Fun on Barefoot Billy's Island Jet Ski Tour — Photo courtesy of Barefoot Billy's Watersports
For a fun-filled morning, look no further than Casa Marina Resort in Key West.
You can start by combining an adventure with your sightseeing on Barefoot Billy’s Island Jet Ski Tour, which leaves from their beach. (Don't worry: You don't have to be a guest of the resort.) Jump on a Yamaha VX Waverunner for a unique tour 28 miles around the entire island of Key West.
The first tour of the day begins at 9:00 a.m., and they run every hour. Before leaving shore, you'll get a quick lesson on how to use the watercraft safely. During the two-hour tour, the guides make several stops along the way at well-known landmarks, such as Southernmost House, to share historic tidbits about Key West.
Preparing for Barefoot Billy's Island Jet Ski Tour — Photo courtesy of Barefoot Billy's Watersports
You'll spot an array of Florida Keys wildlife like dolphins and wading birds, as you speed through the aquamarine waters. You'll also cruise through the mangroves and take a stroll on a submerged sandbar. If you’re lucky, Navy jets may be doing maneuvers in the sky overhead.
It can be a bit of a thrill-ride as you race from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and back to the Atlantic. While the speed of the tour is customized to the group, the long, flat straight-aways offer an opportunity to let loose for an exhilarating ride. One guide stays in front, while another stays in back for anyone who has a child with them or feels more comfortable going slower. There are no age limits, but keep in mind that the Atlantic waters can be choppy.
After the tour, hit the outdoor showers at Casa Marina and change into some dry clothes. No doubt you'll have worked up quite an appetite, so wander over to their waterfront restaurant Sun Sun for a leisurely lunch.
Taste all the Keys’ signature dishes like conch fritters, smoked fish dip, lobster sliders, fresh fish tacos and Key West pink shrimp. It’ll be tough to pick a libation, as their drink menu is full of cool tropical selections like watermelon mojitos, skinny cucumber lemonade, white sangria and frozen daiquiris. Finish with Kermit’s Duo: creamy Key lime custard pie and coconut ice cream.
Post-lunch, head to the sandbox near the beach for a sand sculpture class with Sand-Isle’s Marianne van den Broek. (Be sure to book in advance through Casa Marina’s concierge.) Get in touch with your inner child during the 2.5-hour workshop, as she teaches you how to build a sandcastle worthy of any queen.
A sand sculpture class with Sand-Isle — Photo courtesy of Sand-Isle Key West