If you book a private charter with Coral Keys Adventures, you’re welcome to bring drinks, sandwiches, chips, fruit and plenty of snacks for your day on the water.
There is, however, one innocent-looking fruit that Capt. Rebekah would prefer you leave on dry land: bananas.
Yes, bananas. 🍌
Is there scientific evidence that bananas cause mechanical failures, summon rainstorms or generally wreak havoc on boats? Absolutely not.
But after Capt. Rebekah’s experiences with them, we’re not interested in conducting any further research.
Why Are Bananas Considered Bad Luck on Boats?
The superstition that bananas are bad luck aboard boats has been passed down among sailors and fishermen for generations.
There are several theories about how it began. One popular explanation dates back to the days when sailing ships transported bananas from tropical ports. Because bananas ripened and spoiled quickly, ships carrying them sometimes traveled faster than usual, supposedly making fishing along the journey less productive.
Another theory involves some very unwelcome stowaways. Bunches of bananas could harbor spiders and other insects, which understandably didn’t make the fruit especially popular with sailors.
Over the years, bananas have been blamed for everything from poor fishing to mechanical problems and bad weather.
Are any of these stories proof that bananas are cursed?
Of course not.
But then there are Capt. Rebekah’s banana stories.
And that’s where things get weird.
🍌 Banana Incident #1: The Boat That Mysteriously Quit
Before starting Coral Keys Adventures, Capt. Rebekah worked for a local boat rental company, where she helped start and operate the company’s tour division.
One day, boat renters called the office with a problem:
Their boat had simply stopped working.
The rental company had to tow the boat all the way back to the marina.
A mechanic went over it, trying to determine what had happened. Strangely, there didn’t seem to be an obvious explanation for why the boat had suddenly quit.
While the mechanic investigated, Capt. Rebekah came out to help the customers unload their belongings.
Then she looked inside their cooler.
There was only one thing inside…
A bunch of bananas. 🍌🍌🍌
Capt. Rebekah immediately got the mechanic’s attention.
“I figured out why the boat stopped working!”
Then she held up the bananas.
Mystery solved—at least according to boating superstition.
The actual cause of the failure was never determined.
Even stranger?
With the bananas gone, the boat worked the next day.
Coincidence?
Probably.
Maybe.
But Capt. Rebekah remembered it.
🍌 Banana Incident #2: The Alligator Lighthouse Windlass
Fast-forward to the summer of 2026.
Capt. Rebekah was taking Coral Keys Adventures guests snorkeling at beautiful Alligator Reef Lighthouse when the boat’s anchor windlass suddenly stopped working.
The windlass is the electric system used to deploy and retrieve the anchor—and this one wasn’t going anywhere.
Capt. Rebekah improvised and safely secured the boat to a piling at the lighthouse so the guests could still enjoy their snorkeling adventure.
Afterward, everyone headed back to the marina.
While Capt. Rebekah was unloading the boat and emptying the cooler, she made a discovery.
Bananas. 🍌😳
The guests had unknowingly brought bananas aboard.
When the windlass was later checked, it had completely seized up. The system wasn’t particularly old, and no one could give Capt. Rebekah a good explanation for why it had suddenly failed.
And this wasn’t a simple repair.
The entire windlass system—including the windlass motor—had to be replaced.
It turned into a very costly repair from what otherwise should have been a routine snorkeling trip to Alligator Lighthouse.
Was the banana responsible?
Scientifically, of course not.
But when an entire anchor windlass system mysteriously seizes on a boat carrying bananas, Capt. Rebekah takes note. 😂🍌⚓
And unfortunately for the banana’s reputation, this wasn’t going to be its last suspicious appearance aboard a boat.
🍌 Banana Incident #3: The Sunshine That Wasn’t
Then came September 2026.
Capt. Rebekah checked the weather for the following day’s charter, and the forecast looked fantastic: sunny skies and calm seas.
She passed the good news along to her guests. It looked like they were going to have a beautiful Florida Keys day.
The next morning, everyone boarded the boat.
And then Capt. Rebekah spotted them.
Bananas.
Not again.
She quickly explained the old boating superstition—and, more importantly, her increasingly impressive collection of personal banana evidence.
The guests agreed.
The bananas stayed on the dock.
Crisis averted!
Or so everyone thought.
Apparently, simply bringing them aboard may have already been enough to anger the maritime gods.
The group headed toward Alligator Lighthouse. Along the way, a small rain shower that hadn’t appeared to pose much of a threat suddenly changed direction and began moving toward the boat.
Then it grew.
And grew.
And intensified.
Eventually, Capt. Rebekah made the decision to head back to the marina.
The group returned to the dock in the rain and rescheduled their snorkeling adventure for the following day.
Three Banana Incidents Are Enough for Us!
Let’s review the completely unscientific evidence.
A rental boat mysteriously stops working. Bananas onboard.
The Coral Keys Adventures windlass inexplicably seizes at Alligator Lighthouse and the entire windlass system and motor have to be replaced. Bananas onboard.
A forecast for sunshine and calm seas turns into a growing rain shower that changes direction and comes after the boat. Bananas had been onboard.
Do bananas actually cause boat trouble?
No. There is absolutely no scientific reason to believe they do.
Do we plan to test the theory a fourth time?
Also no. 😂
There are plenty of other fruits in the world.
🍌🚫 The Official Coral Keys Adventures Banana Policy
When you join us for a private charter in Islamorada, bring your favorite snacks and drinks. Bring sandwiches. Bring chips. Bring watermelon, grapes, strawberries, oranges or just about any other fruit you love.
Just leave the bananas at the hotel.
Because after three suspicious encounters, Capt. Rebekah has decided this particular boating tradition deserves a little respect.
Besides, we’re heading out hoping for calm seas, beautiful reefs, dolphins, manatees, tropical fish, sunshine and great memories.
Why tempt fate over a banana?
No bananas. No bad luck. And definitely no fourth chances. 🍌🚫⚓
— Capt. Rebekah
Coral Keys Adventures | Islamorada, Florida
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