Is Boca Grande the same as Boca Chica?

No -- different places. Boca Chica is the sandbar southeast of Key West near the Navy air base. Boca Grande Key is west of Key West on the Marquesas approach. Easy to confuse on first read.

Can you walk on the beach?

Yes -- the beach is open to visitors year-round in most areas. However, sea turtle nesting season (May-October) restricts access to the nesting beaches. We respect closures and Captain Dustin knows the current refuge rules.

How long is the trip?

Boca Grande is a full-day destination -- about 90 minutes each way from our Perry Hotel and Marina dock on Stock Island, depending on weather. Most groups pair Boca Grande with a Marquesas Keys stop on the same day, making it a 7-8 hour charter.

Boca Grande is full-day only -- $1,795 from $2,495 depending on duration and combined destinations. Up to 6 guests standard, 8 by arrangement, includes captain, fuel, and gear.

Boca Grande Sandbar Key West | Marquesas Approach

Q: Where is Boca Grande Key?

Boca Grande Key is an uninhabited island approximately 11-12 miles west of Key West, on the approach to the Marquesas Keys. It's part of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Accessible only by boat.

Three things you only get out here.

The backcountry sandbars are 8-10 miles from Key West. Boca Grande is 12 miles in the opposite direction — west, into the open Gulf, on the approach to the Marquesas. Different trip, different reward.

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Empty beach

Boca Grande Key is uninhabited and largely undeveloped. On a typical day you'll have hundreds of yards of beach to yourselves. The kind of empty that exists only on islands you can't drive to.

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Sea turtle habitat

Protected loggerhead and green turtle nesting habitat in season (May-October). We respect refuge closures of the nesting beaches. Outside the nesting season, the full island beach is open.

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Pair with Marquesas

Boca Grande is on the way to the Marquesas Keys atoll. A full-day charter can hit Boca Grande for morning, then anchor at the Marquesas for afternoon. ~7-8 hours total, two destinations.

A full-day expedition

What a Boca Grande day actually looks like.

From our dock at the Perry Hotel & Marina, Boca Grande Key is about 90 minutes of running west across the open water. The run itself is part of the trip — you watch Key West disappear behind you and the horizon open up. On calm days the water glasses out and you can see baitfish flashing below the hull.

What you do once you're there.

Anchor in the lee of the island. Wade ashore (the beach drops off slowly — easy walk). Walk the open sand. Snorkel the patch reef just offshore on the south side. Eat lunch under the bimini. Some groups bring kites, frisbees, paddleboards — the beach is open enough that it all works.

Sea turtle season matters.

From roughly May through October the beach is loggerhead and green turtle nesting habitat. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service closes portions of the beach during peak nesting. We respect closures — Captain Dustin checks the current refuge map before the trip and we anchor only where allowed. Outside nesting season the entire beach is open.

Pair with the Marquesas.

The Marquesas Keys are about 13 miles further west — the only natural atoll in the Western Hemisphere. Boca Grande for the beach in the morning makes a natural pairing with the atoll lap in the afternoon for full-day trips.

Two charter formats.

Boca Grande is a full-day-only destination. Both formats launch from our Perry Hotel & Marina dock on Stock Island.

Beach focus

Private Boat Charter

Boca Grande only, full-day. Long beach walk, picnic lunch, snorkel the patch reef offshore. About 7 hours total. From $1,795.

See private charter →

The questions guests ask first.

Where exactly is Boca Grande Key?

Approximately 11-12 miles west of Key West, on the approach to the Marquesas Keys atoll. Part of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Accessible only by boat.

Boca Grande vs Boca Chica -- what's the difference?

Different places. Boca Chica is the sandbar southeast of Key West near the Navy air station. Boca Grande Key is uninhabited and west of Key West toward the Marquesas. Easy to confuse -- Captain Dustin will clarify when you book.

Is it kid-friendly?

For older kids, yes -- it's a full day on the boat plus a long beach. Younger kids may prefer a closer destination (Jewfish or Snipes in the backcountry, or Sand Key) where the run is shorter and the day is more flexible.

Can we snorkel at Boca Grande?

Yes -- there are patch reefs just offshore on the south side of the island. Visibility varies with weather. Gear is aboard. For a snorkel-first trip, the Marquesas combination charter offers better reef variety.

What's the weather risk?

The run west crosses open water -- south or west winds can make it rough. Captain Dustin watches forecasts closely. If conditions look poor we'll proactively reach out to discuss alternatives (different sandbar, different day, full reschedule). Your private-charter reschedule window is generous.

What does it cost?

Full-day private charter to Boca Grande starts at $1,795. Combined Boca Grande + Marquesas full-day is $2,495. Up to 6 standard. Includes captain, fuel, gear.

Ready for the empty beach?

Tell us your date and group size. We'll match it to weather and pair it with the Marquesas if conditions cooperate.

Pick the sandbars you’d like to visit.

Your captain matches destinations to the wind, tide, and conditions of your booked day. Selections become a request the captain will confirm before your trip.

Pick at least one sandbar to see your recommended charter.

Or call (305) 906-2880 to plan with the team

Or email info@sixfinscharter.com with your date and group size.

Boca Grande — uninhabited island, 12 miles west of Key West.