What 792 Google reviews say about the 20 charters we book, grouped by the kind of trip. Not ranked.
The one built for your trip. A shared party boat suits solo anglers and big groups. A private offshore boat suits mahi and tuna. A backcountry skiff suits tarpon. Families do best on a patient half-day crew. Below, each charter is grouped that way, with what its reviewers say.
On 6 October 2026 we pulled the newest 40 Google reviews for each charter. That came to 792 reviews across 20 operators. We read them for what comes up again and again: the crew, the fish, kids and beginners.
Everything below is our summary, not a quote. For the full picture, read the reviews on Google. Ratings are Google’s. Each one carries its review count and the date we read it. The order means nothing. Each section runs A to Z.
We earn a commission if you book through our links. That is why we rank nobody. We have not fished every boat, either. For docks and booking details, see the charter operator directory.
| Charter | Kind of trip | Boat and party | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Conch Charters | Shared split, reef and offshore | Several boats; split up to 14 | 4.8 from 291 |
| Cora Beth Fishing | Shared head boat, reef | Head boat, up to 26 on the daily trip | 5 from 854 |
| Gulfstream Fishing | Shared party boat, reef | Gulfstream IV party boat | 4.8 from 1,668 |
| Salty Goat Fishing Charters | Shared head boat, reef | 50 ft head boat | 4.7 from 232 |
| Blind Squirrel - Key West Florida Fishing | Private offshore and reef | 63 ft, up to 41 | 4.8 from 60 |
| Boa Vida Charters | Private reef and offshore | 30 ft and 34 ft boats, up to 6 | 5 from 44 |
| Charter Boat Linda D | Private reef and offshore | 40 ft, up to 6 | 4.8 from 279 |
| Eva Marie - Key West Fishing Charters | Private offshore | 43 ft Torres, up to 6 | 4.9 from 53 |
| Florida Straits Sportfishing | Private reef, offshore and night | From A&B Marina | 5 from 32 |
| Key West Fishing Deals | Private and shared offshore | Cowboy 36 ft and sister boats, up to 6 | 4.8 from 1,023 |
| Above The Cut Charters | Private backcountry and reef | 24 ft bay boat, up to 4 | 5 from 87 |
| Recon Sportfishing Charters | Private backcountry | 24 ft bay boat, up to 4 | 5 from 59 |
| Shadow Caster Charters | Private flats and backcountry | Flats boats, 1 to 4 anglers | 5 from 173 |
| Laid Back Key West | Private mixed days, Dry Tortugas | 32 ft Intrepid, up to 6 | 5 from 102 |
| Low Tide Charter | Private light tackle and sandbar | 25 ft center console, up to 4 on the booked trip | 5 from 76 |
| Nice Guy Charters | Private half and full days | Up to 6 | 5 from 74 |
| Wrecked Charters | Private reef and custom days | Up to 6, from Stock Island | 5 from 73 |
| Conch 'N Around Charters | Spearfishing, Dry Tortugas | Up to 6 | 4.9 from 65 |
| Key West Conchlife Charters | Lobster, spearfishing, offshore | Up to 6 | 4.9 from 70 |
| Wet Dream Charters LLC | Spearfishing | Up to 6, from Stock Island | 4.9 from 113 |
Ratings read on Google 6 October 2026.
You buy a place on a big boat and fish beside other people. It is the cheapest way onto the water, and the right call for solo anglers or a group too big for a six-pack charter.
4.8 Google · 291 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Mahi is what reviewers talk about most, with wahoo, bonito and barracuda along the way. They run several boats, and reviewers praise crews who work hard to keep lines baited. Booking by text gets a mention. Reviewers name Capt. Pete, Capt. Steve and mate Roscoe.
Suits: Couples and small groups on a shared split, or private offshore for up to six.
5.0 Google · 854 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers call the crew patient and helpful more than anything else, and families with kids show up often. One regular praises a clean, well-kept boat with a cooled cabin. A solo traveler liked buying one place instead of a whole boat. Reviewers name Capt. Corey and mate Marshall.
Suits: Solo anglers, families and anyone who wants a shared reef trip.
4.8 Google · 1,668 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. The most-reviewed boat on this page. Reviewers keep coming back to mates who bait hooks, measure fish and help beginners. Snapper, grouper and the odd shark come up. One four-time customer prefers the night trip, and another praised how a cancellation was handled. Reviewers name Capt. Jamie.
Suits: Budget-minded families and singles; private hire for groups up to 45.
4.7 Google · 232 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Most reviewers have a good time and call it good value. Crew patience with mixed groups of beginners comes up often, and so do sharks and grouper. Several reviewers are repeat customers. Reviewers name Capt. Ashley, Capt. Dane and mate Paul.
Suits: Groups after an affordable half day who care more about the outing than the catch.
The whole boat is yours, usually for up to six. These crews run to the reef for snapper and grouper, or offshore for mahi, tuna and sailfish.
4.8 Google · 60 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers book it for big groups, one with fifteen aboard. Wahoo, tuna and a sailfish come up, and the crew gets credit for working hard on slow days. One repeat customer calls the captain and mate an entertaining pair. Reviewers name Capt. Mike, Capt. Brandon and mate Cole.
Suits: Large private groups; the 63 ft boat takes up to 41.
5.0 Google · 44 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers describe a crew that adjusts the plan: reef fish for dinner first, then offshore for something bigger. Mahi and snapper come up most, and the catch gets cleaned at the dock. Even on slow days they keep moving spots. Reviewers name Capt. Sean, owner Maryann and mate Jason.
Suits: Groups up to six who want a reef-and-offshore mix.
4.8 Google · 279 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers praise a lively crew that puts families and first-timers on fish. Mahi comes up most, along with reef mackerel and sailfish. Several say the crew was great with their kids. Reviewers name Capt. Billy and Capt. Tom, and mates AJ and Jesse.
Suits: Families and first-time offshore anglers, up to six.
4.9 Google · 53 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Mahi and tuna dominate the reviews, with sailfish now and then. Reviewers call the captain and mate good teachers for newcomers. One family describes their kids being shown the gear and taking the wheel for a photo. Reviewers name Capt. James and mate Darren.
Suits: Families and groups up to six who want an offshore day on a bigger boat.
5.0 Google · 32 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers single out captains who explain what they are doing and why, so you learn while you fish. Kids come up often. So do night trips for tarpon and sharks. Reviewers name Capt. Jack and Capt. Kiah.
Suits: Families and anglers who want to learn, including night trips.
4.8 Google · 1,023 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. The Cowboy and Cowgirl boats. Reviewers talk about mahi above all, and crews who make sure everyone in the group reels one in. Long offshore days come up, including a twelve-hour trip. Reviewers name Capt. Sam, Capt. Hans and mate Tyson.
Suits: Groups up to six chasing mahi offshore; shared seats too.
Small boats in shallow water. Reviewers come for tarpon, permit and snapper in calm, sheltered water, two to four anglers at a time.
5.0 Google · 87 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Tarpon comes up in sixteen of the forty reviews, snapper and permit too. Long-time anglers write some of the strongest reviews, and families say the captain kept everyone involved. One family switched to him at the last minute when their own boat broke down. Reviewers name Capt. Bryce.
Suits: Up to four anglers after tarpon, permit or a backcountry half day.
5.0 Google · 59 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Nearly every review in the sample names the same captain. Reviewers stress patience with kids and beginners, and an honest read on the day when the fish are not biting. Tarpon and snapper come up most. Reviewers name Capt. Ryan.
Suits: Families and beginners on a private backcountry trip, up to four.
5.0 Google · 173 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Tarpon is in half the reviews. Reviewers describe being on fish soon after sunrise, and one group of eleven split across boats where everyone landed a tarpon. Snapper and grouper fill the slower days. Reviewers name Capt. Travis, Capt. John and Capt. Justin.
Suits: Anglers after tarpon in the backcountry, one to four per boat.
Small private boats whose reviews read more like a day out than a fishing trip: some fishing, a sandbar, maybe snorkeling. Good with young kids.
5.0 Google · 102 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Many reviews are Dry Tortugas days: the fort, snorkeling and some grouper fishing on the way. Others mix a few hours of fishing with a sandbar. Reviewers praise clear communication when weather changes plans. Reviewers name Capt. Eric.
Suits: Groups up to six who want fishing as part of a bigger day out.
5.0 Google · 76 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Most reviews describe sandbar and snorkel days, with dolphins and sharks along the way. Fishing is the minority of what reviewers booked. Families with kids are common, and reviewers praise local knowledge. Reviewers name Capt. Mike.
Suits: Families who want a relaxed day with a little light-tackle fishing.
5.0 Google · 74 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Families and young kids appear in thirteen of the forty reviews, more than any other boat here. Reviewers describe a kind, patient captain, sandbar stops and sharks. A solo angler wrote that she felt at ease alone. Reviewers name Capt. Jeff.
Suits: Families with young children on a half day.
5.0 Google · 73 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Reviewers book custom days: sandbars, spearfishing, lobster and some fishing. They praise fast replies, flexibility on dates when weather turns, and room for a baby aboard. Reviewers name Capt. Austin.
Suits: Couples and families who want a custom day rather than a set trip.
Not rod-and-reel trips. These crews take you in the water, after lobster in season, or seventy miles west to the Dry Tortugas.
4.9 Google · 65 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Most reviewers took a Dry Tortugas day: seventy miles west, the fort, snorkeling. They praise a comfortable boat with a restroom and an easy-going owner. The fishing on their booking list is spearfishing. Reviewers name Capt. Kelly.
Suits: Spearfishers and groups heading to the Dry Tortugas, up to six.
4.9 Google · 70 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Lobster diving dominates the reviews, often a first try, often with kids. Reviewers call the owner patient and hands-on, and some combine lobster with spearfishing. Reviewers name Capt. James.
Suits: Families and first-timers in lobster season; offshore fishing is also listed.
4.9 Google · 113 reviews · read 6 October 2026
What reviewers say. Spearfishing, and first-timers write most of the reviews. They describe a lesson on breathing and loading the gun, and a captain who stays in the water with them. Families and complete beginners are common. Reviewers name Capt. Ben.
Suits: Beginner spearfishers aged 13 and up, groups up to six.
The operator sets the price, and it varies with the boat, the length and how many of you go. A place on a shared party boat costs far less than a private boat. This page lists no prices. Each booking page shows the full total before you pay.
Buy a place on a shared party boat instead of chartering a whole boat. Gulfstream, Cora Beth and Salty Goat sell by the place, and Captain Conch runs a shared split. Reviewers say the trade-off is company: you fish beside strangers, and a full boat can feel crowded.
Yes. Tipping the mate is customary and is not included in the charter price. Bring cash, because not every boat takes cards for tips. This site gives no percentage, because it has no reliable source for one.
No. Under Florida’s FWC rules, a for-hire boat with a valid charter license covers its passengers. You need your own license only to fish from a pier, a bridge, the shore or a rental boat.
It depends on what you want to catch. Tarpon, mahi and sailfish peak at different times. Our month-by-month guide covers the year, with what each kind of trip targets.
We read the newest 40 Google reviews for each operator on 6 October 2026, 792 in all, and summarised them in our own words. We did not pick favourable reviews. We earn a commission if you book, which is why we do not rank anyone.
More before you book. Read what to expect on the day and what to bring. Check when to go. Then find where the boats leave from.
Google · 291 reviews · read 6 October 2026