Looking for something fun and unique to do in Key West? How about cruising around the island on a floating tiki bar?
Imagine sipping a tropical drink, listening to your favorite music, and taking in the views of Key West, all while seated at a tiki bar that’s actually a boat.
We’ve done this twice, once during the day and once at sunset, and it remains one of our favorite experiences in Key West. Here’s what it’s like to cruise around Key West on a floating tiki boat, plus everything you need to know to plan your own trip.
October 2026: We updated this guide with current Cruisin’ Tikis tour options, starting prices, departure locations, and booking tips, plus our recommendation for choosing the best cruise.
What’s a Tiki Boat?
A tiki boat, also called a Cruisin’ Tiki, is a floating tiki bar, equipped with barstools, speakers to play your own music, and a captain who will sail your boat in and around Key West. Because of its unique shape and small motor, you slowly drift and bounce over the crystal clear waters of Key West. It’s a fun, relaxing way to spend an afternoon or to watch one of Key West’s legendary sunsets.
Our Experience
On a Saturday morning, Tim and I were wandering around the Key West harbor, looking for something fun to do. With perfect timing, a floating tiki boat pulled up to the dock.
At first, we couldn’t believe what we were seeing. A floating tiki bar? What a revolutionary idea!
It took us completely by surprise. We didn’t even know that this was a “thing” you could do.
The boat just happened to be making a quick pit stop, giving us the chance to talk to the captain. Good luck was on our side and we were able to reserve the afternoon time slot.
My mother, Kathy, and my brother, Thomas, joined us for a 2-hour ride through the crystal clear waters around Key West. Cruisin’ Tikis provides water, ice, cups, and soft drinks, but no food and no alcohol. We purchased Pilar rum in town, more soft drinks, and snacks.
At 2 pm, we boarded the tiki boat at Mellow Café and Gastropub, the docking point for the tiki boat.
For two hours the four of us, and our captain Diana, cruised from Mellow Cafe to Mallory Square and back. It was a very windy day, which created choppy conditions, but the tiki boat just puttered along without any problems.
Along the way we searched for iguanas in the mangrove trees, enjoyed the views, and attracted a lot of stares from people on land. How often do you get to see a tiki boat drifting just offshore of Key West?
The entire excursion was a blast. In fact, it was our favorite thing to do in Key West in 2018 and we did it again on our most recent visit to Key West.
Key West Sunset Cruise on the Cruisin’ Tiki Boat
On our second cruise with Cruisin’ Tikis Key West, to do something different, we booked the sunset cruise. Once again, we were visiting Key West with family. My Uncle Mark, Aunt Missy, cousin Becky and her husband Kevin joined Tim and I on this cruise.
The sunset cruise that we did started in the Historic Seaport. For an hour an a half, we cruised out towards Mallory Square, around Sunset Key, and then watched the sunset near Wisteria Island. There are several other tiki boats that also do sunset cruises, as you can see in our photos below.
I enjoyed the sunset cruise more than the daytime cruise we did in 2018. Both are wonderful and tons of fun, but if you want to watch the sunset from the water, this is a fun, unique way to do it. So, gather up some friends or family members and book your tiki cruise in Key West.
Sunset Key
About Cruisin’ Tikis Key West
Cruisin’ Tikis Key West has been in business since January 2018. We first did this in February 2018, when it was still a relatively new attraction, and enjoyed it so much that we did it again in December 2021. Since then, floating tiki boats have become a popular way to explore Key West, and the concept has expanded to other cities in the USA.
Each tiki boat holds up to six passengers. You can book individual seats or reserve an entire boat for a private cruise.
All cruises are BYOB (bring your own beverages). You can also bring snacks or food. Cruisin’ Tikis provides a captain, coolers with ice, cups, water, soft drinks, and a Bluetooth speaker so you can play your own music.
There is no bathroom on board, so be sure to use the restroom before your cruise.
Children are allowed on the boat. I know that Tyler and Kara would have loved this, but unfortunately we visited Key West without them.
Which Tiki Cruise Do We Recommend?
We’ve done both a daytime cruise and a sunset cruise, and while both were a lot of fun, the sunset cruise was our favorite. Watching the sun set over the water, with Key West and the surrounding islands in the distance, was a memorable experience.
If you’re visiting Key West for the first time, we’d recommend the sunset cruise. If you prefer a daytime activity, the Seaport Cruise is a great alternative. And if you want to get in the water, consider one of the swim stop cruises.
Whichever you choose, we recommend booking in advance, particularly if you’re visiting during peak tourist season. Each tiki boat holds only six passengers, so space is limited.
Cruisin’ Tikis Tour Options
Cruisin’ Tikis offers several different cruises, including daytime sightseeing, sunset cruises, and trips with swimming stops.
- Makai Daytime Cruise: A one-hour cruise departing from the Historic Seaport, starting at $59.95 per person.
- Seaport Cruise: A two-hour sightseeing cruise past the Historic Seaport, Sunset Pier, and Mallory Square, starting at $74.95 per person.
- Sunset Cruise: Watch the sunset from the water on a 1.5 or 2-hour cruise, starting at $79.95 per person.
- Swim Stop/Mini Sandbar Cruise: Spend 2 to 2.5 hours cruising and swimming in the waters around Key West, starting at $74.95 per person.
Private charters are also available, with a maximum of six passengers per tiki boat.
Cruises depart from two locations: Mac’s Place Dock (1605 N. Roosevelt Boulevard) and Schooner Wharf Dock (202 William Street), near the Historic Seaport.
Prices, departure times, and cruise offerings are subject to change. Visit the official Cruisin’ Tikis website for current prices and to reserve your cruise.
Plan Your Trip to Key West
- Exploring more of Florida? → Visit our Florida Travel Guide for more places to visit, itineraries, and travel tips.
- Looking for more things to do? → Our Best Things to Do in Key West guide covers our favorite experiences, beaches, historic sights, and more, based on four visits.
- Looking for great places to eat? → Check out our Best Restaurants in Key West guide for our favorite restaurants, bars, and places to try Key lime pie.
- Planning a Florida Keys road trip? → Follow our Florida Keys Itinerary for a scenic drive from Miami to Key West, with plenty of great stops along the way.
Does this look like something you want to do? Comment below if you have any questions or comments!
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