historic harbor tours key west

Historic Harbor Tours

KWAHS Docent/Volunteer Lunch Meeting KWAHS is recruiting a new cohort of volunteer museum tour guides or docents. Founded in 1949, KWAHS operates four museums – the Fort East Martello, the […]

Karl Reutling and Sara Ayers-Rigsby l Historic Walking Tour: Key West Cemetery and Preservation About the presentation: Are you a passionate taphophile dedicated to the preservation of historical cemeteries? Come […]

About the presentation: Parades draw people together and transform collective spaces. In this lecture, you will be inspired by traditions and histories of parading from around the world considering how […]

About the presentation: We will explore how small seeds of faith planted by 16th century missionaries on a small island in a new world were nurtured into a parish, survived […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor:Rick Wheeler AKA Deadeye,  Kevin Lisinski                      Assistant: […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor: Crystal Smith                         Assistant: Gian Carlos […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) This program features a high energy […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor: Crystal Smith            Assistant: In the […]

About the presentation: The 1919 Hurricane was the fourth in a series of deadly hurricanes affecting the Florida Keys during the early 20th Century. The 1919 hurricane, which led to […]

About the presentation: Dr. Brian Magrane will take the audience back in time to 1622 when the Spanish ruled Florida waters. He will tell the story of the Atocha’s lesser […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Students will create unique works of art […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor:Crystal Smith                      Assistant: Kevin Lisinski   3……2…….1…… BLAST […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor:  Crystal Smith                  Assistant: This camp […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate children under 6 years of age.) Instructor:  Rick “Deadeye” Wheelus, Kevin Lisinsky   […]

About the Presentation: Mr. Creis will explain the establishment of Spanish La Florida in 1513 after the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon to North America, the periods when Florida […]

Join us at the Key West Theater with Philip Greene to sample Tennessee Williams and friends favorite cocktails. More Details on this entertaining and enlightening presentation coming soon Tickets on Sale […]

Ages 6-12 (Please note that due to the intensive nature of our camps, we are unable to accommodate under 6 year olds) Join us for a Maker Workshop that examines […]

Tennessee Williams Short Story Writing Competition Interested writers are invited to submit a short story of 1500 to 4000 words which includes a reference to this year’s Birthday Celebration theme […]

Tennessee Williams Poetry Competition   Poets are invited to submit a 30 line or less poem about Tennessee Williams and include reference to this years Birthday Celebration theme  “The Library”. […]

Presented by Stephen Kitsakos A discussion that illuminates the playwright’s later one-act plays. In the canon of American dramatic literature, Williams is one of the leading writers of plays, short […]

Tennessee Williams Plein Air Painting Contest March 16, 2019 On Saturday, March 16, artists of all levels are invited to participate in a plein air painting contest that celebrates the […]

Featured Film March 18, 6:30 p.m. – BOOM (1968) Starring: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton This British drama film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noël Coward  was adapted from […]

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Curator Tour of the Tennessee Williams Museum Key West Art & Historical Society is offering a Curator-led tour of the Tennessee Williams Museum. Led by Curator, Dennis Beaver, will provide […]

Featured Film March 25, 6:30 p.m. – SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH (1962) Starring: Paul Newman, Ed Begley and Geraldine Page  A drama film based on the Tennessee Williams Broadway play […]

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TENNESSEE WILLIAMS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION March 27, 2018 | 5:30pm-7:00pm Tennessee Williams Museum 513 Truman Avenue Contest Award Presentations Prosecco and Birthday Cake $10 Donation

Underwater: Two One-Act plays by Tennessee Williams Two performances: March 31 and April 1, 7:30pm Directed by Stephen Kitsakos Continuing to present lesser known works by the great American playwright, […]

Presented by Laura Albritton and Jerry Wilkinson What if the Overseas Railroad had never reached Key West? In their presentation the “Great Key West Extension Scare,” Florida Keys historian Jerry […]

The Key West Art & Historical Society is excited to partner with the BottleCap Lounge for a series of fun historical lectures entitled ‘Happy Hour with the Historian’. Attendees will […]

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for Key West Art & Historical Society’s first trivia night fundraiser. Spots are LIMITED, so don’t delay, register your team today! Grab your friends, colleagues and […]

The Key West Art & Historical Society is excited to partner with the BottleCap Lounge for a series of fun historical lectures entitled ‘Happy Hour with the Historian’. Attendees will […]

About the presentation: Are you a passionate taphophile dedicated to the preservation of historical cemeteries?  Come learn how to protect these living museums with the Florida Public Archaeology Network on […]

About the presentation: A resident of Key West from early Florida statehood to Reconstruction. Lived in slavery for decades in the East and arose to prominence in the deepest south. […]

About the Presentation: Participants will learn about the fires that forged Key West, including the Great Fire of 1886. About the Presenter: Alex Vega is the Executive Director of the […]

How does a play date at a 150-year-old fort sound? In this toddler-centric Parent and Me class your child will explore and discover through hands-on play experiences. Every Tuesday and […]

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Join Annamarie Giordano on Tuesday mornings for drop-in life drawing sessions featuring nude models in short and long poses.  The 3-hour workshops are open to all levels of artists.  Select […]

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historic harbor tours key west

The mission of The Key West Art & Historical Society is to preserve the culture of the Florida Keys through exhibiting and displaying regional art, architecture and history for the purpose of educating the community and visiting public.

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Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

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historic harbor tours key west

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Historic Harbor Tours Key West: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

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HISTORIC HARBOR TOURS KEY WEST: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

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historic harbor tours key west

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HISTORIC HARBOR TOURS KEY WEST - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

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Historic Harbor Tours Key West - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Florida Rambler

Key West Seaport: One of the best scenic walks in Key West

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: August 28, 2023

Key West is compact, and yet plenty of visitors miss the best parts because they stick to Duval Street and Mallory Square.

One of the most scenic strolls in Key West — and a top freebie — is the harborwalk along the Key West Historic Seaport, also known as the Key West Bight.

Aerial view of Key West Seaport.

From picturesque schooners to hungry tarpon to historic exhibits to the best happy hour specials in town, the Key West Historic Seaport has plenty to offer a visitor.

Key West Historic Seaport is your entryway to dozens of nautical adventures, too, including at least 20 sunset cruises, kayak and boat rentals, snorkeling and scuba outings, fishing charters and the wonderful day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.

History of Key West Historic Seaport

Sea turtles on Key West Historic Seaport dock after their removal from the turtle boat in 1966. (Photo from Florida Memory Project.)

The Key West Historic Seaport’s original name was Key West Bight. (A bight is a curve or bend in a shoreline or a loop in a rope.)

It first became an attraction to tourists in the 1940s for what we now find to be a rather sad reason – ships came here to unload boatloads of sea turtles for delivery to canning factories and people gathered to watch the spectacle.

The turtles – usually the rarer green turtles — were stacked on their backs and kept alive until they were butchered for processing. Shallow pens in the water called turtle crawls or kraals lined the seaport and canning factories hugged the waterfront.

Shrimp boats in Key West Historic Seaport in the 1960s. (Photo: Florida Memory Project)

The sea turtle population dwindled and finally sea turtles were protected in 1971. (Green turtles are still endangered species here.) What’s left of the turtle trade is the historic Turtle Kraals Restaurant and Bar on the site of the former Granday Turtle Cannery.

The best thing about the Turtle Kraals Restaurant ? Its Tower Bar . This open-air roof bar has a spectacular unobstructed view of the harbor. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and see all the sunset cruises head out. Because it’s on the second floor, it’s easy to miss and thus folks feel like it’s their secret spot.

Three other enterprises kept the Key West Historic Seaport bustling during the 19 th and 20 th centuries – sponge fishing in the late 1800s (there were once 119 sponging vessels employing a thousand people); shrimping during the last half of the 20 th  Century (there were 500 shrimp boats pursuing “pink gold”) and commercial fishing.

In all cases, however, the story was the same: over-fishing, over-shrimping, over-sponging until supplies were nearly exhausted. 

By 1992, turtle fishing and sponging were done and the remaining shrimping and commercial fishing boats had moved to cheaper harborage elsewhere in the Florida Keys.

Rather than allow the scenic harbor to decline into seediness or be taken over by a hotel or resort, the citizens agreed to have the city acquire it.  Since then, Key West has preserved the flavor of the seaport, added historical markers and enhanced the walkway.

A view along the harbor walk of Key West Historic Seaport. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Highlights of Key West Historic Seaport

The best way to experience the seaport is to wander and linger. The harborwalk is about a mile along the water from Whiting Street to Front Street.

At the Key West Historic Seaport, charter captains cleaning their fish attract schools of large tarpon. Note one surfacing at bottom left

A few things to look for:

  • Slow down and peer into the water.  Huge tarpon hang out looking for handouts and manatees bob up occasionally. In front of Alonzo’s Oyster House at the foot of Front Street, tarpon are fed every day at 4 p.m.

Late in the afternoon when the fishing charters come back, it’s fun to see what they caught, watch workers filet the fish and fend off the ever-present pelicans.

Late in the afternoon when the fishing charters come back to the Key West Historic Seaport, it’s fun to see what they caught. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

  • Happy hour in the harbor is widely celebrated and is a great bargain. We recommend Alonzo’s Oyster House , which has outdoor seating on the harbor and offers half priced drinks and appetizers from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every day. Their appetizer page includes clams and oysters,  peel-and-eat shrimp, fish fingers as well as sides such as coleslaw and conch chowder. It’s easy to make this dinner, and it may be the best restaurant buy in Key West. Other harbor restaurants also have happy hour specials. Alonzo’s is at 700 Front St.
  • Another popular half-price happy hour is at the Half Shell Raw Bar , 231 Margaret St. The  Half Shell is iconic: worn-out bar stools, license-plate decor, a taxidermy sailfish on the wall.  It’s such a classic that country music’s Kenny Chesney used a photo of it for the cover art to the single, “When I See This Bar,” off the album, “Life on a Rock.” Yelpers rave about the seafood quality and happy hour prices.
  • There are always beautiful and historic boats in the harbor. One such beauty is the schooner Hindu , a 79-foot sailboat built in 1925. Hindu has had four names and as many roles over the years, including serving in World War II cruising for U-boats.  After coming to Key West, its owner lost the boat to bank foreclosure and it fell into disrepair. In 2011, William Rowan bought “Hindu” from the bank and began restoration work. Hindu offers sunset and daytime sails in the winter in Key West and heads to Provincetown in the summer. Hindu is now joined by two other classic boats in the family.

In front of Alonzo’s Oyster House at the foot of Front Street, tarpons are fed every day at 4 p.m.

Other tall ships include the two-masted Appledore Schooners II and V, which specialize in sunset cruises.

Sunset cruises from Key West Historic Seaport

Sunset cruises from Key West Historic Seaport sail by Fort Zachary Taylor. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

If you are interested in a sunset cruise (and it’s a great way to enjoy a sunset), shop around. There are many variations on the theme.

Some are “all you can drink” cruises. The pirate-themed Jolly II Rover schooner  is prominent with its jaunty red sails. Some cruises are on historic sailboats with champagne. Others are on catamaran party boats that critics say look like giant toaster ovens. Some are party boats with DJs and dancing; others are small and quiet.

Watch for promotions and discounts, though, as it is a competitive business.

Resources for a visit to Key West Historic Seaport

  • Official site of seaport

Sunset cruises and other boat outings from Key West Historic Seaport

  • Classic Harbor Line for Beacon and America 2.0
  • Jolly II Rover schooner
  • Sunset Watersports

More things to do in Key West

  • Free things to do in Key West
  • Key West on a budget : Accommodations, restaurants
  • Key West Butterfly Conservatory : A tranquil stop
  • Audubon House , a lovely refuge in Key West
  • Fort Zachary Taylor
  • Hogfish Grill:  Where Key West locals go for fresh fish
  • Key West chickens
  • Key West Tropical Forest and Botanic Garden : It will charm plant lovers
  • Bike trail from Key West along Overseas Highway
  • Authentic souvenirs in Key West
  • Key West bars loved by locals
  • Historic Key West cemetery

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

This page contains affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a sall commission when a purchase is made. This revenue supports our mission to produce quality stories about Florida at no cost to you.

Bonnie Gross

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

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historic harbor tours key west

Similar Experiences

historic harbor tours key west

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Lisa P

HISTORIC HARBOR TOURS KEY WEST - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Historic Harbor Tours Key West

historic harbor tours key west

  • See all photos

historic harbor tours key west

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historic harbor tours key west

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mark S

HISTORIC HARBOR TOURS KEY WEST - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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  1. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    About. Historic Harbor Tours Key West is the Premier narrated harbor tour in Key west. We provide an in-depth history tour of the island of Key West's unique naval and maritime background in a convenient 1.5 hour cruise.Relax on our cushions and our spacious vessel and enjoy our craft beer selection. We also offer custom charters for private ...

  2. Historic Harbor Tours

    SEARCH. ©2023 The Key West Art & Historical Society | 281 Front Street, Key West, FL| 305-295-6616| EIN: 59-0660461 | Website Design by Gravitate. ×. The Key West Art & Historical Society maintains the culture of the Florida Keys through exhibits and education programs. Learn more on our Historic Harbor Tours page.

  3. Historic Harbor Tour 2023

    Day Cruises in Key West: Check out 225 reviews and photos of Viator's Historic Harbor Tour. a Tripadvisor company. en $ USD. Help. Bookings. Account. Book online or call: (888) 651-9785. Home; Things to do in USA; Things to do in Florida ... 2/19/20 My husband and I took the Historic Harbour Tour.This was an amazing tour of the Key West Harbour ...

  4. Historic Harbor Tour

    1.5 Hour Narrated Harbor Tour. See the True Southernmost Point of the Island. Pass into the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. Cruise Around Exclusive Sunset Key. Hear the History of the United States Coast Guard. Pass by the Old Railroad Terminal Where Flagler's Railroad Ended in Key West. See the Famed Trumbo Point Naval Air Station.

  5. Historic Harbor Tours Key West: All You Need to Know

    Historic Harbor Tours Key West is the Premier narrated harbor tour in Key west. We provide an in-depth history tour of the island of Key West's unique naval and maritime background in a convenient 1.5 hour cruise.Relax on our cushions and our spacious vessel and enjoy our craft beer selection. We also offer custom charters for private events ...

  6. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    Historic Harbor Tours Key West, Key West: See 315 reviews, articles, and 94 photos of Historic Harbor Tours Key West, ranked No.161 on Tripadvisor among 161 attractions in Key West.

  7. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    Feb 26, 2024 - Historic Harbor Tours Key West is the Premier narrated harbor tour in Key west. We provide an in-depth history tour of the island of Key West's unique naval and maritime background in a convenient ...

  8. Historic Harbor Tour 2023

    The best way to see Key West is from the water that makes the area famous. This Key West sightseeing tour is a great way to get your fix of great stories and better views—learn about local history on this fully narrated tour while admiring crystal waters and white-sand shores.

  9. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    Historic Harbor Tours Key West, Key West, Florida. 1,104 likes · 82 were here. Forts, shipwrecks, lighthouses and legends—Key West Harbor has it all, and you can learn about it on this fully narrated...

  10. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    Historic Harbor Tours Key West, Key West: See 315 reviews, articles, and 95 photos of Historic Harbor Tours Key West, ranked No.155 on Tripadvisor among 155 attractions in Key West.

  11. 2024 Historic Harbor Tour provided by Historic Harbor Tours Key West

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  12. HISTORIC HARBOR TOURS KEY WEST

    Read Historic Harbor Tours Key West reviews from real travellers and get information on what you need to know before you visit.

  13. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

    Historic Harbor Tours Key West, Key West: See 315 reviews, articles, and 94 photos of Historic Harbor Tours Key West, ranked No.161 on Tripadvisor among 161 attractions in Key West.

  14. Key West Historic Seaport: A delightful stroll in Key West

    The Key West Historic Seaport's original name was Key West Bight. (A bight is a curve or bend in a shoreline or a loop in a rope.) It first became an attraction to tourists in the 1940s for what we now find to be a rather sad reason - ships came here to unload boatloads of sea turtles for delivery to canning factories and people gathered to watch the spectacle.

  15. Historic Harbor Tour 2023

    The best way to see Key West is from the water that makes the area famous. This Key West sightseeing tour is a great way to get your fix of great stories and better views—learn about local history on this fully narrated tour while admiring crystal waters and white-sand shores.

  16. Historic Harbor Tours Key West

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    Key West. Key West Tourism Key West Hotels Key West Bed and Breakfast Key West Holiday Rentals Flights to Key West Key West Restaurants Key West Attractions Key West Travel Forum Key West Pictures Key West Map.

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  21. Historic Harbor Tour 2022

    Forts, shipwrecks, lighthouses and legends—Key West Harbor has it all, and you can learn about it on this fully narrated sightseeing cruise. Sail with us and relive the history that makes this unique Island so special. Key West is awash in legend and lore. Not to mention beauty. On this fully narrated 90-minute tour, we'll regale you with the Naval History of Key West, local legends of the ...

  22. Key West Historic Seaport

    The Key West Historic Seaport has something to offer people of all ages. What has been a global maritime trade base for the last 200 years is now also home to a 20-acre facility that hosts many of Key West's finest attractions. At the Key West Historic Seaport, you will find restaurants offering some of the freshest seafood on the island, one ...