How to Get to the Florida Keys: Ferry from Fort Myers to Key West

Are you looking for the best way to get to Key West? Look no further than the Key West Express, offering year-round ferry transportation from Fort Myers to Key West. Whether you are a Florida resident looking for an easy way to get to the island or are flying in from out of state, the ferry departing from Fort Myers Beach offers a convenient and fun way to get here. Once you have arrived on the island, check in to your vacation home with Rent Key West Vacations and start exploring the beautiful beaches, historical sites, and lively nightlife we are known for!

Getting to Fort Myers Beach

The first step in taking the ferry is getting to Fort Myers Beach. For visitors traveling from out of state, we recommend flying into Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers and taking an Uber or Lyft the rest of the way. If you are driving from Florida, Fort Myers Beach is easily accessible from many cities by taking Interstate 75. Once you have arrived in Fort Myers Beach, you will find the terminal at 1200 Main Street.

Key West Express

Book your reservation for the Key West Express online and arrive at 7:00 am for the 8:00 am departure. You are allowed two carry-on-size pieces of luggage, but coolers and alcohol are prohibited. Read through the FAQ section of the website to learn more about what to bring and what to expect from your travel experience. Once you have boarded, it will take approximately 3.5 to 4 hours to reach Key West. Enjoy the views and amenities during your travels, such as:

Air-conditioned interiors
Exterior sun decks
Full-service gallery and bar
Flat Screen TVS with satellite television

Arrive in Key West

You will arrive in Key West around noon and have a few hours to kill before checking into your vacation rental at 3 pm. If you are interested in arranging an earlier check-in time, please contact our staff beforehand. Once you have settled in, start exploring everything Key West has to offer. Check out our blogs for inspiration on what to do during your stay:

Spend time soaking up the sun at Key West’s beautiful beaches.
Discover fun water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing.
Explore Old Town Key West and visit some of the island’s top attractions, like the Key West Lighthouse, Duval Street, and Fort Zachary Taylor.
Grab a drink at the iconic and historic bars in town.
Enjoy a slice of key lime pie.
Discover the history and learn about famous residents at the island’s museums.

Visit the Island and Stay in a Key West Vacation Rental

Taking the ferry from Fort Myers to Key West is just one way to get to our island paradise. You can also get here by driving along the Overseas Highway or flying into the Key West International Airport. However you get here, Rent Key West Vacation Rentals has the perfect vacation home waiting for you. From charming one-bedroom cottages to spacious five-bedroom villas, we have accommodations for everyone visiting Key West!

Get Around Key West on a Bike Rental

Getting around Key West is easy. Being just four miles long and one mile wide, there’s no need to rent a car when you are visiting the island. One of the most convenient and affordable ways to travel around town is on a Key West bike rental. At Rent Key West Vacations, we make it easy to reserve everything you need for your vacation, from accommodations to tours and bike rentals. Beat the traffic and explore the beauty of Key West on two wheels!

Key West Bike Rentals

Rent Key West Vacations has partnered with several local companies to make planning your Florida Keys vacation easier than ever. Book your bike online with Key Lime Bike Rentals or call them at 305-340-7834. Key Lime Bike Rentals offers the only hourly bike rental service in Key West. So, whether you want to reserve a bike for a few hours or a week, they have you covered. All of their bikes include essentials like bike locks, lights, baskets, and helmets. Interested in having a local guide take you around town? They also offer bike tours around historic Old Town!

Where to Go on Your Bike Rental

Key West is a bicycle-friendly community, so you can get practically anywhere you want on the island on wheels. Make sure you are familiar with Florida’s bicycle traffic laws and use this Key West bike map to find the best routes on the island:

See all the island has to offer on the 10-mile Key West Cycling Loop, starting on Front Street and ending at Truman Waterfront Park. Along the way, you will see some of the island’s most iconic landmarks, such as Smathers Beach, the Southernmost Point buoy, Hemingway House, and Key West Lighthouse.
Bike through Old Town and explore the island’s most historic buildings and streets, like Duval Street, Mallory Square, Custom House, Truman Little White House, and the Historic Key West Cemetery.
Cycle the trail from Front Street to Fort Zachary Taylor and explore this scenic state park, combining bike trails, historic attractions, and natural beauty.

Reserve the Perfect Key West Vacation Rental

Get your bike rental delivered right to your Key West vacation rental, and start exploring the island from the moment you arrive. At Rent Key West Vacations, we offer a wide range of rentals throughout the island, from our ocean-view homes to our properties in the historic district. Find the rental home that works best for you and enjoy amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, linens, laundry facilities, air conditioning, and WiFi. Many of our properties feature private pools where you can cool down and relax throughout your stay. Book with us online today and customize your vacation by contacting our reservation specialists at 1-800-833-7368.

Things to Do During Key West Pride Week

Known for its open and accepting atmosphere, Key West has long been a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ travelers. Plan your trip to our tropical paradise in June and join us for one of the best Pride Month celebrations in the country. With street fairs, parades, drag shows, pool parties, and gay history tours, we know how to celebrate Pride in Key West. Find lodging for everyone in your group with Rent Key West Vacations, and start planning your trip today!

Learn About LGBTQ+ History in Key West

Key West is a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Did you know we were the first city in North America to elect an openly gay Mayor? Or that we have the only gay and lesbian trolley tour? Before joining us for Pride Week in Key West, check out this article How the Gays Saved Key West to learn about the island’s LGBTQ+ history!

Key West Pride Events and Activities

Key West Pride is an annual celebration taking place every June during Pride Month. Find the complete schedule of events here and discover some of the highlights of the week below:

Throughout the week, you will find many activities happening throughout the island, including pride-themed karaoke nights, bike tours, trolley rides, pool parties, comedy shows, art exhibitions, sunset sails, and brunches.
One of the most popular events is the Street Fair and Dance Party, featuring live performances and eclectic vendors on Duval Street.
For nearly 50 years, La Te Da has hosted a Tea Dance every Sunday. During Pride Week, they host a special celebration on the last day, where you can join in the historic party.
Pride closes with the annual parade down Key West’s historic streets. If you’re interested in participating, consider volunteering to help carry the 100-foot flag!

Reserve Your Key West Vacation Rental for Pride Week

Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect lodging for everyone visiting during Pride Week! Our collection of vacation homes and condos offers everything you need for a comfortable stay, including fully equipped kitchens, linens, and laundry facilities. Book one of our homes in the historic district and stay close to the events happening on Duval Street. Or reserve a home near the beach and easily access Key West’s breathtaking beaches. If you need assistance finding the right vacation rental, please contact us at 1-800-833-7368!

Key West Day Trip Destinations: Dry Tortugas & Florida Keys Islands

The Overseas Highway travels 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, offering a unique way to travel between the Florida Keys and experience all it has to offer. Plan an epic road trip to Key West from Florida’s mainland, or fly into our local airport and start your exploration from the Southernmost City. Drive to islands along the Florida Keys, like Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Or head out on the water and take a ferry to the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. No matter where you want to explore, Rent Key West Vacations offers the perfect lodging in Key West!

Dry Tortugas

Located 70 miles west of Key West is Dry Tortugas National Park, a one-of-a-kind destination where you can explore remote islands and discover fascinating history. Get to the park on the Yankee Freedom Ferry and disembark at Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th-century forts. After touring the fort, you will have free time to snorkel coral reefs, swim in the crystal clear water, and watch wildlife.

Day Trip to Florida Keys Islands

Start your journey in Key West and drive along Highway 1 to access several Florida Keys Islands:

The Lower Keys

Traveling east from Key West will take you through the Lower Keys, the most natural and unpopulated area in the Keys. Experience the wilder side of the Keys at national wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and remote beaches. Don’t miss Bahia Honda State Park!

Marathon

Just over an hour from Key West, Marathon is best known for its rich maritime history and family-friendly vibe. Enjoy prime boating access, explore Curry Hammock State Park, and learn about local wildlife at Turtle Beach or the Florida Keys Aquarium.

Islamorada

Islamorada is known as the sport fishing capital of the world, just under two hours from Key West. Experience an epic day of fishing and discover the island’s rich history, vibrant arts scene, and nature activities. Some of the most popular attractions in Islamorada include feeding fish at Robbie’s Marina, exploring the quirky art at Rain Barrel Village, and learning history at the Diving Museum.

Key Largo

Key Largo is the furthest island from Key West, approximately two hours and twenty minutes away. This is the longest island in the Keys, known for its fantastic diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Explore the underwater world of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, explore the natural wonders of Everglades National Park, and cruise on the famous African Queen steamboat.

Book Your Vacation Rental on Key West

Whether Key West is at the beginning or end of your Florida Keys exploration, Rent Key West Vacations offers the ideal place to stay. We are one of the longest-standing vacation rental companies on the island, representing more than 100 properties. Book one of our rentals near Key West’s most famous beaches, or stay in Old Town and immerse yourself in the island’s historic charm. Book with us online or contact our local reservationist at 1-800-833-7368 to start customizing your Florida Keys vacation!

Explore the Natural Beauty of Key West on a Jet Ski Tour

One of the best ways to experience Key West is from the water. While there are many ways to explore the island’s coastline, one of the most fun ways is by jet skiing. Sign up for a jet-skiing tour and let a local guide show you the best of Key West on an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Hit the throttle and explore the crystal-clear water while looking for marine life, taking a dip at local sandbars, and admiring coastline views. Stay close to the water with Rent Key West Vacations and find the perfect lodging for your island getaway!

Jet Ski Tours vs Rentals

When you are looking for jet-skiing experiences, you may be curious why you can’t find any rentals on the island. That’s because Key West is located within the protected Florida Marine Sanctuary, and jet skiing in certain areas can cause harm to the natural environment. As a result, guided jet ski tours are the preferred option, ensuring you can enjoy the experience while avoiding restricted areas.

Key West Jet Ski Tours

If you were born in 1988 or later, you must complete the Florida Boating Certificate before heading out for the tour. For the ultimate convenience, Rent Key West Vacations has partnered with local operators like Fury Water Adventures and Barefoot Billy’s, so you can book a jet ski tour directly from our website:

Fury Water Adventures

Embark on a 28-mile jet ski tour with Fury Water Adventures. Travel through the backcountry on their top-of-the-line jet skis and take in the sights of the stunning coastline while keeping your eyes peeled for bottle-nose dolphins and sea turtles. Along the way, you will stop at a sandbar to cool down and have a refreshing swim.

Barefoot Billy’s

Sign up for the Casa Marina Island Jet Ski Tour with Barefoot Billy’s. Travel around the island and stop at five locations along the way as you learn about local history from your guide. If you are interested in a freestyle experience, they also offer a trip where you can play around in a designated ride area and try out some tricks.

Book Key West Condo Rentals near the Beach

Book even more water adventures for your Key West getaway directly on our website. From snorkeling tours to fishing trips and kayak rentals, we have something for everyone! Stay close to the action with our Key West condo rentals near the beach or with an ocean view. No matter which property you choose, you will have access to fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and open-concept living spaces. Book with us online or speak to a reservation specialist at 800-833-7368 for assistance customizing your Key West getaway!