Kiteboarding is the newest way to enjoy the weather and water in Key West. Way cooler and more exciting than stand up paddle boarding, kiteboarding is an awesome new challenge for those who love being on the water. If you’re an angler or spearfishing person, kiteboarding in Key West is perfect on days when it’s too windy to go out to the reef.

Kiteboarding looks difficult, no doubt about it.  The kites can pull you across the water at 20 mph, and the jumps some of those guys do are pretty impressive.  But it’s actually much easier than it looks.  You don’t have to be made of muscle to control the kite.  Actually, your body weight does most of the work if you have proper form and technique.  By strapping a harness to your waist, which latches onto the control bar, you can lean into the weight of the kite and take a load off your arms.  This way, you can kiteboard around all day without your arms giving out.

Kiteboarding lessons will sometimes start out on the beach, just flying the kite so you learn not to just use your arms to control the kite.  Your core does most of the work.   And kiteboarding in Key West is done in waist-high waters on the Gulf side, where seas are less choppy, even if it’s really windy outside.   The scariest thing will be oversteering and becoming a human skipping stone.  And the most challenging thing physically is getting the kite back up after you’ve fallen down.  What’s not to love?

USS Mohawk Museum

The USS Mohawk is 165 feet long and was built in 1934. She worked hard for the US Navy, attacking German submarines all through World War II. It’s actually pretty unusual to see ships from this era that are still in working condition. They actually plan to have more ship museums at Truman Waterfront, in an area which is going to be called “Memorial Park”. What a dream for history buffs and old ship fans!

You can schedule an event or ask them to use the ship for filming movies or whatever; just call up the Coast Guard in Key West and ask.

The USS Mohawk Museum is open 10 to 4 Monday through Saturday. To get there, just drive south on Southard Street in Key West, all the way until you hit the waterfront area. Park for free on the big open gravel lot in front of the fence that marks the waterfront area.

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is run by NOAA, which stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a wing of the Federal government. They did a bang-up job of creating a beautiful space where you can learn about the coral reef and other marine life that exists in the waters around Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys. It’s professionally done, and miles ahead of any other similar type of Key West attractions in town.

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center has a nice bookstore/giftshop too, so don’t miss that on your way out. And although the museum is free, there are donation “buouys” around, where you are encouraged to donate a dollar or two or five. The place is so nicely done, so professionally carried out, that you will probably want to donate after seeing it. There’s a short movie that plays every half hour, interactive displays and beautiful wall-sized color photographs that make you feel like you’re actually in the coral reef. A small aquarium with reef fish can be found, too. It’s going to be interesting to see how popular the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center becomes, if they ever decide to start advertising!

To get to the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, drive south on Southard Street all the way to the Truman Waterfront. It’s next to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Parking is FREE! It’s open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 4pm.

Of all the things to do in Key West, the best ones involve the ocean. Whether it be snorkeling, diving, fishing or even glass bottom boat tours, the coral reef is what makes Key West special. Other things to do in Key West include Key West museums, bar hopping and Key West tours of Old Town and points of interest, but really, nothing compares to North America’s only living coral reef just six miles from shore!

That’s not to say that only the best things to do in Key West involve being on a boat or in the water. At the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, for example, NOAA has set up a state of the art interactive museum dedicated to the coral reef and the marine world around the Florida Keys. If you came to Key West for the natural beauty and the marine activities, head on over to the Truman Waterfront and take a look because it’s one of the nicest things to do in Key West.

For other things to do in Key West, check out the wonderful array of watersports you can take part in. Parasailing is a favorite new activity for most people. Or everyone should see the reef in person, either by taking a snorkeling trip or a glass bottom boat cruise.

For land lubbers, or if you need to take a break from the water for a day or an afternoon, take a conch train tour or a trolley tour of Key West. Or take in a few museums, or just stroll on Duval Street. For a complete guide of things to do in Key West, go to our special section, Things to do in Key West.