Key West Schooners invites guests to experience the island from the deck of authentic historic wooden schooners. Centered around the storied Appledore II and other beautifully preserved vessels, they offer sunset sails, daytime cr...
The schooner draws near-universal praise, and it's easy to see why. Captains and crew, including frequently mentioned Joe, Christina, and Marison, consistently earn compliments for being professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun to spend a day with. The boat itself is described as beautiful and immaculately maintained, adding to an overall sense that this operation takes real pride in what they do. The two main offerings, a sunset sail and a daytime ecotour with snorkeling and kayaking, both deliver strong experiences, though in different ways. The sunset cruise focuses on the magic of being out on the water with drinks flowing and appetizers to snack on, while the ecotour leans into wildlife encounters and mangrove exploration. Dolphins, sea turtles, and even the occasional shark have made appearances on multiple trips, which travelers clearly love. Food and drinks are included and repeatedly praised, which seems to be a pleasant surprise for many guests. With a near-perfect rating across thousands of reviews, this is about as close to a sure thing as you'll find in Key West. Booking early makes sense, especially during busy seasons.
Christina and Luana are friendly, experienced and amazing! The Schooner Appledore Star is a beautiful ship. We enjoyed visiting the Key West National Wildlife Refuge's Archer Key and Mule Key mangroves. It was fascinating to kayak into the hurricane hole sheltered area in the mangroves. The sea turtle and birds within the unique ecosystem are incredible. Thank you for the wonderful time together, and for preparing the delicious lunch too! Perfect day ~ 5 stars!
Globe Sparkles
May 22, 2026
Christina and Luana are friendly, experienced and amazing! The Schooner Appledore Star is a beautiful ship. We enjoyed visiting the Key West National Wildlife Refuge's Archer Key and Mule Key mangroves. It was fascinating to kayak into the hurricane hole sheltered area in the mangroves. The sea turtle and birds within the unique ecosystem are incredible. Thank you for the wonderful time together, and for preparing the delicious lunch too! Perfect day ~ 5 stars!
Globe Sparkles
May 22, 2026