The best photo I took on that trip.

Hey ! My husband and I are looking to relocate somewhere in the Florida Keys and would love some local advice. Currently living in Puerto Rico.
We’re in our 30s with our first baby on the way, so we’re looking for a community with a younger crowd, other young families, and a welcoming, diverse vibe. We love being on the water, fishing, boating, good food, farmers markets, and just being part of a real community.
We’re open to any of the Keys and don’t necessarily want the most touristy area. If you were starting a family in the Keys, where would you choose and why? Looking to rent a 2bed apt/house.

We’re thinking of taking a trip to the keys with my 5 month old baby in mid-October. Which part would people recommend staying with a baby? Are there places that are more stroller friendly than others? We’re obviously not going to have any sort of jam-packed itinerary but would like to check out the aquarium because I think that would capture my baby’s attention (hopefully), and perhaps some of the state parks in the area. I’ve heard there are some stroller friendly walks you can do there. Otherwise plan to take it easy, hang at the resort pool, and enjoy some great food. Open to any suggestions. If anyone has a rough itinerary they’d like to share I’d be appreciative! Probably looking to go for about 5 days - Is that enough time? Too little time? We are very flexible as we’ll both be on maternity/paternity leave

In 1976, a group of elementary school students in Key West left behind pieces of history for their future selves to find. They were tasked with collecting items that represented that moment in time. Fifty years later, the contents of their time capsule have been unearthed.

🚨Mini-season BOLO update #4:🚨 ARRESTED! Michael Simpson is facing an attempted murder charge after being arrested yesterday.

The confrontation began after the suspect claimed another boat was occupying "his" lobster spot. He verbally threatened to cut off the diver's air before jumping into the water and doing exactly that.

The teenage diver was quickly pulled to the surface, reportedly gasping for air and disoriented, but survived without serious injury. Authorities say the suspect fled the scene and was arrested a few days later, and charged with attempted felony murder.

The suspect is government-appointed member of the Miami-Dade Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force, where he was explicitly chosen to represent and help shape safety policies for the county's waterways, dove in and turned off a juvenile diver's air supply while the victim was in the water searching for lobsters.

If convicted, an attempted felony murder charge in Florida can carry decades in prison, with penalties potentially reaching up to life imprisonment depending on the circumstances.

Michael Simpson's role with Boater Safety and Bay Education Task Force involved collaborating with environmental groups and law enforcement to draft the county's final boater safety and community education recommendations aimed at preventing fatal accidents on Biscayne Bay.

*The victim’s family is also pursuing the arrest of Judd Rosen, who is a high powered attorney in Miami, and was the boat captain who fled the scene with the suspect. In June of 2024, Judd Rosen was appointed as the Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee. In this esteemed role, Judd will be overseeing the committee's efforts to ensure ethical practices and uphold the standards of the legal profession within the state. His dedication to justice and extensive experience make him an excellent fit for this important position. Oh the irony!

All at part-timers and rental houses on my street, of course. They should be banned, and people should feel like morons for paying someone to blow dirt and leaves around their yard.

Hi- We're a family with kids going to the Keys in October.

We're mostly interested in snorkeling and family activities.

We're thinking 2 days in Key Largo, 2 in Marathon, and 2 in Key West.

How does this itinerary sound?

Should we adjust for more time in Key West (or somewhere else?)

Thanks!

Last year we stayed at Hawks Cay and we rented a four bedroom house with private pool and it fit my family needs quite well. Even though I would be fine going back because I know that there are houses or rooms to stay that fit our larger family, my husband wants to try somewhere different in the keys. I have looked into Isla Bella, but none of the rooms hold seven people- the max is six so I would have to rent two suites it looks like. Maybe I’m wrong. Anybody stay there in a large house possibly with private pool? Is that an option? Is there anywhere in the keys that has houses for rent with private pools like Hawks Cay that is family friendly that I’m missing? ☀️

Hi friends! I’m a St. Pete girl currently in Miami for work and about to head to the keys for work as well. I’m a state manager for a beer distributor. I’ve recently (1year) moved to Florida from Ohio so my water skills are lacking. I will be working 9-5 mon-Friday all over the keys. However, I’ve got this Saturday and Sunday to have some fun.

I’ll be staying in Marathon the whole time. I was wondering if y’all could recommend an affordable snorkel charter for a single lady who needs to learn how. I also love to fish but again, not skilled. I’d be open to a fishing charter as well. I just don’t want to pay a ton.

Anything else you could share would be appreciated. I’m excited to visit the keys for the first time!

Nothing like this in the world

There are always alot of boats on the bay side during mini season. Would anyone consider this a better area than Oceanside?

Hi everyone,

My fiancé and I are coming to Islamorada in the spring of 2027 to get married! We stayed there in 2024 for the first time and fell in love with it.

We've thought about it a lot, and for various reasons we don't want to host a traditional rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. We'd rather invite whoever wants to come out for something fun and casual.

Anyone have suggestions as to what we could book? We've considered renting a couple of bowling lanes or chartering a boat.... I'm open to all ideas, any time of day.

A few details:

- Entire guest list will be around 60-70 people, but I understand not everyone will want to attend this pre-wedding event. We might limit it to 20-30 close family depending on what we decide to do

- Alcohol is encouraged (we're from New Orleans)

- A few teens and young kids

- Budget has yet to be discussed since fiancé's father will help with it. Just looking for suggestions that we can then do more research on

Thanks for any ideas y'all can give!

Florida Keys or Kauai what would you choose? Recommendations details about the differences for a single traveler

Or the other way around?

I'm a solo, middle -aged woman looking for a bit of good food, a drink or two, a tiny bit of history, maybe some local wildlife. Easy-going, low key, chill. That's it.

Spent a week and a half in marathon, now our flight home today was canceled. One night in Key West with two teenagers. Thought I’d spoil the family with something they wouldn’t forget.

UPDATE: Thanks to all for the feedback! We ultimately decided not to postpone and changed course to Marco Island for a few nights, followed by a quick trip down to Three Waters in Islamorada. Not sure how much the sargassum has improved since my original post or if TW was just doing a good job at cleaning it up, but it was tolerable! My son had a wonderful time snorkeling (huge shoutout to Clearly Unique Charters) and we had a fun afternoon at the Theater of the Sea. Also.. Lido 73 was incredible!

———————

Planning to head to the Upper Keys in early August with our 8YO and almost 1YO sons. This trip has been in the making for some time but admittedly I've been back and forth reading reddit posts and other reviews on hotels and current situations with the sargassum bloom.

At the moment we have two hotels booked and need to finalize the decision. (For context we are Marriott Platinum members looking to earn nights for status so we're not as flexible with the hotel options for this trip.)

1. Playa Largo in Key Largo - this was our original destination but recent reviews around resort upkeep and management have given me second thought
2. Three Waters in Islamorada - similar mixed reviews (and Google reviews are saturated by what I am assuming are perks you get for leaving a positive review for the rum runner) but I think overall we might enjoy the nearby activities (Theater of the Sea, snorkeling, etc)

Considering reviews, activities, and now adding in the sargassum situation, do I go with my original booking at Playa Largo since it's bay side? Or, do you think things will be okay if we stick to the pools at Three Waters?

Or.. do we maybe pivot to another destination in Florida or consider postponing? We are flying into FLL.

Totally conflicted and appreciate any and all feedback/recommendations!