Private · Up to 6 · All ages
2-Hour Charter, Sailfish
A quick sandbar or sunset run on the 24.
| Boat, 2 included | $500 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Mellow Ventures Cafe dock, 1605 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West
2026 Conch Shell Awards nomineeBest Boat Tour
Good Times Key West
Private charters where the plan is whatever your group wants: fish in the morning, snorkel after, sandbar until sunset. Two boats, six guests, a captain who grew up fishing, and the Dry Tortugas as a day trip or an overnight.
- Charters from
- $500
- Dry Tortugas day
- $2,000
- Tripadvisor
- 5.0
- FishingBooker
- 4.9
Editorial spotlight. Good Times Key West is a nominee in the 2026 Conch Shell Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The captains
A Michigan angler and an Army veteran
Justin Ferrell grew up fishing in Michigan, trained in marine propulsion, spent two years on high-performance engines on Lake Tahoe and moved to Florida in 2007. He started guiding in Key West in 2010 and runs Good Times with his family. Ryan Aper, the second captain, is a decorated Army veteran with a 100-ton master's license and a sailing endorsement, in Key West since 2011.
The trips are built around the group rather than a menu. Fishing licenses, tackle, live bait, snorkel gear, a cooler with water and ice, shade, a stereo and a propane grill are on the boat; bring your own food and drinks. Reviews call it the best charter in town more than once; Tripadvisor has it at 5.0 across 118 reviews and FishingBooker at 4.9 across 231.
“Fully customizable.”
Charter captain
Capt. Justin Ferrell
Master captain
Capt. Ryan Aper
Both names link to the Good Times captains page. Mates named in reviews include Tony, Matt, John, Mike, Nate and Woody.
The long one
Dry Tortugas on the Carolina Classic
Seventy miles west to Fort Jefferson on the 35-foot Carolina Classic, a boat with an air-conditioned cabin, galley, head and radar. The day trip is twelve hours from 8 am; the overnight is two days and one night with a captain and a first mate, sleeping aboard or camping on Garden Key with rented gear, up to six.
Fuel is billed separately on the Tortugas trips, and the park fee is not stated on the listing; ask when you book.
| 12-hour day trip, up to 6 | $2,000 plus fuel |
|---|---|
| Overnight, 2 days 1 night | $4,000 plus fuel |
Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026. Fuel and park fees are extra on Dry Tortugas trips.
Check AvailabilityThe boats
The Sailfish and the Carolina Classic
The 24 covers the reef, flats and sandbars for up to six. The 35 goes offshore, to the Tortugas, and takes a bigger group in comfort.
24 ft Sailfish 2360 CC
- Power
- Suzuki 300
- Guests
- Up to 6; price includes 2
- Aboard
- Enclosed head, T-top, livewell, freshwater shower, JL Audio
- Use
- 2 to 8-hour custom charters
35 ft Carolina Classic
- Guests
- Up to 6; price includes 6
- Aboard
- Air-conditioned cabin, galley, head, Raymarine radar, electric reels
- Use
- Offshore, sunset cruise, Dry Tortugas day and overnight
19 ft Twin Vee
- Power
- 140 hp Suzuki, restored 2022
- Guests
- Up to 4
- Use
- Backcountry
Book it
Charters
Every trip is private and priced for the boat. The Sailfish price includes two guests and adds more on the booking page; the Carolina Classic price includes six. Checked against FareHarbor on September 30, 2026.
Private · Up to 6 · All ages
4-Hour Charter, Sailfish
Fish, snorkel or sandbar, your call. No November dates at this check.
| Boat, 2 included | $700 |
|---|
Private · Up to 6 · All ages
6-Hour Charter, Sailfish
Enough time to mix two or three things.
| Boat, 2 included | $950 |
|---|
Private · Up to 6 · All ages
8-Hour Charter, Sailfish
The full day on the 24.
| Boat, 2 included | $1,200 |
|---|
2 hours · Private · Up to 6
Champagne Sunset Cruise, Carolina Classic
Sunset on the big boat with a bottle.
| Boat, 6 included | $800 |
|---|
Private · Up to 6
4-Hour Charter, Carolina Classic
The 35 for a half day: reef, wrecks or a sandbar in comfort.
| Boat, 6 included | $1,100 |
|---|
Private · Up to 6
6-Hour Charter, Carolina Classic
Offshore range with time to work it.
| Boat, 6 included | $1,400 |
|---|
Private · Up to 6
8-Hour Charter, Carolina Classic
The full offshore day.
| Boat, 6 included | $1,750 |
|---|
12 hours · Private · Up to 6
Dry Tortugas Day Trip
Fort Jefferson and back in a day. Fuel extra.
| Boat, 6 included | $2,000 |
|---|
2 days, 1 night · Private · Up to 6
Dry Tortugas Overnight
Sleep aboard or camp on Garden Key. Captain and first mate. Fuel extra.
| Boat, 6 included | $4,000 |
|---|
Multi-boat trips for bigger groups, boat weddings and ash scatterings are arranged by phone: (305) 923-3635.
Before you go
Know before you go
Where to board
The tiki hut at Mellow Ventures Cafe, 1605 N Roosevelt Boulevard. Free parking across the street at the Veterans Memorial flagpoles.
Included
Fishing licenses, rods and tackle, live bait, fish cleaning, snorkel masks and fins in limited sizes, a cooler with water and ice, shade, Bluetooth stereo and a propane grill.
Bring
Your own food and drinks. Life jackets are required for kids under six and provided.
Pricing
Sailfish prices include two guests and add up to six on the booking page. Carolina Classic prices include six. Dry Tortugas trips bill fuel separately.
Reviews
What guests say
- 5.0TripadvisorRating as of September 30, 2026
- 4.9FishingBookerRating as of September 30, 2026
- 2021Travelers' ChoiceTripadvisor
Reviewers write about captains who find fish in bad conditions and stay patient with beginners, trips that mix fishing, snorkeling and a sandbar without fuss, and how well kids are handled. More than one calls it the best charter in town.
Questions
Good to know
What can we do on a charter?
Anything the boat and the day allow: fishing, snorkeling, sandbars, island hopping, dolphins, sunset, or a mix. Tell them what the group wants.
How many people fit?
Six on either boat. The Sailfish price includes two and adds guests on the booking page; the Carolina Classic includes six.
Can we go to the Dry Tortugas?
Yes, on the 35-foot Carolina Classic: a 12-hour day trip for $2,000 or an overnight for $4,000, fuel extra.
Where does it leave from?
Mellow Ventures Cafe at 1605 N Roosevelt Boulevard, with free parking across the street.
What does it cost?
From $500 for two hours on the Sailfish to $1,750 for eight hours on the Carolina Classic. Checked September 30, 2026.
Book the boat, plan the day
Private custom charters and Dry Tortugas trips from North Roosevelt.
Check Availability