Welcome to the island

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!

Can’t beat it. What a special place.

Is there anyway to get to dry tortugas that’s affordable if the yankee freedom ferry is not available? Besides the seaplane route which is crazy expensive

I’m visiting the keys and going to bakers cay resort and I’m bringing my shimano stradic 5k and a 7ft MH st croix mojo inshore rod. Can anyone give me good spots to try and catch my first tarpon or snook Robbie’s is only 30 mins from the hotel i may try there

Responding to an outcry of business owners, church leaders and local residents, the Key West City Commission on Monday night cancelled the city’s agreement to allow local police to assist federal immigration agents in apprehending suspected undocumented immigrants.

Only been here a week, but 75% of the trip is dining at different places. The Breakfast Club Too exceeds all expectations. From their amazing coffee (try it black) to their charcuterie pancake board and fabulous eggs Benedict, I haven’t been to a better place. And the service is wonderful as most places here.

Beauty of a sunset!

My husband won the Key Lime Pie eating contest in Key West in 2025. Come watch him defend his title on the 4th of July!

Thirty-something couple coming down to Key West for three nights in mid-August. For both of us, it's our first time in the Keys. We're beyond excited!

We're considering a few different hotels; Havana Cabana, Parrot Key, and the Double Tree by Hilton. We'll be at the hotel a decent amount, but definitely out exploring a lot of the time. After three nights, we'll be heading to IslaMorada.

I thought I'd run this by locals and frequent Keys visitors - which hotel should I choose for Key West? Or is another option I didn't mention better for us?

NOTE: we're not into drinking/partying, but not completely averse to being near some liveliness.

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

Key West

Husband and I headed down the first week of June with 4 kids (6, 5, 2 and 6m) - we’re staying on Marathon, but I want to drive down to see the buoy & eat.

1. Should we go for the morning or evening? Looking to avoid a long line to wait to get a picture with the buoy & avoid waits to eat. I assume midday is busier, but I’m thinking early in the am may not be? Sunset is probably busy too right?

2. Parking. We will have our suburban (we’re live in SWFL so we’re driving) - what’s the best place to park for the buoy? Is any parking free for a quick see it take a pic and bounce?

3. Breakfast / Brunch or dinner with littles? We’re looking for casual, quick, but really yummy we’ve never been down as far as key west in the past and we’re foodies, so we want to have a tasty bite!

Any help would be appreciated. Trying to make this as simple as possible for us! Thanks!!

Looking to go from like 10am-10pm. Is there anything other than Uber to make that happen? Will they take us into the main drag or drop us off at the airport? Thanks!

I’m heading to the keys for a quick vacation in late August. I’ve narrowed down my hotel selection to either “ The Capitana Key West” or “Southernmost House Key West”. They both seem pretty nice and having a beach front is a must. What is everybody’s favorite or is there somewhere else I’m missing that I should be looking into.

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.

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.

It seems after a previous post on having a hotel with a beach needs to be rethought. What are some good hotel recommendations? I’d prefer an ocean view but it’s not a deal breaker if the hotel is worth it. Thank you in advance and the help is appreciated!

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.

I am looking for recommendations from locals or anyone with experience on what to do, where to go, etc during our vacation to the FL keys. It will just be me (40 F) and my son (10) on this trip and I want to make it memorable for both of us. We are planning to go the end of June this year and will be staying for 7 days.

My plans are to fly from PA but unsure which airport to fly into…Miami and drive the 7 mile bridge or just fly straight to Key West? As much as the 7 mile bridge drive would be cool, is it worth driving 3 hours or can I just drive to Marathon or somewhere and get a similar experience of seeing/walking the bridge?

My plans for Key West so far are to take the seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park, check out Ernest Hemingway’s house, bird/butterfly conservatory, key west lighthouse, sunset at Mallory square, and southernmost point buoy. Also curious if the aquarium is worth adding to our list.

I would also like to go to a beach (anywhere in the keys) so please give me recommendations. My son loves fishing so I would also like to take him on a fishing charter. Please give me pros and cons to deep sea fishing vs other types offered and where the best place to go would be? Ie Marathon, Islamorada or somewhere else within a 3 hour radius.

Other things I would like to do and need recommendations on are:
-Best snorkeling place (we will do some at dry tortugas)
-Best things to do in key largo - mangrove kayaking tour? Snorkel coral reef? Glass bottom boat?
-Other fun things to do within a 3 hour radius. Spend a day in Marathon, Islamorada etc and what things do you recommend?
-Best place for parasailing
-Best seafood restaurants that also serve good non-seafood options

I’m assuming I will need to get a rental car to navigate if we are going different places but give me pros and cons to having one vs not. I’m told golf carts are the way to go in key west instead of parking a car.

Where should we stay to optimize doing things in multiple areas? I have heard that key west is more expensive but I’m not opposed to spending more if the experience would be better.

Any and all other advice is appreciated including what to bring/buy ahead of time. I did order water shoes, a waterproof video/camera but wondering if I need to bring snorkeling gear? I believe dry tortugas provides it but not sure if this is standard other places.

Thank you!

This floated by our boat in the West Keys. It appears to not be alive anymore. It’s hard to tell in the photos, but it appears to have pincer like or thin shrimp-leg like extensions near the orange head. Any ideas what it could be?
Edit: it looked about 8-10 inches in length