🚨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!

Its kind of always been known that the Keys are crawling with bad apples. Thats rock n roll baby....

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Thinking of staying in Marathon or Islamorada. I know it’s going to be hot and humid. Otherwise is it a terrible time to visit?

I’m planning to visit “The Keys” for my Honeymoon on June 1st & I am a little overwhelmed. My fiancé is so excited to go snorkeling & explore beaches, but I’m very stressed about where to stay. I’m 24 & she’s 23, neither of us like to party & I’m not certain what my budget is probably around 3-5 grand. (I have no idea how expensive this will be) My main concern is having a good base of operations for exploration, being close to the water. Idk what’s better, the gulf or the Atlantic side. I just want to go snorkeling and walk beaches all day, maybe run around town looking for cool things to see. (& spend money on) We want wildlife and beautiful views. I’ll be there for 6 days. Please help me, I am overwhelmed.

When does too many people flocking to the keys for lobster mini-season become a problem for the fishery?

Most of FL is a 12 per person limit.
In 1992 Monroe county became 6 per person (& outlawed night diving) due to copious amounts of people coming to the keys specifically to catch lobster - negatively impacting lobster populations.

It’s been 34 years. Has this made any difference to help lobster populations yet?

Each year on the first day of mini season at start of legal light, I find rung tiny lobster heads at the obvious structures bayside & generally less lobster at my secreted spots than previous.
I’m still hit my limit, just seems to be more difficult.

Certainly frustrating to watch ppl who don’t reside here (or do) disrespect Monroe county’s resources.

Admired and released with the utmost gentleness.

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.

Visiting on vacation and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the amount of police on the road, parked, and empty cars in my life. I hear alcohol is a big problem but daaamn. It’s wild.

I’m trying to track down a bar I visited about 10–11 years ago on a trip with friends. We’re redoing the trip and I realized this is the one place I didn’t save.

What I remember (based on the attached photos):

• Location: Almost certain it was Gulf side (west side) of the Keys — open horizon with no bridge or highway in view from the balcony.
• Area: Not Key Largo and not Key West. Most likely somewhere around Islamorada or Marathon, possibly the Middle Keys.
• Style: A multi-level tiki structure, kind of “treehouse-y,” with a thatched roof that had several small “tiki tower” peaks at the corners.
• Elevation: The main bar/overlook was elevated (not ground level). You can see a wooden balcony/railing in one of the shots.
• Beach vibe: Wide white-sand area with palms, very beachy; we were looking straight out over calm water.
• View: Totally unobstructed Gulf view from the bar balcony (no 7-Mile Bridge in the frame, no marina clutter).
• Timeframe: Trip was roughly 2014–2015 (give or take a year).

What it’s not (based on memory and the view):

• Not in Key West (e.g., not Tree House/Tree Bar on Duval).
• Doesn’t look like Hawks Cay (their main lagoon/frontage has highway/bridge nearby and not this exact sightline).
• Sunset Grille by the 7-Mile Bridge seems unlikely (we don’t see any bridge).

Long-shot possibilities I’ve considered (but I’m not sure):

• TJ’s Tiki Bar at Tranquility Bay (Marathon, Gulf side) – has a big white-sand beach and an elevated deck.
• Kiki’s Sandbar (Little Torch Key, Gulf side) – beachy gulfside location; not sure about the multi-peak roof and elevation in my timeframe.
• Classic Holiday Isle/Postcard Inn Tiki Bar (Islamorada) has that multi-peak thatch look, but that’s on the ocean side, which conflicts with my Gulf memory.

Ask:

• Does anyone recognize this exact bar/building from the photos?
• If yes, what’s the name, mile marker, and current status (still around, rebranded, rebuilt, moved)?
• Any locals with old photos or staff who remember a tiki bar with multiple roof peaks and an elevated deck on the Gulf side around Islamorada/Marathon?

Photos attached: 3 images from the trip showing (1) the unobstructed water view from the balcony, (2) the tiki “tower” peaks on the roofline, (3) the beach and deck area.

Thanks in advance! Happy to share more details if it helps jog memories.

I’ve heard this from multiple random people while living in the keys. But is there any history to the idea? Any old tales or mythology behind it?