ULTIMATE Guide to the Best Sunset Cruises in Key West

If you are planning a Key West vacation, you might wondering what you should in the evenings. In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Key West is go on a sunset cruise. In fact, Key West sunsets are so legendary, they have a nightly festival to watch them from Mallory Square.

Luckily, there are tons of different sunset cruises to choose from! In this post, I’ll answer all your burning questions about sunset cruises in Key West, like how much they cost, how long they are, where to book, and more!

Plus, I’ll provide a list of the 9 best sunset cruises in Key West, which are each unique and have something special about them!

Of course I also recommend watching the sunset cruise on land at Mallory Square one night. But experiencing the sunset from the water is one of those magical things that just can’t be beat! Listen to island music, eat delicious seafood, and let your worries fall away as you watch the sun dip into the sea!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

A Complete Guide to the Best Sunset Cruises in Key West

Frequently Asked Questions About Key West Sunset Cruises

Before we get into the list, first let’s talk about some things you need to know before going on a sunset cruise in Key West! From what to wear to when to go, preparing for your sunset cruise will make sure you have the best experience!

How long are Key West sunset cruises?

Most of the sunset cruises in Key West last around 2 hours – some a little less, some a little more. Surpsingly, most of the ones that include dinner last 2 hours as well. More on that later!

Where do Key West sunset cruises leave from?

Almost every single sunset cruise in Key West will leave from the Key West Historic Seaport shown in the map below. This seaport is just outside of historic Old Town, so if you are staying nearby, walking shouldn’t be a problem.

When you book a tour, they will give you an address and meeting point. Most of the tour companies have small booths around the marina where you can check in, and then they will give you more detailed instructions on which boat to get on!

Pssst: Planning a trip to Key West? Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide for more information on how to get there, where to stay, things to do, and other trip details!

What time do Key West Sunset Cruises Depart?

The answer is… it depends! What time your cruise departs will depend on which tour you choose and what time of the year you are visiting! For example, in the summertime, sunset may not be until 7-8pm, so you can expect the cruises to leave around 6-6:30pm.

However, in the wintertime, the sun sets much earlier, so cruises may leave as early as 4:30pm! You can use this website to check the exact time of sunset on a specific date.

If you’re taking a longer sunset cruise, like this one that also includes snorkeling, you will probably leave even earlier to allow time for the additional activities!

How much do Key West sunset cruises cost?

You can expect to pay between $50 – $100 per person for a sunset cruise in Key West. However, similar to the above, it really depends! Check out the next section where I jump into this a bit more.

What’s included in the price?

Every sunset cruise is unique in what they offer and how much they cost! For example, some of the cruises include full buffet dinners, which are going to be closer to the $100 per person range. Some cruises offer unlimited alcoholic drinks and no food, while others offer passed appetizers in addition to the drinks! Most of them will also have live music, which is a huge plus!

What should I wear on a sunset cruise?

Sunset cruises in Key West are pretty casual affairs. I’ve seen people in jean shorts and flip flops, but most people dress in resort casual.

For women, remember that it will be windy once you’re out on the water, so I don’t recommend skirts or dresses that can blow up easily! Also, leave the high-heeled shoes at home.. you won’t need them on a boat.

For men, anything from shorts and a t-shirt to jeans and a polo is acceptable. I would expect most men to be in shorts – you are in the Keys after all!

Make sure to check out my guide on What to Wear in Key West for even more packing tips, plus a free printable!

What’s the drinking age in Key West?

The drinking age in Key West is 21 years old. However, that does not mean you have to be 21 to go on a Key West sunset cruise! Almost all of them allow children and minors. Just expect to be carded if you are planning to drink!

What else is there to do in Key West?

Short answer: so much! If you’re planning a trip to Key West, you probably already know how many incredible activities there are to choose from. If not, you can check out my blog post on the Top 25 Things to Do in Key West!

My biggest tip? Get out on the water! I recommend a Key West snorkeling tour like this one.

Top 9 Key West Sunset Cruises and Which to Choose

Alright, now that we’ve answered all of your burning questions about going on a sunset cruise in Key West, let’s talk about which cruise to choose!

Let me start by saying there are plenty of options, and one for every price point and style! Below I will give a summary of 9 different cruise options, including the price, overall rating, what’s included, etc. This will help you choose the right one for you!

Note: Some of the cruises below link to Viator.com, which has some awesome benefits, including flexible cancellation policies and a “reserve now, pay later” feature! However, I do recommend checking the pricing of each cruise on the tour companys’ websites as well, in case they are running any promotions. Viator does have a Lowest Price Guarantee policy in case you do find something cheaper after you’ve already booked!

#1: Highest Rated Sunset Cruise: My Top Pick!

If you search for Key West sunset cruises on TripAdvisor, this tour with Sebago Watersports is the most highly rated, with over 2000 reviews.

This is personally the company and tour we did on our last trip to Key West, and we had a fabulous time. The live music was fun, the food was delicious, and the drinks were flowing! I definitely recommend this cruise.

#2: Best Sunset Cruise with Full Buffet Dinner

Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise with Tropical Buffet Dinner
Price: $93
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 4 stars

If you’re looking for a sunset cruise that includes a full buffet dinner (instead of just apps), this cruise is your best option! In addition to unlimited well drinks, beer, and wine, it also includes a buffet dinner with a tropical twist.

The food includes fresh fish, Cuban bread, sweet plantains, and more! However, my personal opinion is you will find much better food on land, so this isn’t my first choice!

#3: Lowest Priced Key West Sunset Cruise

Key West Sunset Champagne Catamaran Cruise
Price: $60
Duration: 1.5 hours
Rating: 4.5 stars

For those looking to save a little money, this Key West Sunset Champagne Cruise is the lowest of all the options, around $50 USD (when booked directly with Sebago). This cruise is a little shorter than the others (1.5 hours instead of 2).

It also does not include hard liquor, just champagne, sangria, wine, and beer. However, it has great reviews and you can’t beat the price!

#4: Best Bang for Your Buck: Dolphins, snorkel & Sunset

Key West Dolphin Watching, Snorkel, and Sunset Cruise
Price: $68
Duration: 3 hours
Rating: 4.5 stars

I highly recommend this combination dolphin watch sunset cruise if you are looking to kill three birds with one stone: snorkeling, dolphin watching, and watching the sunset! This cruise is extremely well priced, as most snorkel trips are going to run you $50-$100 by themselves.

However, you won’t have a full half day in the water on this cruise (like other snorkel trips), since the entire cruise is 3 hours long.

#5: Best Luxury Key West Sunset Cruise

Wind and Wine Sunset Sail with Danger Charters
Price: $109
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 5 stars

Those looking for something more luxurious for their Key West sunset cruise need to check out Danger Charters. Their Wind and Wine sunset sail is the only sunset cruise in Key West that pairs wine (or beer) with gourmet cheese and meats (if you love charcuterie boards, this is the tour for you!).

It also takes place on an old schooner ship instead of a catamaran like most other sunset sails, which means less people!

Pssst: Planning a trip to Key West? Don’t miss my complete list of 25 epic things to do in Key West! It includes activities like must-see Key West bars, restaurants, and attractions!

#6: Key West Sunset Cruise with Dance Floor

Fury’s Commotion on the Ocean Sunset Cruise
Price: $88
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 4.5 stars

What sets this Fury Water Adventures Sunset Cruise apart from the others is the large flat top dance floor at the front of the boat. The live music on the boat is normally a full band, and there is plenty of room for dancing!

This cruise also includes margaritas, champagne, beer, wine, plus some appetizers. A great option for those looking for a more party atmosphere. Fury is a common Key West water sports company, and they have many other tour options, like eco tours, jet ski tours, and Key West parasailing!

#7: Most Action Packed Key West Sunset Cruise

Fury’s Island Adventure and Sunset Combo Cruise
Price: $158
Duration: 4.5 hours
Rating: 4.5 stars

Although this tour is a little pricer than the others, it is definitely the most action-packed! I will definitely be trying out this tour next time I visit Key West because it seems very off the beaten path. Included in the cost is a trip to a nearby sandbar where you can kayak and snorkel.

Then, you will head back towards Key West and admire the gorgeous sunset with a glass of champagne! Also included in the tour cost is snacks and lunch, plus beer and wine!

#8: Best Key West Private Charter Sunset Cruise

Sunset Sail Private Charter Cruise
Price: $600 for 6 guests, $75 for each additional
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 4.7 stars

If you are traveling with a large group and want something more private, hiring a private sunset sail charter might be the way to go. If you have 12 people, the cost per person is surprisingly reasonable (around the same cost as the other public sunset sails in this guide!) Alcohol is not included, but you are welcome to bring your own!

#9: Key West Sunset Cruise on Glass Bottom Boat

Key West Glass-Bottom Boat Tour with Sunset Option
Price: $70
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 4 stars

For people with children, glass bottom boat tours can be a really fun excursion, especially if you don’t want to get in the water! This glass bottom boat sunset cruise will take you through North America’s only living coral barrier reef.

The guides will point out all the different sea creatures and marine life you may see: from fish to sharks to lobsters to turtles! As the sun sets, you’ll be given a glass of champagne to toast with!

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my guide to the best sunset cruises in Key West! Watching the sunset is the ultimate bucket list activity to do in Key West, and it’s even better when you do it on the ocean! You absolutely have to get out on the Key West water while visiting.

From booze cruises to luxury private charters, there is a sunset cruise for every type of traveler. I hope this guide gave you an overview of all the different types of sunset cruise options so you can pick the perfect one for you!

If you’re planning a trip to Key West, don’t forget to check out my 3 Day Key West Itinerary for even more information on visiting the Florida Keys!