Key West day trip, snorkel, parasail and sunset cruises

The short answer

The first decision is where you sleep. If you are based in Miami Beach, the coach product is the one that gets you to Key West and back, and its options let you add one activity.[1] If you are staying in Key West, the four other products each start in Key West, so you choose by activity: reef snorkelling, dolphins and snorkelling, parasailing or a sunset dinner.[5][4][3][2] None of the listings XTOUR read names the operator of the boats.

From Miami Beach: the coach trip and its five options

The Key West Day Trip from Miami Beach with Optional Activities travels by air-conditioned bus or van, depending on numbers, with an English- and Spanish-speaking guide. SkyGate's listing says check-in in Miami Beach starts at 6:30 AM with departure at 7:00 AM, and gives the approximate time in Key West as 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The product address is 305 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach.[1]

All five options include the round trip and free time in Key West; four of them add one activity.[1]

• Round Trip Transportation Only: free time to explore on your own.[1]
• Conch Train: adds a 60-minute narrated Conch Train tour.[1]
• Snorkeling and Open Bar: adds a 3-hour snorkelling trip with equipment and an open bar on the catamaran back.[1]
• Glass Bottom Boat: adds a 2-hour glass-bottom boat cruise over the reef.[1]
• Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling Eco Cruise + Drinks: adds a 3-hour dolphin-watching and snorkelling cruise with drinks on the return.[1]

SkyGate's listing says the optional water activities depend on the weather and may be cancelled at short notice, while the transport runs in all weather.[1] The listing does not say who runs the activities in Key West or whether they are the same boats as the separate products below.

Snorkelling: reef cruise or dolphins first

The Key West 3-Hour Reef Snorkeling Cruise with Drinks sails on a catamaran to a coral reef, with snorkelling instruction and equipment included. Its two options differ in what is served on the way back: the morning option has breakfast with juices, muffins, fruit, cereals and mimosas, and the afternoon option has draft beer, margaritas, rum runners, wine, champagne and mixed drinks. SkyGate says alcohol is served only after snorkelling, the reef site varies, and knowing how to swim is recommended.[2]

The Key West Dolphin-Watching Cruise with Snorkeling and Drinks puts dolphin watching first, then snorkelling with gear and instruction, then unlimited draft beer and soft drinks on the return. Its options are a morning or a sunset departure. SkyGate's listing says swimming with, touching or feeding the wild dolphins is not permitted, the snorkel site varies, and knowing how to swim is recommended.[3]

Both list 201 William Street in Key West as their address, and neither suits wheelchairs, strollers or pets, according to SkyGate.[3][2]

Parasailing: two departure points

The Key West Parasailing Experience has two options that differ only by where you start: Downtown Seaport at 201 William St, or Smathers Beach on South Roosevelt Boulevard. SkyGate's listing says the whole experience lasts up to an hour on the boat with several minutes in the air, and that tandem or triple flights have a combined weight limit of 500 lb (227 kg). It is suitable for ages 6 and above according to the listing, and children under 12 need a parent or guardian who signs a waiver. The listing says it is not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers or pets.[4]

Sunset dinner cruise

The Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music departs from the historic Key West harbour at 201 William Street, with a tropical buffet dinner, an open well bar and a live musician on board. SkyGate's listing says you can sit on the open-air sundeck or in the air-conditioned cabin, that the buffet menu changes with the season, and that the bar includes well mixed drinks, draft beer, margaritas, wine, champagne, Rum Runners and soft drinks. It accepts foldable strollers but is not wheelchair accessible, according to the same listing.[5] This is the only product here that is about dinner rather than an activity.

How to choose

• No base in Key West: the Key West Day Trip from Miami Beach with Optional Activities, choosing the option with the one activity you want.[1]
• Reef snorkelling with breakfast or drinks after: the Key West 3-Hour Reef Snorkeling Cruise with Drinks.
• Dolphins as well as snorkelling, morning or sunset: the Key West Dolphin-Watching Cruise with Snorkeling and Drinks.
• Seeing Key West from above: the Key West Parasailing Experience, from the Seaport or Smathers Beach.
• An evening meal on the water: the Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music.

Before you book

• On the coach trip, water activities can be cancelled at short notice for weather.[1]
• For the snorkelling cruises, bring photo ID, swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes, per SkyGate.[3][2]
• The adult ticket on the snorkel, dolphin and dinner cruises is listed for ages up to 65; if someone in your group is older, check with SkyGate before booking.[5][3][2]