Staff Answer
Jun 23, 2026 - 08:08 AM
One of the biggest mistakes is trying to pack too many activities into a short visit instead of experiencing the island at a relaxed pace. Many visitors also wait too long to book popular experiences such as reef snorkeling tours, dolphin watching cruises, sunset sailing cruises, jet ski island tours, and Dry Tortugas day trips, which often sell out in advance. Another common mistake is spending all of your time on land instead of getting out on the water, which is one of the highlights of a Key West vacation. Building a flexible itinerary with one or two planned excursions and plenty of time to explore Old Town Key West, Duval Street, and Mallory Square often leads to a more enjoyable trip.
