Florida Keys Trip Report
Jun 19th, 2003, 02:39 PM
#1
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Florida Keys Trip Report
Flew into FLL from SFO-(is it my imagination but is it faster to fly to across the pond to London ?). Great flight(s). Picked up a fun little PT Cruiser to prowl around The Keys in. Perfect car for all our snorkel/scuba gear and cooler.
Rested comfortably that eve at the Wyndham Grand Bay in Coconut Grove. Got the room on PL for $60.00. Must say I would never pay full fare for a room there. A bit shabby for a reputed 4* and not a true class act as every body had their palm out every time you walked by. But the price was right. Next day we are off to the Keys. Happy as cherrystone clams to be in warm weather and sunshine! We arrive early afternoon at the Island Bay Resort in Taverneir (just before Islamorada). WHAT A GEM OF A PLACE!!! Cannot say enough good things about this lodging
choice! 10 immaculate units most with small kitchens. Each one with private decks w/chairs, table, umbrella, and BBQ grills. There is a great little beach and dock bay side and we met so many enjoyable people at sunset gatherings. Everyone shared dining, charter, shopping, exploring, diving, snorkeling suggestions. Mike and Carol Shipley are your hosts. They have mastered the art of being unobtrusively available, not missing a beat if you need something and never in the way.
Best web site I found for Keys lodging when doing my pre-trip research. Check it out at http://www.islandbayresort.com
Had very good meals at Manny & Isa's, (thanks Fodorites), and Old Taverneir (excellent food and service). Enjoyed the bay side dining at Islamorada Fish Company. Have developed a liking for conch fritters. Cringed at the tameness of a couple of egrets who strode into the eating area at Mandaly Bay one day at lunch. People were tossing them french fries ! But it seems they get that way from all the charter fishing boats
cleaning their catch for the day. We observed that not many people were drinking wine. Lots of people were drinking scotch with dinner. We found some suprisingly inexpensive prices on bottles. And it was quite interesting to see the heavy listings of certain brands. (KJ for one).
We came to dive and dive we did. Many wonderful trips out with Horizon Divers in Islamorda and a terrific snorkel out to Conch Reef on a private charter with Captain Dave Tolhurst http://www.finsupcharters.com
Few people are aware of the snorkeling to be had on this reef. Beautiful clear water almost as warm as St. John. And the fish to be seen-absolutely breathtaking ! Better than some of our trips to island destinations. Capt. Dave is quite knowledgeable about the area and it's history. We think he can handle anything on a boat!
Had a GREAT time! Miss everything but the skeeters !
Rested comfortably that eve at the Wyndham Grand Bay in Coconut Grove. Got the room on PL for $60.00. Must say I would never pay full fare for a room there. A bit shabby for a reputed 4* and not a true class act as every body had their palm out every time you walked by. But the price was right. Next day we are off to the Keys. Happy as cherrystone clams to be in warm weather and sunshine! We arrive early afternoon at the Island Bay Resort in Taverneir (just before Islamorada). WHAT A GEM OF A PLACE!!! Cannot say enough good things about this lodging
choice! 10 immaculate units most with small kitchens. Each one with private decks w/chairs, table, umbrella, and BBQ grills. There is a great little beach and dock bay side and we met so many enjoyable people at sunset gatherings. Everyone shared dining, charter, shopping, exploring, diving, snorkeling suggestions. Mike and Carol Shipley are your hosts. They have mastered the art of being unobtrusively available, not missing a beat if you need something and never in the way.
Best web site I found for Keys lodging when doing my pre-trip research. Check it out at http://www.islandbayresort.com
Had very good meals at Manny & Isa's, (thanks Fodorites), and Old Taverneir (excellent food and service). Enjoyed the bay side dining at Islamorada Fish Company. Have developed a liking for conch fritters. Cringed at the tameness of a couple of egrets who strode into the eating area at Mandaly Bay one day at lunch. People were tossing them french fries ! But it seems they get that way from all the charter fishing boats
cleaning their catch for the day. We observed that not many people were drinking wine. Lots of people were drinking scotch with dinner. We found some suprisingly inexpensive prices on bottles. And it was quite interesting to see the heavy listings of certain brands. (KJ for one).
We came to dive and dive we did. Many wonderful trips out with Horizon Divers in Islamorda and a terrific snorkel out to Conch Reef on a private charter with Captain Dave Tolhurst http://www.finsupcharters.com
Few people are aware of the snorkeling to be had on this reef. Beautiful clear water almost as warm as St. John. And the fish to be seen-absolutely breathtaking ! Better than some of our trips to island destinations. Capt. Dave is quite knowledgeable about the area and it's history. We think he can handle anything on a boat!
Had a GREAT time! Miss everything but the skeeters !
Jul 9th, 2003, 07:00 AM
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rasnes5 ~
Thanks for the trip report!
My family's planning a Spring '04 trip to the Keys.
We're looking at spending a few nights in Islamorada, then heading for a night down to Key West. We want to snorkel & maybe do some deep sea fishing.
Did you get to Bahia Honda?
Did you drive down to Key West?
Where are Horizon Divers located?
We're looking at staying @the Hampton in Islamorada.
Any further info you would like to share would be great! Thanks!
Thanks for the trip report!
My family's planning a Spring '04 trip to the Keys.
We're looking at spending a few nights in Islamorada, then heading for a night down to Key West. We want to snorkel & maybe do some deep sea fishing.
Did you get to Bahia Honda?
Did you drive down to Key West?
Where are Horizon Divers located?
We're looking at staying @the Hampton in Islamorada.
Any further info you would like to share would be great! Thanks!
Jul 9th, 2003, 03:57 PM
#5
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Hi TRICIA: Islamorada is just south(next to Tavernier) and I don't know anything about the Hampton-you might compare prices with Island Bay Resort
(they have futons and 2 Bdrms an kitchens might be handy with families-Hampton might be reviewed under "destinations" here). Bahia Honda was very nice beach wise and very warm water wise and very shallow which makes it great for kids! we did not go to Key West as it was too much like Fishermans'Wharf for us-Horizon Divers is in Key Largo-(just North of Tavernier
Use them if you want to dive-for snorkeling I would talk to FinsUp-very small groups and very personal but not pricey!(Looe trips might be very
crowded)-How else can I help? Are you with children or extended family?
R5
(they have futons and 2 Bdrms an kitchens might be handy with families-Hampton might be reviewed under "destinations" here). Bahia Honda was very nice beach wise and very warm water wise and very shallow which makes it great for kids! we did not go to Key West as it was too much like Fishermans'Wharf for us-Horizon Divers is in Key Largo-(just North of Tavernier
Use them if you want to dive-for snorkeling I would talk to FinsUp-very small groups and very personal but not pricey!(Looe trips might be very
crowded)-How else can I help? Are you with children or extended family?
R5
Jul 9th, 2003, 05:53 PM
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RE: "Looe trips might be very crowded"...
We went on a Monday in March through the boat charter at Bahia Honda (about $40 each)...there were about 25 people that went on a good sized catamaran, didn't feel crowded at all, and on top of that, the reef area is pretty big. With 25 of us spread out, I could look up and only see one or two bobbing heads and hadn't a clue where everyone spread out to. We went mid afternoon and there was only one other boat there the whole time we were there. It was pretty awesome, we had a great time.
love
roxy
We went on a Monday in March through the boat charter at Bahia Honda (about $40 each)...there were about 25 people that went on a good sized catamaran, didn't feel crowded at all, and on top of that, the reef area is pretty big. With 25 of us spread out, I could look up and only see one or two bobbing heads and hadn't a clue where everyone spread out to. We went mid afternoon and there was only one other boat there the whole time we were there. It was pretty awesome, we had a great time.
love
roxy
Jul 10th, 2003, 03:26 AM
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hello again all ~
Yes, R5, I will be traveling w/kids. Myself, husband, and two teen boys, ages 17 & 15 next spring break.
I went ahead w/the Hampton Inn in Islamorada since I was able to get a great deal @their website (1/2 off rack rate) w/government employee discount. I've reserved 3 nights there. Our tentative plan is to drive to Key West and spend a night there also. We're still "coming up with a plan".
Must dos for us will include snorkeling trips (a first for our sons), deep sea fishing, swimming, the Key deer refuge, a day in Key West & eating lots of fresh seafood.
Thanks turn it on, I read your posts re: the Keys.
Now I need to find a good deal on a place for a night in Key West. Suggestions anyone?
Thanks for your help!
Yes, R5, I will be traveling w/kids. Myself, husband, and two teen boys, ages 17 & 15 next spring break.
I went ahead w/the Hampton Inn in Islamorada since I was able to get a great deal @their website (1/2 off rack rate) w/government employee discount. I've reserved 3 nights there. Our tentative plan is to drive to Key West and spend a night there also. We're still "coming up with a plan".
Must dos for us will include snorkeling trips (a first for our sons), deep sea fishing, swimming, the Key deer refuge, a day in Key West & eating lots of fresh seafood.
Thanks turn it on, I read your posts re: the Keys.
Now I need to find a good deal on a place for a night in Key West. Suggestions anyone?
Thanks for your help!
Jul 10th, 2003, 04:35 PM
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Tricia,
We just got back with two boys from the Keys. Bahia Honda was excellent, you don't need to get a boat to snorkel here, you can go out as far as you like from the beach and it's clear and wonderful!!!
Key West...big disappointment! No beach, lots of rocks, i wouldn't go back to Key West if someone paid me. You might want to go to Key Largo to the John Pennecamp park and snorkel i hear it is awesome and i missed it because you have all these places that have two times they go out on boats to these places and they are 9 or 9:30 and then 1 or 1:30. We missed them so we went to Bahia Honda which is a beach and you can walk right out to snorkeling and you can snorkel til 4:30. If you have plenty of money to spend you can catch a boat out of Key West and go to the Dry Tortugas which is 70 miles off of Key West and snorkel i hear it's awesome but you might want to rethink Key West...it's nothing i want to return to...no beach. If you want to email me at [email protected] i will tell you all you would like to know. Thanks and have fun-Claire Long
We just got back with two boys from the Keys. Bahia Honda was excellent, you don't need to get a boat to snorkel here, you can go out as far as you like from the beach and it's clear and wonderful!!!
Key West...big disappointment! No beach, lots of rocks, i wouldn't go back to Key West if someone paid me. You might want to go to Key Largo to the John Pennecamp park and snorkel i hear it is awesome and i missed it because you have all these places that have two times they go out on boats to these places and they are 9 or 9:30 and then 1 or 1:30. We missed them so we went to Bahia Honda which is a beach and you can walk right out to snorkeling and you can snorkel til 4:30. If you have plenty of money to spend you can catch a boat out of Key West and go to the Dry Tortugas which is 70 miles off of Key West and snorkel i hear it's awesome but you might want to rethink Key West...it's nothing i want to return to...no beach. If you want to email me at [email protected] i will tell you all you would like to know. Thanks and have fun-Claire Long
Jul 10th, 2003, 06:55 PM
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red63corvette: Hi!We were there end of May-begin of June this year and paid $127
for 1 bdrm w/kitchen. You can check out the rates for any time of year at:
http://islandbayresort.com/rates/
index.htm
R5
for 1 bdrm w/kitchen. You can check out the rates for any time of year at:
http://islandbayresort.com/rates/
index.htm
R5
