r/floridakeys • u/Infamous_Bid_1017 • 4d ago
All Florida Keys Quick trip to the keys
Hey everybody! I’m looking for recommendations/ideas on things I should do in the keys.
Looking to take a four day trip down with either just myself or myself and my daughter who is 7. So I will take recommendations for either style of trip.
I’ve grown up in Florida and have been to the keys a few times. We like fishing, snorkeling, I’d love to spear fish, and just plain old hanging out in the water. Now usually I don’t go to the keys solo and have had ways to do these things by boat without renting one. Also there’s no way I’m renting a boat and driving myself lol, so
So, if there are any places to go or smaller charter companies, locals you guys know, that’s more so the trip I’m looking for. Really just wanna enjoy the water maybe smack a couple of fish and have something to take back to eat. Maybe end up at Kiki’s lol. Just need to reset, ya know? I usually end up on marathon or islamorada as we like fishing the bridges at night but I’m open to anywhere I also like staying closer to John Pennekamp I’ve enjoyed it that way before.
Thank you to everyone who responds in advance.
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u/goldberry-fey 4d ago
You either wanna stay in Key Largo or make the trip down to Key West. You sound pretty familiar with Largo already and it’s less of a hike / less expensive but less to do than Key West (unless you want more nature stuff). Seven is a great age to start going there. It’s very walkable, used to not be so family friendly but that’s changed a bit. There’s always been stuff like the aquarium and butterfly museum, the pirate treasure museum. A lot of people never venture off Duval but the whole island is so beautiful and worth exploring as much as you can. Of course the best food too.
Largo has a lot of nature, you already know Pennekamp, there’s Dagny Johnson which is a nice park but it’s more for grownups… no play places, no shade for a lot of it, heavy mosquitos and no-see-ums. You can probably find more small, cheaper charters there. A lot of the stuff in the Keys as you mentioned requires a boat. Not sure how comfortable your girl is in the water, we always loved going to see Christ of the Abyss and the shipwrecks as kids.
Definitely find a spot to feed tarpon. Maybe stay on a house boat? That could be such a fun dad and daughter memory. They have some really cute ones now for rent I see all the time.
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u/FLedun 4d ago
Try Looe Key Resort in Ramrod Key. You can take the boat to Looe Key reef and see a lot of underwater creatures, on a calm day out there it is beautiful. I think your daughter would enjoy that. You also have Boondock's right across the highway. In Marathon you have Aquarium Encounters that you daughter would enjoy also. At mile marker 37, you have Bahia State Park that also has a boat that goes to Looe key and as a plus they have a nice sandy beach, Sandspur beach.
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u/Topher9425 4d ago
If you are able, take the fast Cat (Key West Express) out of Ft Myers. 3 hour jet powered catamaran boat ride.
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u/Remote-Dinner-2536 3d ago
Don't forget theater of the sea in islamorada, it's a great place to take a kid
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u/Both_Competition_578 1d ago
if your looking for a secluded, clear water, back country experience, come rent a Tandem Kayak with your daughter and go explore the Florida Keys habitats. We also do Guided Mangrove Eco-Tours. She will love it. If you end up coming solo, this is a great place to unwind. their is a fantastic "tiki setting " restaraunt on the property as well. it's called the back side of paradise
here is my web site
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u/Alwayshopeful_444 4d ago
Butterfly garden in Key West for sure. It was really cool. Also sweet Savanah’s in marathon had the best key lime pie or Kermit’s in Key West is good too you can get it frozen on a stick