Water Sports Companies in Key West

Key West, Florida offers water sports of many kinds. Having recently visited Key West, I participated in Fury Water Adventures as well as Danger Charters. Each company has pro's and con's to their tours.

Fury Adventures is conveniently located in Key West's Mallory Square, near the cruise ships and adjacent to the Westin Hotel. We took the "ultimate adventure" which consisted of a full day water sports trip with snorkeling, kayaking, jet ski, water trampoline, water "rock" (okay plastic!) wall, and the best part, parasailing! This trip would have been a lot better but we ended up having very high winds on the day we went. I ended up getting very sea sick because of the winds, which was too bad. You start off the day with a nice breakfast of muffins, bagels, and fruit. They take you to the reef, where there is also a lighthouse. On our way there, the winds were so high they were not able to use the sails, and we often had high waves which soaked us! Once we got to the reef, we were able to snorkel. Even though I had a life jacket and had snorkeled many times, the high waves got the best of me and I required a life raft which they give you to ease in swimming. I was able to enjoy the snorkeling. The fish were beautiful. After snorkeling, you make way to the water sports area, which included the water trampoline, jet skis, kayaks, and rock "plastic floating" wall to climb on. During this trip, they served a lunch of fried chicken, sandwiches, macaroni salad. As the shaky seas made me quite sick, lunch was not an option! Once we got to the water sports area, I did try the trampoline and the rock wall. It is a fun area. The jet ski's were difficult with the wind. I was very excited for parasailing and it didn't disappoint. Parasailing was a blast! At the end of the trip, they took you for a mini tour around Key West waters. I believe this trip is fun for someone who wants a big trip with lots to do. As you rode on HUGE catamarans, the ship can hold over one hundred people, so you won't get to know many people on the ship. Because of the large size, everyone kept to themselves and the staff didn't get to know people very well at all. The staff was big but they seemed to keep to themselves and chat with each other.

Danger Charters is also located right near Mallory Square, on the dock to the cruise ships. We took a full day Danger Charters Trip. We started off the day by taking off sailing on a full fledged sail boat, not the larger catamarans that many water sports companies use. The staff is excellent. They introduce themselves and ask everyone on the trip their names, where they are from, etc. They then serve fruit and beverages as you are shown on a map where you are heading to. You begin the sports by snorkeling. You are not on the reef, so you see younger sea life, but it is still very interesting. Also, the water was very shallow, which made it easy for first time snorkelers. After snorkeling, you began the journey over to the kayaking area. During this time, you are served an excellent fresh lunch. We had curry chicken salad sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, and pasta salad. Kayaking in the mangrove areas is very fun and relaxing. We saw several sharks swim near our kayak! On the way back to Key West from kayaking, you begin drinking! The staff brings out the wine and beer and it is a great time to get to know your fellow boaters and the staff. The staff was very friendly and the two non captains each spoke to my fiancee and I for probably a half hour each. I found that this tour company tops their competitors because of their excellent staff. They are very friendly and knowledgeable!

The main difference between the two companies is the people. You get to know the staff and many of the other guests on the Danger Charters, whereas the Fury Adventures may be too big to do so. You do get to snorkel on both, and they are different types of snorkeling. I enjoyed both snorkeling trips. The kayaking on the Danger Charters was much more fun because you are kayaking through the mangroves as opposed to out in open water, as with the Fury Adventures trip. I would definitely go on both water adventure trips again; it would just depend on what type of trip I was looking for.