Florida Keys Refuge · Man Key
Smaller. Quieter. Half a mile east of its better-known neighbor in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Same clear water, same patch reef, fewer boats. Almost always part of a Woman Key charter day.
Why Man Key isn't an afterthought
Most charters that visit Woman Key also stop at Man Key — not because the brochures say to, but because anchoring at Man Key on a windy Woman Key day means smoother water.
Tour boats and DIY captains usually default to Woman Key. Man Key gets less attention — which means more privacy, fewer wakes, quieter water.
The wind direction that exposes Woman Key often leaves Man Key sheltered, and vice versa. Captain Dustin picks the better anchorage by reading the day.
The patch reef structure is similar to Woman Key. Parrotfish, sergeant majors, occasional turtles, sand-dollar-grade clear water on calm days.
A half-day, often paired
Most Man Key visits happen as part of a Woman Key half-day. From our Perry Hotel & Marina dock the run is about 30-40 minutes west. Captain Dustin anchors at whichever island is in the better wind position for the day, then drifts the boat to the second island after a couple of hours.
Both islands are in the open Gulf approach to the Marquesas, so wind direction matters. North wind keeps Man Key calm and Woman Key bumpy. South wind reverses it. Captain Dustin checks the forecast and picks the order — you may not notice the decision, but the calm anchor side will be obvious once you're there.
Same activities as Woman Key — snorkel the patch reef, walk the beach (refuge rules permitting), float in the shallows, eat lunch on the boat. The difference is texture, not activity: Man Key feels more remote because fewer other boats stop here.
Man Key is inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Colonial bird nesting season (March-August) closes portions of shoreline. We anchor only where allowed and follow refuge guidelines — the islands are wild and need to stay that way.
How Six Fins gets you to Man Key
Both formats launch from our Perry Hotel & Marina dock on Stock Island. Man Key is private-charter only.
Half-day, your group only, paired Woman Key + Man Key. Jeanneau NC 895, USCG-licensed captain. From $1,195.
See private charter →Captain picks the day's clearest snorkel stops — Man Key and Woman Key are reliable picks. Plus a couple of patch reef stops on the way out.
See snorkel charter →Man Key FAQ
Man Key is an uninhabited refuge island about 5 miles west of Key West, roughly half a mile east of Woman Key.
It sits inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge and is accessible only by boat. Most Man Key trips are planned together with Woman Key because the two islands naturally pair on the same half-day route.
Most guests should think of this as a Woman Key + Man Key day rather than choosing only one island. The captain chooses the better anchorage based on wind direction, water clarity, tide, and refuge rules.
If you specifically want the quieter-feeling island, mention Man Key when booking. The captain can anchor there first if conditions make it the better choice.
Most casual boaters default to Woman Key because it is better known. Man Key sits nearby but tends to feel more private, especially on days when the wind makes Man Key the better anchorage.
That is why local captain judgment matters. The best island is often the one with calmer water on that specific day.
Man Key has shallow patch reef similar to Woman Key, commonly in the 6–15-foot range. Guests may see parrotfish, sergeant majors, blue tangs, barracuda, and sometimes turtles when conditions cooperate.
Snorkel gear is available, but visibility and wildlife are never guaranteed. Wind, tide, and water clarity decide how good the snorkel stop feels.
Day-use beach access may be possible in open areas, but Man Key is inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, and portions of shoreline may close during bird nesting season, roughly March through August.
The captain will follow current refuge guidance and anchor only where allowed. If landing is not appropriate, the charter can still focus on snorkeling, floating, swimming, and boat-based beach time.
The run to the Woman Key / Man Key area is usually about 30–40 minutes from Perry Hotel & Marina, depending on wind, tide, and route.
Because the islands are close to Key West compared with Boca Grande or the Marquesas, they work well as a half-day private charter when conditions are right.
Man Key is typically part of the 4-hour Secret Local Sandbar Escape for $1,195, usually paired with Woman Key. For a longer day, the Custom Combo Charter is $1,395 for 6 hours or $1,795 for 8 hours.
Pricing is per boat, not per person. Up to 6 guests is standard, with 8 by arrangement where the charter setup allows.
The captain may adjust the order of stops, choose Woman Key instead of Man Key first, or select another protected destination if conditions or closures require it.
That flexibility protects the refuge and gives your group a better day than forcing one island against the wind, tide, or rules.
Send us your date and group size. We'll match it to weather, anchor at the calm-side island first.
Or email info@sixfinscharter.com with your date and group size.