Key West Online

2muchfun asked:


Another area to depart from other than the keys- Were coming from N.C.

jaydavion asked:


I live in Key West Florida, I am aware that we have scorpions here and have even seen some. I am trying to find out which species we have here, and about their habits, and other physical traits such as color, size, toxicity etc. Please help.

Peter W asked:


I’m a supervisor at Wal-Mart and I make about 40K a year… Does that mean the guys on Wall Street that make a million are better than me? NO… I have everything, and even if I was a millionaire – I can assure you I wouldn’t be caught dead in a ferrari or wearing a rolex! Extravaganza in not my foray at all… I sail my boat in the Florida Keys, I eat the fish I catch, I scuba dive 2 times a month. Have a loving wife, and we don’t struggle at all. Plenty of money… I think anyone that needs a million bucks or needs power is someone that is lacking in something somewhere. Comments?

redwahoo1 asked:


i live on a canal in miami. i love o fish in it and all i can catch is snapper and grunt. ive hooked tarpon and seen snook and baracuda. can u tell me how to catch snook, tarpon an barracuda in m canal.
bait(live, frozen, lures)?
techniques?
times?
any other tips u can think of, thanks

Andrew asked:


trying to catch some sharks and some bigger fish maybe cobia and tarpon too. well were using sardines and were catching the catfish and i also caught three bonnethead sharks which are alot of fun. but im hoping for something bigger.. i know theres a trouph right off beach then theres sand bad then theres another trouph. if you can tell me more about what bait and what trouph and such. caught a pin fish and two lady fish should i use them?
yes trough sorry. anyone actually have some advise? night? morning? what bait??

Dolley asked:


My husband loves to fish! We both love the Florida Keys and particularly Marathon Key. I would love to stay in nice hotel with a kitchenette that also has spa services. I would also like to charter a boat that could accommodate us overnight. Does anyone have any suggestions, or had a similar vacation experience? If so, please let me know where you stayed.

Thank you!

Michelle H asked:


Were staying at the Doubletree on Collins for the first part, then driving to Key west, then coming back up to Miami and staying at Don Schulas Golf Resort.

We have reservations at Emerils and Don Schulas Steakhouse, and Tickets to the Marlins/Mets game on the 30th. Any more fun Ideas in the area. How is the Metrozoo?

I have lived in Florida over half my life and one place I’ll never get tired of visiting is the Keys. When I first moved down here and heard the word “Key” I had no Idea what that meant or what that was. I found out a “Key” is a derivative of the Spanish word Cayo, which means Small Island. The Florida Keys are a chain of small islands that begin about 15 miles south of Miami; the main chain swoops south-southwest for about another 120 miles or so over the highway. The Keys divide the Atlantic Ocean on their east from the Gulf of Mexico on their west, not a bad spot to be in. At the southern most tip, Key West, we are only about 90 miles from Cuba which has added its flavor and influence to the Keys.

The Florida Keys are made up of a cluster of over 1700 islands in all, some of the main ones being Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and of course Key West. The Dry Tortugas are islands just off Key West but are uninhabited except for the tours and day trips over to them.

Key Largo is considered the first key; it’s a great place to snorkel and camp and is known as the Diving Capital of the World” whether that is true or not the people who live, work and run the diving shops in the area would like to believe it and have us believe it too. Key Largo is also the home of John Pennekamp State Park which was the first underwater park in the U.S. and has the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S.

Islamorada is next down the highway and is itself is made up of 6 different islands, it is known for great fishing both in the ocean and in the flats around the island. They have this great little place there called Robbies Marina that’s kind of famous as a place to feed the Keys favorite local fish the Tarpon. Many people from all over also come down to swim with the dolphins here, there are several places in Islamorada to do this.

Next is Marathon, it’s known to be a great place for diving, snorkeling and spearfishing, they also have an open lobster season during the year. Marathon has several dolphin research centers that the public are welcome to tour, Islamormarda has one as well. Marathon holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I first fell in love with the Keys. The summer after high school a friends parents had a condo in Marathon and we went down to join them for the week. What a week it was, I’d never had so much fun. They had been going there for several years and had made friends so when we got there we already had a gang to hang out with. We played on the beach, got in the pool, hung out in the hot tub and of course, drank. The water was so blue, the breeze so warm and the palm tress all over made it look like a moving postcard. I’d just moved form Atlanta a few years before so I hadn’t seen anything like this – ever. I never wanted to leave but, alas, the week ended and we had to go, but I vowed I’d be back and I have been many times.

Big Pine Key follows Marathon and is considered the start of the lower keys and near where you end up off the famous Seven Mile Bridge. The Seven Mile Bridge is something else; it’s been featured in several movies including ‘True Lies’ that starred Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Theres a certain feeling that washes over you as you’re driving over Seven Mile Bridge, it’s like the world melts away, if you’ve already been to the Keys then you know what I’m talking about. Big Pine Key is a great place to just relax; it’s quieter and more unspoiled than some of the other Keys. It’s a great place to get back to nature, take a trail by land or water, or just sit and be still. The National Key Deer Refuge is on Big Pine Key. The Key Deer are the smallest of the white-tailed deer and are federally protected because they are endanger of extinction, there are only about 700 in the herd. They are so tiny, cute and sweet you just want to cuddle one, but you can’t.

Then there’s Key West, what can I say? I’ve been to Bourbon Street in New Orleans and I can honestly say that Duval Street in Key West rivals it for fun, fantasy and people watching. Home of the world famous “Duval Crawl”, the ORIGINAL pub crawl, Duval Street starts to party with the setting of the sun. Seriously, the city goes out to Mallory Square to watch the spectacular sun set, street performers and the fanstatic boats in the water. There are several great places to eat at Mallory Square, local vendors line the boarwalk selling their arts and crafts and in the air there’s just a general sense of fun. Key West is a great place to get married too. I got married in a garden there by a great little guy who called himself “Admiral” and in his younger days looked just like Sonny Bono. What a great place.

If you asked me where in the world I’d like to go and know for certain I was going to have a good time, I’d have to ask to be dropped off in Key West or hey, anywhere in the Keys would be good, I’d make it to Key West, eventually.



By: Kirby Collins

About the Author:

Ten Things You Must Do If You Want To Vacation In Key West

By Robert (Bob) Cohen

Planning a vacation in Key West can sometimes be a daunting task as there are so many things to do in Key West. The Key West Welcome Center can be your focal point for planning your vacation because they are in the service of assisting visitors with their vacation planning.

The Welcome Center can make all of your reservations for you so you do not have to stress over what to do, who to call or what to plan.

HOTELS, MOTELS, BED & BREAKFAST, VACATION RENTALS

Key West is a small island that is 1.5 by 4 miles in size with only 4,000 total hotel, motel, bed & breakfast and condominium rooms on the entire island. During special events and holiday weekends, there is usually a 3-nite minimum stay at the bed & breakfasts as well as some of the 4-star hotel resorts on the island and condominium resorts.

If you are coming in for just one night during the week, then you probably will not need advanced reservations for a hotel or motel room. Sometimes, we can get you into a nice bed & breakfast for just one night due to last minute cancellations. But, if you plan on staying for a few nights or longer, advanced reservations are definitely in order.

Working as a Concierge for a number of years, you see just when and where rooms are available for nightly rental. If you are looking for private homes for your vacation rental, then expect places that are only available for a minimum of one week. Some places are only available on a monthly basis.

On another note, if you are like me and have animal companions, they are a part of your family and do not like the idea of leaving them home when you are out having fun. Most accommodations, including the vacation rentals, are not pet friendly. The ones that have more pet friendly rooms are the bed & breakfasts. Contact the Key West Welcome Center to find out what is available that is pet friendly and they will make the reservations for you.

In the off-season (June 1 to December 15), accommodation rates start at about $89 for a basic room up to a 4-star resort starting at $200 a night. During high season (December 16 to May 31), rates can start at $169 per night.

FISHING THE KEYS

If you are an avid fisherman, coming to Key West is something you will never forget. There is no better fishing in the State of Florida than there is in Key West. Try your hand at game fish such as Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Tarpon, Permit, Cobia, Wahoo or even Shark. More records have been broken here than anywhere else in the State of Florida.

There are three basic types of fishing:

1. Off-Shore

2. Back Country Light Tackle

3. Flats

OFF SHORE – Off-shore fishing is where you go for the big stuff such as Grouper, Sail Fish, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, King Mackerel, etc. The boats are usually a six-pack (maximum six passenger) and you take turns in the hot seat. The method of hooking the fish is by trolling. You can reserve by the seat (1/2 day $135; full day $185), or private charters (1/2 day starting at $600; full day starting at $800).

BACK COUNTRY LIGHT TACKLE – This type of fishing is using a spinning rod on boats that are never bigger than 28-feet with a maximum capacity of 4 passengers. This is usually sight casting and can use either lures or live bait. You will catch things such as Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Tarpon, Cobia, Permit, Bone Fish, etc. These are strictly private charter with 1/2 days starting at $450; full days starting at $650

FLATS FISHING – This is the ultimate challenge to a fisherman because you are in waters that are rarely deeper than 2 to 3 feet and you are using either 15 lb. test line on a spinning rod, or fly fishing. These boats are specifically designed for high speeds in very shallow waters. Here you can hook into Tarpon, Permit, Bone Fish, African Pompano, and sometimes even sharks. Imaging the thrill of catching a 90 lb. Tarpon on 15 lb. test line. It will be an exercise to see who tires first; you or the Tarpon (in many cases it will be you). These boats can only take a maximum of 2 passengers. Charters for 1/2 day start at $350; full day start at $550.

3. SNORKEL, SNUBA AND SCUBA DIVING

Over 80% of the visitors to Key West and the Florida Keys want to go either snorkeling or scuba diving. This is due to the abundant and colorful sea life one would see while on either a snorkeling or scuba diving experience. To Scuba Dive, one must be a certified diver (PADI, NAUI, etc) as they have anywhere from Open Water Certification to Master Diver.

If you have never done scuba diving before, there is something called SNUBA which gives you an experience similar to Scuba, but instead of having a tank strapped to your back, the regulator in your mouth is attached to a 20-foot long air hose attached to a compressor on the surface. This way you get the experience of being underwater without having to get certified.

If you want to see what it is like to Scuba Dive, you can take a Resort Course which gives you enough training to go out with an instructor on what is called a 2-tank dive in up to 45 feet of water.

Snorkel trips start at $35 per person, Snuba starts at $95 per person, Scuba starts at $90 per person and resort courses start at $155 per person.

FT. JEFFERSON AT THE DRY TORTUGAS

Day trips to the Dry Tortugas has to be the most popular excursion in Key West as you get to the Dry Tortugas by either a high speed catamaran or by seaplane.

The Catamarans take a little over two hours to go about 70 miles west of Key West and they give you about 4.5 hours at the Dry Tortugas. The Seaplane takes about 35 minutes to get there and they give you about 2.5 hours on the island.

Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is 16 acres in size and it is the largest coastal fort in the United States. It just draws you into its history when the historian tells you about the place. This is a trip you do not want to miss.

Boat prices to the Dry Tortugas start at $110 to $129 depending on the boat, and the seaplane costs start at $189 per adult.

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT EXCURSIONS

The Glass bottom boats give you the experience of seeing the sea life at the Living Coral Reef. We call it a “Dry Snorkel” trip as it is like snorkeling without getting wet.

Large tropical fish, colorful coral await you at the reef. Prices start at $35 per person.

6. FINE DINING IN KEY WEST

Key West is privileged to have so many fine restaurants that it would be difficult to chose which ones to eat at.

We have everything from the fast food chains, all the way to 4 diamond quality restaurants. Other than a few minor exceptions, you do not have to make a reservation and you never ever have to dress up for dinner.

Key West has what we call, “Key West Casual” which means shirt, shorts and sandals and this is the code of dress for every place in Key West.

You can have something as simple as a good hamburger or Conch Fritters, to something as extravagant as Lobster Mango Tango (lobster sautéed in Brandy and covered with a Mango Salsa). The choice is yours in Key West.

DINNER CRUISES

Many people come to the Keys for its fabulous sunsets. Why not have your sunset and a 3-course gourmet dinner along with it. A sunset dinner cruise is the way to go.

On one of the dinner cruise boats, the chef will prepare your food while the captain of the dinner cruise takes you on a wonderful journey around the Key West Harbor and once you sample this wonderful cuisine on this dinner cruise, you will wonder how he does it for such a low price.

Formerly a chef at a 4 diamond restaurant, he will present you with mouth-watering options for your meals and it includes domestic and imported beers, wines and champagne.

Dinner cruise prices are from $65 to $75 per person not including tax and gratuity. Private Charters for the dinner cruise are available for special functions and weddings. The one we prefer for your dinner cruise has a maximum seating of 20 so this is ideal for a nice sunset wedding and dinner cruise.

AERIAL TOURS

Want to see Key West from the air?

Take a aerial tour in either a biplane or a helicopter to see Key West from the air. Aerial tour trip times vary depending on what you want to see. Biplane rides start at $120 for two people and helicopter rides start at $99 for 3 people to see the coral reef from the air.

KAYAK TOURS AND RENTALS

If you want to really see the coastline of the lower Keys and Key West, there is no better way to see it than on one of our wonderful Kayak Tours.

Take a trip with an environmental scientist or someone that was born and raised here and knows the mangroves like the back of their hand.

Visit some of the Marine and Bird Sanctuaries and see some of the life forms that you would never see otherwise.

Prices start at $40 per person for a tour.

SUNSET SAIL

One of the more popular things to do in Key West is to see the sunset from the water.

Take a sunset sail on either a sailing catamaran or a schooner.

Many of the younger crowd like the sunset sail on the sailing Catamarans because they can have a great party while on the sunset sail. This is very popular with the Spring Breakers during that time of year as it includes as much beer and wine one can consume in a 2 hour time frame.

A sunset sail on a schooner, however, is a lot more romantic as you can see the sails glistening when the colors of the sky change and you know that you helped to raise the sails on this sunset sail excursion.

During the months of November thru April, you can have your sunset sail and a buffet dinner all in one on one of the clipper ships that come in from Boston for these months.

Sunset sail pricing starts at $30 and goes up to $75 if you want the dinner cruise on the clipper ship.

In conclusion, by using the expert services of the Key West Welcome Center, you will save money, save time and be absolutely sure that you getting exactly what you want and not what someone else wants.

The Key West Welcome Center has been in business under the current ownership for over 10 years. The current manager of the Welcome Center has lived in the Keys for almost 16 years and knows the place like he has lived here all his life. If there is something you need to know about Key West, he is the person to ask.

Robert R. Cohen

General Manager

Listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who in America

I firmly believe that we have the best Reservations Service in the Key West area and we can make all your dreams come true. Use the Key West Welcome Center for all your reservations:

www.keywestwelcomecenter.com



By: Robert Cohen

About the Author:

Whether you are looking for Key West homes for sale or for rent, it’s all right at your fingertips. There are literally thousands of websites that offer properties and real estate for those looking for a piece of paradise in the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Here, we made it even easier for you as we gathered the best places where you can find homes for sale in Key West and listed them all here.

Where do you start?

First, you need to ask yourself what you intend to do with the properties. Do you want to live in it? Or are you planning only to stay there in the holidays and just rent it out for the rest of the year? Or do you not want to buy the properties at all and just rent one?

You can, of course, choose a combination of all these three, but majority people only have one aim.

Some want to buy Key West properties because they want to move to a new place and live there permanently. Others want it to serve as permanent base where their families and friends can get together once every year for a vacation. You may want the properties because you have decided to invest in Florida real estate and rent out the property, either through an agent or by yourself.

Due to the number of demands, the average Key West home for sale has been listed over $800,000, which is pretty expensive. But with rapidly appreciating properties, more than a few owners are willing to sell their homes. So let me guide you over the countryside and look for those really gorgeous but reasonably priced.

Single Family 4 Bedroom on 4,807 sq. feet

Von Phister, Key West FL

Price: $1,900,000

This spacious 4 bedroom home offers over 1800 square feet of living space and an attic for added storage. Numerous interior features include granite counter tops, tumbled marble baths, wool carpet, solid maple cabinets, red oak flooring, high elegant ceilings. There is a heated salt water pool with a self cleaning system. This house is prepared to withstand elements with roll down hurricane shutters. Alarm systems, covered brick parking, irrigation System, beautifully lighted landscape, a 15KW Generator, water treated decking, armored screen system installed in the glass windows, and dual zone central AC. This property was built in 1997 and was meticulously maintained by the owner.

Contact details for the Key West homes for sale listed above:

Bascom Grooms

www.bascomgrooms.com

Call Toll free: (888) 565-7150

Cell Phone: (305) 304-7444

Below is a short list of online resources to help you find the perfect Key West property for sale:

C21PrestigeintheKeys.com – Century 21 Prestige Realty Group

Their site offers you many interactive pages that will guide you through the process of locating, financing, and closing on property sale. Their listings include detailed information about each property for sale, plus tools that will help you calculate your home buying strength and receiving pre-approval for a loan.

CasaMarinaEstates.com – Casa Marina Estates

As a complex of nine exclusive residences, Casa Marina Estates has a unique offer – a property right in the heart of the Casa Marina neighborhood, which is one of the most coveted residential areas in historic Old Town Key West. With streets lined with outstanding architecture and beautiful gardens, it’s no wonder people consider this area the “cream of the crop” of Key West. Now, imagine your very own property for sale in this quiet residential neighborhood where luxurious living is the norm, rather than the exception.

There are several more online sources for Key West property for sale. The ones above are only a few of the literally millions out there.

Below are a few notable real estate companies and agents providing property listings for your perusal. With this list of real estate resources, you might just find your key to paradise right here:

LiveinKeyWest.com – Southernmost Key West, FL

Run by broker/owner Ken Schultz, LiveinKeyWest.com operates by matching you with quality investment and residential properties in Key West, Florida. The site also contains an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) database that contains every conceivable Key West properties in the market as rentals or residences or commercial spaces. Use the MLS database to find a good selection of homes for sale that you can choose from.

FloridaKeys.com – Key West Real Estate ad Realtor Listings

The site contains listings of realtors and real estate companies operating in the Key West area, including Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. Use this list as a resource to find a realtor for your homes for sale.

There are, of course, many more factors that affect your choice of properties to purchase or rent. Price, for example, is one of the leading concerns that potential buyers have. But price is only good if you factor in the rest of the factors.

Good luck, my friend.



By: Keith Lee

About the Author: