Florida Keys in from Mar 2nd - Mar 6th

I hope to get some suggestions on how to maximize a trip to The Keys. Any help would be appreciated.

In March I am meeting a friend in Miami in order to travel to Roatan and Utila to dive and snorkel with Whale Sharks. The friend has never been to the US (Aussie) and I would like to show her some of the sights in The Keys.

I now live in Alaska, yet have spent quite a bit of time in The Keys, but it has been about 15 yrs. As she is taking a "Refresher Course" in Honduras, I doubt we will do any diving, but perhaps some snorkeling.

So, I am looking for suggestions on how to see The Keys in 4 1/2 days.

Day 1: Prolly leave Miami early afternoon, travel to Key Largo? Does that sound reasonable? Or would you suggest farther, Tavernier, Plantation or other?

Day 2: Perhaps travel to Bahia Honda then stay in Big Pine? How long a drive to Big Pine from Key Largo?

Day 3: Up early and travel all the way to Key West to catch Sunset (still doing that?) and the Duval Crawl (OK too old for that, but will explore in the morning.

Day 4: Up late and head back up north (east) and try to make it up near Penecamp to do some snorkeling?

Day 5: Up early and back to Miami to go to Honduras.

In the old days, all that driving didn't seem like such a big deal, but is this doable or would you suggest we just do Penecamp and/or Key Largo?

Any suggestions on where to stay and what to see on that time would be great.

Thanks so much,

For diversity of diving I'd start in West Palm Beach and do the Blue Heron Bridge Dive. Then I'd head South to Fort Lauderdale and dive the reef system off of there. I'd then hit Pennekamp and try and convince them to hit Molasses Reef...I've had some nice, shallow, really long dives with great stuff there. You can then split the remainder of your time around Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada. The Florida Keys Dive Center usually frequents the wrecks outside of Tavernier. Sounds like a fun road trip.

For diversity of diving I'd start in West Palm Beach and do the Blue Heron Bridge Dive. Then I'd head South to Fort Lauderdale and dive the reef system off of there. I'd then hit Pennekamp and try and convince them to hit Molasses Reef...I've had some nice, shallow, really long dives with great stuff there. You can then split the remainder of your time around Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada. The Florida Keys Dive Center usually frequents the wrecks outside of Tavernier. Sounds like a fun road trip.

Thanks Gary. That looks like a great plan, however, we are flying into Miami and wish to spend as much time in The Keys as possible. I doubt we will do any diving on this part of our trip as will will be diving for 2 weeks in Honduras. This leg will most likely by he Touristy Road Trip.

Any suggestions on a little beach from spot near Pennecamp, Big Pine, or Key West?

Again Thanks,

however, we are flying into Miami and wish to spend as much time in The Keys as possible. I doubt we will do any diving on this part of our trip as will will be diving for 2 weeks in Honduras. This leg will most likely by he Touristy Road Trip.

 

Any suggestions on a little beach from spot near Pennekamp, Big Pine, or Key West?

 

Again Thanks,

I thought I would "bump" this to see if I could find any suggestions on how to see The Keys in, now 5+ instead of 3+ days. I would like to just "chill. Perhaps do some kayaking, snorkeling, hitting Sunset at Mallory Square, and maybe diving Pennekamp before heading to Honduras.

Anyone know The Keys well?

Thanks

I thought I would "bump" this to see if I could find any suggestions on how to see The Keys in, now 5+ instead of 3+ days. I would like to just "chill. Perhaps do some kayaking, snorkeling, hitting Sunset at Mallory Square, and maybe diving Pennekamp before heading to Honduras.

Anyone know The Keys well?

 

Thanks

I'm surprised you've gotten no answers...

I'll send you a PM.

Kitty

I'm surprised you've gotten no answers...

 

I'll send you a PM.

 

Kitty

Thanks Kitty! That is very nice of you.

Just a few thoughts about diving Fla Keys given your original plan. I would say drive past Key Largo except I had a very good experience with Quiesence Diving. I would try to do that on north bound leg. Big Pine Key is much farther and good IF visibility is ok, otherwise skip it. Its a long morning drive from Big Pine to Key West.

If you & friend are into wreck diving check out the Vandenberg which just went down, ask about viz for sure. Its a big one at 100 fsw

This guide might help:

http://www.florida-scuba.com/

just some thoughts.