Opal Key Resort & Marina

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

From Key West, you can boat through Garrison Bight, protected Man of War Harbor, Northwest Channel or the shallow Key West backcountry. City waterfront access includes City Marina in Garrison Bight and Key West Bight Marina. Garrison Bight Channel is a marked route between the bight and Man of War Harbor, where banks and Fleming Key protect the anchorage from heavy seas.

Northwest Channel connects Key West Harbor with Gulf waters but has intermittent shoaling. Key West National Wildlife Refuge offers boat-only, shallow saltwater dotted with mangrove islands; Woman Key and Boca Grande Key have beaches and dunes, while the shoal-area route to Boca Grande requires local knowledge.

Source: City of Key West (cityofkeywest-fl.gov)

Boaters leaving Key West can make day trips to Sand Key, Boca Grande Key, Woman Key and the Marquesas Keys. Sand Key draws snorkelers and divers to a spur and groove reef around its old iron lighthouse. In the boat access only Key West National Wildlife Refuge, Boca Grande Key and Woman Key offer beach and dune shorelines, while the Marquesas Keys add hardwood hammock habitat to their beaches and dunes. The surrounding refuge waters are used for boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, snorkeling and diving.

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov)