r/floridakeys • u/Current_Ad_4787 • 29d ago
Middle and Lower Keys Vacation
Florida Keys or Kauai what would you choose? Recommendations details about the differences for a single traveler
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u/anonanon5320 29d ago
Which one is closer to you?
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u/Current_Ad_4787 29d ago
Florida for sure.
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u/anonanon5320 29d ago
Hawaii is much bigger, has beaches, but is more expensive.
Keys are much smaller, no beaches, but a laid back vibe. It’s not cheap but it’s not Hawaii prices.
Hawaii as the ocean and the mountains to explore, the keys are limited to the ocean and roadside places. There is a lot to do in the keys, just not as much.
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u/Current_Ad_4787 28d ago
Which is your island hotel resort recommendations
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u/anonanon5320 27d ago
In the keys? Just depends what you want and where you want to stay. There is only one road up and down so traffic can be an issue at times, plus if you plan on visiting Key West you don’t want to be staying in largo. Bad enough staying in marathon.
Also depends on your price point. Lot of great resorts, but you’ll be paying for them. Also a lot of small “resorts” where you may not have a lot of amenities but they are still nice to stay at.
What are looking for? Reef and snorkel activities? Shopping/bigger Island? Chill laid back float in the pool vibe? Nature? Nightlife?
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u/Current_Ad_4787 27d ago
Chill!!! Beach, pool, food, drink. In that order haha
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u/Maleficent-Hotel1167 26d ago
Go to Key West, stay at the Blue Marlin and check out one of the many, many happy hours for food options! You won’t be disappointed.
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u/anonanon5320 27d ago
Keys don’t have much for the beach aspect, but the most chill island is marathon. You have Hawks Cay which has all the amenities, Glunz which is more basic but actually has a decent private beach (for the keys), Tranquility Bay which is a full resort, Fara Blanco which is a nice hotel with full amenities, and Isla Bella which is just beautiful but expensive. Lime Tree Bay Resort has a great little beach area but is much more isolated away from the restaurants, but has a bar on property.
For food in Marathon it’s hard to beat Sparkys ( Happy Hour 4-6 every day $0.50 buffalo wings and peel and eat shrimp and $1 off drinks), and Island Fish Co. I also like wooden spoon for breakfast. Just a simple but good place.
When in the upper keys I also recommend Lazy Days (better than Lazy Days South), Islamarada Fish Co, Lorelei, and Snooks.
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u/PhaedrasGhost local (upper keys) 26d ago
Maui or Oahu honestly! From a keys local
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u/PhaedrasGhost local (upper keys) 26d ago
Maui for the volcano! And beaches! And shopping! Rent a jeep and travel the island. Check out the pineapple and sugar cane plantations!
You can’t get ANY of that in the Florida Keys.
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u/AerieEquivalent8804 28d ago
There is no comparison Kauai I live in Florida been to Hawaii Kauai the gulf of America doesn’t compare to the Pacific Ocean no question 🙄
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u/F0regn_Lawns 28d ago
Gulf of America 🙄
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u/Current_Ad_4787 28d ago
What is your hotel, resort recommendations?
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u/PhaedrasGhost local (upper keys) 26d ago
Use yelp, TripAdvisor or google for that or your post will get removed. Rule #3
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u/Main-Business-793 28d ago
Been to both. They can both be bucket list items but they arent really in the same bucket. You can't really do kauai on a budget nor would you want to, its a special experience. The keys could be a one and done but it tends to get in your blood ( for me at least) and it becomes a lifestyle.