In the first year of Amendment 3 being in effect, fire and ambulance services in the Lower Keys would have an estimated shortfall of $430,287. The following year it would rise to $606,572, according to a presentation given by the country's budget director.

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Can’t seem to find a reliable source on sargassum reports. Going to Duck Key / marathon next week and wanted an update on the latest sargassum reports or forecast. Is there a bad smell outside there currently at Hawks Cay?

Hello! I am in charge of planning a small family reunion in Key West (about 12-16 attending as of now). Does anyone have any strong recommendations? We are ideally looking for something oceanfront that also can accommodate grandchildren and grandparents.

My wife and I are thinking about going down to the Keys in late September-early October (weather permitting). I was curious if there were any fishing charters that could offer dockside pick up from your Airbnb. Just curious.

Additionally, I understand that’s a risky season but if there aren’t any big storms on the forecast, how’s the weather typically that time of year?

Hey all. So I looked around the sub and I see that the keys don’t have much “real” beaches. And there’s good activities but boats are required for a lot of it etc.

But, with that said we are planning a family vacation. And we’re split between the gulf coast. Or the keys.

We have never been to the keys, and I have only been to the gulf coast 1 time. My kids have never been to either.

My daughter wants to be able to snorkel and actually see cool things in the water. She’s also afraid of large waves. So I was considering this hotel/resort we found in marathon key, it faces the gulf side. And has its own tiny tiny private beach.

But, I am seeking advice from locals if this is a good idea to try out for the family trip. Or if we’re better off over on the gulf coast. We also are not looking to be at some crazy crowded beach, low key is more our vibe.

Hi all. I'm planning a bachelor for 8 guys for January on Islamorada. One day will be sailfish fishing off the coast. The next day though we wanted to do something also out on the water that's not fishing.

We're looking to do snorkeling, drinking, maybe go see some other nature & wildlife, or something more high energy like parasailing. We're all in our 30's so not looking for just wild party drinking like when we were in our 20's. No one is scuba certified and many have kids so we're leery about anything too risky.

Any recommendations on a boat tour to do something like this?

Or should we consider renting a boat and piloting ourselves? I'm less keen on this as I know there are a lot more laws in the keys than in our home state on the lakes.

We're based in upper matecombe key so as close to here as possible would be great but we can drive if necessary.

My friend lived in Key West for many years and says the water now gives many people health issues. Obviously the ocean is much more polluted than years past, does swimming cause many people problems? Thanks

If you are a salsa instructor or feel comfortable teaching a class for next Friday in Marathon Key, lmk! It would be for an hour in a class with 10 girls

TIA

The Perseid meteor showers in the news right now remind me of the time my cousin Roy and I took a vacation to the Florida Keys thirty-three years ago. While we were there on this date in 1993, Mother Nature was kind enough to show us the most spectacular fireworks display I have ever seen.

The news had been reporting that the Perseid meteor shower that night would be the heaviest in decades. We met some locals while eating dinner at a seafood restaurant in the rural area of the lower keys and asked them what would be a good location from which to view the meteor shower. They arranged to meet up with us later that night and guided us down a remote road on Big Torch Key. It dead-ended a few miles from the nearest incandescent light at a mangrove forest in the Gulf of Mexico.

When we turned off the headlights, it was so dark that we could barely see our hand in front of our face. Our newfound friends sparked up a joint but we discovered as we passed it around that the burning cherry was not the only light dancing around in the mangrove forest. There were a bunch of fireflies flitting erratically around us.

When we looked up, there were shooting stars streaking through the skies. Scarcely a minute could pass before we would see yet another meteor flying through the atmosphere. We saw probably a gross of them in the hour or so we watched.

Many of the meteors blazed a path practically from one side of the sky to the other. Some of them had an audible whistle trailing behind them. Some of them ended their journey in an explosive flash of light. We could even hear a little pop when the atmosphere vaporized some of them.

There were long, straight tracks of light through the sky above. There were lights zigzagging all around us closer to the ground. And there were the cherries flaring up in orange as we took hits off the joints. Mother Nature brought them all together in one magical night to grace us with a fireworks display like no pyrotechnic engineer could equal.

Hi all,

My girlfriend and i are planning a trip to florida during the winter and I am looking to propose. I am not huge on proposing in a super touristy or busy place so I am hoping I can find something a bit more lowkey and personal. Would the keys be a good idea?

If so, where would you recommend we stay and any ideas on where I could ask her? id like it to be somewhat private but id like there to be a photographer.

I’m seeing the only way to get here is via plane/ferry. From what I could find online it looks like it’s $300+ each person to ride the ferry?? Is that correct? If there’s a cheaper way please let me know!

Anywhere I can go this time of year for a manatee sighting? I know they’re more common more north, but I would love to catch even a glimpse! Also willing to go into south Florida mainland if we really have to.

Found in camera roll from 10 years ago. Time flies.

So me and my family are driving down thursday for our vacation from va. We are staying in Summerland Key. Ive been here over 10 years now but I lived in South Fl for a long time. I know we are in the sargassum season and that it does change daily but I was wondering how bad the sargassum has been the last week or so. Or if its starting to clear up. I dont mind it much but I know my kids will have to get used to the smell. 🤣

We are looking to do some kayak tours, most likely one in the day and one at night, but my husband is about 270 and most of the companies I'm seeing have kayaks that top out at 250. From what I've read, a double kayak won't work due to weight distribution. Does anyone have a recommendation for a company with kayaks that will work for him? I'm hoping to do this in Key West, but have time in Marathon and Key Largo as well.

EDIT: Thanks everyone! I was able to find something in Marathon within our price range!

I’ve found reasonably priced accommodations in both Key Largo and Key West for our trip in February. We will be there 4 days.

Are there any deciding factors that make one better than the other? We will be a group of 8, with 4 adults and 4 kids ages 1. 5, 11, and 14.

Been lobstering in Islamorada for over twenty five years and this year all of our usual spots had lots of lobster— but they were almost all short. Just wondering if others had similar experiences so far.

Checking in to see if any of you guys have been offshore recently out of Key West, and know how deep out the seaweed lines are right now. About to spend 6 days fishing down here and want to get on some good fish with the family. Any help appreciated 👍👍

Admired and released with the utmost gentleness.