What’s behind the rise of the solo vacation? Travelers are embracing the idea of “vacations for one” because they want a fun, peaceful vacation that doesn’t leave them tethered to the plans of others.

Imagine being able to plan a trip around the things you want to do! The best part about taking a vacation alone is that you can plan travel around your own schedule. Among those looking to connect with nature and sunshine, Key West solo travel is especially popular!

Are you ready to shake off the world with a solo trip to Key West? Beautiful beaches, coastal parks, snorkeling spots, historic landmarks, and some hidden gems are all waiting. If you’re up for it, you can even find some new friends at some popular hangout spots in Key West.

While you may have your heart set on traveling alone, you don’t have to plan your Florida Keys vacation alone. Check out these nine essential spots for Key West solo travel:

1) Hop Sandbars In Key West

Get ready for soul searching, scenery gazing, and sandbar hopping during an epic Key West excursion! Float far away from the crowds as you embark on a boat tour that brings you to Key West’s gorgeous sandbars. After departing for a voyage on the crystal-clear waters, you’ll arrive at pristine sandbars where you can wade in the shallow tides, enjoy a little snorkeling, and spot wildlife.

Key West Boat Trips is the #1 operator of sandbar cruises in Key West! Our experienced captains cater to voyagers looking for beauty and solitude. When you book with us, you can choose an unforgettable itinerary featuring any of the following:

• Exploring the magnificent mangrove trails of Mud Keys. Famed for being covered in red mangroves and lush vegetation, this series of islands just off Key West is composed of navigable creeks within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Giant white herons are known to soar above this untouched setting!
• Joining locals at the legendary Snipe Point sandbar. Accessible only by boat, this spot serves as the border where shallow waters of the Keys meet deeper ocean tides. In deeper areas, it’s common to spot rays and sharks in the clear water.
• Enjoying a sunset cruise in Key West. Your captain will take you on a journey through splendid backcountry waters to anchor at a sandbar where the waist-deep water allows you to jump in to take once-in-a-lifetime photos of fading sunlight scattering all around you.
• Relaxing during dinner or lunch cruises featuring freshly prepared food.
• Snorkeling at Boca Grande Island before heading to Woman Key and Ballast Key to enjoy more breathtaking scenery.

We proudly cater to the needs of solo travelers. Let us help you enjoy the perfect day. Book your spot today with us today!

2) Spread Your Wings At The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

For those seeking all of the fun and freedom that comes from a solo trip to Key West, there’s nothing like watching hundreds of butterflies soaring high in the air inside a beautiful solarium. Open 365 days a year, this popular attraction lets you roam free among fluttering butterflies and exotic birds.

The conservatory offers informative displays and friendly staff who are happy to share interesting facts about these amazing creatures. It’s a perfect spot to snap some photos and create lasting memories during your Key West adventure! Plus, the peaceful atmosphere makes it a great place to relax and reflect on your day.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is conveniently located within walking distance of many popular attractions on Duval Street.

3) Journey To Dry Tortugas National Park

This expansive state park is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in all of Key West! Home to stunning beaches and a famed 19th-century fort, Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands and multiple coral reefs. Here’s all that’s waiting when you make an excursion:

• Historic Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. Composed of more than 16 million bricks covering more than 16 acres of land, this former fortress was built between 1846 and 1875. It played a vital role in keeping the young nation safe!
• The famed Windjammer Wreck from 1875 on Loggerhead Reef. This iron-hulled vessel was discovered in 1971.
• Nesting sites for seabirds on Bush Key. Accessible via land bridge when conditions are mild, this island is home to birds that aren’t found anywhere else in the continental United States.

Getting to this state park takes some work! Located 70 miles west of Key West, the park covers 100 square miles of islands and open water. You’ll need to make plans to travel here ahead of time via boat or seaplane charter. To make the journey worth it, you can consider camping at Dry Tortugas overnight.

4) Attend The Sunset Celebration At Mallory Square

While you may be planning a solo adventure, this nightly Key West ritual will connect with you generations of people who have gathered to see the stunning sunset over the island! That list includes Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. This is an easy, free activity that’s perfect for solo travelers.

Simply show up at Mallory Square about an hour before sunset. Food trucks and vendors will already be set up. Arriving early will give you more time to enjoy the live music, magic shows, and other performances that happen nightly.

5) Get To Know Local Marine Life At Key West Aquarium

Located just steps away from Key West’s famed Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium is the island’s highly rated public aquarium. Highlights include the touch tanks that let you interact with different ocean environments, interactive sea turtle conservation tours, and a jellyfish exhibit.

What makes this aquarium different is its open-air concept that allows natural sunlight to shine on its marine exhibits. Daily tours taking place three times a day allow aquarium guests to visit with hawksbill, green, loggerhead, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles that have been rescued and rehabilitated.

6) Take A Joy Ride Along The Overseas Highway

If you fly into Key West International Airport (EYW) instead of driving in after landing in Miami, you’ll miss the opportunity to drive along the famous Overseas Highway.

Spanning the entire length of the Florida Keys, this 113-mile highway that’s an extension of U.S. Route 1 offers unending views of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, and beyond. Consider getting a rental car to make some of these stops:

• Bahia Honda State Park (35 miles from Key West) – Famed for its palm-lined beaches and clear waters, Bahia Honda offers beautiful sea breezes, tons of wildlife, and great opportunities for kayaking and snorkeling.
• Key Largo (97 miles from Key West) – Key Largo is home to a 70-square-mile undersea park called John Pennekamp State Park that is a top spot for snorkeling trips. Diving sites in the area include Grecian Rocks, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and Molasses Reef. Back on land, visitors enjoy the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center and Island Dolphin Care. This is also one of the best spots for jet skiing.
• Islamorada (80 miles from Key West) – Known as the sport fishing capital of the world, Islamorada is an angler’s paradise. You’ll also find some great breweries here!

This scenic route offers breathtaking views of the ocean and is often considered one of the most beautiful drives in the United States.

7) Take Thing Slow At Higgs Beach

Looking for a place where you can unwind with a good book during your solo trip? This lovely beach offers tons of shade and seating for a relaxed day of going at your own pace without a care in the world. There’s also a pier where you can feel like you’re suspended over the vast ocean around you.

Higgs Beach is also a great place to enjoy some fun activities if you feel like it! You can take a leisurely stroll along the shore, go for a swim in the clear waters, or even try your hand at paddleboarding. If you’re hungry, there are nearby spots where you can grab a snack or a refreshing drink. Whether you want to relax or have a little adventure, Higgs Beach has something for everyone!

8) Create Memories At The Key West Lighthouse

Considered the jewel of Old Town Key West, the Key West Lighthouse dates back to 1825. Modern-day visitors can still climb its 88 steps to enjoy an amazing view of the island.

While the lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969 after two centuries of guiding civilian and military sailors safely to shore, it stands today as a living monument that takes you back in time as you explore the tower and keeper’s cottage.

Pro Tip: When visiting the lighthouse, don’t miss the opportunity to walk along Whitehead Street to visit the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy marking the southernmost point in the continental United States.

9) Party On Duval Street

If you’re interested in making some new friends and enjoying some cocktails during your first solo trip to Key West, Duval Street offers the best way to experience Key West for singles. In addition to offering terrific shops and galleries during the day, Duval lights up with vibrant bars and restaurants after dark.

The party also trickles into Whitehead Street, Greene Street, and other adjacent roads. Here’s where to go to experience the paradise party scene:

• The Rum Bar – 1117 Duval Street
• Tiki House – 203 Duval Street
• The Dive Bar Shirt Club – 320 Grinnell Street
• Green Parrot Bar – 601 Whitehead Street
• Captain Tony’s Saloon – 428 Greene Street

If you want to experience the fun of Duval on your solo trip without necessarily indulging in the party scene, there are some wholesome ways to get into the action. Come before dark to taste legendary Key Lime Pie from the iconic eateries and bakeries on Duval.

Most people consider Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe located at the corner of Duval and Eaton Street to be the best dessert spot for Key Lime Pie on the island!

Start Planning Your Key West Solo Trip

With snorkeling, boating, partying, and so many other activities on the menu, loneliness is never a concern when planning your first solo trip in the Florida Keys. Key West Boat Trips is thrilled to help you plan an “excursion for one” to the island’s beautiful sandbars.

We’ll show you a side of this tropical paradise that people who stick with traditional group tours never get to see. Our reasonable rates and easy booking make planning an unforgettable adventure easier than ever. Book your solo trip with Key West Boat Trips today!