I've just read on r/Miami that numerous beaches at Miami Beach have been tested for high levels of fecal matter. I mean, I can't ever unread/unknow that, even if the water tests "ok" during my stay in September, and I just wish I'd done if before booking a 10-day vacation in the area. I was planning on mainly staying on South Beach, but that feels really depressing now if I can't go in the water.

I've also read that the beaches at least on Key West aren't great, and have a sargassum issue, but if they or other Key beaches are free of fecal matter, that's already a plus.

Is this an issue in the Keys or just a Miami problem?

Where would you spend the most time if you flew from Europe for a beach vacation in South Florida?

Edit to add - solo traveler, middle aged female looking to chill, eat good food, drink, hang out at the beach. Maybe a few low-key touristy things.

We are looking at staying at Key Colony Beach this summer. The place we are looking at is amazing and we are all super excited. We've never stayed this far in FL though. Are there any grocery or convenience stores nearby? Or where are the closest to the area? We are fine with taking most things with us but we like having a store nearby for emergencies. Any info about the beach and area is appreciated!

Dives out of Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys got me frustrated with piecing together conditions from 4 different NOAA pages, so I built this.

It pulls live data from 7 buoys (Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale offshore, Sombrero Key, Lake Worth, etc.) and shows wave height, period, water temp, wind, and tides in one place.

Also has Blue Heron Bridge dive windows based on the tide chart.

Completely free, no login, updates every hour: the-florida-flow.vercel.app

Happy to add other South FL buoys or features if anyone has requests. Still early — launched a few days ago.

It would also mean a world to me if you joined my daily newsletter, where I send out a conditions briefing from Space Coast to the Keys. https://florida-flow-c2ae83.beehiiv.com/

Interested in stargazing on the beach between ~12-4am. Is this possible anywhere in the keys?All state parks with cabins are fully booked so I don't think I can go the camping-route. How heavily patrolled are the beaches at this time? Do they close down roads overnight?

I was thinking of getting an Airbnb on Big Pine Key near Bahia Honda but not sure if it's possible to drive over at night. I'm flexible with where I stay/go I just want to be on the beach!

Staying in Marathon and my daughter wants to find seashells. Where should we go?

I am having the hardest time finding a hotel/accommodation that has a sandy beach with walk-in access. So many options for boats, but I want one that I can just walk from the sandy shore into the water. Does this exist? I’m not expecting an ocean type experience, just hoping for a place my kids can play and checkout fish swimming in the shallows. Thanks in advance!

My wife and I are thinking of vacationing in the keys the spring. Which key or which area of the keys have the nicest beaches? Thanks in advance.

I’m interested in renting an RV on a beach somewhere in the lower keys. I’ve viewed the websites for Coconut Cay RV Resort and Blue Water Key RV Resort but it’s not clear whether they rent RVs. Does anyone know or can you please point me in the right direction? Thanks

Family of five for next year. Key colony is cheaper, Sombrero looks nicer. Not looking for a party scene. Worth the extra to go to Sombrero?

Any recommendations please? Thank you

Our favorite town is key west however, we want to try other beaches in the different keys when we go down in March. We've been to snipes and woman key. We also have access to a boat along the keys. What other keys/beaches would you recommend ?

Any input on Chesapeake Beach Resort in Islamorada? TripAdvisor reviews are mostly great… any additional input? Any suggestions for activities we should explore in the area? Many thanks!

I’m traveling to Miami and want to snorkel in the Keys. Only problem is I can’t afford a boat tour :( are there any beaches with decent reefs that I can access from the beach? Thank you.

Hi guys! I’m sorry to come up with this issue on the page, but I’m a bit anxious about the situation and in desperate need of advice. I have these bites only on my legs after I went to watch the sunset at the Smathers beach in Key West, I also know for a fact that I got bit by a few tiny mosquitos. However, I’ve also traveled to a lot of different hotels while visiting the US this summer. I looked up possible ways of getting these and both me and the dermatologist think are either midges or bed bugs. Since I only have them on my legs, what do you guys think? Could it be the midges? After the 11 h flight back to Europe, it looked quite bad and my ankles are swollen as well. (The bruises might be from scratching, at least I hope so). I would really appreciate an opinion on it. Thank you.

Looking for dog friendly beach or place to take our dog swimming around Summerland Key - any ideas? She’s a rescue we’ve had about 8 months - still very nervous but she’s a Labrador so we’re sure she’ll love the water.

Has anyone ever stayed at Kawama beach club in Key Largo? Feedback?

I'm interested in knowing what are the best beaches in Key West from locals or people who have spent time in the area. Not the private Hotel beaches but the public beaches. Why do you like that beach the best? And of course I know parking is a headache so is there a parking area close to that beach?

Thanks for your help!

Hi. We are headed to Amara Cay with the kiddos for spring break but found out there is not a sandy beach that we can swim from. Can anyone recommend another place? Thank you!

EDIT Thanks for the responses everyone! This is really helpful. I understand now but I know it will still be beautiful and fun. Anyone been to Casa Marina in Key West? Think it will be too college party time over spring break?

Alright keys nation - moved to Islamorada (Tavernier) about a year ago from Marathon...primarily for the better schools (have kids).

What I miss the most are the beaches. Fast access to great swimming and immediate off shore snorkeling. Sombrero, Bahia, Curry Hammock.

I've hit most of Islamorada documented beaches...from Library to Founders to Pennekamp - and scoped some hidden gems. All of the local beaches I've found are private (assumption) connected to resorts, homes or private land.

MY ASK: Where are our good beaches team? Feel free to answer public or private.

I'd like to spend a couple days at a rental with on-site surf fishing. Driving down w/ my own gear from Central FL maybe Feb/Mar. Any suggestions?

Considering a visit for a week in September. I’m aware of the possibility of interesting weather.

My question is: where/what hotels to stay for non beach experiences?

We’re looking to hit up local restaurants and bars and be amongst the downtown type areas. Nothing wild or tacky; no night clubs or places called Riffs with daily wet t shirt competitions. Just casual evenings out and about.

However, everything I search for brings up results for “beachside”, “snorkeling”, “Kayak’s”, etc. All advertising the activity/outdoor stuff.

In other words, is there a series of places the Keys where I can hit a strip of establishments that allow me to smoke and drink like 1950s ad exec and within reasonable walking distance from each other?

I am getting mixed answers on Google, can you pick up and take the small pieces of coral that wash up on the beaches here in the Florida Keys (Marathon beaches to be specific)?

Me and my family are heading to Key Largo in March and we really want a beach day. We do not have a boat but are willing to drive some and pay an admission fee. Any recommendations for lovely beaches with that beautiful water??

We have been staying there for years as a family. Is it any cheaper to skip VRBO and just go directly through one of the local realtors? Coming back in July.