The Best Family-Friendly Tours in the Florida Keys

If you find yourself in the Key West area, you know there are plenty of fun activities from which to choose. When staying at a vacation rental in the Middle Keys, you have access to the entire Florida Keys area right outside of your doorstep.

You may want to go snorkeling, you might want to rent a kayak, or you might even want to swing by Key Largo to check out some of the boat tours and mangrove trees. Without a doubt, sightseeing in the Islamorada and Miami areas are definitely unparalleled, but a guided tour might be the best way to see it all.

If you want to check out everything from the southernmost point back up to the city of Miami, check out some of the top family-friendly tours in the region. Then, make sure to get ready for a family-friendly adventure that you will never forget!

1. Key West Florida Reef Half-Day Snorkeling Excursion

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Tour Operator: Sebago Key West

If you want to check out the coral reef ecosystem in the local area, this is probably the best way to do so. It is a half-day tour that lasts approximately four hours, and you will be treated to some of the best snorkeling opportunities in the area.

Even though this is a family-friendly tour, make sure everyone who goes on the tour is able to swim. While guests will be asked to wear a life jacket, safety should still be at the top of the priority list.

You will be treated to some amazing guides to know exactly where to go to check out the best fish in the area. You will be given snorkels and goggles, but be sure to bring everything else with you. Even though you will be in the water, you still need to wear sunscreen to prevent a sunburn.

Once you get in the water, be careful not to kick too hard! That way, you won't scare the fish. This is a great way to check out the unique wildlife that lives underneath the surface of the waves!

2. Key West Southernmost Food and Cultural Walking Tour

Tour Operator: Key West Food Tours

If you want to learn more about the food and drinks in the local old town area, this is probably the tour to choose. It is approximately three hours, and it will be led by an expert guide. You will visit a handful of locally run restaurants along the way, and you can get a taste of what local cuisine is like.

Of course, you will get a slice of key lime pie along the way as well, but there is plenty of other delicious food, including delicious conch, from which to choose. This is a family-friendly tour, but you will also have access to adult beverages if you are of age.

If there is something specific you are looking for on the tour, you should let the guide know. He or she knows exactly what restaurants have to offer, so your guide can customize your sightseeing tours to meet your needs!

3. Key West Dolphin Watch Sunset Sail

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Tour Operator: Sebago Key West

If you are looking for a VIP experience, you should sign up for this opportunity! The tour takes place in the late afternoon and evening, and it lasts for approximately three hours. You can keep your eyes on the crest of the waves to see if there are dolphins popping out of the water to say hi!

This is a great opportunity for some beautiful photos with the gorgeous sunset as well. The tour groups are relatively small, so if this is something you are interested in, you'll definitely want to book it as early as possible.

There is also food and drinks available on the tour, and some of them are adult beverages. Despite that, this is a family-friendly experience meant for anyone who loves dolphins! If you want the best opportunity to see your bottlenose friends during your trip to the Florida Keys, consider signing up for this sunset celebration.

4. The Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

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Tour Operator: Lazy Dog Adventures

The local Key West area is famous for its mangrove trees, and you can probably see plenty of them from the Overseas Highway. If you really want to get down in the weeds to check out everything these unique trees have to offer, then you will definitely want to give this tour a try.

You will be treated to a rental kayak, and an experienced guide will go at a fairly relaxing pace, allowing you to bask in the glow of the trees as they contrast with the beautiful blue waters in the Florida Keys.

There are plenty of options from which to choose, so you can customize your experience to meet your knees. You should expect your tour to last approximately two hours, but a lot of it is dictated by how slow or fast you want to go.

This is a tour group that has a very good reputation, so consider signing up if you want to learn more about the famous mangrove trees that live in the Florida Keys!

5. Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise

Tour Operator: Sunset Watersports

If you are interested in a fun catamaran cruise, you may want to check out this option. It is meant for the whole family, it is filled with delicious food, and you will have some amazing sights along the way.

This is a dinner cruise that is filled with Caribbean flavors, so you should expect to taste some delicious tropical food along the way. You can also enjoy some live music, take in the gorgeous views, and listen to the waves roll by. This is perfect for families with children or couples looking for a romantic date.

This is a unique experience in the Florida Keys, and the entire experience will last for approximately two hours. It tends to book pretty quickly, so if you are interested in this opportunity, you should try to reserve a spot in advance.

6. Half Day Snorkel Trip on Reefs in the Florida Keys

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Tour Operator: Pirates Cove Watersports

If you are looking for a snorkeling excursion on the beautiful coral reefs, you may want to check out this option. You can enjoy a unique snorkeling experience within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Pennekamp State Park.

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is definitely not something you want to miss, and you can find it located in Key Largo. It covers approximately 70 nautical square miles, and it will drop you right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

You will be paired with a tour guide who will show you exactly where some of the most beautiful fish in the area are, and you can duck your head underneath the water to check out the amazing fish that live beneath the waves. This is one of the best opportunities to truly get a feel for the unique ecosystem in the region.

7. Miami to Key West Day Trip

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Tour Operator: Travel to Key West

Even though you can certainly fly into Key West if you would like, you might be interested in taking a day trip from Miami. Of course, the Keys are very expansive, so you need to go with a guide who understands how to get you there and back officially.

That is exactly what you will get on this amazing bus tour. During the course of the day, you will cross 42 bridges and 34 islands. You will also check out the amazing Seven Mile Bridge, with sights pointed out at the most interesting mile marker landmarks along the way.

Furthermore, if you are looking for a way to beat the heat, this is probably the tour to choose. You will be treated to some air conditioning on the bus, and you will get to sit back and relax, taking in the beautiful views of the Everglades as they go by. If you want to stay in Miami but also experience the Florida Keys, you may want to check out this tour.

If you’re up for the drive on your own, driving from Miami to Key West or vice versa makes for an epic road trip!

8. Key Largo Snorkeling Tour

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Tour Operator: Shore Excursions

If you are looking for a fun snorkeling experience in Key Largo, you may want to check out this snorkeling tour. The entire adventure lasts between two and three hours, and a tour guide will take you to some shallow areas where you can easily see everything the coral reef has to offer.

You will have the opportunity to rent a mask, fins, and vest! That way, all you have to bring is a towel and your bathing suit. Then, the tour guide will show you some of the best places in the area to see some beautiful fish!

If there is something specific you want to see, consider talking to the guide. They may be able to help you out. This is one of the most popular snorkeling tours in the local area.

9. The Key West Jet Ski Tour

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Tour Operator: Sunset Watersports

If you and your children are looking for something a bit more extreme, you may want to check out this unique Key West jet ski tour! It is one of the best opportunities in the local area, and you will get to explore everything Key West has to offer while getting the adrenaline rush you are looking for.

Of course, everyone who signs up to ride a jet ski should wear a lifejacket and be able to swim, but you will quickly check out some of the best sites in the area. Sunset Watersports also has a wide variety of different opportunities from which to choose, so if you enjoy the jet ski tour, you may want to check out some of the other watersports they have available.

This jet ski experience will last approximately two hours.

10. Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in the Florida Keys

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Tour Operator: Key West Extreme Adventures Shark Tours

Even though you will have plenty of opportunities to check out the dolphins, what about checking out the sharks? They are an important part of the area as well. This is a family-friendly tour because you do not have to worry about getting in the water to swim with the sharks. You will be able to view them from the safety of the boat.

You will go around on a catamaran cruise, and a tour guide will point out the different areas where sharks reside. You will still get an up-close and personal view of them, but you do not need to worry about getting in the water. You can get as close to them as you would like.

This is a unique experience that you should definitely consider during your trip to the Florida Keys. The entire tour will last approximately two hours.

11. Key West Full-Day Eco Tour

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Tour Operator: Sebago Key West

If you are looking for a beautiful tour of the Key West area that will show you everything the region has to offer, this is one of the best options from which to choose. It will be fun for the whole family, as you will get to sail, kayak, and snorkel along the way.

The entire area of the Gulf of Mexico is beautiful, and if you keep your eyes pointed at the water, you will gaze at some of the most beautiful marine life in the region, including stingrays and sea turtles.

This tour is an entire day, so you may want to bring a few snacks with you. Do not forget to stay hydrated. You might get the opportunity to relax on a sandbar along the way.

This Tour of Key West is truly something special, but you will be in the sun for the entire day. Therefore, make sure the children reapply sunscreen! It is easy to see why this tour of the local area has become one of the most popular options in the region!

12. Mangroves and Manatees: A Guided Eco Tour

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Tour Operator: PADDLE! The Florida Keys

If you happen to be on your very first visit to the Florida Keys, this could be the best option from which to choose. The tour guides always make sure to go at your speed, and they will even teach you how to use a kayak if you have never gotten in one before!

The goal is to not only point out some of the mangroves or manatees but also some of the other sites in the area. Regardless of whether you are staying in Marathon, Key West, Islamorada, or even Mallory Square, this is one of the best opportunities for an introduction to everything that the area has to offer.

Because this is a relatively laid-back tour, this is even a great option for families with young children. The Kayaks are easy to paddle, the guides are friendly, and the entire thing lasts about two hours. Consider checking out this option if you are looking for a tour of the area.

13. Key West Sunset Cruise

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Tour Operator: Fury Water Adventures Key West

If you are looking for a way to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ocean breeze, you may want to check out this option. This is a beautiful sunset cruise that will treat you to some of the best musicians who perform for your entertainment as you cruise through the sights.

There will be plenty of local experts who go with you, so you will have someone to whom to ask questions if you are interested in learning more about the region. If this is your first time in the local area, this could be a good tour for you, as you can talk to the guy about things you may want to learn more about later during your trip.

The entire trip lasts about two hours.

14. Guided Bicycle Tour of Old Town Key West

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Tour Operator: Key Lime Bike Tours

Are you looking for a leisurely tour that will give you an opportunity to explore some of the hidden gems of the area? If so, you may want to check out this bicycle tour. This is a laid-back adventure that is fun for the entire family, and you will get to learn more about some of the hidden spots throughout the Old Town area.

In particular, you will get to explore some amazing coffee shops, some delicious restaurants, and hidden historical gems as well. Key West is as far south as you can go without leaving the United States, so there are definitely some great cultural attractions to point out along the way.

Of course, you will get a bit of exercise as well, so this is a great way to work up an appetite to try out some of the amazing restaurants you will see along the way! If you are looking for some recommendations regarding the local area, talk to the guides on your tours of the Florida Keys!

They will have some recommendations for you to check out!

15. Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Adventure

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Tour Operator: Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat

There are lots of people who love taking a glass-bottom boat tour of aquatic life, and this is definitely one of the best options from which to choose. This is a tour that takes place in Key Largo, and it lasts approximately two hours. You will be treated to the Key Largo Princess, which is a 75-foot motorized yacht that seats 140 passengers.

Along the way, you can keep your eyes trained on the bottom of the boat, keeping track of the fishes as they go by. If you have questions about what you are seeing, you can talk to one of the staff members to learn more about the region. You can also learn more about some of the best sites to go scuba diving and snorkeling later!

If you are in the mood for a unique experience, you may want to check out this glass-bottom boat tour. All you have to do is sit there and take in the sights, so this is great for families with children as well.

16. Key West Hop-On and Hop-Off Trolley Tour

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Tour Operator: Old Town Trolley Tours Key West

If you are looking for an easy way to explore the island, you may want to check out this trolley tour. It is exactly what it sounds like! You get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the trolley as it takes you from site to site. Along the way, you can listen to some guides who will tell you more about the sites you are seeing.

Then, if something grabs your interest, you can hop off the trolley and take a closer look. You can poke around some of the most popular sites in the area, and then get back on the trolley whenever you would like. Ultimately, the exact length of the trip will depend on how many times you get on and get off, but you should expect this to last a few hours.

Because you can customize your journey to meet your needs, it is also a great option for families with children. If you want to learn more about some of the most popular local sites in Key West, you should consider signing up for this trolley tour.

Get Ready for Some Amazing Tours in the Florida Keys

Ultimately, these are just a few of the many tours that are available in the Florida Keys. Regardless of whether you want to rent a canoe or kayak, or go out on a catamaran, there is something for everyone.

You might even want to rent a jet ski, go on a sunset cruise, or take one of the charters out on a day trip! If this is your first time to the lower keys, don't forget to check out some of the amazing vacation rentals in the area! This is the best way to take advantage of everything this area has to offer.