r/floridakeys

Hello,

Which has the best beach for kids? I need an accomodation where kids can play with sand and directly go swimming/snorkeling.

I know that there arent so many sandy beach, but it will be enough to have some sand spots where kids can play a little and go swimming..

Thanks in advance

My husband and I typically vacation on Maui in a little beach area of Honowakai, but my hubby is thinking maybe we should try the keys- I am overwhelmed with trying somewhere new. We are in our 40's and not partiers, so no Key West. We enjoy snorkeling and sitting on a beach and taking a dip in the ocean.

From what I have figured out (I think), we would probably be best to stay on Ismaraldo (that spelling is horrible!) or Marathon. Does that sound right? I need some guidence... and we only have 5 days to spend.

We would also be going in the beginning of October. I know it is hurricane season, but besides that- what is the weather like?

thank you in advance.

Hi everyone!🥳

We are a family of five travelling to the Keys this upcoming July. We will be celebrating my mother’s birthday one of the days. She will turn 51 years old.

It will be a surprise birthday and I want to make it as memorable as possible. Preferably at a restaurant with a great tropical and local vibe. If there are any animals (iguanas, flamingos, etc.), it would just add to the experience. Also, it would be much appreciated if the restaurant staff goes above and beyond to make it memorable in terms of service.

I would love to hear from you guys if you have any experience and/or any recommendations😎

Edit: We have booked accommodation in Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. We are flexible😊

Thank you

Hey group! I have a question—I took a vacation in Key West, and my favorite part was the bright colors and the amazing tropical flowers and trees everywhere! But, I don't really enjoy the crowds or feel any need to visit all the bars and drink.

Is there another spot in the Keys that might feel just as tropical and bright, but less crowded with young spring breakers?

We are down here for the 2nd time ever and did not find any manatees a few years ago. If you have seen any between Big Pine and Key West and can offer some info it would be greatly appreciated.

Which is a better spot to stay with a dog and kids? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

26, relocating to FL from up north with my girlfriend. In serious talks for a hospitality management role in Marathon at a well-known multi-venue operation (restaurant + bar + market + marina). Offer will likely land somewhere in the $80–100k range.

The catch: My gf wants to be near her grandpa in the Ft Myers area. Marathon is 3 hours away. We’re also looking at Ft Myers and St Pete, where comp is lower but COL is dramatically lower too. On paper, $80k in Ft Myers might leave more in our pocket than $95k in Marathon once rent eats the difference, and she’d actually see her grandpa.
The Marathon role is genuinely a good opportunity. Not trying to talk myself out of it. Just want the unfiltered local take before I commit.

For people who actually live in the middle Keys year-round:
• Is $90-95k actually livable for a couple here, or am I missing something?

•	How brutal is housing for working professionals who aren’t seasonal staff or cash-flush retirees?

•	For young couples thinking about kids in 2-3 years  is Marathon a place to start a family, or does everyone bail when kids come?

•	Is the 3-hour drive to Ft Myers a real “monthly visit” thing, or a “we never actually make the drive” thing?

•	Anyone made the Northeast → Keys move? What do you wish you’d known?

Poll: What would you do?

•	🟢 Take Marathon if it hits $90k+  
•	🟡 Take Marathon only if gf can land work there too  
•	🟠 Pass, focus on Ft Myers/St Pete near her family  
•	🔴 Stay up north another season, plan a smarter FL move  
•	⚪ Something else — comments

We are looking at staying at Key Colony Beach this summer. The place we are looking at is amazing and we are all super excited. We've never stayed this far in FL though. Are there any grocery or convenience stores nearby? Or where are the closest to the area? We are fine with taking most things with us but we like having a store nearby for emergencies. Any info about the beach and area is appreciated!

Hi, we're coming over from New Zealand in July for the WC and will be staying in Marathon for a few days and I was hoping to hop on a fishing charter as we're a hardcore fishing family. Over here there would be half day options to join other fishos on a boat as opposed to chartering the whole thing ourselves ($$$). Is there any charters in the Keys that do this?

Thanks so much!

PS - yes we know it will be hot and humid. I doubt it's any worse than Northern Queensland or WA in Australia.

Hello!

We are a family of four (2 adults 40yo, 2 children 9 and 11yo). We are vacationing in Florida this summer (Orlando, Miami, Naples), and would also like to have a couple of days in Key Largo (or something similar).

As we spend more than enough money on the other stays, our "plan" for Key Largo (or similar) is to find somewhere frugal to stay, but attend some kind of snorkeling with a guide. Any recommendations for stay and guides?

Any help is very much appreciated!

We are taking a vacation in February 2027 for a week. There will be four adults and five children under 5. We want to stay in the same house, so 4+ bedrooms would be necessary. I have read a lot about Hawks Cay Resort, but am weary due to recent reviews on reddit. There are also a lot of airbnbs available in the area that would be quite a bit less expensive than staying on the resort. For those with small children, was staying on the resort an absolute must? Was there enough to do with the children that made staying on the resort worth it from a financial point? Give me your thoughts.

I am looking for recommendations from locals or anyone with experience on what to do, where to go, etc during our vacation to the FL keys. It will just be me (40 F) and my son (10) on this trip and I want to make it memorable for both of us. We are planning to go the end of June this year and will be staying for 7 days.

My plans are to fly from PA but unsure which airport to fly into…Miami and drive the 7 mile bridge or just fly straight to Key West? As much as the 7 mile bridge drive would be cool, is it worth driving 3 hours or can I just drive to Marathon or somewhere and get a similar experience of seeing/walking the bridge?

My plans for Key West so far are to take the seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park, check out Ernest Hemingway’s house, bird/butterfly conservatory, key west lighthouse, sunset at Mallory square, and southernmost point buoy. Also curious if the aquarium is worth adding to our list.

I would also like to go to a beach (anywhere in the keys) so please give me recommendations. My son loves fishing so I would also like to take him on a fishing charter. Please give me pros and cons to deep sea fishing vs other types offered and where the best place to go would be? Ie Marathon, Islamorada or somewhere else within a 3 hour radius.

Other things I would like to do and need recommendations on are:
-Best snorkeling place (we will do some at dry tortugas)
-Best things to do in key largo - mangrove kayaking tour? Snorkel coral reef? Glass bottom boat?
-Other fun things to do within a 3 hour radius. Spend a day in Marathon, Islamorada etc and what things do you recommend?
-Best place for parasailing
-Best seafood restaurants that also serve good non-seafood options

I’m assuming I will need to get a rental car to navigate if we are going different places but give me pros and cons to having one vs not. I’m told golf carts are the way to go in key west instead of parking a car.

Where should we stay to optimize doing things in multiple areas? I have heard that key west is more expensive but I’m not opposed to spending more if the experience would be better.

Any and all other advice is appreciated including what to bring/buy ahead of time. I did order water shoes, a waterproof video/camera but wondering if I need to bring snorkeling gear? I believe dry tortugas provides it but not sure if this is standard other places.

Thank you!

Going to Islamorada 5/14-5/21 and looking for establishments where we can watch hockey playoffs.Go Sabres!

Heading to Marathon in June and looking for a great guide recommendation. Want to fish the west side of Marathon and Bahia Honda, staying inshore: flats, banks, the keys north of BH. Tarpon and permit would be the dream, but I’m happy chasing whatever’s moving. If you’ve fished this area with someone you’d book again, I’d love the name. Thanks in advance.

i’m looking for a center console boat for 2 persons on May 9 for a full day, we’ll be around Islamorada Alligator Reef, etc.

i’m just looking for recommendations for any rental companies and tips for doing this. i’ve my boat safety card since i own a jetski and have some boating experience. we’re both over 21.

Upscale options are appreciated.