Enter the exciting, dangerous world of the 19th century wreckers that patrolled the reefs off Key West in search of damaged and sunken ships to salvage.
A visit to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum takes you back to the golden age of sail, when over 100 ships per day passed by Key West and an average of at least one ship per week would wreck somewhere along the hazardous Florida Reef.
The Key West wreckers were expert mariners who knew the treacherous waters well. They would race out to a ship that was in trouble, or in some cases already sunken, recover whatever cargo they could, then return to Key West. There, the Key West Wrecking Courts would award anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of the salvage profit to the wreckers, depending on how dangerous and difficult the salvage operation was.
By the 1830s, Key West was accounting for 60% to 90% of the Florida Territory’s imports and exports, and most of this traffic was generated by the wreckers. The days of the Key West wreckers ended as the onset of railroads and improvements in navigational aids greatly reduced the number of shipwrecks. The Key West Wrecking Courts closed in 1921, but you can go back in history to enter the world of wrecking at Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
Rated by travel critics and visitors alike as a top Key West attraction, this fascinating history museum uses displays, video presentations, and historical re-enactors to paint a picture of life on a wrecking crew in Old Key West. You will enjoy a unique experience as film clips, interviews and actual underwater footage tells a mesmerizing tale in the re-created shipwrecker's warehouse.
See and touch artifacts from the Isaac Allerton, one of the richest shipwrecks in the history of Key West. Lift a silver bar salvaged from a Spanish galleon, learn about Asa Tift and other individuals who made their fortunes wrecking, and climb the 65-foot Captain's Observatory to scan the waters off Key West.
Get your eTickets right here at Travel Marketing and get ready to enjoy Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, a Key West attraction that is great fun for all ages.
Likely To Sell Out
Spaces are extremely limited this time of year so book early to ensure the date you want.
Voucher Confirmation Info
This tour accepts both printed and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers). You can either print the voucher and present a paper copy on the day of travel. Or, if you travel with a mobile device, simply show your Photo ID and present your voucher on your Smartphone or tablet on the day of travel.
Local Operator Information
Complete operator information, including local telephone number, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.
Are gratuities (tip) included in the price?
No. On most Tours of Key West tours and activities with guides, mates, captains, and assistance, tips are not included. Our general recommendation is 18-20% when you enjoy a quality service experience.
Are my credit card details safe?
Your information is safe with Tours of Key West. We take data protection very seriously and have a 100% secure checkout for all transactions.
1) We use SSL to encrypt all data on the website and use a tokenized processing system from Stripe.
2) Stripe has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1.
3) Our servers are monitored 24/7 for malicious activity and unauthorized access attempts.
Can I book an activity and leave it open dated?
The majority of travel services provided by Tours of Key West must have a pre-booked date designated in order for the activity to cater for passengers. Exceptions to this are attraction passes, hop on/hop off buses and trolley tours.
Can I book this activity when I get there?
Tours of Key West activities can only be booked online. It is recommended you pre-book your travel service to avoid disappointment as many of our tours and products are popular and can be sold out early. Therefore, visitors are encouraged to pre-book to ensure a satisfying, worry-free vacation.
Do you provide a shuttle to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum?
Currently, Tours of Key West does not provide transportation to the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
I am unable to locate the check-in. What should I do?
If you arrive for your activity start point and you are unable to locate the check-in location, we first recommend calling the local contact phone number found on your confirmation email. If you are unable to reach the local contact, we will be more than happy to help you out.
What do I need to show at check-in?
Most Tours of Key West activities accept both printed and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers). You can either print the voucher and present a paper copy on the day of travel. Or, if you travel with a mobile device, simply show your Photo ID and present your voucher on your Smartphone or tablet on the day of travel. However some outliers do exist, so be sure to read your confirmation voucher fully.
What is the weather cancellation policy?
If the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum must be canceled due to bad weather, and you cannot go on another day, you will be issued a full refund by Tours of Key West.
When do I need to arrive for check-in?
Unless otherwise noted, please arrive for check-in 30 minutes before your Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum begins. The exact start time may be based on your chosen options and will be noted on the confirmation you receive after booking.
Where can I park my car?
If required, parking instructions for the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum will be included in your confirmation email.
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum will be included in your final confirmation email from Tours of Key West. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes it way to you!
