KEY WEST PARTY BOAT FISHING PRICES & WHAT TO EXPECT
Key West, Florida
Everything you need to know before you book: what a seat costs, what's included, how the 6-hour trip actually runs, and what it's like with kids or on your first time out. Also see what you'll catch on a typical trip, or compare with our private charter.
Quick Details
10 AM – 4 PM
6-hour fishing trip
Year-Round
Daily departures
2-10 Miles Offshore
Depending on conditions
Up to 40 Anglers
All ages welcome
All Gear Included
Tackle, bait & license
USCG Inspected
Licensed crew, CPR trained
What a Key West Party Boat Trip Costs
Every price below is per person and includes rod, reel, tackle, bait and your saltwater fishing license. Because the boat, captain and fuel are shared across up to 40 anglers, a seat costs a fraction of chartering a private boat for the same water and the same fish.
Rod rental available for $5 if needed
What's Included in the Price (and What Isn't)
Included in every fishing ticket
- • Rod and reel
- • Tackle — hooks, weights, leader
- • Bait (squid is our primary bait, ballyhoo secondary)
- • Your Florida saltwater fishing license
- • Licensed captain and mates who bait up, untangle lines and help you fish
- • Fish cleaning and filleting when we get back to the dock
- • Men's and women's restrooms and a snack bar on board
Not included / optional
- • Rod rental if you'd rather use a rental setup — $5
- • Food and drinks (the snack bar is on board, or bring your own lunch)
- • A cooler if you want to take your fillets home
- • Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- • Gratuity for the crew, at your discretion
Every price on this page is per person, so a family of four pays four seats rather than the cost of chartering a whole boat.
What to Expect on Your 6-Hour Fishing Trip
You'll check in with the crew at the dock on Historic Charter Boat Row, then we run out approximately 3 to 10 miles offshore depending on the weather and where the fish have been holding. The ride out is a good time to grab a spot along the rail, get your rod from a mate and ask any questions — nobody expects you to already know what you're doing.
Most days that means reef fishing the Florida Keys reef. We anchor over reef and wreck structure and fish the bottom with squid, chumming to bring the snapper up in the water column. If the bite is slow, the captain picks up and moves to another spot rather than sitting on dead water. Mates work the rail the whole time, re-baiting hooks, clearing tangles and gaffing anything big enough to need it.
Heading back in, the crew cleans and fillets your keepers so you step off the boat with fish ready for the cooler — or for a local restaurant to cook for you. See what we typically catch and the latest fishing report for a realistic picture of a recent trip.
Fishing With Kids on the Gulfstream IV
All ages are welcome. Kids 12 and under ride for $42.95 and infants under 5 are $39.95, which makes a family morning on the water considerably easier on the budget than booking a whole boat. If a parent or grandparent wants to come along without fishing, the rider ticket is $45.95.
The Gulfstream IV is a big, stable USCG-inspected party boat with men's and women's restrooms and a snack bar, and our mates spend the day baiting hooks and helping kids get fish over the rail. Bottom fishing on the reef also means steady action — grunts, snapper and jacks keep young anglers busy instead of waiting hours for one bite. More tips in our guide to a kid-friendly Key West fishing trip.
Never Fished Before? Start Here
A party boat is the easiest way to try saltwater fishing for the first time. You don't need gear, you don't need a license and you don't need to know a single knot — everything comes with the ticket and the mates show you how to drop a line, feel a bite and reel a fish in. Bottom fishing is genuinely beginner-friendly, which is why first-timers and lifelong anglers end up on the same rail.
Two things worth reading before you go: our guide to bottom fishing and how to avoid getting seasick. Florida size and season rules decide what you can keep — the plain-English version is in our fishing regulations explainer.
Getting Here: Charter Boat Row & Parking
We're docked at 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd on Historic Charter Boat Row in Key West, Florida — the working waterfront where the island's charter and head boats have tied up for generations. Plan to arrive before the 10 AM departure so the crew can check you in and get you a spot along the rail.
Questions about directions or where to park? Text us at (305) 296-8494 — texting is the fastest way to reach the office — or call (305) 296-8494. You can also see all of our trips and departures on the Gulfstream Fishing home page.
What the Trip Is Actually Like
Join us on an unforgettable Key West fishing trip with Gulfstream Fishing, where we specialize in providing exhilarating fishing trips in the stunning waters surrounding Key West. Step aboard the Gulfstream IV and get ready for an experience you'll cherish for a lifetime.
Unmatched Fishing Excursions
Our fishing trips range from approximately 3 to 10 miles offshore in roughly 20 to more than 100 feet of water, depending on conditions and where we're fishing that day. When conditions permit and fishing is at its prime, we venture out to the further spots, where you'll have the chance to hook snapper, grouper, and more.
Expert Guidance and Exceptional Service
Our experienced fishing captains & mates prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the trip. We provide all necessary equipment and bait, ensuring you have everything needed for a successful fishing excursion. Upon your return, our crew will gladly clean and fillet your catch, making it ready for you to take home or to a local restaurant to enjoy.
Family-Friendly Amenities
Our fishing charter is perfect for families, offering men's & women's restrooms, along with a snack bar. Whether you're an experienced angler or a novice, our fishing trips offer an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and excitement of Key West's waters.
What to Bring
✅ Do Bring
- Camera for your catches
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Lunch and snacks
- 😊Smiles and good vibes!
❌ Skip These
- • Large coolers (limited space)
- • Aerosol sunscreen (damages deck)
- • Bad attitudes
- • Illegal substances (marijuana not permitted)
- • Bananas (fishing superstition!)
Who This Trip Is Perfect For
👍 Perfect For
- • First-time anglers visiting Key West
- • Families looking for a relaxed group fishing trip
- • Couples who want a fun shared experience
- • Solo travelers who don't want to book a private charter
⚓ Maybe Not Ideal For
- • Hardcore offshore tournament fishing
- • Private luxury charter expectations
Looking for something more exclusive? Check out our private charter option.
🎁 Give the Gift of Fishing
Purchase a gift card for your friends or family. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion!
Purchase a Gift CardParty Boat Questions From First-Timers
Is a party boat the same as a charter?
A party boat (also called a head boat) is a shared charter — you book a single seat and ride with other anglers, which is why it's the best-priced way to go fishing in Key West. A private charter books the entire boat for just your group.
What counts as deep sea fishing in Key West?
Key West deep sea charters target reef and wreck species — snapper, grouper, jacks, mackerel, and grunts. We fish approximately 3 to 10 miles offshore in roughly 20 to more than 100 feet of water, depending on conditions and where we're fishing that day, so even our 6-hour party boat trip gives you hours of productive fishing time.
Do I need to bring my own gear or fishing license?
No. Every party boat ticket includes rod, reel, tackle, bait, and your saltwater fishing license. Just show up with sunscreen, a hat, food and drinks, and a cooler if you want to take fish home.
How does this compare to other Key West fishing tours?
Most Key West fishing tours run $150–$300 per person for a half-day. Our party boat is $69.95 because we share the boat, the captain, and the fuel across up to 40 anglers — same waters, same fish, a fraction of the cost. See the full comparison of party boat vs private charter.
What kind of fish will I catch?
Yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, red and black grouper, mackerel, jacks, and white grunt are the regulars. The monthly fishing report shows exactly what's been biting recently.
How much does a Key West party boat trip cost?
$69.95 per adult (13+), $42.95 per child age 12 and under, $39.95 for infants under 5, and $45.95 for a rider who comes along without fishing. Rod rental is $5 if you need one. Rod, reel, tackle, bait and your saltwater fishing license are included in every fishing ticket.
Can kids come fishing on the party boat?
Yes — all ages are welcome aboard the Gulfstream IV. Kids 12 and under are $42.95 and infants under 5 are $39.95, and the boat has men's and women's restrooms plus a snack bar. Our mates bait hooks, untangle lines and help kids land their fish, so no experience is needed.
How long is the trip?
It's a 6-hour trip that runs daily, year-round, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Plan to arrive at the dock before departure so the crew can check you in.
Where does the boat leave from, and where do I park?
We're docked at 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd on Historic Charter Boat Row in Key West. If you have any questions about getting here or where to park, text us at (305) 296-8494 before your trip.
Ready to Go Fishing?
Book your spot on Key West's most popular party boat fishing trip. Daily departures at 10 AM.