We drove to Key west and unfortunately the ocean water was so polluted, all of the beaches were banned due to e-coli!(and they stunk!) We would like to return to the Keys(not Key West) and stay on one of the islands that had that beautiful turquise water. Does any one know which islands they were? It wasn't Key Largo, because we snorkeled there on our way home. Although it was a wondeful time at John Pennekamp Park. I'm not sure if it was Islamorada or Marathon or another island. Can anyone help?

Sounds like you are talking about the water you can see from the bridge that connects Islamorada with Marathon. The water is different shades of blue and green. There are many small keys right there so I really do not know which one exactly.

Was this a recent trip to the keys where the water was messed up?

The water "changes color" all the time. It depends on the time of day, the sun, the tides and micro biology. It is hard to define where you were. The water has not had problems in a long time so you must have been there awhile ago.

LOL
Yes, some of the beaches in Key West were closed due to a high bacteria count-this is not why they smell.
It's the seaweed that smells sometimes and this is just a fact of nature.
The beauty of the keys is often not found in the shore waters, the reef can only be acessed by boat.
Bahia Honda has a lovely beach area, but again, it's not everyone's "story book" idea of a beach.
If it's charming, sandy beaches your after, then try Sanibel or Panama City.

We went to Key West last year- June 2001. And yes , the smell was sewerage. It was discusting. We tried 3 different public beaches and they all were posted with the signs that the water was unfit for bathing. Thanks for the info about the others Keys. I appreciate everyone's help.

We've been to Sanibel . It was beautiful. But, the water can get pretty churned up as the tides change. Captiva had the nicest sandy beaches and beutiful water.(I guess I'm spoiled by sandy beaches in New Jersey.) But, Florida has the nice warm clear water to go along with the sand. We would like to return to the Keys for a family/fishing trip with others. That's why we would like a nice place in the Keys near a beach, pool, and fishing charters. Any suggestions?

Jersey,
The smell wasn't sewage. If this is what you were told you were misiformed. Lonnie is correct. It is a fact of nature in the Keys.

I guess those signs lied about the e-coli and that smell wasn't shxx. i 'm sure that nature also has other smells. But, this one was unforgettable!!!

The signs were correct but the about the ecoli but I agree with the other posters. It wasn't the smell. That is simple nature. I have been on the closed beaches and sometimes there was no smell at all. Ecoli testing is testing for such small amounts it isn't visible by the naked eye or the sensitive nose.

The problem is the sewage system in Key West can't handle the influx of people and it flows into the surrounding waterways.

Jersey-The Keys are not noted for their beaches. Most of the sand is trucked in, beaches are tiny and the bottom is mucky muck. Bahia Honda is probably the nicest beach. If you are looking for nice beaches, snorkeling and fishing you might take a day trip to the Dry Tortugas by boat or plane or go to one of the out islands of the Bahamas.

Jym- Thanks for the info. They close beaches in New Jersey for e-coli and I don't know why there are different reasons for the smell of shxx. People in Florida sure do get offensive on the reasons that their beaches stink in Key West!!!!!!

Hey Jersey!
I dont live in the keys but I hate misinformation. Watch what you say and get your fact right.

lose the attitude jersey. You asked for the info.

Jersey: Don't have to buy a tag to access the beach in the Keys, either.

our family is going to the keys this summer. has anyone ever stayed at the bonefish resort or the blackfin?