Key West Boat Shuttle from Ft. Myers Fl

[Culvers2Villages]

Has anyone experienced the Boating Trip from Fort Myers to Key West. It sounds like a wonderful trip...

[judynlee]

We took it last year and had a wonderful time!

[gerryann]

It's great! I would suggest though......if you are able, try to get accommodations for the evening of arrival. It gives you so much more time to see the area, have a meal, do some shopping, etc.......Then return the following day.

[Diane G]

Can you, please, provide Web site for the trip.

Thanks.

[Indydealmaker]

Can you, please, provide Web site for the trip.

Thanks.

Official Website of Key West Express (http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/default.htm)

[Diane G]

Thanks, Indy. Looks like fun.

[lobster610]

Had a great time..............I'll take that shuttle next time I go to Key West without question.

[cquick]

My cousin and her husband did this a few months ago (February, maybe?).
They absolutely loved it! It's a type of catamaran....takes 4 hours. Fun!

[Culvers2Villages]

Thanks for the info... it does look like a fun trip... One in fact to do over and again... As for staying in Key West over night... We've looked into it, but most of the Hotels are quite pricey... if anyone knows of one that we can stay at reasonable... I would love to hear about it......

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I think I am missing something here. Do you take your car with you? When we would take the ferry/shuttle from NJ to Lewes DE they let you take your car and pets. Is it the same with this shuttle? If not, how do you get around when you get to the keys? If you leave your car in Ft Myers where do you leave it? Also, when I Mapquest-ed the time both ways it doesn't seem to save a lot of time. This would be my first time to The Keys so I am sure I need some more info on this. I would appreciate anyone setting me straight if I've messed up some of these ideas. Thanks.

[ronat1]

I think I am missing something here. Do you take your car with you? When we would take the ferry/shuttle from NJ to Lewes DE they let you take your car and pets. Is it the same with this shuttle? If not, how do you get around when you get to the keys? If you leave your car in Ft Myers where do you leave it? Also, when I Mapquest-ed the time both ways it doesn't seem to save a lot of time. This would be my first time to The Keys so I am sure I need some more info on this. I would appreciate anyone setting me straight if I've messed up some of these ideas. Thanks.

No you do not take your car with you on the catamaran. It is a high-speed catamaran for passengers only, not a ferry. I highly recommend staying overnight in Ft Myers because the catamaran (shuttle) leaves early in the am. You can park your car in the parking lot at the dock. It's ~3 1/2 hour drive to Ft Myers and then ~3 hour trip from Ft. Myers to the marina in downtown Key West, about 3-4 blocks from Duval St. We have been going to Key West for many years and never drive our car around there. You can walk anywhere you want to go, take a taxi (cheap), rent a golf cart to drive on the streets, rent bicycles, hire a rickshaw, etc.

Hope this info helps.

[fl boomer]

My sisters & I took the boat 6 years ago, & unless they've changed their schedule, there are a few things you should know. It does take 4 hours to get there, & if you don't stay overnight, you will have less than 4 hours in Key West, because you have to be back at the dock by 4:30 PM to start boarding. If a storm or rough seas happen, they have the option to cancel the trip either way. I would definitely plan to spend at least 1 night in Key West so you have enough time to see everything. Boarding starts early in the morning, so we spent the night in Ft. Myers. We did not get back until 10:00 at night, so we spent another night at the hotel before heading home the next morning.

[judynlee]

Thanks for the info... it does look like a fun trip... One in fact to do over and again... As for staying in Key West over night... We've looked into it, but most of the Hotels are quite pricey... if anyone knows of one that we can stay at reasonable... I would love to hear about it......
We made the trip through AAA and highly recommend it. They take care of busing to Fort Meyers, hotels, etc.

[George Bieniaszek]

Seems on the expensive side. The website quotes a roundtrip ticket at $147.00. OUCH. Many posters say that you should plan on an overnight in the Ft. Myers area cause the ferry leaves early. Hmmm. More money.

If you want to visit Key West, why not take a 3-4 day cruise out of Miami that stops at Key West. If you are considering the drive to Ft. Myers, then Miami is approx. 1 hour longer. Last year, my wife and I took a 4 day cruise on Royal's Majesty of the Seas to Nassau, Coco Cay (their private island), and then to Key West all for $149 per person. With port taxes and tips the total was approximately $500.

As I tease all my working friends, retirement is a fulltime job with no days off and we need to take a break and go on vacation once in a while :)

[gwscott]

We do it every year in November. Have time share on Ft. Myers Beach and always take shuttle and stay in Key West for a couple of days. Great trip. Shuttle has Bar, Food and Movies. Very nice seating just a great overall trip.

[TVMayor]

Seems on the expensive side. The website quotes a roundtrip ticket at $147.00. OUCH. Many posters say that you should plan on an overnight in the Ft. Myers area cause the ferry leaves early. Hmmm. More money.

If you want to visit Key West, why not take a 3-4 day cruise out of Miami that stops at Key West. If you are considering the drive to Ft. Myers, then Miami is approx. 1 hour longer. Last year, my wife and I took a 4 day cruise on Royal's Majesty of the Seas to Nassau, Coco Cay (their private island), and then to Key West all for $149 per person. With port taxes and tips the total was approximately $500.

As I tease all my working friends, retirement is a fulltime job with no days off and we need to take a break and go on vacation once in a while :)The way I read it, it is $119 Mon-Thurs 8 Days in advance.

[big guy]

Seems on the expensive side. The website quotes a roundtrip ticket at $147.00. OUCH. Many posters say that you should plan on an overnight in the Ft. Myers area cause the ferry leaves early. Hmmm. More money.

If you want to visit Key West, why not take a 3-4 day cruise out of Miami that stops at Key West. If you are considering the drive to Ft. Myers, then Miami is approx. 1 hour longer. Last year, my wife and I took a 4 day cruise on Royal's Majesty of the Seas to Nassau, Coco Cay (their private island), and then to Key West all for $149 per person. With port taxes and tips the total was approximately $500.

As I tease all my working friends, retirement is a fulltime job with no days off and we need to take a break and go on vacation once in a while :)


We went last year and got a special rate of $99 per person, round trip on the Key West Express. My husband wanted to drive down just to experience the trip.....10 hrs. I talked him into the ferry......4 hrs BUT a 4 hour trip to Ft Myers in addition. We stayed in Ft Myers Beach for the night, another $129 (Hampton Inn), stayed in Key west the next night for another $399 (definitely not luxurious for the price). We saw part of Key West but had to get the ferry back at 4 or 4:30. The trip back was rough.....lots of people sea sick and it was very crowded. In the end we figured we saved 2 hours but spent quite a lot of $$ for lodging and mediocre meals. I would drive the next time, if there is a next time, during the off season.

[George Bieniaszek]

The way I read it, it is $119 Mon-Thurs 8 Days in advance.

TVMayor - The way I read it, it is $147.00, Full Fare, Adult as I originally stated in my post!

[George Bieniaszek]

We went last year and got a special rate of $99 per person, round trip on the Key West Express. My husband wanted to drive down just to experience the trip.....10 hrs. I talked him into the ferry......4 hrs BUT a 4 hour trip to Ft Myers in addition. We stayed in Ft Myers Beach for the night, another $129 (Hampton Inn), stayed in Key west the next night for another $399 (definitely not luxurious for the price). We saw part of Key West but had to get the ferry back at 4 or 4:30. The trip back was rough.....lots of people sea sick and it was very crowded. In the end we figured we saved 2 hours but spent quite a lot of $$ for lodging and mediocre meals. I would drive the next time, if there is a next time, during the off season.

Sorry to hear of your experience Big Guy. That was what I was trying to convey in my post. The expenses seemed high when you have other alternatives to get to Key West and enjoy the island for the day. We had approximately 5-6 hours on the island while the Majesty was docked there to explore and sample the Rum Runners at Sloppy Joe's. Looking at your expenses, you paid more than me going on a 4 day cruise.

[784caroline]

TVMayor - The way I read it, it is $147.00, Full Fare, Adult as I originally stated in my post!



You are both CORRECT. It all depends upon when and how you buy the ticket(s).

If you walk up the day of departure and buy the ticket...$147 per person (Full Fare).

If you plan 8 days in advance and buy your ticket on the internet $119 (M-Th) ...Discounted Fare.

[big guy]

You are both CORRECT. It all depends upon when and how you buy the ticket(s).

If you walk up the day of departure and buy the ticket...$147 per person (Full Fare).

If you plan 8 days in advance and buy your ticket on the internet $119 (M-Th) ...Discounted Fare.

We got our tickets around Christmas of 2012 for $99 each and could use them for a year. Sign up for their emails and, if you want to go, they will send you notice of their specials. At the time, $99 was their "senior" special but we should have gone on the 4 day cruise for what we spent.

[mokey]

Went in Jan. Trip over was beautiful. Two days later a cold front came in and water was really rough. Nearly everyone on ship got sea sick. I would not do it again.