Private Dry Tortugas Fishing Charters
Private Dry Tortugas Fishing Charters
Laid Back Key West offers private, fully customizable fishing charters out of Hurricane Hole Marina on Stock Island. Aboard Colorado Blue — a fast, comfortable 32-foot Intrepid 323 center console with twin 300 HP Yamaha engines — Captain Eric Grandcourt takes up to six guests out for a day built entirely around what you want to catch. No crowds, no rigid schedule, no big-box charter feel — just your group and the water.
Our specialty is the Dry Tortugas — a full-day run 70 miles west to some of the most productive, uncrowded fishing in the Keys, with historic Fort Jefferson and world-class snorkeling waiting when you're ready for a break. It's a bucket-list day, and few people know that stretch of ocean better than Captain Eric, who has run these waters for years — including on the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry, which he still captains on Fridays.
Closer to home, fish the reefs and wrecks for snapper, grouper, and more, or run offshore for mahi and tuna. Prefer to mix it up? We can combine fishing with snorkeling, sandbar stops, and dolphin watching — your ideal day on the water, your way.
The boat is rigged and ready with quality gear, rod holders, a shaded bimini, freshwater shower, and a private head. We clean and fillet your catch so you head back with dinner ready for the grill. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the family out for their first trip, Captain Eric puts you on the fish and makes it a day you'll remember.
Laid Back Key West offers private, fully customizable fishing charters out of Hurricane Hole Marina on Stock Island. Aboard Colorado Blue — a fast, comfortable 32-foot Intrepid 323 center console with twin 300 HP Yamaha engines — Captain Eric Grandcourt takes up to six guests out for a day built entirely around what you want to catch. No crowds, no rigid schedule, no big-box charter feel — just your group and the water.
Our specialty is the Dry Tortugas — a full-day run 70 miles west to some of the most productive, uncrowded fishing in the Keys, with historic Fort Jefferson and world-class snorkeling waiting when you're ready for a break. It's a bucket-list day, and few people know that stretch of ocean better than Captain Eric, who has run these waters for years — including on the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry, which he still captains on Fridays.
Closer to home, fish the reefs and wrecks for snapper, grouper, and more, or run offshore for mahi and tuna. Prefer to mix it up? We can combine fishing with snorkeling, sandbar stops, and dolphin watching — your ideal day on the water, your way.
The boat is rigged and ready with quality gear, rod holders, a shaded bimini, freshwater shower, and a private head. We clean and fillet your catch so you head back with dinner ready for the grill. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the family out for their first trip, Captain Eric puts you on the fish and makes it a day you'll remember.
Select date to see availability
Trip availability and prices
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (16)
What anglers say
Reviews (47)
Monica Codner5.0VerifiedFun day!!
6 Hour Trip on September 21, 2025 • 2 adults6 hour day of fishing! Ray was always busy putting on bait or re-rigging so there was no interruption with our fishing experience. We caught plenty yellowtail snapper, couple cobias, and a little shark. Great day!
Eric SwaisgoodRepeat angler5.0Verified3/4 day with capt Eric
6 Hour Trip on June 23, 2022 • 4 adults • 2 childrenGreat day on the water! Started off by trying to catch a tarpon with unfortunately no luck but saw plenty and was still fun. Saw some dolphin close then went to beautiful sandbar with family which was an amazing time swimming and snorkeling if beautiful water. Then went to reef and caught some very tasty yellow jacks for dinner which capt cleaned! Went around entire island by the end of trip and capt was great with kids. Highly recommend.
Jacqueline MorrisRepeat angler5.0VerifiedFun on the seas
6 Hour Trip on January 31, 2023 • 3 adultsAwesome day with Captain Eric! I was able to let all my cares float away. Excellent tour around the islands and fishing was fantastic!
Stephanie Mcnamara4.7VerifiedFishing with Eric
6 Hour Trip on August 26, 2023 • 5 adults • 1 childIt was a wonderful experience. The captain knew what he was doing and made the trip enjoyable. We got to snorkel, see Dolphins, and fish!
David BoersRepeat angler5.0Verified5-hr trip with Captain Eric
5 Hour Trip on March 1, 2021 • 2 adultsGreat day snorkeling and fishing. Captain Eric was great. Knowledgeable, entertaining and just a downright nice young man.
Josh Edwards5.0VerifiedGreat day fishing
5 Hour Trip on November 13, 2020 • 4 adults • 2 childrenCaptain Eric was awesome. The kids had a great time. We would definitely go out with him again!
Sam Takacs3.7VerifiedOur family trip
5 Hour Trip on August 2, 2016 • 4 adultsThe add said that lunch was included , We were charged 44.00 for two sandwiches and two salads, captain was great and stayed out extra time since the fish were not bitting, Our girls enjoyed the snorkeling as well. All in all not bad, Need to be more clear on what you supply, we also paid for our own drinks , boat had water on it.
Chandler Brownlee4.3VerifiedGreat boat!
5 Hour Trip on August 5, 2015 • 4 adultsCapt Eric was great to customize our trip to my girls needs which was fishing, dolphin watching, and snorkeling...
Ron Ferris5.0VerifiedPerfect day in imperfect conditions!
6 Hour Trip on August 5, 2024 • 3 adults • 1 childEric was an excellent Captain for our fishing trip. He was great with our two teenage girls that wanted to fish, but didn’t want to touch the bait! He kept them baited and explained how to catch the fish and was very patient with us all. We were fishing in the days after the TS Debby weather and Eric helped us craft our trip to accommodate the rough weather conditions and the girls caught several fish. When he could tell the kids were “fished out” he suggested we go search for dolphins. We found a beautiful pod of about six dolphins with a baby which was an amazing way to end our trip that day! We’d definitely use Laid Back Key West Charters again when in Key West and would recommend him to everyone!
Christy Roop5.0VerifiedFamily day trip
6 Hour Trip on September 14, 2023 • 6 adultsCaptain Eric was excellent ! We had so fun! My husband and I, our two daughters and their husbands went out for a day of fishing, snorkeling and sand bar hopping. We managed to get in fishing and the sand bars, but the moon jellies had other plans so no snorkeling. But plenty of laughs and great memories were made! I would highly recommend!!!! What a great day!!!!!! ❤️Roop Family
Rating
Anglers' gallery (16)
What anglers say
All reviews (47)
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
Eric was an excellent Captain for our fishing trip. He was great with our two teenage girls that wanted to fish, but didn’t want to touch the bait! He kept them baited and explained how to catch the fish and was very patient with us all. We were fishing in the days after the TS Debby weather and Eric helped us craft our trip to accommodate the rough weather conditions and the girls caught several fish. When he could tell the kids were “fished out” he suggested we go search for dolphins. We found a beautiful pod of about six dolphins with a baby which was an amazing way to end our trip that day! We’d definitely use Laid Back Key West Charters again when in Key West and would recommend him to everyone!
6 hour day of fishing! Ray was always busy putting on bait or re-rigging so there was no interruption with our fishing experience. We caught plenty yellowtail snapper, couple cobias, and a little shark. Great day!
Captain Eric was excellent ! We had so fun! My husband and I, our two daughters and their husbands went out for a day of fishing, snorkeling and sand bar hopping. We managed to get in fishing and the sand bars, but the moon jellies had other plans so no snorkeling. But plenty of laughs and great memories were made! I would highly recommend!!!! What a great day!!!!!! ❤️Roop Family
Our captain was awesome. Real nice and he accommodated my family wishes. He customized to our needs and made it enjoyable for all. The fish were not biting but he kept trying. Sometimes you win sometimes you don’t. That’s why it’s called fishing. If you want a big box fishing charter this is not for you. If you like a laid back adventure this is for you. Highly revommend
FAQs about Private Dry Tortugas Fishing Charters
- US $2,900 per group - Dry Tortugas National Park (24 hours)
- Toilet A real, private head — not a bucket or a cramped box you have to crawl into. Colorado Blue has a genuine enclosed bathroom with 6'2" of standing headroom, a sink, a light, and a door that closes for full privacy. There's also a freshwater shower to rinse
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Snorkeling equipment
- Live bait well
- Multimedia system
- Outriggers
- Ice box
- Radio
- Sonar
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (The live bait we use depends on the time of year. Often it's pinfish, easily gathered from a trap we've already set, or pilchards we catch by throwing a cast net where the pelicans are diving. Either way, bait is included in your trip.)
- Catch cleaning & filleting (We're happy to clean and fillet your catch so you head home with dinner ready for the grill. Generally we take care of it back at Hurricane Hole Marina, where we depart from. Depending on the trip — if we need to drop you somewhere else — we're glad to cl)
- Drinks (Water included. Beer not included.)
- Fishing license (We are fishing license that are attached to the boat for up to six anglers and it will cover everywhere we fish.)
- Nearshore fishing
- Offshore fishing (Dry Tortugas )
- Light tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Spinning
- Cobia
- Hogfish
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snapper (Mutton)
- Snapper (Yellowtail)
Your captain
Stock Island, Florida, United States
Captain Eric Grancourt's journey began in Colorado many moons ago. Having explored the Rocky Mountains and the mile high city of Denver and Boulder, Eric found a renewing warmth in Key West. The cold winters spent hiking and snowboarding lost their appeal, and he traded his Colorado office suits in for wetsuits. Eric dove into the world of open waters, sea turtles, and schools of bottlenose dolphin. He worked as a divemaster and later became a captain for Captain's Corner Dive Shop. In the winter of 2011, Eric purchased his own boat – the rest is history.
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
How you can pay
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
What’s biting in Stock Island right now
Cobia
Hogfish
Snapper (Mangrove)
Snapper (Mutton)
Snapper (Yellowtail)Compare similar fishing charters
State licensed4.7(107)33 ftGroup size 1 - 61 - 6
+94 hour trip • 6 personsUS $1,000
Federally permitted4.6(33)35 ftGroup size 1 - 61 - 6
+104 hour trip • 6 personsUS $1,237
