Key West Ferry from Ft Myers

Hello-

Has anyone taken the ferry from Ft Myers to Key West?

They are running a special and it seems like a better alternative then driving for hours.

Advice?

Kim

Key West Ferry from Ft Myers

Yes...we%26#39;ve taken the ferry several times. We have family in Ft Myers and visit every year. At the same time, we make the annual pilgrimage to Key West.

We%26#39;ve driven the route which takes about 6 hours. It%26#39;s a long day. The KW Express takes 3 to 3 1/2 and we find it very convenient. You%26#39;re in KW by noon. And then coming back to Ft Myers, you don%26#39;t leave KW till 5 or 6...so you get a full day to enjoy before heading out.

We only had an issue with the ferry once. A stomy day leaving Key West and VERY ROUGH SEAS. It was a tough trip, 80% of the people on the ferry were sea sick. A crew member was sick too and the general buzz was that they should have cancelled the trip up to Ft Myers that night.

That experience is the exception to the rule though, all of our other shuttle trips have been just fine.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

Wendy

Key West Ferry from Ft Myers

Hey Wendy-

Thats we thought about the time we save NOT driving.

I hope in May the weather will not be bad and choppy.

We got a great deal...90r/t pp

Kim,

You should not have to worry about the chop. The one bad trip we had, the crew said USUALLY when the seas were like that, they cancel the shuttle. In which case, people just grab a hotel and stay one more night. Such an AWFUL situation to be in, in Key West, right? NOT!

Our other trips, the water has been like glass. We just zip right along.

$90 round trip is GREAT!

We enjoy a drive thru the keys. But, the trip from Ft Myers to KW is way too long.

Have fun!!

Wendy

Whill -

I%26#39;ve watched the ferry come into the harbor along the Ocean Key, Pier House, etc, and it seems big enough that there would have to be really heavy seas to affect it. All of the people come on deck and wave and we all on shore wave back.

Pjk

PJK

Yes..it%26#39;s big. It%26#39;s a Big Cat with all sorts of stablizers, etc.

Early March 2005...whew. KW had a couple days of rain and when we rolled out of there one night it was bad. The crew joked as we got on ';Hope you all took your dramimine!'; They weren%26#39;t kidding. The hull of that boat was slamming down onto the water. Water was sloshing up over the windows on the lower deck and the captain would cut back on the throttle to let a big breaking wave go by.

The crew said an experience like that was rare and that usually in iffy situations like that, they cancel the shuttle.

My husband and I decided...IF we were ever faced with a similar situation and the Big Cat was running? We%26#39;d boycott and stay another night. We%26#39;d let it sail without us. We don%26#39;t need that again.

However, the shuttle on a normal day (98% of the time) is very worth the trip!

I%26#39;ve been told that the ferry is better than driving, but why do that when you can take one of those quick flights from Ft Myers or Naples and be in Key West in a matter of minutes?

for us, flying was not an option because of the price.

It was not worth it as compared to the boat

tjs

We often fly to KW (thru Miami)and then take the ferry back up to Ft Myers.

Flying is not necessarily faster. The flight we take gets in to Miami at 1. Then, we sit at the airport till 2:50 when the connection leaves for Key West. We land in KW at 3:30 or so. What%26#39;s SHOCKING is how long it takes to get your bags in KW. They should just unload luggage on the tarmack and let people pick up their bags. We always have to wait a minimum of 45 minutes, then grab a cab and go to whatever hotel.

We%26#39;re never headeed for happy hour till after 5.

Anyway, the shuttle is a nice option and it%26#39;s pretty fast, considering. Airplanes, airports. Lots of WAITING involved there. I love to get off that KW Express shuttle at NOON and head to BO%26#39;s for lunch.

Same deal when we take the shuttle out. It leaves at 6. We have an entire day to enjoy in KW, and don%26#39;t even have to be at the Ferry terminal till after 5.

All in all, it%26#39;s nice to have so many options. We can drive thru the keys, into KW. We can fly into KW. Or, take the shuttle. We%26#39;ve done it all!

Wendy

Where is a nice place to go have lunch and cocktails?

As we are only staying 1night, we want to maximize the must sees as possible.

We are staying at La Concha on Duval street...but would def eat and drink right off the ferry.

Kim,

To eat? BO%26#39;s fishwagon, hands down. The place looks like a dive, but the food is great. Especially if you are into fresh fish/fresh fish sandwiches.

801 Caroline Street. You walk off the Ferry, turn right...and walk a couple blocks. Two of you can eat for $20. Fish sandwich, homemade fries, cold beer, or lemonaide.

Right across from BO%26#39;s is also Pepe%26#39;s. Old/small neighborhood place that has been there forever. 806 Caroline. Full bar here. Maybe $25-$30 out the door.

Both places are right there, casual, with open air seating, etc. They will definately give you a good ';old Key West'; feeling.

There are reviews for both places here on Tripadvisor. You have to take reviews with a grain of salt. 95% of the reviews for both BO%26#39;s and Pepe%26#39;s are great. Then you have a couple complainers thrown in.

ALSO...right in the same area of BO%26#39;s and Pepe%26#39;s is Schooner%26#39;s Wharf. A restaurant/bar with live music. Wed-Sunday Micheal McCloud plays afternoons. Go sit and listen to him for an hour. FUN!

One night? Well...I hope you LOVE it and can plan another trip back to see more of the island!

Wendy