Travel Answers

I plan on moving to the keys the beginning of Feb. Starting fresh. I am a USMC Veteran seeking peace and serenity from the former madness. I am in my twenties with no kids, or mortgage holding me back from my plan, just a lack of local knowledge of the islands. And i have a very tight budget. My original plan was to move to key west, live in a tent, find work, move up the ladder etc. After further research, it seems like key west is not the wisest place to begin my new life. I am now looking into maybe starting in the upper keys. I want to work at a Marina or as a mate on a fishing charter boat. With my final goal being to purchase my own sailboat. I grew up on a fresh water lake working at a Marina, not the same as salt I understand, but I do have some knowledge of operating boats and some sailing experience. I will work anywhere really to begin with. I am using craigslist to find job openings and a possible place to rent. I need some local advice putting this plan into action. All knowledge would be greatful. Thank you

Hello, If one has only 2 days to be in the Florida Keys, where should one go? Thanks DD

We've snorkeled a lot but never in the keys. It doesn't sound like there's much to snorkel and we definitely need to take a boat. we only are going once so want to make it count! Where is the best snorkeling? off of Key West? Marathon? Pennekamp? somewhere else? Thanks for any advice and information.

Heading down to the Keys in a couple of days and trying to figure out where the best reefs are for snorkeling. We're staying in Tavernier. Any good places? Thanks

We're planning a trip from Miami through the Keys at the beginning of September. Is this really a bad time to do this due to hurricane season? Thanks.

I am helping my daughter and her best friend plan a trip to the keys. They are 24 yrs old. They fly into Miami. Would a small camper be a good idea? Are there enough campgrounds? The price would be around75 a day and then they would have tbe flexibility to see more. They will be on holiday for 10 days. Feb. 15. - 25 Thank you for your help! cheers!

When we were in Key West about 5 years ago, we were making small talk with a bartender one day and he mentioned that there are people who own live-aboard class boats that are harbored in the various Keys and rent them out as alternatives to condos for travelers. He did not have specifics, but we are about to plan a trip down there again in the spring and would very much like to explore that as an option. I have Googled around a LOT and have not really found much so I'm not sure if this is only something done in very small numbers or if I'm just looking in the wrong places. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

HAS ANYONE HAVE SOME GOOD INFO ON THIS SUBJECT? WE ARE LOOKING INTO A TRIP NEXT YEAR. LOVE THE BEACH AND SOME ADVENTURE. WANT TO SHELL HUNT, FISH AND MAYBE SOME TREASURE HUNTING WITH A METAL DETECTOR. DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START LOOKING FOR A GOOD RENTAL COMPANY OR A GOOD PLACE TO GO. HELP IF YOU CAN. ANYONE LOOKING FOR INFO ON THE BLACKHILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA? I CAN HELP WITH THAT.

I will be in Miami in mid May and am planning to spend Thursday to Sunday in the Florida Keys doing some diving. I will hire a car and drive down and stop at one or two spots depending on what is there. I am keen to know where would be the best places in the Keys to go and which dive operators are good, plus mid range accommodation for when I am down there. Currently I am thinking that Key Largo is the place I should go but am keen for suggestions

Hi, Doing some forward planning for a two week visit to the Keys in August / September 2012 and wondering if anyone can suggest which Key we should visit. If there are two really spectacular keys, we'd consider stay a week each on two keys. Purpose of the trip is to catch up with family and friends in a beautiful location. Rob and I live in Australia and the rest of the family will be coming down from Virginia and central Florida. Total of 10-18 adults and no children. Thinking about renting a couple houses for the visit. Definitely will want a pool and beach access. Nearby good snorkelling spots are a must. I am all about the pristine sand and crystal clear water. Hopeful that the keys have that since I've only been to central Florida beach (Cocoa Beach) with the brown unappealing water. Anyways ... suggestions would be much appreciated! Especially if you have stayed on more than 1 key and can share your favorite.

I'm thinking of renting a condo for a week at the Executive Bay Club in Islamorada. The description looks like it is pretty nice. I like the fact that there is a private beach. We will have a three year old and an infant with us and having a beach right on the premises where the kids will be able to play in the water is convenient. Has anyone been there? Any information would be helpful - we haven't committed to any place yet.

I'm planning a keys trip in April. What's the best travel book for the area? I see good reviews for Hidden Florida Keys & also for June Keith's. Any preference?

Experienced, well travelled looking to spend 3-4 months on the Florida keys 2011 Nov. But so many accommodation sites my mind is swimming! Any hints to find somewhere cheap??? Usually in Thailand and maybe we are being unrealistic! Hints and tips from locals much appreciated.

Hey guys, a buddy & I are planning a weeklong paddling trip to the Middle Keys area & are looking for some primitive campsites. Any advice? Are they abundant enough for this to be a feasible idea or should we plan on staying in campgrounds or motels? Thanks for the help!

where should i stay if i am plannng for a 4 day road trip from miami to key west? should i make a stop and stay overnight at other cities than key west along the way before i reach key west? How many nights should i be spending at key west? which area to stay if i want to be near stuffs (restuarant, the beach) but not in a super tourist trap? is there any good waterfront properties?

My daughter just moved to Grassy Key to work at the Dolphin Research Center. We'll be visiting her in late October and her place is too small for overnight guests. I could use some first hand knowledge of local hotels. Everything on tripadvisor looks horrible in Grassy Key. Should I expand my search? Please help!

Anyone have any suggestions for getting from Key West to Key Largo? I know Miami Beach 411 can offer me a link on their tour bus but it only runs once a day at 4:30pm and I would prefer to depart earlier - that would cost US$60 - wondering if there's other options, possibly cheaper?

We (2 adults, 2 teens) are looking for a place to spend Christmas through New Years. We like quiet, out-of-the-way places. We like to snorkel, and we are all strong swimmers. We'd like to find a place to rent for 6-7 nights that has nearby beaches, state parks, and beach-access snorkeling. From what I've read about it, Marathon sounds nice. Could someone recommend a motel or cottage/cabin rental on Marathon, or on another key like that? Thanks!

So confused and need serious advice. We are a family of 4 (6 year old and 3 year old) and thought we would like to fly into Miami and drive through the Keys. Total relaxation trip and to see some things along the way, turtles, alligators, deer, dolphins etc. What Keys should we stop in? We were thinking of a week and staying 2 or 3 nights in the same place. Thank you for any/all advice, they all look beautiful.

We are a family of four (in Australia) planning to travel from Miami down to Key West around thanksgiving ( between Wednesday Nov 25 and Sunday Nov 29) We only plan to spend two days in Key West and are wondering are there any days in our time frame that are better than others, and any days that should be avoided? We would really appreciate advice so as to avoid being in heavy holiday traffic. Any other suggestions for two adults and two teenagers would be appreciated Many thanks Patricia

We are looking to bring our boat down to the upper keys in mid to late June. We are thinking of booking a slip in Pennecamp State Park since we intend to also be sleeping on the boat (it's a small cabin cruiser). I've been starting to wonder about bugs since we camped out at Bahia Honda a couple years ago in July or August and it was the most misereable night I can remember. We are adventurous but, does anyone have any tips or knowledge about how bad the bugs are at that time or in that park in general? Can we get away with a little bug spray or are we looking at ducking for cover at sundown?

I would appreciation on renting a boat for the day to explore some island for a relaxing picnic. Any suggestion/ We are staying in Key West and Key Largo. Also, any suggestion on finding an island which is not overrun by tourist

Narrowed my choice for a summer rental down to a gulf/bayfront home in Key Largo, and an Atlantic/oceanfront home in Islamorada (vrbo.com/161674). I hear so much about the keys having terrible beaches(many on this forum) what is wrong with them? Is it just the lack of availability? Water looks amazing in the photos, just wondering if I am missing something?? Are there any waves at all? Looks so serene! Sorry for so many questions, huge investment for a week vacation and want it to be as good as possible. Thanks!! Tracy

If you were to choose one over the other, which would you choose..and why? THANKS SO MUCH!

A group trip I planned has just been cancelled. I have airfare booked into Miami (arrive Feb 7, depart Feb 15). I am thinking of driving to the Keys. I have been to Key largo before, nothing further south. Any suggestions on suite hotels or condos? There will be 4 of us traveling together and prefer a suite to 2 rooms. Thank you for any advice/suggestios.

We are going to be in Key West Thanksgiving week end. Any sugestions for good happy hours? Also resonable resturants--Thanks!! Dawn

We are going to Key West in April. I thought I found a great place, but after reading several reviews, not so nice. So my quesiton is where is a good place to say that is under200/ntg. I wouldn't mind a B&B as long as the rooms have their own bathrooms.

Hi all, I'm not sure if I'm on a wild goose chase here but I'm looking for accommodation towards the western end of the Florida Keys. There are all sorts of very nice (and pricey) establishments but I was hoping for something along the lines of a youth hostel. I'm having an extremely hard time locating anything of the kind though and I'm starting to wonder if Key West (or the Florida Keys for that matter) even have that sort of accommodations. I would imagine that Key West typically doesn't really cater for that class of traveller or am I wrong? Please tell me I am. Alternatively, are there any of the other islands towards the western end of the Keys where one might be able to get lower cost accommodation. Any sugestions would be appreciated.

I have a few questions actually. Any input would be most appreciated. I plan to visit the Keys, staying in Marathon, in early November. What's the weather and water temperature during this time? How far is it to the Everglades if I wanted to schedule a tour? What are gas prices like since I'll have a rental car? Any good cheap restaurants in Marathon? Thanks

Looking for a romantic place to absorb the beauty of the Florida Keys... Would like to find a place to relax and rejuvenate - have only three days in January. Would love to find a clean, upscale B&B or hotel near the Bahia Honda Beach... is this even possible? Thanks!