My boyfriend and I are visiting Miami during Labor Day weekend. Our flight goes to Miami Int'l airport, so I'm thinking Key West would be too far away.

I've heard so many good things about Key West, and was wondering if Key Biscayne is anything close... Or should we try to drive to Key Largo? How's the 2-hour drive? Pretty?

We want to snorkel, rent a kayak and have a "peaceful" vacation.

Kat
Unfortunately, your timing and choices aren't great for what you want. Key Biscayne is nice, but isn't part of the "Keys", despite the name. It's just an affluent, latin-flavoured, island suburb of Miami. Nothing worth seeing when snorkeling in key Biscayne. Relatively more quite and relaxed, probably because it's more expensive than the surrounding areas.
Certainly the real "Keys" (anywhere from Key Largo to Key West) will fill the bill nicely for snorkeling or kayaking. But relaxed? On labor day weekend half the population of South Florida (or seems like, anyway) will be driving to the Keys. I'd be suprised if you could even get a room at this late date, so make up your mind soon.

John Penecamp (sp?) Park is probably your best bet for snorkling. It is on the way to Key West, but closer to Miami then Key West. I would estimate a 60-90 minute drive from Miami. Key West is about a 3 hour drive from Miami. Key Biscayne isn't really a park or a beach, as the previous poster noted. If you do a search for Penecamp some prior posts about it should come up. Hope this helps.

If you're staying in Miami and only have 3-4 days, then Key West is out of the picture. It's about a 3 + hour drive from Miami. I love Key West, but you need to plan on spending some time there rather than just do a whirlwind visit. On the other hand, you can make it to Key Largo (where the John Pennekamp State Park is) in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours (depending on traffic.) Pennecamp is a great snorkling spot. You'll need to reserve a boat (unless you have your own) to go out to the reef. If you do Pennekamp, I'd receommend sticking around in the Keys and doing dinner at one of the many restaurants in Key Largo or ont of the Keys just south of Largo. You'll want to find a good vantage spot for the sunset. Awesome.

I just want to make sure I was clear and to respond to scigirl's comments- actually Key Biscayne has a very nice park (Crandon Park) and has excellent beaches, just not very exciting for snorkeling. I am not trying to put K. Biscayne down (it's very pretty, relativly quiet, and only a short drive to the nightlife hotspots of southbeach and Coconut Grove) but it really isn't one of the "Florida Keys" as most of us think of them. I actually think Kat and her boyfriend would have a nice time if they stayed on K. Biscayne, just won't be anywhere near the same as going to the real Keys. Not saying better or worse, just saying not the same.

Thanks A LOT for all the responses!! Think we're headed to Key Largo! Does anyone have recommendations for short snorkeling trips? (for say a couple hours including the trip out?)

Do we have to make reservations well in advance or can we wait till we get to the hotel?

At Pennekamp you have two options, you can either A) rent a boat thru the State Park or B) sign up for a snorkling trip on a boat for 10-15 people. Since it'll be Labor Day, I'd make reservations at least a couple of days before the day you want to go. And expect Pennecamp to be PACKED. It's a great place, but it does draw the people on the holidays.

I have done snorkeling from John Pennecamp at key Largo. We took their snorkeling boat trip. There were about 10 of us. It takes you to a live reef that is about a 30-45 minute ride from the park. They supplied all of the gear, advice, etc. In fact they let us take the gear to practice before the boat left.

All in all it was a great experience and I highly recommend it.