Reef Adventure with a company called FishMonster & IslandJane. Their tour was unique in that it was on a motorized sailboat. Our group of 8 joined about 10 other people on their 54′ yacht and headed out for adventure. They raised the sails once we got offshore, and we enjoyed the sail to the reef.
We really enjoyed talking to our captain about the history of Key West and were fascinated when we sailed past the remnants of the Northwest Passage Light (also known as the “Hemingway House on the Water”). Built in 1855, the lighthouse guided ships for over 65 years before it was decommissioned in the early 1920s. After that the abandoned structure became a destination for boaters, partiers, and, according to legend, Ernest Hemingway. It burned down in 1971 but the wrought iron pilings remain jutting out of the water.
We continued our ocean journey and at one point a momma dolphin and her baby swam alongside us. After about an hour, we arrived at the reef, although we would have never known it if they hadn’t stopped and told us that was the spot. It was seemingly in the middle of the ocean. They tied up the boat to a buoy, gave us our gear and some instructions, and told us to jump overboard.
It was sort of intimidating to have to jump in like that. It was a little high, we had no idea how cold the water would be, and we were literally jumping into the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. They gave us pool noodles to help float if we wanted them… and I definitely did. It gave me more confidence in the situation to have something to help me float.
At this point I was skeptical that we were going to see anything. And at first I didn’t, which seemed logical since we were in the middle of the ocean. But as I swam past the front of the boat as instructed, a whole underwater world came into view. There was indeed a reef out there and it was teeming with fish. I was amazed at the amount and diversity of the fish we saw. They were swimming out in the open and ducking behind ledges and plants, seemingly playing hide and seek with us or the other fish. I was mesmerized by their aquatic antics.
But I was also getting pounded in the head by waves. They said it was calmer than it had been on the morning trip, and I wondered how anyone had snorkeled in rougher waters than these. Multiple times I was swimming and thought I had been kicked in the head by another snorkeler only to look up and find nothing but me and the water. After one particularly rough ocean head-kicking, I decided to call it a day and headed back to the boat.
With only two people working on the boat, I was amazed at how efficient the whole process was – and how safe it was. The first mate helped people safely onto the back of the boat while the captain kept constant watch over the waters from the front of the boat, repeatedly counting out loud to make sure he saw everyone. I was really impressed with the whole operation.
We have been snorkeling in some pretty incredible places in the past (Belize and the Galapagos are at the top of the list) and things have never gone well for my youngest son. He never quite got the hang of it and was always uncomfortable breathing through the snorkel. But for some reason on this trip – the one I thought was some of the most difficult snorkeling we have ever done – he loved every minute of it. He was the last one out of the water and couldn’t stop talking about it. He is my wildlife fanatic so I was thrilled that he was finally able to fully experience and appreciate a snorkeling trip.
After about an hour of snorkeling, we started the trip back. This time they didn’t put the sail up to make for a quicker return. There were sodas and waters for everyone, as well as adult beverages for those so inclined and of legal age. It was really relaxing and I appreciated the turquoise waters all around us and the beautiful view of the island ahead.
I thought FishMonger gave a great tour. We were not looking for a party boat so this was exactly our speed. The boat itself was beautiful and comfortable and getting to sail out there was a unique touch. The captain and first mate were fun and friendly and most importantly, extremely safety-conscious. And the snorkeling (although rough) was incredible. So it was a win all the way around. It was such a fun first day in Key West.
