I am trying to figure out if we should plan to stay a week at Fort Lauderdale and take a day trip to see the Keys (and snorkel) or should we split up our week and actually spend part of it on the Keys and part in FL. We arrive early (10:00 am)to FLL on a Monday and have a late flight out (7:30 pm.) the following Monday (in June). My kids love the beach experience with waves (which I gather the Keys do not have as much of), but they also would like to snorkel. I personally would love to see Key West as well. What are your opinions on how to plan this trip?

I say split it and I live in FLL. IMO Key West is more of a trek and I think Key Largo would fit your need to snorkel. But I would do 4 days FLL 3 days Key largo. Key largo is about 90 minutes from the airpott.

We just did this trip, flew in/out of Ft. Lauderdale, stayed one night to see friends then drove to Key West (about 4 hours) on a Sunday (no traffic). Stayed 2 nights in Key West, lots of fun, great sunsets and there are beaches, two nights were enough for us as it's a big party town), then one night in Islamorada to break up the drive back, the snorkling is supposed to be amazing there. Then had an afternoon flight from Ft. Lauderdale the next day (we only came down for 4 nights), so you would be able to do both comfortably in a week.

It is a long drive from Ft Lauderdale to the Keys. Also, do not forget that days are shorter, so not many daylight hours for activities.

miguel, they are coming in June so I think they'll have some long days, LOL!

Stay in FLL. There are tons of wrecks right off the coast. You really can't walk out to them but snorkeling should be reasonable.

I think it's too far to drive for a day trip but 2 nights would probably be enough. Be sure to do the Conch Train tour if still available. And be forewarned...Key West has lost ALOT of it's charm. The city fathers at some point sold out to commercialism. It's like a mini Fisherman's Wharf (which gets the all time prize for hideous). Lucky are us folks who saw it many years ago!

GoT, I'm unaware of any wrecks that you can snorkle. Wrecks are sunk deep, out of harms way, and are usually only accessible via scuba. But it's possible that there's something I don't know about.

If I were you, I'd drive to Big Pine Key from Ft. Lauderdale, a trip that would take about 5 hrs. or so. From there, I'd take one of the big boats to Looe Key (make an appt. ahead of time). Then after the trip (I think they stay out a couple of hrs. max), head to Key West and spend one night (go to Mallory Square that night for the sunset show). Next day head back. You'll enjoy the beaches at FLL much better than Key West.

Duh. You are correct TG. While I said wrecks (however some are in rather shallow water) I meant artificial reef.

Thinking cap is not working today.

I agree completely with Tandori Girl's suggested itinerary, and further suggest going down Wed/Thurs or Thurs/Fri so you don't have the Key's weekend crowds to contend with.

Last year we flew into Ft Lauderdale from the Uk. We stayed 2 nights in Lauderdale by the Sea , 2 nights in Key Largo and 3 in Key West. I night in LBTS and 1 in Key Largo is enough. Key West is fantastic - great atmosphere in the bars and on the pier and a real buzz everywhere. We drove back to Miami and stayed a week in the Art Deco area of South Beach. A great holiday.

Thanks for your help so far. I was thinking about us coming in on Monday and driving right to the Keys for 2 days/3 nights and then heading back to FLL for the remainder of the trip. since we have a late flight home, we could spend most of the day there in FLL before heading back to the airport. I have looked into Parmer's Place on Little Torch Key and thought it might be a good location for snorkeling on Looe Key and close enough to Key West to drive in for a day. How long would it take to drive from FLL to Parmer's Place on a Monday mid-morning? I don't want to feel as if we are driving/packing/unpacking during the vacation, so maybe this is trying to do too much. If we did break up the trip into two segments, where else would be a good location that isn't as far down as Little Torch Key?