Sunset Watersports

Key West's long-running watersports company

Sunset Watersports is a Key West, Florida, operator that runs its own boats, parasail rides, jet ski tours and beach concessions, and hosts weddings and private charters on its own catamarans. The site calls it "Key West's Original Watersports Company (est. 1984)," says it is family owned and operated, and signs a note from the owner as Richard C. Welter, President. Everything happens on and around Key West, from 4 departure points listed on the map page: 201 William Street at the Key West Seaport (all sunset cruises, sandbar trips, snorkeling, dolphin tours, the kayak tour and downtown parasailing); the Parrot Key Resort at 2801 N Roosevelt Boulevard (jet ski tours); Cow Key Marina at 5001 5th St (boat rentals, safari eco tours and a second jet ski tour); and Smathers Beach on South Roosevelt Boulevard (parasailing, the beach pass, kayak rentals and chairs and umbrellas). The homepage adds that the original 1984 location is the Smathers Beach stand at 1901 South Roosevelt Blvd, with a second beach stand in front of the Sheraton at 2001 South Roosevelt Blvd.

Cruises, sandbar trips, snorkeling and jet skis

The homepage shows prices for its headline trips, often as a crossed-out figure beside a sale price:

• Do It All Watersport Adventure, 6 hours, $169.95 shown down to $139.95: 10 different water activities including jet skiing, snorkeling, parasail and banana boat rides, with lunch and unlimited draft beer, wine and champagne. The card says kids go free.
• Ultimate Sandbar & Kayak Eco Adventure, 5 hours, $149.95 down to $129.95: a guided kayak through the mangrove islands, then a sandbar stop to paddleboard, kayak or snorkel, with lunch and unlimited drinks.
• Jet ski tour, 1.5 hours, $180 down to $119.95, with stops including Key West Harbor and the Boca Chica Sandbar, a free shuttle and a free 2nd rider. The longer description calls it a 28 mile tour around the island from the Parrot Key Resort, past the Southernmost point.
• Key West Parasailing, $99.95 down to $59.95, ages 5+, over the Key West Bight or from Smathers Beach.
• Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Tour, 3 hours, $64.95 to $74.95, 2 daily trips, with unlimited beer, wine and champagne.
• Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise, 2 hours, $79.95, reservations required, with a buffet, an unlimited open bar and live music. The site bills it as "Key West's Only Dinner Cruise" and describes the boat as having an air conditioned main cabin.

The menus list more that the homepage does not price: other sandbar trips (a sandbar and dolphin watch, a happy hour sandbar with sunset cruise, private sandbar charters), the Sunset Sip & Sail and Sunset Dolphin Watch & Snorkel cruises, the Rise & Reef Morning Snorkel, the Dip & Sip Afternoon Snorkel and a 2 Reef Tour With Sunset Cruise, a new kayak tour, a Safari Eco-Tour in which guests drive a mini speed boat into the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and the Key West Beach Pass, which bundles a parasail ride with unlimited Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing, paddleboards and kayaks at Smathers Beach.

Rentals cover boats with or without a captain, golf carts from $90 (ages 22+, hourly and weekly, 4 and 6-person carts), and beach gear. The company also runs the Hammer Head Surf Shop at 201 William St.

On the water

The site describes the Rise and Reef trip as snorkeling the reef from a sailing catamaran with a light breakfast; the crew explains the gear, and a safety line trails behind the boat for less experienced swimmers, with snorkel vests and swim noodles aboard. The dolphin watch runs on a 40 foot boat with a short snorkel stop, soft drinks, beer and water, and the sunset on the way back.

The fleet is set out on the weddings page: the Sandie Cat, a 65 foot triple level sailing catamaran for up to 149 people with a crew of a captain and 2 mates; the Party Cat, a 65 foot catamaran with a kitchen, 2 bars and a top deck; the Miss Lora, a 54 foot catamaran for up to 125; the Miss Valyn, a 54ft yacht for up to 80; and the Osprey, a 40 foot powered catamaran for up to 40. The homepage says private charters run for 2 to 149 people on boats from 17 feet to 65 feet, and the menu lists small group charters for up to 6 guests.

Weddings, concierge, specials and booking

Weddings are a large part of the business. The beach packages start at $799 (Simple & Easy: officiant and license filing, champagne toast, bouquet and boutonnière, rose petal aisle), $1,399 (adds decor, a bamboo canopy, up to 20 chairs, speakers and a coordinator) and $2,499 (fresh flowers, an on-site coordinator, up to 30 chairs and trolley transport for up to 40). The page says boat receptions can host up to 149 guests, with onboard catering, a limo service and in-house coordinators, and it argues for booking direct because "other companies book our boats or services and add commission rates on top of our prices."

A free concierge service offers local recommendations and says it can get "exclusive discounts and reserved seats" on attractions such as Dry Tortugas trips, fishing charters and trolley tours. The specials menu lists free birthday trips, a kids go free program, military and Key West resident discounts, and holiday events. The homepage banner advertises "UP TO 40% OFF Trips & Tours!" Gift cards are sold online. Booking runs through Book Now buttons, the phone line on (305) 296-2554 or info@sunsetwatersports.com; the wedding page lists a separate number, (651) 955-9409.

What the site leaves open, and who it suits

The footer links to a separate cancellation policy and policy and terms pages, but the tour cards themselves do not state a cancellation window, refund rule or weather policy. Group sizes for the shared trips are not given on the cards, only boat capacities. The crossed-out prices sit beside the sale price with no note on how long the lower price has applied, so read them as the price shown on the day. The site says it has over 23,500 5 star Google and TripAdvisor reviews and over 15,000 5 star reviews for parasailing; those are the company's own figures.

Sunset Watersports suits visitors who want to book several Key West water activities with one company, from a 1.5 hour jet ski loop to a full all-inclusive day, and couples planning a beach or boat wedding with the company handling the boat, food and setup. Families get kids-go-free offers and a parasail minimum age of 5. It is a big, busy operation with large catamarans, so travelers after a quiet small-boat trip should look at the small group charter option rather than the shared cruises.