Hi,

I haven't done any research on Florida yet, but I'm contemplating of going there for the first time this Thanksgiving for about 1 week.

We like to snorkel, hike, do nature and city activities. Is this a good time to go to FL? Crowds? Mosquitos? Weather?

I'd like to check out the Everglades, Key West, Miami Beach. Any others? Where are the good snorkeling places? Bodyboarding?

Sorry for asking such open, general questions. I'll research a bit more and ask more specific questions later if we decide to go there this TG.

Thanks for your help!

Ooops! Misspelled Florida! I'm not that clueless about this state!

Hey, JC98, you are going to be in my neck of the woods!

Snorkeling is best in the Keys. If you like nature, you can't miss the Everglades. Miami will give you the city feel. Looks like you've got your route right there! Thanksgiving weekend, the crowds will be up, but it's definitely not as bad as spring break.

I'm in the Tampa area so I don't have many suggestions for you. I've spent 2 weeks in the Everglades - once we stayed at Flamingo Lodge and the other time we rented a house boat. But from what I understand, Flamingo is closed due to Hurricane Wilma. So I would have to read up on what's open before I could give you any advice.

If you are interested and had the time, you could swing over to the West Coast. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is fantastic, as is Ding Darling on Sanibel. I just love that part of Florida. But I think you will have your hand full with Miami Beach, the Everglades, and the Keys.

Hey birder! Wow, we not only have travelers but local experts on this forum!

Thanks for all those excellent suggestions. I definitely need to do my homework first. Like look at a FL map! Still not sure we'll be able to go this TG. But if we are, I know I'll be in good hands getting advice from you!

Florida in November is nice.The Fl. Keys are not too busy at this time. A few places to check out are Islamorada and Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. You can take a ferry from Key West to Ft. Jefferson and the snorkeling is awesome. A great place to visit in the Everglades is Shark Valley. This is at the north end of the park. There is a 15 mile paved loop you can walk, bike or take a tram. I bike it every winter several times. Check out www.nps.gov for more info on both parks.

Good snorkeling in Key Largo at John Pennekamp State Park. There you can go see the statue of Christ which is underwater and lots of marine life to see.

Thanks, all! How about snorkeling with manatees? I've read about doing it in Crystal River on the Gulf Side, but is there a place to do it on the southern Pacific side--Miami, etc.?

Thanks.

Oooh oh...geography check needed stat!

JC98, here's a great web page listing places you can see manatees and the time of year. http://www.savethemanatee.org/places.htm

Although I love to see them and would love to swim with them, I have a sense that that is wrong, that they could become too accustomed to people and approaching them when they've had much exposure to swimmers. I've had one come right up within a foot of my hand, hold his/her head out of the water and stare at me when I was washing down a boat prop and can't help but feel that was not his first experience with people. They love fresh water for drinking, but I was too stunned to realize in time what he was after...prbably for the best!

oops! southern ATLANTIC side. Duh!

JC98, please read this before you go swimming: http://www.savethemanatee.org/Tips.htm

I can't think of any places near Miami that are known as good manatee observation areas. Perhaps keymom or another Miami area poster would know. Crystal River and Blue Springs state park are good areas.

I've had manatees come to visit in the Keys, but Crystal River is definitely the place to see them - but will they be there in November? We went in March.

The answer to my question is "yes" -
http://www.sunshinerivertours.com/rates.html

Take a look at Key West and do an excursion over to the Dry Tortugas for the day.

I usually don't see manatee in Miami until closer to Christmas. The sooner it gets cold where they live, the sooner they come! Much like my relatives from up north. I'm not aware of any place that you can swim with manatees in south Florida regardless of the season. However, I think you'll have more than enough to keep you busy when you come!

PERFECT - one word that comes to mind when I think of Florida in November

I went there 1st wk in November 2000 to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. 81-85 during the day and 64 at night. nice cool breeze came off the ocean at night. Absolutely no rain and the sun was out all day. Water temps were in the high 70s. still very warm.

JC98, some friends have a home on Islamorada . . . our favorite month to visit there is November. Hope you get to make this trip!