Glass-Bottom Boat Sunset Cruise in Key West
Things to Do in the Florida Keys – See Fish and the Coral Reef
May 16, 2009
Although Key West is famous for sailing, scuba diving, fishing and snorkelling, not everyone likes the water. A glass-bottom boat cruise is an easy and comfortable way to get to the barrier reef where the corals and colourful fish are, without getting wet.
Two-Hour Sunset Cruise Reef Tour
The FURY company's glass-bottom boat boards at the foot of Duval Street between Ocean Key Resort and Pier House Resort. The main ticket booth for Key West Old Town Trolley Tours is a nearby landmark.
FURY runs three glass-bottom boat tours a day, at noon, 2 p.m., and sunset. Each two-hour tour includes 50 minutes at the reef.
The sunset tour includes complimentary beer, wine, champagne and soda. After viewing the reef, passengers have a perfect view of the famous Key West sunset over the ocean.
On land, everyone will be crowding along the edge of the pier after the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, waiting for the sun to go down. That's fun too, but there's something special about toasting the sunset from a boat, far away from all the other people. The boat deck must be the best place in Key West for taking sunset pictures.
FURY Glass-Bottom Boat Has Washrooms
The double-hulled catamaran is made to ride smoothly without rocking. Guests may sit inside or on the deck for the 30-minute ride out to the reef and back, but at the reef itself everyone will want to be downstairs looking through the glass.
The air-conditioned boat has washrooms and a small snack bar. Passengers may bring food and drinks, including alcohol. People who use wheelchairs or who have special accessibility needs can generally be accommodated, but it's always wise to ask about this when making the reservation.
Guests may stand up or sit down on the floor to look down through the glass bottom at the fish and corals.
Viewing Fish and Coral Through the Glass Bottom
While it would be wonderful to see sharks, stingrays and colourful fish every day, Nature is not so predictable. Visitors to the coral reef may be lucky enough to see all of these, or few of them. The corals are interesting and beautiful all alone, and most days, there are enough fish swimming around to keep everyone happy. Occasionally, dolphins will jump up beside the boat during the trip out to the reef and back.
The tour guide will explain what a coral reef is all about, and how to help protect it. Florida's barrier reef is the third largest in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the reef off the coast of Belize. Despite its large size, the reef is very delicate. Coral reef conservation is important to the well-being of the entire ocean. Some corals will die just from being touched.
Of all the things to do in Key West, the sunset cruise in the glass-bottom boat is one that's open to everyone, even those who don't swim, dive, fish, or snorkel. After about two hours on the water, the boat returns, sailing past all the sunset celebrators walking away from Mallory Square. There's a full selection of Key West restaurants near the dock, and there will still be time to take in a Key West ghost tour after dark.
The trip costs (May 2009) $45 for adults, $22.50 for children, with a discount for advanced bookings made via the Web. The two earlier sailings each day are $40 and $20, again with a Web discount available.
Caution: the FURY Water Adventures webpage for the glass-bottom boat tour automatically plays a video clip, with sound.
FURY Water Adventures, 1-877-994-8898.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
