FL Keys trip

F

fsudelt

Member
Jul 25, 2008
190
Orlando, FL & Port Austin, MI
Boat Info
2019 230 SLX
Previous:
2006 Malibu Ride XTi
2007 210 Select
2007 310DA
2007 240DA
Engines
6.2L Mercruiser 300HP w/ Bravo III Drives
The dealer we bought from has a Bahamas trip every summer but can't make it this year, so we were thinking of taking a trip down to the keys somewhere. Anyone have any thoughts on best place to go, as well as route down there (would be coming from Daytona Beach area). Thanks for any input!
 
Try Indigo Reef in Marathon. You can dock up to a 30' boat behind your condo. The accomodations are far superior to Hawks Cay up on Duck Key. Vaca cut is 5 minutes away so you're quickly in the Atlantic if you want and Sombrero Reef (one of the best) is 8 miles off shore. Trust me, you'll love this place.
 
Thanks for the info. We are in the beginning stages of planning so any info helps out!
 
Checked that place out (very nice by the way), looks like you have to stay atleast 6 nights and also my boat is alittle over 33 ft in lenght. We are looking for more a place to stay on the boat and stay for 3 maybe 4 days before heading back. Thanks again for any insight.
 
Depends on what you want to do while you are there. Do you want quiet? Do you want to dock next to the tiki bar? Fish? Snorkel? Dive?

Speaking of, anyone know the status of Holiday Isle in Islamorada after the great Cay Club collapse?
 
I just booked a week in Key Largo. It'll be my first trip down there. I'm driving down from Jersey with a buddy and we're diving the local reefs and wrecks. This was a spur of the moment decision yesterday afternoon and we just did it on the cheap. We're staying at a Motel (I think) called Ed and Ellens and we're diving with a shop called Silent World. The dive shop came highly recommended and the Motel...well...I did say cheap....!

Anyone know a place in the area to rent a small boat for an aftenoon of February boating?
 
There are a few companies that rent boats. I'm trying to remember the name of where I rented a center console but I can't. So I guess this post isn't really helpful.
 
Actually, I think I've dived with silent world. I think they are on the side of the hwy, you go there and check in. Then you jump back in your car and drive to the marina which is like 10 miles away. Then they take you to the underwater statue with 10 other boats already there and you dive in 40' of water with about 100 other divers looking at coral that's been kicked to death.
 
TurtleTone said:
Actually, I think I've dived with silent world. I think they are on the side of the hwy, you go there and check in. Then you jump back in your car and drive to the marina which is like 10 miles away. Then they take you to the underwater statue with 10 other boats already there and you dive in 40' of water with about 100 other divers looking at coral that's been kicked to death.
Click to expand...


I hope not.!!!!

I'm scheduled to dive the Spiegel Grove (65'-140'), the USCG Duane, Elpis Reef, Deep Wall Elbow, Molasses Reef, Carlysforthe Lighthouse/reef, etc....
 
I dived on the Duane but not the other places. Should be good.
 
On Largo there is also Ocean Reef which is a private club but you can get into the marina. If you feel like having somebody else haul you around there are some good guys there. I had a guy take 4 of us out in a nice 30ish Grady White and it was about the same cost as renting a small boat.

He knew the snorkel spots, bar spots and so on.

Depends on how much you want to figure out I guess.
 
osd9 said:
I hope not.!!!!

I'm scheduled to dive the Spiegel Grove (65'-140'), the USCG Duane, Elpis Reef, Deep Wall Elbow, Molasses Reef, Carlysforthe Lighthouse/reef, etc....
Click to expand...

Carys Fort Lighthouse is just out from Ocean Reef Club. Take a quick ride through there if you want to see some SERIOUS boats.
 
FSUDELT,
I should have looked at your signature. A 310 would probably be too big to tie up at Indigo Reef. Right around the corner though is Boat House Marina (still in Marathon)which can accomodate up to 55' and has some transient slips. It was built by the same people as Indigo Reef and is pretty nice. Hawks Cay also has some large transient slips and it if you are staying on your boat, the condition of the villas is not an issue. The rest of the property just went through a $35 million renovation and there is a lot to do there. I also know of dockage in Islamorada, behind the Outdoor World/Bass Pro store and next to the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant. I can't remember the name but its a convient locale.
 
370Dancer said:
Depends on what you want to do while you are there. Do you want quiet? Do you want to dock next to the tiki bar? Fish? Snorkel? Dive?

Speaking of, anyone know the status of Holiday Isle in Islamorada after the great Cay Club collapse?
Click to expand...


We are taking another couple down w/ us. When down there we may try fishing one day and snorkeling another (I'm certified to dive but my wife and friends are not), and just relaxing in the sun (We plan on going beg of June). Being at a Marina with some life would be nice (tiki bar, live music, etc). Appreciate all the input!
 
Mark Thompson said:
FSUDELT,
I should have looked at your signature. A 310 would probably be too big to tie up at Indigo Reef. Right around the corner though is Boat House Marina (still in Marathon)which can accomodate up to 55' and has some transient slips. It was built by the same people as Indigo Reef and is pretty nice. Hawks Cay also has some large transient slips and it if you are staying on your boat, the condition of the villas is not an issue. The rest of the property just went through a $35 million renovation and there is a lot to do there. I also know of dockage in Islamorada, behind the Outdoor World/Bass Pro store and next to the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant. I can't remember the name but its a convient locale.
Click to expand...


Thanks for all the info!
 
Looks like we've narrowed it down to Duck Key, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Any thoughts on best place. It's going to be my wife and I, and another couple. We are looking at probably doing some snorkeling, maybe alittle fishing, and relaxing in the sun. Would like to be somewhere that has some life to it. Thanks again for the input. Also what's the best route down there from the Ft. Lauderdale/ West Palm area (we'll be heading south from Daytona and prob staying the night somewhere in that area). Thanks!
 
osd9 said:
thanks.
Click to expand...
I was at Holiday Isle in Islamorada this afternoon. It needs to be off the list of anything I'd recommend. It is so badly worn it's pretty pathetic. Rust stains down the side of the hotel, the dock looks like it's ready to fall down and so on. Pretty rough. Bummer, it used to be a fun spot.

As mentioned elsewhere, the Islamorada Fish Company has good dockage, a good place to eat and a good vibe. It was jammed today for lunch on a pretty lousy weather day.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,186
Messages
1,428,171
Members
61,097
Latest member
Mdeluca407
Back
Top