Fury vs Sunset Watersports: Which Key West Reef Snorkel Should You Book?

Drinks: the rule that separates them

Fury does not serve alcohol until the snorkeling is over. Its listings say guests who arrive with alcohol or under the influence will be kept out of the water, turned away or rescheduled, and the tickets are non-refundable in that case. On the way out you get soda and water; on the way back, beer and wine plus mimosas in the morning, margaritas in the afternoon or rum punch at sunset. You must be 21 with ID to be served.

Sunset Watersports is looser in the morning. Its GetYourGuide listing describes a light breakfast “accompanied by mimosas” on the sail out, with free draft beer on the return. On the afternoon trips the bar opens on the way back to port: draft beer on one listing, and on the other an open bar with margaritas, rum runners, wine and mixed drinks.

If you are travelling with people who will treat the trip as a party, Sunset Watersports’ afternoon open bar is the obvious pick. If you are nervous in the water, or you want the people around you sober when they jump in, Fury’s rule is a point in its favour. Low-star reviews of both fleets mention breakfasts that were lighter than expected (muffins and cereal on the Sunset Watersports morning trip), so eat before you go either way.

Boats, crowds and time in the water

Both fleets run big boats. Fury’s reef trip uses a 65-foot catamaran with a sundeck, a shaded lounge and a fresh-water rinse; its Double Dip uses the 57-foot Reef Express, a power catamaran. Sunset Watersports’ morning and afternoon reef trips run on the 65-foot Sandie Cat. Neither listing publishes a passenger cap, and low-star reviews of both describe crowded decks and too few seats on busy days. If that worries you, our guide to catamaran and small-boat trips covers the boats that cap numbers.

Snorkel time is short on both. Fury’s GetYourGuide listing gives roughly 30 to 60 minutes in the water; its Rum & Reggae sunset listing says about 30 to 40 minutes. Sunset Watersports does not publish a figure, and reviewers of its afternoon trip describe about an hour out, half an hour in the water and an hour back. Of the big-boat trips running this winter, the one built around more water time is Fury’s Double Dip, which stops at two reef locations and gives about 1.5 hours of snorkeling in its three hours, from $73 per person and rated 4.6 from 203 reviews on Viator (our review).

Neither fleet names the reef in advance. Fury’s listing says the snorkel locations depend on the weather and the captain’s choice, and no operator page we read guarantees a named reef. Our guide to the best snorkeling spots explains what the captains pick between.

Gear, wetsuits, extras and tipping

Both supply mask, snorkel, fins and flotation, and both give a short lesson on board. Fury hands out mineral sunscreen free on its snorkel trips and requires reef-safe sunscreen, meaning nothing containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. That is Fury’s own rule and a NOAA recommendation. Key West’s sunscreen ban never took effect, because a 2020 state law took the power away from cities before it started.

Wetsuits: Fury says January and February visitors may want one, and its listings show them as a seasonal rental ($15 each on the Rum & Reggae listing). Sunset Watersports’ listings do not mention wetsuits at all, so ask before a winter trip.

Tips are extra on both. Fury adds an automatic 10% gratuity for groups of eight or more and asks for a card at check-in. Several low-star reviews of both fleets complain about pressure to tip or to buy photos, so decide your tip before you board.

Children: Fury requires an adult chaperone with ID at check-in for anyone 17 or under, and anyone 14 or under must have that adult on the boat. Both fleets require swimmers; Fury says so in capital letters. Sunset Watersports’ own website says kids go free on some snorkel trips, which you will not see in the network prices, so check its site if you are booking for a family.

Blue Star and reputation

NOAA’s Blue Star programme is a voluntary recognition scheme for dive and snorkel operators who follow reef-friendly practices. It is not a safety licence. When we checked its active list in November 2026, FURY Water Adventures was on it among the Key West operators, and Sunset Watersports was not. That is all the list tells you; it says nothing about crowding, crews or snorkel time.

On reviews, the ratings are close. Across the reef trips above, Sunset Watersports’ Viator listings and Fury’s GetYourGuide listing all sit at 4.5. Sunset Watersports has the bigger review counts on Viator; Fury has the cheaper start price. Both fleets also sell a two-reef sunset trip and a dolphin trip; see the sunset snorkel guide and the dolphin snorkel guide.

Which one to book

• Lowest price with a solid rating: Fury’s reef snorkel on GetYourGuide, from $49 in the morning.
• Breakfast and mimosas before the reef: Sunset Watersports Rise & Reef on Viator, from $59, 09:00 start.
• An afternoon party with an open bar on the way home: Sunset Watersports Dip & Sip, from $59, 13:00 start (our review).
• Nervous swimmers, or anyone who wants a sober boat until the swim is over: Fury, either listing.
• The most time in the water on a big boat: Fury’s Double Dip, from $73.
• Staying near the Historic Seaport and Key West Bight: Sunset Watersports. Staying near Front Street and Opal Key Resort: Fury’s reef trips.

If neither big fleet appeals, our list of the best Key West snorkeling tours ranks the smaller boats too.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fury or Sunset Watersports cheaper for snorkeling in Key West?

Fury starts lower. Its morning reef trip is from $49 per person on both networks, and its afternoon and sunset departures are $57. Sunset Watersports’ morning trip is from $55 on GetYourGuide or $59 on Viator, and its afternoon trip is about $59 to $60.

Where does Fury leave from in Key West?

Fury’s reef snorkel trips check in on the pier behind Opal Key Resort & Marina, 241 Front Street. The Double Dip and dolphin trips check in at 631 Greene Street. Sunset Watersports uses 201 William Street at the Historic Seaport.

Do they serve alcohol before snorkeling?

Fury does not: alcohol is served only after the snorkeling ends. Sunset Watersports’ morning listing pairs the breakfast on the way out with mimosas, and its afternoon trips serve drinks on the way back.

How long do you actually snorkel?

Usually under an hour. Fury’s listing says about 30 to 60 minutes on its reef trip and 30 to 40 minutes on the sunset trip. Fury’s Double Dip gives about 1.5 hours across two stops.

Is Fury a Blue Star operator?

Yes, FURY Water Adventures was on NOAA’s active Blue Star list when we checked in November 2026. Sunset Watersports was not on the Key West list. Blue Star is a voluntary reef-conservation recognition, not a safety rating.