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Fort Lauderdale to Key West by Boat: Overnight & Multi-Day Charters
Fort Lauderdale to Key West Yacht Charter
The full run south to the southernmost city. Fort Lauderdale to Key West by boat is about 155 miles down the island chain, done as an overnight or multi-day charter by private yacht, captain and crew included. No passport needed.
Captain and crew the whole way. Domestic trip, no passport required.
AS SEEN IN
PRIVATE FORT LAUDERDALE TO KEY WEST CHARTERS
Fort Lauderdale to Key West by Private Yacht Charter
Key West sits about 155 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, at the very end of the Florida Keys. A private Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter runs that distance down Hawk Channel in roughly 7 to 9 hours on a fast vessel, past Miami, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon. Because it is the farthest Key from Fort Lauderdale, the trip is done as an overnight or multi-day charter rather than a day out. Every trip departs from a deep-water marina in Fort Lauderdale, fully crewed and private to your group.
Because Key West is home water, there is no passport, no customs, and no crossing to clear, unlike a run to the Bahamas. The captain stages the passage around the forecast, then Key West opens up: Duval Street and Old Town, the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor, and the reef at Sand Key. On a longer charter the remote Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson sit farther west. A Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat trip runs as a single overnight or as a multi-day route down the chain.
A Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat charter is quoted per trip rather than at a fixed rate. The vessel, the number of nights, the group size, and add-ons such as a private chef and an open bar all factor in. Share your dates and plan via WhatsApp and we build the quote.
Key West Fleet
Yachts for the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Run
Offshore-capable yachts with the range and cabins for the run south to Key West. Captain and crew on every booking. A faster vessel shortens the passage, and cabins mean the trip can run as an overnight or multi-day charter.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How a Fort Lauderdale to Key West Yacht Charter Works
A Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter is the full run down the island chain to the southernmost city. Here is what every trip includes, from the marina to the dock in Old Town Key West.
PLAN YOUR TRIP155 MILES SOUTH
The Full Run to the Southernmost City
Key West sits at the very end of the island chain, roughly 155 miles south of Fort Lauderdale by water. On a fast motor yacht the run takes about 7 to 9 hours, clearing Port Everglades and running down Hawk Channel past Miami, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon. It is the farthest of the Keys from Fort Lauderdale, which is why a Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter is an overnight or multi-day trip rather than a single day out. The distance is much the same from the city, so the Miami to Key West route runs the same overnight passage.
OVERNIGHT OR MULTI-DAY
Stay Aboard or in Key West, Not There and Back in a Day
Because Key West is 7 to 9 hours away by boat, it is not a there-and-back day trip on a private yacht. The natural way to do it is an overnight or multi-day charter: run down one day, spend a night aboard or dockside in Key West, and enjoy the town and the reefs before the run home. A multi-day route can stop at Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon along the way.
NO PASSPORT, DOMESTIC
The Keys Are Home Water, So You Just Cast Off
Unlike a Fort Lauderdale to Bimini crossing, Key West is part of Florida, so a Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter is entirely domestic. There is no passport, no customs, and no international paperwork. The captain simply plans the passage and the overnight around the forecast, and your group is on the water the moment you board.
COMPLETELY PRIVATE
One Group, One Vessel, No Other Passengers
Every Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat charter is a completely private booking. No shared passengers, no ferry format, no other guests on board. Your group has the vessel, the captain, and the crew exclusively for the whole run south to Key West and back.
THE SOUTHERNMOST CITY
Duval Street, Mallory Square, and the Sunset Scene
Key West is a destination in its own right: Duval Street, the nightly sunset celebration at Mallory Square, the Southernmost Point marker, and Fort Zachary Taylor. The yacht docks in the heart of Old Town or anchors nearby, so the town is a short step away and the famous Key West sunset is best seen from the water.
REEFS AND THE DRY TORTUGAS
Sand Key, the Reef, and Fort Jefferson Beyond
Off Key West the reef opens up at Sand Key and the Western Sambo for clear snorkeling and scuba diving. On a longer charter the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson sit about 70 miles farther west, one of the most remote and rewarding anchorages in the country, reachable only by boat.
DEPARTURE POINTS
Fort Lauderdale Marinas for the Run to Key West
Fort Lauderdale to Key West charters depart from deep-water marinas in Fort Lauderdale. We assign the departure point closest to you and suited to the vessel for the long run south.
Select a marina to see the location
Bahia Mar Yachting Center
Fort Lauderdale Beach
The best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach. From Bahia Mar the yacht clears the Port Everglades inlet and heads south down the coast toward the Keys, a primary start for the long run to Key West.
A deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway near Rio Vista, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A natural departure for the larger vessels used on the run to Key West, with deep-water berths for offshore-capable yachts.
A modern marina on the barrier island beside Las Olas Beach, a short hop from the Port Everglades inlet. Convenient for guests staying along the Las Olas corridor or downtown before the run south to Key West.
A beachside marina on Seabreeze Boulevard just north of Bahia Mar, close to the beach hotels and the Coral Ridge area. A convenient departure with quick access to the Port Everglades inlet and the run south.
View Harbor Beach yacht charters- Bahia Mar Yachting CenterFort Lauderdale BeachThe best-known marina in Fort Lauderdale, on Seabreeze Boulevard at Fort Lauderdale Beach. From Bahia Mar the yacht clears the Port Everglades inlet and heads south down the coast toward the Keys, a primary start for the long run to Key West.Harbor Beach yacht charters
- Pier Sixty-Six Marina17th Street, Fort LauderdaleA deep-water mega-yacht marina on the Intracoastal at the 17th Street Causeway near Rio Vista, minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. A natural departure for the larger vessels used on the run to Key West, with deep-water berths for offshore-capable yachts.Rio Vista yacht charters
- Las Olas MarinaLas Olas Beach, Fort LauderdaleA modern marina on the barrier island beside Las Olas Beach, a short hop from the Port Everglades inlet. Convenient for guests staying along the Las Olas corridor or downtown before the run south to Key West.Las Olas yacht charters
- Hall of Fame MarinaSeabreeze Boulevard, Fort LauderdaleA beachside marina on Seabreeze Boulevard just north of Bahia Mar, close to the beach hotels and the Coral Ridge area. A convenient departure with quick access to the Port Everglades inlet and the run south.Coral Ridge yacht charters
BOOKING PROCESS
How to Plan a Fort Lauderdale to Key West Yacht Charter
01
Share Your Dates, Group Size, and Nights
Contact us via WhatsApp with your preferred dates, how many guests will be aboard, and how many nights you have in mind. Because Key West is an overnight or multi-day trip, we respond with available vessels and a route recommendation matched to your group and timeline.
02
Receive an Offshore Vessel Shortlist
We send a curated list of yachts with the range and cabins for the run to Key West and your group size. Options range from the Lazzara LSX 75 and Azimut 105 to the Azimut 116 and Pershing GTX 116. A faster vessel shortens the passage, and cabins mean you can sleep aboard.
03
Plan the Route and the Nights
We finalize the route and how many nights you have: a direct overnight run to Key West and back, or a multi-day route with stops at Key Largo and Islamorada on the way down. The captain stages the passage around the marine forecast so the days on the water stay comfortable.
04
Arrange Dockage, Catering, and Add-Ons
We confirm dockage in Key West or the overnight anchorage, and coordinate provisioning, a private chef, an open bar package, and any celebration setup for the trip. Everything is loaded before departure so nothing is left to arrange on the water.
05
Confirm with a Deposit and Receive Your Charter Agreement
Secure the vessel and dates with a deposit. You receive a full charter agreement covering the Fort Lauderdale marina address, boarding time, captain contact, the route, and everything included. The captain monitors the marine forecast and confirms the departure window ahead of the trip.
06
Board, Run South, and Wake Up in Key West
Board at the Fort Lauderdale marina with everything loaded, clear Port Everglades and run south down the chain with no passport or customs to arrange, and spend the night aboard or dockside in Key West. The crew handles navigation and the overnight the whole way. See the full range of trips on the Florida Keys charters hub.
WHERE YOU WILL GO
What to See After the Run to Key West
Key West packs Old Town, the sunset scene, historic landmarks, and clear reefs into the end of the island chain. These are the stops most requested on a Fort Lauderdale to Key West charter or a longer multi-day route.
Select a spot to see where it is
Mallory Square
Sunset CelebrationMallory Square hosts the nightly Sunset Celebration, a Key West institution of street performers, artists, and crowds gathering to watch the sun drop into the Gulf. From a yacht anchored off Old Town, the same sunset is yours from the water, away from the crowd, with the town lit up behind it.
Duval Street runs the length of Old Town Key West, lined with bars, restaurants, galleries, and historic conch houses. With the yacht docked in the heart of Key West, the whole of Old Town, from the Hemingway House to the bars of Duval, is a short walk from the boat.
The Southernmost Point buoy marks the closest spot in the continental United States to Cuba, just 90 miles away. It is the most photographed landmark in Key West and an easy walk from an Old Town dock, the classic marker that you have reached the very end of the island chain.
Fort Zachary Taylor is a Civil War-era fort and the best beach in Key West, with clear water and a nearby reef that make it a favorite swim and snorkel spot. The state park sits on the southwestern tip of the island, an easy stop from the anchorage or the dock.
Sand Key, marked by its offshore lighthouse a few miles south of Key West, is one of the clearest reefs in the Lower Keys. The shallow coral and abundant fish make it a standout snorkel and dive site, an easy morning run from the Key West anchorage before a day in town.
About 70 miles west of Key West lie the Dry Tortugas and the vast brick Fort Jefferson, reachable only by boat or seaplane. On an extended multi-day charter, the crystal water, empty beaches, and world-class snorkeling make it one of the most remote and rewarding anchorages in the country.
- Mallory SquareSunset CelebrationMallory Square hosts the nightly Sunset Celebration, a Key West institution of street performers, artists, and crowds gathering to watch the sun drop into the Gulf. From a yacht anchored off Old Town, the same sunset is yours from the water, away from the crowd, with the town lit up behind it.
- Duval Street & Old TownHistoric Old TownDuval Street runs the length of Old Town Key West, lined with bars, restaurants, galleries, and historic conch houses. With the yacht docked in the heart of Key West, the whole of Old Town, from the Hemingway House to the bars of Duval, is a short walk from the boat.
- Southernmost PointLandmarkThe Southernmost Point buoy marks the closest spot in the continental United States to Cuba, just 90 miles away. It is the most photographed landmark in Key West and an easy walk from an Old Town dock, the classic marker that you have reached the very end of the island chain.
- Fort Zachary TaylorBeach & FortFort Zachary Taylor is a Civil War-era fort and the best beach in Key West, with clear water and a nearby reef that make it a favorite swim and snorkel spot. The state park sits on the southwestern tip of the island, an easy stop from the anchorage or the dock.
- Sand Key ReefSnorkel & DiveSand Key, marked by its offshore lighthouse a few miles south of Key West, is one of the clearest reefs in the Lower Keys. The shallow coral and abundant fish make it a standout snorkel and dive site, an easy morning run from the Key West anchorage before a day in town.
- Dry Tortugas & Fort JeffersonExtended CharterAbout 70 miles west of Key West lie the Dry Tortugas and the vast brick Fort Jefferson, reachable only by boat or seaplane. On an extended multi-day charter, the crystal water, empty beaches, and world-class snorkeling make it one of the most remote and rewarding anchorages in the country.
PLAN YOUR KEY WEST TRIP
Ready to Charter a Yacht from Fort Lauderdale to Key West?
Tell us your dates, how many guests, and how many nights you have. We recommend a vessel, build the itinerary, and quote the trip. Everything from the Fort Lauderdale marina to the dock in Key West is handled.
MESSAGE ON WHATSAPPFORT LAUDERDALE TO KEY WEST YACHT CHARTER
Fort Lauderdale to Key West by Private Yacht: The Run to the End of the Chain
Crown Yachts Miami runs private, crewed Fort Lauderdale to Key West charters. Every booking is fully private, fully crewed, and managed from first inquiry to the dock in Old Town Key West.
Fort Lauderdale to Key West Yacht Charter: 155 Miles to the Southernmost City
A 7 to 9-hour run down the chain
A Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter is the full run down the Florida Keys. The island sits about 155 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, a 7 to 9-hour passage on a fast yacht, so the trip is done as an overnight or multi-day charter. Crown Yachts operates private yachts with the range and cabins for the passage, departing from Fort Lauderdale Beach or the nearest marina to your group. For the full island guide, see the Key West yacht charter page.
Key West by Yacht: Duval Street and the Mallory Square Sunset
A destination in its own right
With the yacht docked in Old Town or anchored just off it, all of Key West is a short step away: Duval Street, the Southernmost Point, Fort Zachary Taylor, and the nightly Mallory Square sunset celebration, which is best watched from the water. On a longer trip the reef at Sand Key and the remote Dry Tortugas open up. Trips include full provisioning, a private chef, and open bar service loaded before departure.
Fort Lauderdale to Key West by Boat: Home Water, No Border to Cross
A fully domestic trip, no passport required
Unlike a run to the Bahamas, the Keys are part of the United States, so there is no passport, no customs, and no international paperwork on a Fort Lauderdale to Key West charter. The captain and crew handle the passage, the navigation, and the overnight while you enjoy the trip. A relaxed snorkeling day or a sunset cruise can shape the time on the water.
Fort Lauderdale to Key West Boat Trip: Overnight, or the Full Chain and the Dry Tortugas
From a single overnight to a multi-day expedition
Key West can be a single overnight run down and back, or the anchor of a longer route with stops at Key Largo and Islamorada on the way, with time for a relaxed sandbar stop along the chain. On an extended charter the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson sit farther west. For a milestone celebration or a bucket-list trip down the chain, Crown Yachts coordinates the vessel, the route, the dockage, and the crew service. See the full range on the Florida Keys charters hub.
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FAQ
Fort Lauderdale to Key West Yacht Charter FAQ
- How long from Fort Lauderdale to Key West by boat?
- A boat from Fort Lauderdale to Key West covers roughly 155 miles by water, about 7 to 9 hours on a fast motor yacht depending on vessel speed and sea conditions. The route runs south down Hawk Channel past Miami, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon to the very end of the island chain. Key West is the farthest of the Keys from Fort Lauderdale, which is why the trip is done as an overnight or multi-day charter rather than a single day on the water. On a private yacht your captain plans the passage window for the smoothest conditions and handles all the navigation.
- Can I do a Fort Lauderdale to Key West day trip by boat?
- Not comfortably on a private yacht. At about 155 miles and 7 to 9 hours each way, a there-and-back Fort Lauderdale to Key West day trip would be almost all passage and little time in town. The practical way to do it by private boat is an overnight or multi-day charter: run down one day, stay a night aboard or dockside, and enjoy Key West before the run home. If you want a true day trip closer to home, a Key Largo or Islamorada run is the better fit.
- Do I need a passport for a Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter?
- No. Key West is part of the Florida Keys and the United States, so a Fort Lauderdale to Key West charter is entirely domestic. There is no passport, no customs, and no international paperwork, unlike a Bimini crossing. You just board in Fort Lauderdale and cast off.
- Where in Fort Lauderdale do Key West charters depart from?
- Our Fort Lauderdale to Key West charters depart from deep-water marinas suited to the longer run. Bahia Mar and Pier Sixty-Six berth the larger offshore-capable vessels, with Las Olas Marina and Hall of Fame Marina near the beach. All sit minutes from the Port Everglades inlet. We recommend the departure point closest to where you are staying. See every route on the Florida Keys charters hub.
- How much does a Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter cost?
- A Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat charter is quoted per trip rather than at a fixed rate, because the total depends on the vessel, the number of nights, the group size, and the add-ons. An overnight run and a multi-day route price differently, and dockage, provisioning, a private chef, and an open bar all factor in. Share your dates, group size, and how many nights you have via WhatsApp, and we build a quote tailored to your trip. Browse the fleet.
- Can I book a Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat charter or boat trip?
- Yes. A Fort Lauderdale to Key West boat charter is a private, crewed vessel for the run south, and a boat trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West runs as an overnight or multi-day charter. Whether you search for a yacht charter from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, a private yacht charter from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, or a boat charter from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, the captain, crew, and fuel are all included. You never drive the boat yourself.
- What is there to see and do in Key West?
- Key West is a destination in itself. The classics are the Mallory Square sunset celebration, Duval Street and Old Town, the Southernmost Point marker, and Fort Zachary Taylor. On the water there is snorkeling at Sand Key reef and, on a longer charter, the remote Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson. The famous Key West sunset is best seen from the yacht.
- Can I extend a Key West charter to the Dry Tortugas?
- Yes. On a longer multi-day charter the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson, about 70 miles west of Key West, are one of the most rewarding anchorages in the country, reachable only by boat. It adds time to the trip and needs settled weather, so we plan it as part of a multi-day itinerary with the captain timing the run around the forecast.
- What is the best time of year for a Fort Lauderdale to Key West charter?
- Key West is a year-round destination. Late fall through spring generally brings the calmest seas and the most comfortable passage down the chain, along with the liveliest season in town. Summer brings warm water and long days. The captain always makes the final call on conditions and picks the departure window with the smoothest water for the run south.
- What is included in a Fort Lauderdale to Key West yacht charter?
- Every Fort Lauderdale to Key West charter includes a licensed captain and professional crew, fuel for the run, all navigation and safety equipment, and the overnight anchorage or dockage coordination. A private chef, full catering and open bar, snorkel gear, and celebration decoration are available as add-ons and pre-loaded before departure from Fort Lauderdale.
Ready to Charter a Private Yacht from Fort Lauderdale to Key West?
The full run to the southernmost city, done in style. Tell us your dates, group size, and how many nights you have. We recommend a vessel, build the itinerary, and handle everything from the Fort Lauderdale marina to the dock in Key West.
Captain and crew the whole way 155 miles to the southernmost city Overnight and multi-day trips 5.0 Google rating
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