Roberta Aguirre
Key West is a tiny island located off the southern coast of Florida, and offers transportation by sea, land, and air. The closest airport to Key West is Key West International Airport (EYW), which is located directly on the island. While there is no ferry service to Key West from Miami, there is a ferry service available from Ft. Myers, with an overnight option. Cruise ships are also a popular way to travel to Key West by sea, with major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival offering itineraries that include Key West as a port of call. For those who prefer to travel by private boat, it is important to ensure that the boat captain has the necessary permissions and certifications to operate in international waters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you access Key West Airport by boat? | No |
| Closest airport to Key West | Key West International Airport |
| Location of the airport | Directly on the island |
| Common connecting airports | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta |
| Ferry service to Key West | Available from Ft. Myers |
| Cruise ships | Docking in Key West |
| Cruise lines offering Key West itineraries | Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian |
| Airlines that service Key West | Delta, American, US Air, Cape Air, Continental |
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What You'll Learn
Boat tours and cruises are available to see Key West from the water
Key West is a tiny island located off the southern coast of Florida, and is the westernmost island among the Florida Keys that you can drive to. The closest airport to Key West is Key West International Airport (EYW), which is located directly on the island.
While you can't access the airport by boat, there are several boat tours and cruises available to see Key West from the water. Key West Boat Trips offers a range of boat tours, including snorkelling among the sea life, swimming in crystal-clear waters, hopping from one idyllic sandbar to another, and sunset dinner cruises. They also offer excursions to the sandbars and fishing spots. Their experienced guides and boat captains know the best spots to visit.
Sunset Watersports offers jet ski tours, sandbar charters, sunset cruises, golf cart rentals, boat rentals, and eco kayak adventures. They also offer parasailing, with two locations to choose from, and dolphin-watching and snorkelling trips.
Other boat tours and cruises in Key West include:
- Glass-bottom catamaran tours to see tropical fish, sharks, turtles, and coral
- Dolphin-watching cruises
- Jet ski tours
- Champagne sunset cruises
- Night kayak tours
- Catamaran sailing cruises
- Snorkelling tours
- Party cruises
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Key West International Airport is located on the island
The airport is served by several major airlines, including Delta, American, United, and Silver Airways. Daily flights bring passengers from various cities in the eastern United States, such as Atlanta, New York, Miami, Boston, and Chicago. The airport is small, and connecting flights to Key West are often on smaller planes.
While there is no ferry service to Key West from Miami, ferry service is available from Ft. Myers, with an overnight option. Additionally, cruise ships from major providers like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity dock in Key West, offering another way to arrive on the island by boat.
Once on the island, most places in the historic quarter of Old Town are within walking distance. Bicycles, scooters, and electric cars are also popular modes of transportation in Key West.
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You can rent a private boat to get to Key West
Key West is a tiny island located off the southern coast of Florida, and it is closer to Havana, Cuba than Miami, Florida. The closest airport to Key West is Key West International Airport (EYW), which is located directly on the island.
One way to get to Key West is by renting a private boat. When booking a private boat, be aware that upon leaving the Intracoastal Waterway, international laws apply. Therefore, ensure that your boat captain has permission to operate in international waters and has a complete Coast Guard certification.
There are several marinas in Key West that offer slips for rent with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. These include Sunset Marina, Conch Harbor Marina, Garrison Bight Marina, and Key West Yacht Club Marina.
In addition to renting a private boat, you can also travel to Key West by ferry or cruise ship. Ferry service is available from Fort Myers, and cruise ships from major providers like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Norwegian offer itineraries that include Key West as a port of call.
Alternatively, you can also reach Key West by air or land transportation. Daily flights are available from several major airlines, and the drive from Miami to Key West along the Overseas Highway offers incredible views and takes around 3 hours.
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The Overseas Highway offers a scenic drive to Key West
The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile-long (181.9 km) highway that carries U.S. Route 1 (US 1) through the Florida Keys to Key West. The highway offers a scenic drive with a tropical savanna environment and access to the largest area of coral reefs on the U.S. mainland. It is well-patrolled by the police and has a speed limit of 45 mph for most parts. The drive from Miami to Key West along the Overseas Highway takes around 3-4 hours.
The highway incorporates 42 bridges leapfrogging from key to key, including the Seven Mile Bridge, which is considered the jewel of the Overseas Highway. The bridges, sloping above the blue-green water, steal the show and give drivers the truest sense that they are heading out to sea. The original bridge was nicknamed "the eighth wonder of the world" when it was completed in the early 1900s. Today, drivers can see many of the old bridges stretching alongside their modern counterparts.
The Overseas Highway was built on the former right-of-way of the Overseas Railroad, the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Completed in 1912, the railroad was heavily damaged in the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and ceased operations on the Miami-Key West link. The roadbed and remaining bridges were sold to the state of Florida, and in the 1950s, the Overseas Highway was refurbished into a main coastal highway between Miami and Key West.
The highway passes through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and other keys in the Florida Keys chain. It offers access to charter fishing, cozy inns, luxury resorts, waterside vacation homes, RV parks, marinas, and environmental attractions such as the unique Turtle Hospital. It also provides access to the historic district of Key West, known as Old Town, where most attractions are within a short walk.
The Overseas Highway offers a scenic and exotic drive to Key West, with opportunities to see the tropical savanna environment, coral reefs, and exotic animals such as the American alligator and American crocodile. It is a popular choice for visitors to the islands, offering a "bucket list" journey and a laid-back, easygoing vibe.
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Ferry services are available to Key West from Ft. Myers
Key West is an island located off the southern coast of Florida. The closest airport to Key West is Key West International Airport (EYW), which is located directly on the island.
The Key West Express ferries are modern, air-conditioned, high-speed vessels that travel at 45 mph. Onboard amenities include sundecks, a snack bar, a bar serving cocktails, comfortable seating, big-screen TVs, and plenty of restrooms. The top deck offers an enjoyable open-air experience but can be windy, so passengers are advised to bring a jacket. The crew is friendly and helpful, and the trip can be a memorable part of your vacation.
It is important to note that the Key West Express has been described as a "'party boat'" by some passengers, with heavy drinking observed on board. If you prefer a quieter experience, noise-cancelling headphones are recommended. Additionally, if you are prone to seasickness, taking appropriate medication is advised.
While ferry services are available from Ft. Myers, it is worth considering the various other transportation options to Key West. These include air travel, with daily flights to Key West International Airport offered by major airlines, and road travel via the Overseas Highway, which offers a scenic drive over bridges and islands.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Key West Airport is located directly on the island. However, you can access the island of Key West by boat.
You can book a private boat, but be aware that international laws will apply once you leave the Intracoastal Waterway. Alternatively, you can travel by cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney and Norwegian all offer cruises with Key West as a port of call.
Yes, there is a ferry service to Key West from Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island.
Yes, Key West International Airport is located on the island and can be reached via a number of airlines.
