7 Sandbars to Visit While in Key West
There are lots of great reasons to visit Key West: beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, tropical vacation villas, incredible Key lime pie, and of course — the island is surrounded by some of the most gorgeous turquoise waters and coral reefs you’ll find anywhere in the world.
There is no shortage of ways to explore the area’s best sandbars. Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and much more. But one of the best ways (in our opinion, anyway) to enjoy being out on the water is to hop in a boat and visit the local sandbars.
Don’t want to plan the trip yourself? Our concierge team will happily set up your sandbar trip so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the crystal clear water.
Ready for an adventure at sea on your Key West vacation? Here’s your guide to visiting Key West sandbars!
About Key West Sandbars
The Florida Keys are surrounded by the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, making the offshore waters generally shallow and calm.
During low tide, boaters are in for a treat as several smaller islands “pop up,” revealing pristine stretches of soft, sugary white sandbars that make the perfect pit stop. These Key West sandbars are one of the best ways to experience the ethereal beauty of these waters.
If you’re an experienced boater, you should have no trouble navigating around most Key West sandbars, and you can easily rent a boat out of almost every marina in Key West. But if you’re not an experienced boater or you’d rather just sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving, you’ll also find plenty of Key West sandbar tour operators to choose from.
Key West Sandbar Tour Operators
These Key West sandbar tour operators make it easy to spend a day cruising, swimming, and relaxing on the water.
- Lazy Dog: For those looking for a small-group tour, Lazy Dog is a great option. Open to up to 6 guests (and your dogs!), this half-day trip tour includes kayaks or paddleboards, floating pad, a cooler you can fill up, and, of course, your trusty captain. For those looking to host a bigger group and have a full-day outing, Lazy Dog has some flexibility if you contact them directly.
- Fury Water Adventures: Offers daily catamaran sandbar trips, along with other water sports adventures, like kayaking and snorkeling, plus lunch and drinks, for a full day of fun on the water.
- Sunset Watersports: Choose from several sandbar tour packages, including private charters, half- and full-day sandbar trips, and eco safaris that visit secluded mangrove islands, stunning sandbars, and even popular dolphin-watching spots. Some packages also include food and drinks. Boat rentals are also available if you prefer to go your own way, and for something a little different, jet ski tours with stops at local sandbars are also an option.
- Sebago Watersports: Famous for their Key West Sandbar Safari Tour on an exclusive Tiki boat, complete with music, tropical cocktails, and much more. Private boat charters are also available.
- Barefoot Billy’s: Offers multiple daily sandbar tours that can be paired with kayaking, dolphin watching, or a sunset cruise. Most packages also include food and drinks.
- Salty Sandbars Key West: Specializing in private charters only, you can choose from 2-hour to full-day sandbar trips, completely customized to your liking, perfect for special events like birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and more.
7 Best Sandbars in Key West
Ready to explore some sandbars? Here are 7 of the most beautiful Key West sandbars to visit!
1. Boca Chica Sandbar
Located about 2 miles east of Key West, the Boca Chica Sandbar is the closest and most easily accessible sandbar; it’s also a popular stop on local jet ski tours. With calm, shallow waters to wade in and gorgeous natural scenery, spending the day here is pure paradise.
Because it’s so close and easy to get to, Boca Chica can get a little more crowded, especially on the weekends, so if you’re looking for more seclusion, you may want to head a little further out to one of the other Key West sandbars. But all in all, Boca Chica is a great, beginner-friendly sandbar, especially if you are navigating your own boat.
2. Jewfish Basin Sandbar
Located about 7 miles northeast of Key West, the Jewfish Basin is a common stop on sandbar tours and a favorite among local boaters. Here, you’ll be surrounded by a large swath of open, shallow turquoise water, perfect for lounging in and spotting the occasional crab or tropical fish.
If you are on a sandbar tour, this is the perfect spot to take advantage of the floating mats, tubes, or other water accessories your tour operator might offer.
3. Mud Keys Sandbar
Located about 9 miles northeast of Key West, the Mud Keys are made up of multiple sandbars, nestled between lush mangrove islands, offering some of the calmest, clearest waters packed with marine life and perfect for snorkeling!
You might spot a variety of tropical fish, crustaceans, small sharks, and even the occasional dolphin or sea turtle. The Mud Keys are full of stunning natural beauty everywhere you look.
4. Snipes Point Sandbar
Located about 12 miles northeast of Key West, Snipes Point is set deep in the Florida Keys backcountry, but this makes the visit all the more worthwhile.
Arguably the most famous sandbar in Key West, Snipes Point features crystal clear water, soft white sand, and a gorgeous driftwood swing that has graced the feeds of many a traveler’s Instagram. In fact, no visit to Snipes Point is complete without this iconic shot! Snipes Point is also a great spot for wildlife watching; you might spot a variety of seabirds, tropical fish, small crustaceans, sea cucumbers, stingrays, and more.
5. Woman Key Sandbar
Located about 13 miles west of Key West, Woman Key is inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge and features a long, beautiful stretch of beach exposed during low tide. It’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike, as it offers ample space to anchor your boat and take a stroll.
It’s also a great spot for snorkeling. Keep an eye out for Queen Conchs. You’ll find tons of them here. But remember, they are protected and are there to be admired only!
Some parts of the beach may also be closed to protect wildlife, like sea turtles and shorebirds that nest on these beaches, so be sure to adhere to any posted signs and practice leave-no-trace principles on your sandbar trip.
6. Boca Grande Sandbar
Located about 15 miles west of Key West, Boca Grande is one of the most remote sandbars, and it’s also located within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, just west of Woman Key.
The beach on the southwest portion of the island is exposed at low tide and, unlike Woman Key, which has a straight stretch of beach, the Boca Grande beach has a gentle curve, allowing for more privacy between boaters.
Boca Grande features the same gorgeous turquoise waters as Woman Key, but it’s also a great spot for fishing — so be sure to bring your gear if that’s your thing! Because the waters around Boca Grande are a bit deeper than the other sandbars, you may be visited by some friendly dolphins, too.
7. Marvin Key Sandbar
Located about 15 miles east of Key West (a bit past Snipes Point), Marvin Key can be a bit of a haul to get to, but if you’re up for a longer boat ride, the seclusion and views are well worth it.
Marvin Key is inside the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, so it’s home to some amazing wildlife, including the namesake birds that grace the beaches, among other seabirds, sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins that are commonly spotted. Shifting tides and rocky ocean beds along the way can create a challenge, so we recommend partnering with an experienced charter for this one!
Every Day is an Adventure in Key West
While we’ve only scratched the surface of Key West sandbars, rest assured that whichever one you end up at won’t disappoint. And if you’re doing a sandbar tour or private charter, your captain may even have a few surprise hidden sandbar stops planned for you, because every day is an adventure in Key West!
Ready to plan your perfect Key West vacation? Book your stay with VHKW and enjoy fully furnished vacation homes with premium amenities like private pools, hot tubs, and much more.
