[villages07]

Last week, we took a short trip to Key West via the daily passenger ferry that goes out of Ft Myers Beach. Several people have asked about the ferry, so here's some info.

Ferry leaves the pier at Ft Myers at 8:30 am...need to be on board by 8am. So, if getting there directly from TV, you would have to leave by about 3:30 am for the 3.5-4 hr drive.

It is a large, high speed boat ...goes about 40 mph. Has open air/protected seating and air conditioned inside cabin with galley service (and a movie on the return trip). Very smooth ride (water was very calm). It was a very pleasant ride down there and took about 4 hrs, arriving in Key West about 12:30pm. The docks are about half mile from center of Duval street, so, not a tough walk.

The return trip leaves the docks at 6pm (be at ferry terminal by 5pm) and arrives at Ft Myers at 9:30pm. Again, if going directly to TV, that would get you home around 1:30am.

We opted to stay overnight in Ft Myers on both ends.

You can go down on the ferry one day and return another and stay overnight(s) on the island.

Round trip 8 day advance fare for the ferry was $112 per person; also, a $5/day charge to park a car in their lot. Fares are higher on the weekend or if booked closer to sailing date.

Overall, it was a pleasant way to travel. We did one night at Key West, got to see all the character of the old town (stayed away from touristy excursions). Boy, it was hot down there. Temp was only about 87 degrees but humidity was 70+% in the afternoon...sweltering. Felt much warmer than here.

The only negative about the boat is if rough weather causes them to cancel a sailing then you're stuck...on either end. This time of year, that is unlikely. But very high winds or hurricane threats could be disruptive.

I would say this is a great trip for Apr/May or Oct/Nov/Dec - avoid the snowbird crowds and enjoy good weather. Too hot in the summer and potentially too chilly on the boat in winter.

Here's the website for the ferry:

http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/

[oatmealgirls]

Thanks for taking the time to post this... Sounds like a good trip!

[Pturner]

Thanks, my friend!

[tracy1j]

Thanks so much for posting this! I've always wondered about this ferry service.