It’s that time of year again — the body paint is back, the beads are flying, and the streets of Old Town are packed with pirates, mermaids, and creatures you probably couldn’t explain to your mom.
Fantasy Fest is full throttle right now, and whether it’s your first time or your 15th, a little strategy goes a long way. Here’s your no-B.S. guide to surviving (and actually enjoying) Key West’s most colorful week.
☀️ 1. Hydrate Like You Mean It
Between the sun, the booze, and all that walking (or dancing), you’ll burn through fluids faster than you think. Keep a reusable water bottle on you and alternate drinks with H2O — or better yet, grab a coconut water to keep those electrolytes in check.
👣 2. Don’t Sleep on Your Feet
Fantasy Fest is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t try to hit every bar crawl, parade, and afterparty. Pace yourself — trust us, Duval will still be standing tomorrow. Find a shady spot, hit a chill restaurant mid-day, or…
(see tip #7) 😉
🧴 3. Sunscreen. Always. Everywhere.
This isn’t optional. You’re going to be out in the sun longer than expected, especially if you’re rocking minimal clothing or body paint. That sunburn you “didn’t feel at the time” will absolutely ruin your weekend. SPF 30+, reapply every 2 hours. You know the drill.
👗 4. Costume Smart
That 30-piece glitter alien outfit might look amazing… for the first hour. But by midnight, you might wish you’d gone with breathable fabrics and fewer layers. Comfort is cool. So are flat shoes. Key West sidewalks are not kind to heels after three mojitos.
📱 5. Don’t Rely on Your Phone
Cell service can get spotty during big events. Don’t count on being able to text your friends or call an Uber easily. Agree on a meetup spot in advance. Also: your battery will die faster when you’re taking selfies with 400 pirates. Bring a portable charger.
💤 6. Respect the Recharge
This isn’t a 24/7 party… okay, it is. But you don’t have to party 24/7. Grab some rest when you can. Nap. Hit the pool. Power down so you can power back up for the night events.
🏝️ 7. Escape the Madness (Even Just for a Few Hours)
Here’s a local pro tip:
If you really want to survive Fantasy Fest — take a break from it.
Book a private charter, head out to one of Captain Howie’s favorite sandbars, and float in waist-deep water with nothing but sunshine, salt air, and good vibes. It’s the ultimate Fantasy Fest reset button — the kind of peace and quiet that helps you rally for the next party.
⚓ Need a Mid-Fest Chill Session?
We get it — the parade is wild, the people-watching is next-level, but sometimes you need to catch your breath.
Hop on a sandbar charter this week and get a little peace between the parties. We’ll bring the good vibes — you bring the noodle.
📅 Book your sandbar escape now »
☀️ Departing daily from Key West