Experience the beauty of Key West
The Key West National Wildlife Refuge, The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, and the Marquesas Wildlife Management Area are our main areas of operation.
Boating & Eco-Tours
These are incredibly fertile regions for many residential bird species and a plethora of migratory visitors as well. Some bird species we might encounter are: Herons, Egrets, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Magnificent Frigate, Pelican(both brown and white), cormorant, white-crowned pigeon, and many many more. You never know what you’ll see fly by while flats fishing in the backcountry off Key West.
For wildlife enthusiasts and specifically birders, there is abundant opportunity to watch exotic species during the migration seasons and year round.
Some bird species we might encounter
- Herons
- Egrets
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Magnificent Frigate
- Brown Pelican
- White Pelican
- Cormorant
- White-crowned Pigeon
- and many many more
- Areas
- The Key West National Wildlife Refuge, The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, and the Marquesas Wildlife Management Area
- Wildlife
- Residential bird species and a plethora of migratory visitors
- When
- During the migration seasons and year round
- Great for
- Sightseeing, wildlife photography, birders and wildlife enthusiasts
- The boat
- 18’ Dolphin Backcountry Pro that can fit 2-3 anglers
- Departure
- Purple Heron Charters typically departs from the Historic Charter Boat Row unless a different departure location is agreed upon with the captain.
Book Your Tour Today!
If you’re interested in sightseeing, wildlife photography and taking in all that nature’s beautiful ecosystem has to offer then reach out to us today and book your tour!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring?
The boat will have a cooler onboard with waters and ice. Please feel free to bring whatever else you’d like to eat or drink. A good pair of polarized sunglasses is recommended and plenty of sunscreen. Footwear with good traction. A light rain jacket if possible. Everything else needed for a fun day on the water will be provided.
What if it’s raining?
We are located in the tropics, it can rain on almost any given day of the year. We do our best to avoid it as much as possible or wait for it to pass. Sometimes we will get rained on though, that is just a part of the natural ecosystem. If there is a lot of lightning in close proximity we will not head out, or if it pops up while we are out then we will head back to the dock. Safety is the number one priority.
Will it be rough?
Fortunately in inshore fishing we always have the option to hide. Unlike offshore or reef fishing where you are constantly exposed we can generally find the lee of the wind and get out of it. That being said, on windy days sometimes it is a little bumpy or we may get some spray from the wave action when traveling to and from fishing locations. I do my best to mitigate these effects but unfortunately it is a part of it sometimes. It is generally much calmer than any other kind of fishing.