Key West Aquarium and Shipwreck Treasure Museum from the Key West cruise port

Attractiona 3-5 minute walk45 minutes to 1 hour eachFits a typical call

Two small, old-fashioned attractions right at the ships. The aquarium, opened in 1934-35 as a Depression-era public works project, has sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, alligators and a touch tank with scheduled feedings. The Shipwreck Museum tells the story of the 1850s wrecking industry with actors and a 65 ft lookout tower over the harbour. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum at 200 Greene Street, a block away, shows gold and silver from the 1622 Atocha wreck.

Getting there from the ship

From
Pier B
Key West has 3 cruise piers; your line confirms which one the evening before. Pier guide.
Travel time
A 3-5 minute walk · 0.1 km
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Key West taxi fares.
Cost
Aquarium gate $22.56 adult / $12.89 child; Shipwreck Museum gate $19.34 adult / $9.66 child 4-12, under 4 free; combo discounts online (2026).
Time to allow
45 minutes to 1 hour each

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Key West call you have up to 6 h at Key West Aquarium, enough for a visit (allow 45 minutes to 1 hour each), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:25 am · At Key West Aquarium
    A 3-5 minute walk from Pier B.
  3. 3
    2:25 pm · Leave Key West Aquarium by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    3:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Key West; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Shipwreck shows start every 20 minutes, last one 20 minutes before closing. These suit families and very short calls; book the aquarium-plus-museum combo online for a discount rather than paying at the gate.

Key West cruise port: Key West Aquarium FAQ

How far is Key West Aquarium from the Key West cruise port?

From Pier B it is a 3-5 minute walk, about 0.1 km.

How much does it cost to visit Key West Aquarium?

Aquarium gate $22.56 adult / $12.89 child; Shipwreck Museum gate $19.34 adult / $9.66 child 4-12, under 4 free; combo discounts online (2026).

How much time do you need at Key West Aquarium?

Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour each. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm Key West call you have up to 6 h at Key West Aquarium, enough for a visit (allow 45 minutes to 1 hour each), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Key West Aquarium on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is a 3-5 minute walk from Pier B. Shipwreck shows start every 20 minutes, last one 20 minutes before closing. These suit families and very short calls; book the aquarium-plus-museum combo online for a discount rather than paying at the gate.

Tours that go to Key West Aquarium

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–3:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Key West Aquarium

All 12 places