Lessons Learned from a Traveler’s Time in the Florida Keys

Ah, the Florida Keys. For the diving community, this Floridian Paradise makes its mark on the Nautical scene worldwide. However, for the newcomer, many nuances may catch them off guard. Here are some lessons learned from a local Floridian family that they wish they had known sooner. Read “Lessons learned from a Traveler’s time in the Florida Keys.”

Know Your Keys

Among the Florida Keys is famous Key West and Key Largo, inspiring the 1948 film noir picture Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. In between, you’ll see beautiful locations, enchanted with blue, crystal-clear waters. If you live near Miami, an early day trip may or may not be enough, depending on how much driving you wish to partake in. However, if you are booking an Airbnb, God forbid you book in a location 1 hour from a traditional beach. Afterall, booking in the wrong location can waste your time and money, even if you book in the Florida Keys. Make sure you book the right location, and plan your activities before you leave for the Florida Keys.

Lessons Learned from a Traveler’s Time in the Florida Keys

For a certain weary traveler, a great vacation was a click away on Airbnb and a five- to six-hour drive from home; however, they had never been to the Keys, and little did they know that their booked vacation included extra “perks” for which they were underprepared. Read on to learn about the different places, activities, and vacation-saving tips to get the best bang for your buck.

Location is Everything

One of the worst things a traveler can do is book an Airbnb or vacation rental that does not offer the amenities they are looking for. Amenities include the distance to the beach and the sights you plan to see. Common sense, but the Keys consist of three hours or more of driving. Therefore, selecting the wrong location can cost you time or money. Here are the main locations that are well known in the Florida Keys:

Key West

At the end of the Florida Keys is the well-known Key West. Famous for Kermit’s Key Lime Pie, Tortuga National Park, Hemingway Home, Key West Lighthouse, rich traditional Cuban culture, and vibrant nightlife, this hopping location draws travelers from around the world. However, if you book your Airbnb too far from this tropical gem, as our vacation “gurus” did, you may regret your trip from the start. Checking the zip codes or radius on your rental search query helps you avoid this heartbreaking mistake. After all, Key Largo is not that close to Key West. The zip codes that are generally within an hour’s drive (traffic-free) of Key West include:

33040 Key West (Main City)
33042 Summerland Key, Sugarloaf Key, Cudjoe Key
33043 Big Pine Key
33050 Marathon (Main City), Duck Key, Grassy Key
33051 Key Colony Beach
33052 Marathon Shores

Affordable Locations Near Key West

The most affordable place to stay is Big Pine Key, a quiet area and a haven at approximately $121 per night. However, Marathon offers more stores and nearby beach amenities, with Summerland being reasonably priced and closer to Key West.

The Natural Keys

For nature lovers who want to breathe in the life force of the Keys, the lower Florida Keys offer a relaxing opportunity to see deer, pine forests, luminous, star-filled nights, and alligators, and to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Key West Nightlife. After all, for kayakers, paddle boarders, and deep thinkers alike, this environment provides a tranquil haven. If our weary travelers had only seen the radius, they would have had a shorter trip to the Florida Keys every day, with the natural beauty of Bahia Honda State Park or National Key Deer Refuge, home of the small deer.

The Middle Keys

For affordable rentals, family-friendly conservation attractions like the Turtle Hospital or Dolphin Research Center, and simple beach vacations, the Middle Florida Keys, the Heart of the Florida Keys, and home to Sombrero Beach, offer peace of mind to families like our travelers. If only the young matriarch of the family had known that Marathon offered lower rates on condos and was easy to access, she would have booked closer to the center and Lower Florida Keys instead of hustling out the door early for half of a beach day. At least she didn’t have to worry about the high parking cost, but even Sombrero charged a small fee. Walking distance would have been better.

The Upper Keys, Home to Islamorada and Tavernier

Islamorada sounds as beautiful as it is. This gorgeous blue haven is renowned for fishing competitions, and a special lighthouse, the Sand Key Light, offers gorgeous resort-front beaches for aquatic exploration and Romantic Getaways. Join lovers around Florida and the World for a uniquely crafted piece of Key Lime pie and a love lock at The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, located a few minutes North in Tavernier, home to frequent boating competitions and aquatic dockside attractions, Florida.

Ah, Islamorada

If you are looking for a seamless beach vacation at a beautiful resort where you can regularly watch boats sail by, then Islamorado is for you. For our family of five and “Abuela,” the realization that they missed out on booking at Three Waters Resort meant missing out on the gorgeous private beach included with the stay and having to buy a day pass.

Key Largo, The Uppermost Key

For snorkel and diving enthusiasts, look no further than Key Largo! Home to Christ of the Abyss and the name of the iconic 1948 film, this paradise includes local charters, campgrounds with kayaking launch pads, and the natural wonder of John Pennekamp State Park. While this area is perfect for our coral Reef lovers, like our young millennial mom, the rest of the family had desires that reached beyond the campground pool. The state park offered her young aquatic enthusiast daughter the trip of her dreams. Mom had to book a special trip for her and her tween to snorkel while the rest of the family drove around cluelessly throughout the uppermost Florida Keys.

The Lessons Learned

Avoid being caught in a tourist trap like our Florida family by planning your trip ahead of time. Visiting the Florida Keys is not quite like visiting the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where you can beach anywhere and access lighthouses or cute towns for free. The Florida Keys require planning. You must decide whether your primary interest includes famous Landmarks, soaking up the Sun, camping, or snorkeling and PADI diving. You can complete everything on your bucket list over time, since everyone has one. However, booking the wrong place or underestimating the cost of renowned attractions can turn a getaway into a tiresome nightmare. Here are the lessons this eager family learned.

Booking the Right Location

When planning your trip to the Florida Keys, consider the beach access at your chosen location. Booking somewhere without a private beach could delay your outings. Islamorada has a lovely, small private resort beach, but it’s not the expansive sandy shore found in other areas. The Natural Keys offer a quieter atmosphere with beautiful sandy beaches, though they lack the endless coastlines seen elsewhere in Florida. While Key Largo is excellent for snorkeling and diving, and Islamorada caters to those seeking luxury boating experiences, the Middle Keys provide economical family-friendly resorts with shorter drives to Key West. Be sure to book near the activities you want to ensure an enjoyable stay!

Booking Amenities Can Eat Away at Your Wallet

The sandbar boats in Islamorada can be pricey, but there are ways to make your day by the sandbar more affordable. Look for inclusive packages that bundle amenities and activities. Additionally, when booking your stay, specifically request a beachfront resort to avoid any extra fees for beach access. otss suhris

Low-Cost Activities in the Keys

For kayaking enthusiasts, it’s also worth checking out seasonal deals; you might find a week-long kayaking package for around $100, depending on the location and time of year. This can be a great way to enjoy the stunning waters without breaking the bank! Key West offers budget-friendly attractions, and the beaches in the Natural and Middle Keys offer opportunities for low-cost daily visits.

Kayaking with Caution

Keep in mind that kayaks are delivered to certain resorts based on distance and special deals with those hotels. Be cautious when renting kayaks without a reliable way to transport them. Your chosen location may not be kayaking-friendly, especially if you’re docked next to larger vessels that can create challenging conditions. Some beaches do offer launch pads for kayak rentals, but these spots tend to fill up quickly with two-hour rentals. Planning is key to ensuring you have access to the equipment you need for a hassle-free experience on the water.

A Note On Bikes

While Kayaks are plentiful, so are bikes. Many bikers travel through with baskets, and others without. This is why our family wanted to rent a bike with a basket. However, bike rentals with baskets are limited and typically only available in Key West. There demand is lower in the upper Keys. Check ahead for availiable bike rentals near your resort and if you will be able to receive them or have them delivered to your location.

Charting Boats For Attractions

Many popular destinations like Christ of the Abyss, Sand Key Light, and Dry Tortugas National Park necessitate chartering a boat. The average cost for these services is around $250 per person. If you prefer to charter your own boat, the starting price typically begins around $700 and can go up to $2,000. If only the patriarch of this Florida family had planned in advance, he would have been able to book a reasonable boat early in the morning from Islamorada and view all the major sites.

SCUBA Diving Attractions

One thing that was not on the itinerary for this family’s vacay was SCUBA diving, but as soon as their young tween saw Christ of the Abyss on the snorkeling charter, she knew she wanted to grow up and become a PADI diver. For the enthusiastic diver, make sure you visit these key spots. To dive the best of the Keys, book separate charters for Key Largo and the remote Dry Tortugas. In Key Largo, shops like Rainbow Reef or Horizon Divers offer trips to John Pennekamp State Park, where you can explore the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue and the vibrant coral at Grecian Rocks. These are shallow, beginner-friendly sites usually booked online.

Note For Dry Tortugas National Park

For Dry Tortugas National Park, you must book a specialized private charter from Key West, as the public ferry does not transport SCUBA tanks. Operators like Finz Dive Center provide full-day excursions to the Windjammer wreck and Fort Jefferson. These trips fill up fast, so reserve your spot at least several weeks in advance.

Closing Notes

Consequently, it seems like booking an Airbnb anywhere in the Florida Keys is seamless, but for the family who was not prepared to brave the outdoors, a campground in Key Largo doesn’t suffice unless everyone is an enthusiastic snorkeler or diver. For a fun and planned trip to the check out By the Shore SCUBA Instruction’s events schedules and call Kevin Alexander to see our upcoming charters.