#18 of 330 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Key West

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Venus Charters

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

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5.0

338 reviews

Excellent

336

Very good

2

Average

0

Poor

0

Terrible

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AnnaInTheNorth

1 contribution

Magical experience

Aug 2021 • Family

We went with this charter for spreading our mother's ashes at sea, and could not have asked for a better experience. Captain Amy was friendly, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to make our trip memorable. She navigated us out of two random rain clouds before successfully finding large pods of dolphins (dolphin-watching wasn't part of our package, but it worked out that day!) We spread Mom's ashes with some roses and had the joy of watching the dolphins breach in the backdrop! When we made reservations, captain Karen was kind enough to accommodate a request for a sunset cruise (which I don't think is a standard option) so that added even more magic to the event. Everything was perfect. The laid back feel, the attentiveness to our needs and wants, but especially the freedom to take our time and create the experience we wanted. Thank you endlessly ladies, you gave us memories for a lifetime that truly honored our mother!

Written August 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GusGmiagua@yahoo

Miami, FL2 contributions

Phenomenal experience

Jan 2022 • Couples

Captain Karen was compassionate, caring and empathetic- a true professional. We scattered my moms ashes and she made everyone feel at ease and knew the sea conditions as there was a front approaching and looked out for our safety since the day before by suggesting an earlier time to ensure smoother seas. THANK YOU Captain Karen and Venus Charters/ phenomenal service!

Written January 29, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Venus C

You’re very welcome!! I care very much that the experience you have is as stress free as possible and that I can bring a smile to all who attend. I’m glad that I was able to help you out. Thanks for your review. I hope you’ll come back and we can go out for some fun next time. Kindly Captain Karen

Written May 9, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kelly M

1 contribution

The best Captain

Oct 2022 • Family

We booked Venus Charters to scatter my father's ashes and I am so glad that we did. Captain Karen is one of the most supportive, caring and discreet person that I have met in my life. She knows the sea and I am sure that the sea knows her as well.

My mother is really afraid of the sea because she does not know how to swim and Captain Karen informed us of every step she was going to take and any movement she was going to do with the boat in order to make my mother feel safe. Besides, she chose a beautiful spot and gave us the time we needed for the ceremony.

If you need to book a boat for any reason, please do not hesitate to do it with her.

Written October 23, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Venus C

Kelly it was my pleasure to make sure your Mom felt at ease under the circumstances. I’m really glad my efforts were helpful. Thanks for writing this review. Kindly Captain Karen

Written November 1, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mleszczuk

North Conway, NH1 contribution

A perfect day on the water. A spectacular time was had by all!

Apr 2023 • Family

Captain Karen is the real deal. So friendly, knowledge and professional. While she can’t guarantee you’ll see about 100 dolphins, we did. Our family group was speechless! The dolphins were beautiful, graceful and playful. My grandson caught fish one after the other ending with a about 7 pound grouper. Alas it wasn’t in season. Fishing isn’t always available depending on the time of year. Then we ended our charter on a sand bar. Warm clear water. Rays, horseshoe crabs, small fish and even a couple of baby sharks (do,do,de do). No concern in this very shallow peaceful water. The boat is clean, well maintained and has all you need for a great day on the water. The family all give the day 5 stares!!!!

Written April 1, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pampainter13

Lafayette, CO1 contribution

Book with Captain Karen and Venus Charters!

Jun 2022 • Family

This charter was the best part of our vacation to Key West! Captain Karen meets you at your level sharing her incredible knowledge, experience and true love for the ocean with ease, humor and kindness. She’s personable, listened to our requests and beyond met them from a clear meet up point to easing us into our adventure to making sure we were comfortable and had what we needed. A couple of people in our group have pretty intense anxiety - with Captain Karen they were relaxed and had a fantastic time. And the booking and reminder process was simple, too. Would definitely recommend!!

Written June 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Venus C

Pam I really felt so comfortable with you and the family. I’m glad you found me!! Please look me up next time for more adventures. Kindly Captain Karen

Written July 28, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

P W

Texas124 contributions

Great experience!

Jun 2021 • Family

We took our teen nieces on a dolphin watch snorkel combo with Captain Amy. Absolutely fantastic! Not only did Captain Amy get us close us enough to watch dolphins swim near the boat, we were also able to see a baby dolphin — which was spectacular. Captain Amy then took us to a beautiful snorkel area where we were able to view a variety of spectacular fish and stingrays in a mostly private area without having to deal with the crowds of large charters.

The trip was so wonderful that we booked a similar excursion the next week with our nephews. While the weather was not as cooperative for the second trip, we decided to add fishing to the trip and Amy made certain we had a great time and caught many fish.

If you are looking for a customized trip rather than a crowded charter, I highly recommend Venus!

Written June 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shannon P

7 contributions

Sunset Cruise

Jul 2021

I'm not sure Venus Charters can take credit for the amazing clouds, double rainbow, and green flash at sunset ... but it sure was a perfect sunset cruise and our captain got us to the right spot at the right time. The ride was perfect, we had plenty of time to eat and drink a toast to my daughter's 17th birthday, and she answered all of our questions. I'll book a cruise with them every time I'm in the Keys.

Written July 19, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nancy L

1 contribution

Custom Adventure

May 2023

Captain Karen provides a private adventure and can customize to meet your needs. My adult daughter and I booked a sunset cruise on Mother's Day with the hope of also seeing dolphins. Captain Karen made it happen. She was on time; knowledgeable and provided a very special experience. Highly recommend!

Written May 24, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Speromonster13

Louisville, KY1 contribution

Excellent day on the water

Sep 2021

Capt Karen took us out to Women's Key to enjoy the water and it was absolutely beautiful. She told us that there were jelly fish on the Gulf side so we stayed away from them. She made sure we had water and food to eat. When we charter a boat, we always go with Venus Charters because Capt Karen always delivers a wonderful experience. Go with the best....Capt Karen and Venus Charters

Written September 19, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christele G

Rockwall, TX8 contributions

Weather conditions weren’t perfect but Captain Karen was kind and knowledgeable.

Apr 2021 • Family

Captain Karen was a pleasant host. We enjoyed our time on her boat for a snorkeling trip. We were sad that the winds were too high to go out to where the coral was and that we didn’t see any dolphins but those were just circumstances that were out of anyone’s control. Knowing what we know now, we will wait to schedule any snorkeling to know what the water is like before hand because it’s expensive not to get to do what you hope for. As far as the experience of being on the water it was nice to see the sights and other boats around. We were able to snorkel in a shallow area close to some mangroves and saw some small fish, sponges, sting ray, lobsters and small jelly fish. The water was on the colder side (71 degrees) in April so that was a bit of a shock but we made the best of it. Captain Karen was very knowledgeable and shared some fun local information and stories with us. If we ever go back to the keys we will be sure and wait to book to know if we can get out in the deeper water but for what it was, she gave us what she could with the water conditions. We appreciated that she was there early to meet us and even gave us a few extra minutes on the back end trying to find some dolphins. We saw a couple ship wrecks and many live aboard boats which was cool too. Thanks for your hospitality Captain Karen!

Written April 8, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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