Florida Keys Travel Forum

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 under $200/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!

Hi,
I'm new to virtual tourist but, am intrigued by the way everyone shares their
travel knowledge. I am working on planning a trip to the keys with my husband. Neither of us have ever been to the keys and I would love for this to be the most special, romantic, unforgettable trip we've ever taken. He loves the water so,a great place to swim would be great, I've heard there aren't really any waves around the islands, true or not? He also loves great food and drink and exploring local life wherever we travel. Nice amenities wherever we stay overnight would be great. Would love to stay on the beach. I love the idea of quite, relaxing, nature filled evenings. Can anyone help or am I dreaming?

Hi! I'm going to Key West in June for 4 nights, then going to another Key for 2 nights, then staying in Miami for 2 nights.

I just wondered which of the other Keys would be best to visit - Largo and Islamorada seem to be the main ones?

Thanks!

Hi!

Here is my situation. I am married but my husband just started a new job so he can't take a vacation for a while. I need a vacation. I've been dreaming about taking a tropical vacation but for right now I don't have a passport- and I don't think I want to visit the Bahamas or the Caribbean without my husband. It would make me sad.

Would it be feasible to fly from Chicago to the Keys and then rent a car to travel leisurely through the Keys? I would have about 5-7 days to go wherever I want. It would be just me. I'd like to just stop and eat and sleep without having to plan it. But I don't know if this is ok?

I do want to experience Key West, but also much of the low key places like the turtle sanctuary and the dolphins. I know I have a lot of reading to do but I'd like to know if a "free-styling" idea like this would work in the Keys. I don't want to be tied down with reservations, etc. But at the same time I can get confused driving through downtown Chicago so I have to know if this is doable.

Thanks!

I want to spend the month of April (2008) in the Florida Keys. I'm dreaming of swimming every day in a warm ocean. Do you have to go out on a boat to find a safe place or are the beaches/water access adjacent to hotels and vacation rentals good for swimming, too? I'd love to hear from someone who knows the keys who could point me in a direction of good swimming combined with low(er) cost for a monthly rental. I'll have a car, if that makes a difference in your advice. Thanks for your help,

Steph

Hello Everyone!
We live in Chicago and we're SICK of the cold and snow, and are thinking of a getaway with our boys. Can you tell me a good time of year to go, meaning 'off season?' When are there more deals to be had? Do we need to worry about hurricanes during a certain time?

Would anyone recommend staying somewhere along the Keys? I'm thinking we would drive down from Miami, and maybe spend some time 'here or there' (haven't fully researched where yet), and spend a night, or is everything pretty much do-able, if we were to do simple 'day trips?'

How is Looe Key? I've heard it's a lot of fun - would a 5.5 year old enjoy himself? Things for him to do?

Thanks so much!!

Pam

We are planning a trip to the US from South Africa in November - couple of days in New York, Caribbean cruise, ending in Tampa.

We're thinking of tagging on a trip to the Florida Keys afterwards. I started out looking at Key West, because as a foreigner, it's pretty much all I knew. Having surfed the net, I am now in information overload.

Can anyone clue me in on how best to plan a trip to the Keys? Hop between the various islands (?), stay in Key West and rent a car or what?

We will probably fly to the Keys - seems like it's about a 5 hour drive from Tampa?

Any guidance would be most appreciated.

TIA

Hello, I'm looking for some feedback on my itinerary (too busy? missing something?):

Day 1: Miami (Little Havana, Bayside Market, Miami Beach)
Day 2: Key Largo (morning snorkel), Islamorada (lunch), drive down to Key West
Day 3: Key West, Big Pine Key (Bahia Honda SP, Key Deer Refuge)
Day 4: drive to Everglades - day at Everglades NP
Day 5: Everglades NP

Our main focus is Keys/Everglades NP - only one day in Miami (I'm sure there is tons more to do there!).

I've read that the best snorkelling is in Key Largo, but would we miss much if we went snorkelling in Bahia Honda SP?

All feedback/suggestions appreciated! Thnanks :)

Hi, We plan to visit Florida in this coming November and are wondering if there are any public beach in Key West? As we will be staying in a cheap motel and I suppose there isn't any beach facing facility.

Thanks

Hello! My fiance and I are considering a destination wedding in the FL Keys (we live in IN, originally from OH). We have yet to actually visit the Keys, but have spent plenty of time on the East and West coasts of FL, and love what we have heard/read/seen of the Keys. Could anyone recommend a particular location, or even possibly a resort, to look into? We're in our mid-20's, laid-back and fun-loving, and will be accompanied by our friends and families (a pretty good mix other adventurous kids our age, older folks who love fishing and nature, and families with young children). Also, we're considering spring of this year or fall of next, any thoughts? Thanks in advance for your help!

Is it possible to get a hotel room on spec over/between christmas and the new year in or near Key West? We'll be travelling (if we go) last minute and don't want to make hotel bookings ahead of time if we don't have to.

Thanks ...

Taking five teenagers lobstering. We have all the equipment and have read up on it. But now, where do we go? Any locations you are willing to share? We have a boat, or can go on land.

Thanks

Barbara

My wife (29) and I (30) are taking our frist trip to the Keys in a few weeks. While there we would like to take a deep sea fishing trip, but cannot afford to charter an entire boat for just the two of us. If there is anyone out there in a similar situation who would like to discuss coordinating a trip, we'd love to hear from you. Ideally we would like the trip to be on 7/30 but could feasibly go anytime during that week.

I don't check these boards often, if you are interested in discussing this, email me at <thompsong14@gmail.com>.

Glenn Thompson

I'm plotting a trip to Key West this October.I'll be cashing in some rewards points so price isn't the issue but I'd like to fly as direct as possible from the DC area.I'm sure I'll have to change planes somewhere but I'd like to avoid Miami.Anyone know if there are there direct flights from anywhere in the mid atlantic?I know there is a flight out of Atlanta and Norfolk would work if it was a direct but I can't find what I need on my dates yet. Thanks all-CR

I'll be going early October but whe does all the fantasy fest stuff start?I'll be early I bet....

Could anyone recommend the best places for snorkeling in the keys?

I was wondering if there are any lighthouses visible from the road to/through the Keys, or from any of the towns along the way. Has anyone ever seen any lighthouses while driving down there? I know they are out in the water (except for the one in Key West, which I've visited), but I'm trying to get a better idea of where to see them, how much can you see (a speck or something more!) and things like that.Any help you can give me would be appreciated.