Shari

I really need some advice from you world travelers! Okay, I want to surprise my husband with a Labor Day get-away. I would like to spend the nights of August 28-September 1st (as return day) I was thinking of going to the Keys, as we have never been there. After reading posts on this board, however, I am hesitant. I would welcome advice from anyone.

Here are some tidbits about us and what we want/what concerns us:

1) Money is not an issue. My husband and I prefer luxury resorts. I looked into Little Palm Island, but am not sure because of :
a) It is our first time. Is this too isolated in terms of seeing other keys? I want to view wildlife (eg. florida pine deer, manatees, birds)
b) I would like ot unwind here, but want to be able to go to other restaurants
2) Which leads me to question whether or not I should just go to an island in the Caribbean. How do the Keys compare?
3) Is it possible to drive from Miami? How long does it take? Is it scenic?
4) My husband and I ADORE wildlife. What do you see, here (aside from underwater)
5) Where is the best wildlife viewing? For birds? Deer? Manatees?
6) Is there another place I should be looking instead of the keys?

Thank you so much for any/all help!

Diana

Hi Shari,
Based on what you're looking for, I'd suggest the Caribbean.
My husband and I have almost the same travel profile you do.
We've been to the Keys/Key West several times, but for beautiful beaches, wildlife, luxurious oceanfront resorts and unwinding, the Caribbean can't be beat.
Plus, the cost of staying in Key West (unless staying at a fancy B&B) does not justify the experience as far as oceanfront properties go.
You do have one big problem though for travel in both the Keys and the Caribbean.
Hurricane season.
We used to travel to the Caribbean over Labor Day for years and had so many close calls, we finally moved it to April and October.
Caribbean islands relatively/very safe that time of year are:
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Trinidad and Tobago
Barbados
But those islands are not the best for wildlife.
I guess you'll need to decide what the very most important things are that you want out of your vacation.

GoTravel

The above poster is correct about your dates being during Hurricane Season. However, if one does occur, you will either not be able to get into the Keys or you will be evacuated in plenty of time.

If money is not an issue, I highly recommend Little Palm Island. Words can't describe it. It is isolated and if you are worried about that then I highly recommend The Marquesa in Key West. Key West has a ton of fantastic restaurants for such a small town.

The keys are like the islands except for two things, they are part of the US and there are very few beaches in the way the caribbean has beaches. Little Palm has its own and there are some man made beaches in Key West. You can't go there thinking wide sandy beach. Honestly? I don't even miss the beach when I'm in the keys.

The drive is beautiful. If you've never driven through the keys, do it. You will not regret it.

The drive from Miami to Key West is about 4 hours in ideal conditions. Ideal meaning no wrecks, rain, or unusually heavy traffic.

As far as wildlife is concerned, I've never seen the Key Deer but that doesn't mean you will not. I've seen manatees, they like to drink fresh water. Get on a boat and chances are you will see dolfin. I'm almost positive there are wildlife tours of some kind. I know they have them in the Everglades and you may want to think about that.

Hope this helps.

Larry1

Some comments on Wildlife- during the summer most of the Florida manatee population has moved northward, and your chances are much slimmer of seeing one in the Keys as you would during the winter. Same thing for birds- although the "resident" bird species will be there in the summer, a whole bunch of species are seen in the Florida Keys only in the winter. Key deer are of course year round and you stand a decent chance of seeing them, and of course the underwater aquatic life can be viewed year-round.

Shari

Thank you so much for the responses. When you say Little Pal Island is isolated, do you mean that it is not easy to get off the key? I don't mind isolation, as long as I can get out and explore if I want to.

Also, is Dry Tortugas worth going to, or is it like the rest? I am not interested in the Fort--just the scenery.

Thanks, again!

keysmom

Take a look at the Moorings. It's next door to Cheeca Lodge and is lovely. I think you get to use the Cheeca facilities as well. The drive would be about 90 minutes from the Miami airport (be sure to rent a convertible!)
For wildlife, I would take small boat tours (or kayak) in the back country - lots of birds; maybe dolpins. One company is running night time crocodile trips. There are just 1500 or so crocs left in the US so seeing one is a real treat. Consider a side trip to the Everglades. It would be on the way from the Miami airport or about 45 minutes from Islamorada.

JackOneill

I like isolation as much as the next fella, but Little Palm takes it to a new high. They will shuttle you, via boat, to Little Torch Key. But if you want to see Key West, then it's about a 30-45 minute drive. Little Plam is extra nice, but for some reason I find it a little boring, and a little too . . . manmade.

The Gardens Hotel and the Marquessa are the best hotels in Key West and are worth a look.

The Key Deer can be spotted, usually at dusk, on Big Pine Key. Little bitty fellas.

The scenery in the Dry Tortugas is not that memorable, unless you like the sight of some beautiful water and a few scraggly mangrove islands. But the diving/snorkeling is, perhaps, the best there. Although, with more and more people going there that is fast changing.

Yes, there are some salt water crocs down that way, but they tend to stay more in the Everglades area, although some have been spotted swimming in open water. I really can't recommend the "tours" to see the crocs. These are shy animals, and it's way too disruptive to their habitat and way of life.

Miami to Key West takes about 4 hours or so, depending on traffic and time of day. Most of the drive is somewhat boring, but there are some vistas that are truly breathtaking. Delta flies directly to Key West.

Larry1

The upper keys croc tours usually involve quietly boating through residential canals at night. Since these canals are man-made and frequently have boat traffic even at night, I doubt you can characterize the croc tours as disruptive to the crocs habitat and way of life. Further, the word choice used by Keysmom ("just 1500 or so left") implies that the croc population is declining, in fact biologists have seen a steadily increasing breeding population over the last couple decades, although they are of course still listed as endangered.

buckeyemom

Some other suggestions: Casa Morada in Islamorada and Hawks Cay on Duck Key. Just south of Islamorada is Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site which is a wild bird refuge and thick groves of mangrove etc. Accessible only by boat. Make sure to pack bug spray. John Pennekamp State Park is also nearby.

No_name

I was under the impression that Hawks Cay is more geared towards families. Little Palm Island is really nice. We have done the Brunch there and would love to stay there but it is a little out of our league. The restaurant is wonderful but you can leave the island and try others elsewhere. The boat ride is only about 10 minutes so if you want to go exploring its only about 30 miles to Key West and about 15 miles to Marathon. I understand there are Key Deer on Little Palm that will even eat out of your hand.

JackOneill

Larry, i'm a little bit surprised by your response re: the crocs. As you know, wildlife viewing is a slippery slope.

First we want to see the wildlife in its natural habitat, but when that becomes too inconvenient or too expensive we want to see them anyway we can. In zoos, in traveling circuses, in roadside stands, etc.

I remember, as a kid, travelling through the mountains of Pennsylvania and begging my parents to stop to view the bears who were confined in a 5 by 5 cage.

Then, there are the small, family run alligator farms that were so prevalent in Florida in the '50s and '60s (and, of course, the big gator famrs that are still around.)

Now we have "swim with the dolpins" tours. Or, Theater of the Sea in the Keys. And as you know, some of these "institutions" are run better than others. Some are strictly in it for a buck, animals be damned.

Next, I guess we'll have a petting zoo with a croc in it.

Look, if you happen to spot a croc, or a dolphin, or a sea turtle (in the wild) -- great. But don't pay someone to take you to them. Because that's the first step down the slippery slope.

Sorry -- just a pet peeve of mine.

GoTravel

Crocodiles and Alligators are indiginous to that area. One of the only places in the world where you can find both.

Larry1

Perhaps you didn't pay attention to my post- these crocs are living in residential canals that are chock full of people on boats all day and most of the night. I routinely see crocs in my canal when docking my boat late at night. Adding a boat or two in these canals (who are there solely to view the corcs) isn't going to make a bit of difference to the crocs. I will also point out that the REAL critical habitat for crocadiles (thier nesting areas) are strictly off limits to boats, including croc tour boats.
By the way, I don't "know" that viewing wildlife is a slippery slope. That view is an opinion on your part that is not shared by the majority of wildlife biologists and managers. And many hold an opposing opinion; that viewing wildlife encourages the general public to support the overall protection of our natural resources.

JackOneill

Larry, like the people who view wildlife in Yellowstone by using snowmobiles. Snowmobiles which cause pollution, which scare off the bison (and if they leave - which they do - protected ground, they're shot), and which cause avalanches.
And what about the capturing of dolphins saw we can swim with them?
Yes, of course wildlife conservation is a great thing. There are some countries in Africa which charge big bukcs for tourists to go on the plains to see the lions, elephants, etc. The money raised is plowed back into conservation (including to help pay for anti-poaching teams), which is a good thing.
Being informed about wildlife is a good thing. Knowing the terrain (i e, knowing that if you go off-trail in certain areas, you leave footprints for hundreds of year and disrupt the ecosystem) and knowing that you're not interfering with things such as nesting (and some animals and birds are real finnicky about that, as you know).

Look, I want to people to see wildlife. I love wildlife. I wish more people would see wildlife in their natural habitat. But it needs to be done safely. For everyone's sack. Sure, if the croc is laying in the sun on the 16th hole at the local gold course (as many an alligator is known to do throughout Florida), there's nothing wrong with looking at him.

Larry1

Then we agree. Because viewing wildlife in a man-made residential canal in congested Key Largo is much more akin to your "alligator on the golf course" analogy (which you say is OK) than it is like your "yellowstone-snowmobile" analogy. Thank you for making my point better than I could.

JackOneill

Larry, I thought you and I had more in common than what first appeared.

And, I'm a much better typist and speller than what my post of this AM would suggest.

wizard

We were in Key West two weeks ago and had a great time and great weather. We stayed at the Ocean Key in a junior suite and I couldn't have been more pleased. Great location, great room and a great bar right on the water to watch the sunset. It is located right at the end of Duval Street ( the Party street) but it wasn't loud at all. Key West is fun but don't think I would do a whole weeks there. If you are looking for quiet and relaxing you probably would be better off on a carribean island.

mclaurie

Shari, I really think there are much better options at that time of year than the Keys or the Caribbean. Nantucket, the cape and Maine come to mind. Have a look at Luxurylink.com where there are good deals on high end properties. It may be a bit early now for that time of year, but you may get some ideas as well. That's my 2 cents.

duk43e

Islamorada is the most beautiful part of the Keys and has great restaurants.
Cheeca Lodge is right in the middle of Islamorada. Check out their website. We enjoyed the complimentary use of bikes, tennis rackets, fishing rods, etc. I have seen Key Deer on Big Pine every time I looked for them.