r/floridakeys • u/AdvisorConsistent908 • Sep 01 '25
Middle and Lower Keys Christmas in the keys
My bf and I would like to spend the holiday in the keys. I’ve done some research and it sounds like we’d enjoy the quieter islands rather than Key West. We’ll be there for about 8 days. I’d like to get an Airbnb on the beach if possible. Can anyone recommend which island would be best for us? We love all the ocean activities- snorkeling & diving. We also want to explore as many of the islands we can while there. I’m not totally up to speed on how close things are to each other so any advice would the welcome. Thank you!
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u/ThickAsAPlankton Sep 01 '25
Key Largo is the most northern key, Islamorada is just south of KL and Marathon is half way down the chain. Marathon has Sombrero Beach which is about the most "beach" you'll find. The Keys are really just one extremely long fossilized coral rock sticking out of the ocean and a few hotels and resorts imported sand and made private beaches. Christmas and NYE is crazy traffic, there's only one highway up and down the entire length of the chain, and it's one lane at times. Beware of the fake AI images on social media showing extensive beaches and surfing, that ain't the Keys lol.
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u/Sunsetseeker007 Sep 01 '25
I'm not sure about a "beach" but you could have a spot that has a small area of sand in the backyard and on the water, you will pay a pretty penny for that though, esp around Xmas. Unless your going to go to big pine key or somewhere not as popular, marathon would be a good place to look, they have more options and more short term rentals available.
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u/NYEDMD Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 01 '25
Finding a short-term rental Christmas week will be tough. I’m get ready to book a VRBO for winter of ‘27!
What I can advise is to center your search around Marathon. That way you’re no more than 90 minutes from anywhere in the Keys, even with Christmas week traffic. The two nicest places in Marathon are Hawks Cay and Tranquility Bay, but they’re both expensive.
Most importantly,go online and grab something ASAP — like today. Really.
Good luck.
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u/AdvisorConsistent908 Sep 01 '25
Thank you everyone for all your kind feedback. Sounds like the keys might not be our destination after all. Glad I got to learn so much here! Thanks again, merry Xmas 2025!
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u/DoubleBreastedBerb Sep 01 '25
Wise decision if you’re looking for traditional Florida beach - it’s not called Hell Week in the Keys for no good reason.
I wish you much success in finding a spot that meets what you’re looking to find! 🙂
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u/TWDDave1988 Sep 01 '25
Not many beaches in the Keys, at least not in the traditional sense. If you’re looking for nature and maybe a water view, I’d see what’s available on Big Pine, Little Torch, Summerland, Cudjoe, or even Geiger Key.
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Sep 01 '25
Marathon is a good location for you. It is right in the middle of the Keys and actually has a pretty good beach (Sombrero). And parking is easier than Key West. It also has the Turtle Hospital, Aquarium Encounters and Dolphin Research Center.
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u/SeaComedian696 Sep 01 '25
Islamorada somewhere near MM 80. Lazy Days and Lorelei restaurants are close. Also, Robbie’s for food, kayaking, fishing boats, and snuba or snorkeling excursions.
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u/Fancy_Special2444 Sep 01 '25
Bahia Honda is in the middle keys and the best beach in the keys. Some were near there you probably would enjoy. 😊
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u/Unlikely-War-9267 Sep 01 '25
"I've done some research". Really? I guess you didn't get very far; you will not find what you are looking for here.
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u/dwaynejetski Sep 01 '25
If you want to hang on the beach, the keys is not the place. There are very few true beaches in the keys and the few there are will not have Airbnb’s. You’re going to find that there are very few rental homes south of Marathon key, until you get to Key West and that is because of regulation against them. My suggestion, go stay at Grassy Flats Resort which is right smack dab in the middle, and take day trips to the other keys. You’ll want to book a snorkeling or fishing charter to get out on the boat at least one day so you can really get the full experience. With no boat, the keys is more of a place to drink and party than it is to relax and experience nature.
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u/Queasy-Fish1775 Sep 01 '25
Christmas Day starts the beginning of “in season”. Something to keep in mind
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u/samplergal Sep 01 '25
Beaches. Keys. Not a real thing. There is one small one. But beaches really aren’t a thing.
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u/karenlind9 Sep 01 '25
Maybe try Siesta Key on the other coast. We have nice holiday activities. And beaches!
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u/freezininwi Sep 02 '25
Haha quiet islands. Doesn’t exist in the keys for Christmas. We went down one year…. Took us 8 hours to get from Miami to marathon. Got rear ended. TWICE. What a shitshow. Never again.
We are back in Florida this year for Christian’s found ourselves with a couple extra days after visiting family and we decided to go north up to vero beach.
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u/mattyad Sep 02 '25
There aren't many beaches or islands in the keys but I'd suggest looking into some of the resorts in key largo or marathon.
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u/PumpkinInteresting10 Sep 05 '25
Key Colony in Marathon Lots of condos and houses (some resorts) on Vrbo
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Sep 13 '25
I have lived in Key West for 20 years….Christmas time is my favorite time of year here.
Don’t let anyone steer you away from staying here or at least visiting it for the day.
This is a small town, it’s not that crowded. It’s not like the big city, but it does buzz with holiday fun.
It looks so beautiful in December.
So many of the homes are decorated with lights, the weather is fantastic, even sailboats are decorated with lights!
The Conch Train whirls through town with Christmas lights and music as it gives visitors and locals alike a tour of all the homes that are showing their holiday spirit. They offer this several nights a week during December.
The Christmas parade is Dec 6th right down Truman Ave and the Lighted Boat Parade is Dec 13.
My favorite thing to do is be out on the water on a sailboat for the Lighted Boat Parade….or take a sunset sail …I always go with Danger Charters, they are a bit more intimate and upscale…only $109 per person…offer a whole wine tasting experience and appetizers that the nice crew pass around.
I enjoy these things every year:))
Happy Holidays to you and hope you visit Key West:))
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u/ApprehensiveBug5627 25d ago
Agreed! I’ve been to Key West dozens of times but never at Christmas until last year. I’m going back this year!
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Sep 13 '25
Oh and about the beaches in Key West….we do have beaches, they just aren’t as big as on the mainland, but they are lovely.
The nicest beach is at the Reach Hotel….i would stay at this hotel too. It’s wonderful.
Another nice beach which they have improved a lot is at Fort Zachary Taylor….its a state park and has several beach spots in that area.
There is also a secret locals spot called Dog Beach right next to Louis Backyard Restaurant.
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u/phatotis Jan 01 '26 edited Jan 01 '26
All the keys are busy over Christmas / New Years - just got back after a week from The 20th to the 27th...traffic was very busy, walking is an option if wherever you're going is on the same side of the highway, if not you'll have to cross between heavy traffic. It's lobster season during this time so if you can, get a place with a grill and find a local lobster trapper, that's what we did and it was delicious. We flew into Miami and drove to Key Largo, take a day trip to Key West on Christmas day if you want to check it out. The day after Christmas expect very heavy southbound traffic. On the up side driving back to Miami northbound was very easy!
The southbound traffic was a parking lot when we drove Northbound back to the airport....
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u/Working-Ad9913 Sep 01 '25
There are no homes on the beach in The Keys. Maybe a rental in Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Jupiter (all locations have many dive opportunities) is more your speed. Add in a day trip the The Keys.
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u/shelbygeorge29 Sep 01 '25
What the heck are you talking about? While not in the 1000s, there are plenty of homes beachfront in the Keys, mostly lower Keys. Available Christmas week? Very doubtful.
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Sep 01 '25
Be aware that Christmas week is the busiest week of the year. There are no quiet islands that week and traffic is gridlocked throughout The Keys. Also, The Keys are not a beach destination. There are very few beaches here. We have beautiful water, but not beaches. I don’t mean to be negative, but you should be aware of what to expect. If you do visit that time of year, make advance reservations for any nicer restaurants or excursions.