Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Help planning a KEYS vacation??

Search

Help planning a KEYS vacation??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 07:39 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help planning a KEYS vacation??

My husband & I want to take a beach side rest in the US in March.. maybe the Florida keys? ANY advice would be appreciated!! Looking for nice beach, romantic, not too costly. Thanks!!!
Lshcat is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 10:01 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The keys are generally not known for great beaches. I love Key West, but if you're looking for soft white sand, this isn't the place. Also, March is high season in KW, accomodations are expensive. I haven't spent much time in the other keys, I'll let someone else answer. You also should do a search on this site for Florida Keys, there's otns of information.
JeanH is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 10:35 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd have to suggest looking in the southern California area.

I love the Keys. But your "looking for" list is going to be tough to fill. US, March, nice beach, romantic, not too costly--that's a toughie for Florida. Also, you're getting into Spring-Break time.

Think you'd have better luck looking into the San-Diego/LA area.
bookhall is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 11:18 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Key West has a nice little beach with white sand: Fort Zack
martinewezel is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 05:19 PM
  #5  
CF
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't go to the Keys expecting nice sandy beaches. There are other nice places in FL. The Emerald Coast on the panhandle has lovely white sand beaches and there are other places on the Gulf. Sanibel/Captiva have great beaches. In March I'd try Sanibel, could be chilly still in the panhandle.
CF is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 05:37 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been to Key West 3 times in 5 yrs and 2 of the 3 times the beaches were closed for an E-coli alert. If you want to lay around for a few days, enjoy the drive down from Miami and be in an adult place it's still alot of fun without the all day airline hassles of going off shore. We stayed at the South Beach hotel right on the point (kind of the old fashioned 2 story "motel" look on South St. Out of the hub bub of Duval but still close enough to walk. Enjoy!
MOLLYD is offline  
Old Feb 9th, 2003, 05:57 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lshcat - Our family of 5 are also planning a vacation to the Keys. We won't be traveling as far as Key West. Bahia Honda State Park has been voted one of the top 10 beaches in the US.

Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key (MM 37)
305-872-2353
www.bahiahondapark.com
tildestar is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2003, 10:01 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mollyd
What's a E-colli alert??
martinewezel is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2003, 10:55 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E coli=Bacteria in the water. You don't want to swim when there is a warning.

Key West has a problem with it's sewage system overflowing into the surrounding waters. They are supposed to be upgrading to a new system.
buckeyemom is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2003, 11:04 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That beach at For Zack isn't exactly a nice beach. Ants kept crawling all over me when I tried to lay out, the beach itself isn't very wide, and the sand is pretty coarse.

I love Key West, but if you want beach, go to South Beach. Just got back from there, and the beach is outstanding.
Ann41 is offline  
Old Feb 10th, 2003, 11:22 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Florida Keys and beaches do not go together. With that in mind look at Hawks Cay and Morada Bay. I have been going to the Keys for years and only once was the waters closed. The beaches are always opened. I go the below link from another site and it has been very helpful explaining exactly what the testing is for and what results it finds.
http://apps3.doh.state.fl.us/env/bea...ut/default.cfm
No_name is offline  
Old Feb 11th, 2003, 01:46 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would recommend going to the Gulf side if you are looking for beaches, romance. We
went to the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort last August and loved it.
MaryE is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
meis
United States
13
Jan 25th, 2011 06:10 PM
mamkalena
United States
6
Jan 20th, 2008 01:25 PM
Nutty
United States
4
Oct 17th, 2006 11:03 AM
zorba
United States
13
Sep 5th, 2003 06:33 AM
brutus
United States
27
Aug 5th, 2002 09:59 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -