Wind matters most
Lighter winds mean glassier, clearer water. Calm mornings are often the prettiest time to be on Florida Bay.
Your free insider's guide
The Insider's Key Largo Trip Planner
Best tides & light, where the locals eat, and how to plan the perfect day on the water — from a Key Largo crew that's been doing this since 1983.
Thank you for grabbing our trip planner! After 40+ years on the water in Key Largo, we've learned exactly what makes a day on Florida Bay unforgettable. Here's everything you need to plan the perfect trip to the Upper Florida Keys. Want it to go? Download the printable PDF.
1983On the water since
40+ yrsLocal experience
100%Private charters
MM92–103Bayside pickup
Time it right
Best time of year & tides for clear water
The Florida Keys are beautiful year-round, but a few simple things make the water clearer and the day calmer.
Mind the tides
Around a higher or slack tide, the shallow flats look their clearest. Big swings stir up sediment, so the hour or two around slack water is best for visibility.
Light is everything
Mid-morning to early afternoon sun lights up the turquoise shallows; late afternoon delivers that golden glow for sunset sails.
Seasons
Winter & spring bring drier, breezier days; summer is warm and calm but can build afternoon clouds, so earlier departures are a safe bet.
What to bring
We provide the gear, drinks and know-how — you just bring yourself and a few essentials.
- Reef-safe sunscreenMineral / non-nano zinc — better for you and the reef.
- Hat & polarized sunglassesThe glare off the water is real.
- A waterproof phone caseFor worry-free photos on the water.
- A towel & light layerBreezy on the water, especially at sunset.
- Any personal medicationsWhatever you may need during the trip.
- Just yourselvesAn 18% crew gratuity is already included — no need for tip cash.
Leave the cooler-stuffing to us — we bring ice, bottled water and cups. BYOB is welcome in moderation on most charters.
Find your day
Choosing your experience
Every trip we run is fully private — your boat, your crew, your day. Here's the quick way to choose.
Island Adventure Snorkeling
Calm, shallow, often-wadeable snorkeling for all ages — no swimming skills needed.
Explore snorkeling →Sunset Champagne Cruise
A romantic 2-hour sail with a champagne toast as the sun goes down over the bay.
Explore the sunset sail →Private Eco Tour
A backcountry Island Safari for dolphins, manatees & mangroves aboard our 17′ RIB.
Explore eco tours →
Leave it pristine
Reef-safe & eco etiquette
Florida Bay sits inside a protected National Marine Sanctuary bordering Everglades National Park. A few easy habits keep it pristine for the next visitors.
- Wear reef-safe mineral sunscreen and apply it before you get on the water.
- Look, don't touch — never stand on, grab or kick coral and seagrass.
- Give wildlife space — admire dolphins, manatees and birds from a respectful distance.
- Pack it out — keep all trash aboard; nothing goes in the water.
- Follow your crew's guidance — they know how to enjoy these waters responsibly.
We come to you
No need to hunt for a marina or fight for parking. We offer private bayside pickups in Key Largo, and we'll confirm the exact spot that's most convenient for you when you book. Don't have a dock or a spot of your own? Our port of call is Bayside Grille at MM99 bayside.
Bayside pickups · MM92 to MM103 · Port of call: Bayside Grille, MM99Ready to plan your perfect day?
We'd love to help you choose the right experience, the right tide, and the right time of day. Book online or give us a call — we've been doing this in Key Largo since 1983.