Florida Keys Backcountry Eco Tour from Big Pine Key
Back at the ship by about 10:40 am, 4 h 50 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 3 h 50 min to spare.
Safety margin
- 8:00 amShip docks in Key West20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
- 8:20 amLeave the pierAbout 10 min to the start point
- 8:30 amEarliest tour startTour runs 2 h. Latest sensible start: 12:20 pm.
- 10:30 amTour ends10 min back to the pier
- 10:40 amBack at the gangway4 h 50 min before all aboard
- 3:30 pmAll aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours
Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.
Our verdict
This tour fits a typical Key West call (8:00 am–3:30 pm). It runs 2 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:30 am and be back at the gangway around 10:40 am — 3 h 50 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.
Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 11:40 am or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.
The operator lists a meeting point in town rather than at the pier, but Key West is small: anywhere in the centre is within about 10 min of the ships on foot or by a short taxi ride, so we count 10 min each way.
Among the 350 Key West shore excursions we track, this is one of the shorter ones (the median runs 3 h); 85% of them fit a typical call.
Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Key West call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.
About this tour
This 2 hour Eco Tour will take you by boat to explore the Backcountry of the Florida Keys. We will cruise through the mangrove islands that make up the Backcountry and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. We will slow down and look for marine life and birdlife. Maybe see a turtle or dolphin. We will take you through "Skinny Water" and look for starfish, rays and sharks. It's a fun adventure not to be missed when visiting the Keys.
Private tour English
What's included
- Private transportation
Itinerary
- 1Big Pine KeyExplore mangroves of the backcountry gulf side of the Keys by private boat. We will look for marine life and birdlife. We will go slow and look for a turtle or a ray, dolphin or shark.
- 2No Name KeyWe will cruise past No Name key and explore smaller mangrove islands like Crawl Key, Little Pine Key and the Water Keys
- 3Great White Heron National Wildlife RefugeExplore the mangrove islands of the Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge, the nest ground for many birds including Ibis, Great White Heron, Egret and Pelican
- 4Bahia Honda State ParkWe will show you the famous Bahia Honda Bridge - a great photo opp, and tell the story of Flagler's Railway.
Meeting point and getting there
Start point
Keys Boat Tours is located at the Big Pine RV Resort. Please check in at the store for a parking pass and they will tell you where to park. Our boat is next to the boat ramp and filet station.
Keys Boat Tours is located at the Big Pine RV Resort. Please check in at the store for a parking pass and they will tell you where to park. Our boat is next to the boat ramp and filet station.
From the cruise pier
About 10 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point
Good to know
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Traveler reviews
Operated by Keys Boat Tours. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.
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