Frequently Asked Questions - Argo Navis | Key West Sailing Charters

FAQ & Information

The Argo Navis is located at 0 Margaret Street at the Historic Key West Seaport. It is on the same docks as Half Shell Raw Bar and The Boat House at Turtle Kraals, the Turtle Museum and the Dock Master building and fuel docks. Look for the 82′ tall mast.

Google Maps Directions Here

here is a pay by hour city parking lot (Waterfront Brewery) adjacent to the dock at the corner of Caroline and Margaret street. Please allow plenty of time to find a space, use the pay kiosk (credit card or cash), place the parking receipt in your dash and walk the dock to the boat. If that lot is full (often around sunset), there’s a covered city parking garage at the corner of Caroline and Grinnell Streets. There is some on-street parking but do not park in a space marked residential or you may be towed. The free Duval Loop (pink bus) stops just around the corner on Caroline Street.

You should be on the docks 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. The boat leaves promptly so if you arrive late you will miss it. If that happens, please call us about rescheduling the next day (pending space availability), otherwise no refunds will be issued.

At Hindu Charters we take the Covid 19 situation very seriously. Safety of our customers and crew is paramount. That’s why we take the following precautions on every public sail:

  • Our crew remains vigilant and is regularly screened. 
  • If you are exhibiting any symptoms or have been exposed, please reschedule your sunset or brunch sail without penalty.
  • Our 2,800 square feet of floating space helps ensure you’ll be able to socially distance. We are licensed to carry 90 passengers but for now are sailing with right around 34 (or less).
  • All surfaces are thoroughly sanitized between cruises and during each sail. Crew wears gloves during all food prep and distribution.
  • Crew will hand out passed appetizers so trays remain touch free. 
  • Hand sanitizer is available everywhere on the vessel. Guests and crew are encouraged to utilize it liberally.

 

Thank you for putting your trust in the SV Argo Navis. Together we can enjoy the beautiful Florida Keys waters and do our part to help stop the spread.

 

Important Disclaimer: Of course an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. By sailing with Hindu Charters on the SV Argo Navis, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. You further acknowledge by purchasing a ticket you and your entire party agree to abide by any local, state or federal orders as well as any directions provided by the Captain and Crew for your safety and all passengers.

Not at this time. However if you are more comfortable, please feel free to wear one when moving about the interior cabin.

Yes, advanced reservations are required, usually minimum 4 hours in advance of a sail; 24 hours in advance of brunch. You can make reservations online at www.svargonavis.com, call 305.509.1771 to secure over the phone or come to the boat at 0 Margaret Street and one of our crew will be happy to assist.

We are a friendly dog friendly vessel and welcome you and your puppers. Please inform the crew when making a reservation that you’ll be bringing along your friend.

The SV Argo Navis does Doggie Day Sails select Saturdays in season from 11 am to 1 pm which includes lunch for everyone, snacks for the dogs and special treats. $20 of each ticket is donated to the Florida Keys SPCA. Check our facebook events for more information.

Our motto is ‘sail as you are’ so feel free to dress up or dress down – just kick those heels off at the gangplank. You may want a sweater or light jacket when the temperatures dip down in the 70’s but we always have blankets on board if you need one.

Your camera, sunglasses, a smile and a happy attitude is really all you’ll need. If you’re on a summer Sunday Funday you’ll need a towel and sunscreen. Please have an ID if you plan to partake in adult beverages.

There are mostly adults on our sails but children are welcome. We only have one price for all our tickets because we are capacity controlled and it’s by the passenger count total. Children on board 10 years of age and under will be required to wear a life jacket that we provide (it is a very safe and stable boat). There are several competent bonded and secured childcare services in Key West that will come to your hotel, guest house or rental. One that has good reviews: Key West childcare can be found by calling Sunshine Babysitting 24 hours at 305-522-6050. Ask for Cheryl.  Rates vary depending on the seasons, time of day and number and ages of children.

We serve premium wine and craft beer. We offer a cabernet, malbec, pinot noir and a red blend, a chardonnay, pinot grigio, cote de Rhône blend, moscato, sauvignon blanc and a rose along with a cava and a prosecco. For beers we offer a blond ale, kolsch, porter, session sour, IPA, Belgian style ale, lager, apple cider and a low gluten IPA as well as Bud Light. We also offer St. Paulie Girl NA.

 

Non- alcohol choices include coke, diet coke, root beer, sprite, ginger ale, ginger beer and several fun flavors of sparkling le Croix like key lime, hibiscus, watermelon and grapefruit.

For Sundays we offer bloody mary’s and a selection of vodka based specialty cocktails. For private charters and events a full premium bar is available.

Yes. If you have a special bottle of wine or champagne you’d like served please provide it to the crew when boarding and they will make sure that is served to you throughout the cruise. You may also bring hard alcohol. The bottle must remain with the crew who will mix drinks to your specifications. As a licensed bar, any opened bottles may not be removed from the vessel so plan accordingly. Of course you may bring your own beverages onboard in a covered container.

No, our crew is onboard to take care of you. As a licensed bar we must serve all drinks during the cruise and we pass the appetizers where you sit so you can just sit back and enjoy yourself.

The crew makes or prepares all food served on the vessel. For sunset, we offer 6 rounds of charcuterie-style appetizers including caprese skewers with basil grown on the boat, charcuterie on a stick with fresh baked bread from Cole’s Peace bakery, smoked fish dip sourced from the local bbq floating restaurant Smoked on the Water, toasted triple cream brie on a french baguette topped with fig jam, medjool date stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto, baked on board and then drizzled with Keez Beez local honey and finally a ripe strawberry sourced from the Thursday Key West.

Our Sunday menu changes with the season so please refer to your reservation for the current offering.

Please make it known when booking, if possible, or at boarding, if you have any food issues and the crew will do their best to accommodate.

There is no smoking permitted on the vessel.

Please make that known when placing your reservation or when boarding the vessel. We love to help our guests celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, engagements or anything really!

That depends on a lot of factors but generally the boat is so wide and stable most people are fine. If you have concerns, be sure to take the Dramamine the night before and then again the day of your cruise for the best results. We typically have seabands and other treatments onboard.

 

We have two spacious restrooms (his and hers) featuring regular household Kohler commodes.

There is a ramp and a few steps to navigate to board the vessel. There are a set of 4 somewhat steep steps (more of a ladder) to get to the restroom level. If somewhat ambulatory our crew is standing by to assist. We can also lock a rascal/personal chair to the dock and/or bring it on board if it’s possible for two crew members to lift.

We’ll do everything in our power to accommodate. Please call the boat at 305.509.1771 to discuss your needs with the manager prior to making your reservation.

There is air-conditioning in the main salon but during a sunset sail the doors are wide open so the temperature drops considerably. There are also a couple fans going. During private sails we can successfully keep the salon at a fairly constant temperature.

Yes, the back porch is completely covered. Also depending on which side you’re sitting and which direction we’re sailing, one side of the vessel is always shaded by the sails.

Tipping is optional based on your experience. Like most service industries in Key West, the crew does depend on gratuities and works hard to earn them. 20% is customary so for a sunset sail $20 per ticket is standard and a Sunday sail $25. Of course if the service is exemplary feel free to reward your crew appropriately.

Depending on the wind and the waves we’ll pick a direction but rest assured we’re never out of sight of land. We often sail to the point of Fort Zachary Taylor and do a little ‘harbor’ tour of the coastline including a ‘sail by’ of the famous Mallory Square.

For our public sunset sails we are currently taking up to 35 guests on a vessel rated for 91 passengers. For Sundays we are sailing with 24 or less. Private sails may be anywhere from 2 guests to 65, depending on the purpose.

There will be a 100 ton Master licensed Captain, a first mate and a deck hand minimum. Depending on the trip and the number of guests that number is increased.

We take all major credit cards, cash, check. We take Venmo for crew tips.

Yes but we must take a credit card to hold the reservation. Should you not show up for any reason, the card will be charged.

Yes. We specialize in private charters and events. Please contact our Cruise Director at 305.509.2719 to discuss your details and to get a quote or you may send an email inquiry to svargonavis@gmail.com

The Argo Navis has hosted all sorts of special events including weddings, birthdays, retirements, fundraisers, fashion show, pre-post wedding parties, romantic dinners, bachelor/bachelorette parties, engagements, incentive groups, team building, meetings and anything else you can think of.

Absolutely. Just make your interest known to the crew when you board and they will let you know when they’re ready. As a bonus, you get served the first drink

There is ample seating all around the boat and in the front on the ledge. There’s also couch seating on the back porch and of course seating inside the salon. We ask you to remain seated during departure and when returning to the dock and until the motors have been turned off. Otherwise you are free to move about the vessel keeping one hand for you and one for the rail.

No. We do not play any music. As a sailing vessel we want you enjoy the soothing sounds of the wind and the waves and great conversation.

Yes. Please call the boat at 305.509.1771 to make arrangements for an e-certificate or a paper certificate that can be mailed.

For parties over 12 we recommend a private charter. Please call the Cruise Director at 305.509.2719 to discuss. For parties of 6 or more a mandatory 20% gratuity will be charged.

Not at this time. Check back as we may resume overnights in the summer of 2022.

We do a nightly sunset sail unless there is a private charter. We also do a brunch sail every Sunday. We do a variety of special event and fundraising sails including our Doggie Day Sails  Also look for sails centered around New Year, Valentines, Mother’s/Father’s Day, Christmas and other special occasions as well as sails during Key West Pride, Womanfest, Fantasy Fest, Power Boat Races, Conch Republic Days, Hemmingway Days and other local festivals.

Reservations must be cancelled by phone call 48 hours prior to sailing to receive a refund. The full amount will be credited back to the credit card used to make the reservation. If it’s less than 48 hours as a courtesy we will attempt to reschedule you. Otherwise no refund will be given. Please note, guests who miss the boat will be rescheduled, if possible, however no refund will be given. 

All our sails are rain or shine unless the weather is unsafe. The Captain will make that call when appropriate and the crew will contact you at the number provided in your reservation to reschedule, at no additional charge, or offer a full refund. 

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