Go for Chartering in Key West to Cherish a Dream Vacation!

Key West sits at the very end of the Florida Keys, the southernmost point of the continental United States. For a yacht charter it offers a rare mix: a living coral reef on the doorstep, the wilderness of the Marquesas Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park, serious fishing and a lively harbour town famous for its nightly sunset celebration.

Most luxury charters here are itineraries rather than single-harbour stays. Crewed yachts based in South Florida make the passage down the Keys, spend time around Key West and often continue to the Dry Tortugas. This guide covers the yacht options, a sample 7-night route, the best season and what a charter costs. If you would rather start with a conversation, contact our brokers.

Key West yacht charter at a glance

Best time to go	December to April, when the weather is dry, mild and settled
Typical charter	3 to 7 nights; a one-way run from Miami or Fort Lauderdale is about 150 nautical miles
Yacht types	Crewed motor yachts, power and sailing catamarans, sportfishing yachts
Highlights	Coral reef snorkelling and diving, flats and offshore fishing, the Marquesas Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West’s old town
Indicative cost	Crewed catamarans from about $20,000 a week; motor yachts from about $50,000 a week; plus expenses
Getting there	Fly into Key West (EYW) or Miami (MIA), which is a drive of about 3.5 to 4 hours from Key West

In this guide: Why charter in Key West · Yacht types · Sample itinerary · Best time to go · Costs · Planning · FAQ

Why charter a yacht in Key West

Key West is a destination you reach by water as much as by road, and a yacht gives you access to places that day visitors never see.

• The reef. The Florida Keys have the only living coral barrier reef off the continental United States. Sites such as Sand Key and Looe Key offer excellent snorkelling and diving, and the USS Vandenberg, a ship of more than 500 feet sunk as an artificial reef about seven miles off Key West, is a popular wreck dive.
• Dry Tortugas National Park. About 70 miles west of Key West and reachable only by boat or seaplane, the park is built around Fort Jefferson, a vast 19th-century fort, surrounded by clear water and good snorkelling. On a yacht you can anchor overnight after the day visitors have gone.
• The Marquesas Keys. An uninhabited ring of mangrove islands roughly 20 miles west of Key West, known for calm shallow water and flats fishing.
• Fishing. The flats produce permit and bonefish, tarpon run in spring and early summer, and offshore waters hold mahi-mahi, wahoo and sailfish. Crewed sportfishing yachts carry the tackle and the experience.
• The town. Key West is compact and full of character. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House and the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, then eat stone crab (in season from mid-October to early May), Key lime pie and Cuban-influenced cooking.

Which yacht suits Key West?

The waters around the Keys are shallow in many places, and the distances (for example, about 70 nautical miles to the Dry Tortugas) favour yachts that are comfortable and quick. These are the main options:

Type	Why choose it	Worth knowing
Crewed motor yacht	Speed, space and stabilisers, so you cover the passage down the Keys and out to the Dry Tortugas in comfort.	Larger yachts need deeper routes and suitable berths. We check marina availability for your yacht before you book.
Crewed power catamaran	Stable, economical and shallow in draft, which suits the flats, the Marquesas and sheltered anchorages.	A good balance of space and access for families and groups.
Crewed sailing catamaran	A relaxed pace under sail, with a large deck and saloon.	Slower, so plan shorter daily legs or a one-way route.
Sportfishing yacht	Built for offshore fishing, with a crew that knows where the fish are.	Ask about tackle, bait and fishing licences when you enquire.

Browse the yacht charter search or see our Florida yacht charter page for yachts available in the region.

Sample itinerary: 7 nights from Miami to Key West

This route runs one way down the Keys with time at Key West and a night at the Dry Tortugas. Distances are approximate, and a motor yacht covers them far faster than a sailing catamaran. Your captain will adjust the plan to wind, weather and your interests. For more routes, see our yacht charter itineraries.

• Day 1: Board in Miami and cruise about 55 nautical miles south to Key Largo.
• Day 2: Snorkel the reefs of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, including the “Christ of the Abyss” statue, then continue about 25 nautical miles to Islamorada.
• Day 3: Fish the flats or the reef around Islamorada, then cruise about 35 nautical miles to Marathon.
• Day 4: Stop at Bahia Honda for its beach or at Looe Key for snorkelling, then continue to Key West (about 45 to 50 nautical miles from Marathon).
• Day 5: A full day at Key West: the Hemingway Home, Duval Street and the sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Dive or fish offshore in the morning if you prefer.
• Day 6: Head west to the Dry Tortugas (about 70 nautical miles) and anchor near Fort Jefferson for the night.
• Day 7: Explore the fort and snorkel the surrounding reef, then return to Key West. Disembark the next morning, with Key West airport close by.

Prefer to stay local? A shorter charter based around Key West can combine the reef, a night in the Marquesas or at the Dry Tortugas, and fishing, without the full run from Miami.

Best time to charter in Key West

Period	What to expect
December to April	The best weather: dry, mild and sunny. This is the high season, and cold fronts occasionally bring windier days. Key West Race Week usually takes place in January, and berths and yachts fill up around Christmas and New Year.
May to June	Hotter and humid, with generally calm seas. Tarpon fishing is at its best in spring and early summer, and rates can be lower.
July to October	Hot and humid, and the heart of hurricane season (1 June to 30 November, with the highest risk from August to October). Itineraries depend on the forecast. Fantasy Fest brings crowds to Key West in late October.
November	The weather turns pleasant again as the season starts, and it is often a good time for fewer crowds.

How much does a Key West yacht charter cost?

Prices depend on the yacht, the season and the route. These are indicative weekly rates for the winter season, excluding the extras listed below.

Yacht	Indicative price per week
Crewed catamaran (4–5 cabins)	Roughly $20,000–$50,000
Crewed motor yacht, 80–100 ft	Roughly $50,000–$120,000
Crewed motor yacht, 100–150 ft	Roughly $100,000–$300,000
Larger superyachts	From around $300,000 and up

Many yachts in Florida will consider shorter charters of three to five nights outside holiday periods, usually at a higher daily rate. In addition to the charter fee, expect:

• An advance provisioning allowance (APA), typically 25–35% of the charter fee depending on the yacht and route, to cover fuel, food, drinks and dockage. Fuel is a major factor on motor yachts, and any unspent balance is returned.
• Crew gratuity, commonly 10–20% of the charter fee, at your discretion.
• Taxes. Florida sales tax generally applies to charters that start in the state, and rates vary by county. Our guide to VAT on yacht charters explains the principles, and we can give you a Florida-specific figure with your quote.
• One-way fees, flights and insurance. A one-way charter can incur a positioning fee.

For a fuller breakdown see our yacht charter cost guide.

Planning your Key West yacht charter

• Book early. For December to April, and especially the Christmas, New Year and January weeks, start planning 6 to 12 months ahead.
• Choose your start point. Most charter yachts are based in South Florida, so Miami or Fort Lauderdale gives the widest choice. A one-way run to Key West with a flight home from Key West airport is popular.
• Know where yachts berth. Yachts typically use the Key West Bight area or the marinas on neighbouring Stock Island. Harbour depth and berth size limit the largest yachts, and we confirm this before you book.
• Plan for the Dry Tortugas. It is a national park, so entry fees and park rules apply. Your captain and broker will manage the details.
• Complete a preference sheet. Tell your broker about dietary needs, favourite foods and drinks and the activities you want, from fishing to diving.
• Understand the contract. Our guide to the MYBA contract explains the standard terms.

Key West yacht charter: frequently asked questions

Can I charter a superyacht in Key West?

Yes. Larger yachts do visit Key West, although berths and shallow water limit the very largest. Most superyacht charters here are itineraries that start elsewhere in Florida and include Key West as a highlight.

Is it better to start in Key West or Miami?

Most yachts are based in South Florida, so starting in Miami or Fort Lauderdale gives you far more choice. Starting or ending in Key West works well if you want to spend most of your time there and the Dry Tortugas.

Can we visit the Dry Tortugas?

Yes. The park lies about 70 nautical miles west of Key West, which a motor yacht covers in a few hours. Plan at least one night there if you can, so you have the anchorage and the fort to yourselves in the quiet hours.

Can I combine Key West with the Bahamas or Cuba?

The Bahamas are normally reached from Miami or Fort Lauderdale rather than Key West. Cuba lies just under 100 miles away, but entry rules for yachts and for US travellers are complex and change, so please ask us before planning around it. For other warm-water destinations, see our guide to sailing the Caribbean.

Can we fish from the yacht?

Many crewed yachts carry fishing gear, and sportfishing yachts are built for it. Tell us what you want to catch and we will suggest a yacht and crew that suit it, and your captain will advise on licences.

Plan your Key West yacht charter with us

Tell us when you want to travel, how many guests you are and what matters most (fishing, diving, privacy, fine dining), and we will propose yachts and a route. Email ask@yourboatholiday.com or call or message us on WhatsApp at +39 334 3600997.

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