Going on honeymoon to FL keys need advice

[bword]

First off let me say ive never been anywhere outside of New England. So anyone rolling there eyes saying ohhh jeeze only Florida not Jamaica or Bermuda be nice. Me and the wife figured it was cheap, we dont need passports, and ive always wanted to check out FL. Were going right after the wedding at the end of May 2011. Were flying which Ive never done either (only a short ride on a chinook ). Asides from renting a car we wanted to either rent jet skis or a boat for a day (which I found for around 300 bucks for 8 hours). Were most likely staying for 5 or 6 days. I think she wants to check out each island if possible or at least most. Im so lost when it comes to figuring out good places to stay at and what to do once I get there. Im not trying to blow a ton of money on the flight or car rental. Anyone familiar with the area or can recommend stuff??

 

[ScorpDX]

A start,

Florida Keys & Key West vacation planning starts here with the Official Florida Keys Tourism Council

 

[hakr100]

The keys are a lovely place to visit. Key West is relatively expensive and full of tourists. There's a reasonable hotel about halfway down that includes a half day's use of a small powerboat with each day's stay, mostly for fishing. Small boats with small outboards, but good for their intended purpose. There's a very good restaurant on the premises. The rooms are not fancy, but they are clean. I've stayed there.

It's this place:

Rainbow Bend Resort at Marathon in the Florida Keys - a private beach resort with fishing, snorkeling, diving, free boating, on-site restaurant.

Try to find recommended locally owned places to eat.

It is very hot in the keys from April through October.

 

[byteware]

That was totally not the advice I thought you would be asking for when I read the title....

 

[Musky]

That was totally not the advice I thought you would be asking for when I read the title....

I was thinking the exact same thing and was prepared to recommend some good books and an instructional video!

 

[dan330]

i been there twice....

fun... for say a weekend.. and for drinking with buddies...
I am not soo sure about honeymoon!

5-6 days.. you going to be bored!!!


btw.. congratulations!

 

[Gritwater]

my suggestion....

don't go to the gay side of the island

 

[Musky]

my suggestion....

don't go to the gay side of the island

Always good advice!

 

[ScorpDX]

5-6 days.. you going to be bored!!!

He said honeymoon...they probably won't even come out of the room for the first 3 days!

 

[dan330]

He said honeymoon...they probably won't even come out of the room for the first 3 days!

i guess so if you are very old fashion.. and have been waiting until after marriage to consummate the union. yeah.. only come out for food.

but in today's society... I am sure they will find plenty of time to leave the room!
I bet... they dont last 12 hrs in the room.

 

[Musky]

Number 1 rule here at Android forums, We need pictures or it didn't happen!

 

[ScorpDX]

Number 1 rule here at Android forums, We need pictures or it didn't happen!

Unless of course you wind up on the aforementioned gay side of the island. No pics needed of that. We'll just take your word for it!

 

[dozment]

Ok, at the risk of ruining my newest favorite place in the world by letting my secret out of the bag, check out Little Gasparailla Island and Boca Grande. It's on the west coast near Cape Coral. I've vacationed in Florida all of my life, but this was my first trip to that part of the state.

It's not crowded, and there's plenty to do in the area. Rental rates that we found were not as high as other parts of the state, but the area is beautiful! Little Gasparilla is a no-cars island. You have to take a ferry from the mainland. Or, do as we did. We rented a boat for the week and had our own transportation. Tons of fun taking the boat out for lunch!

Cruising around in Placida Harbor we saw dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys, and huge blue herons.

One day we ventured as far south as Cabbage Key - supposedly the place that inspired Jimmy Buffett to write Cheese Burger in Paradise.

 

[dan330]

Ok, at the risk of ruining my newest favorite place in the world by letting my secret out of the bag, check out Little Gasparailla Island and Boca Grande. It's on the west coast near Cape Coral. I've vacationed in Florida all of my life, but this was my first trip to that part of the state.

It's not crowded, and there's plenty to do in the area. Rental rates that we found were not as high as other parts of the state, but the area is beautiful! Little Gasparilla is a no-cars island. You have to take a ferry from the mainland. Or, do as we did. We rented a boat for the week and had our own transportation. Tons of fun taking the boat out for lunch!

Cruising around in Placida Harbor we saw dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys, and huge blue herons.

One day we ventured as far south as Cabbage Key - supposedly the place that inspired Jimmy Buffett to write Cheese Burger in Paradise.

+1
now that sounds like a good low key .. relax and enjoy special company.

 

[bword]

We were thinking about staying in Marathon or Layton and drive to the end of the keys and work or way back, just try to see a bit of everything.

 

[bword]

i been there twice....

fun... for say a weekend.. and for drinking with buddies...
I am not soo sure about honeymoon!

5-6 days.. you going to be bored!!!


btw.. congratulations!

Thank you ...I dont think were staying more than 5 or 6 days, Ill make sure I get inebriated for at least 2 or 3

If I had the money id go to Europe instead but we settled for somewhere semi tropical and not crazy pricey

 

[bword]

Ok, at the risk of ruining my newest favorite place in the world by letting my secret out of the bag, check out Little Gasparailla Island and Boca Grande. It's on the west coast near Cape Coral. I've vacationed in Florida all of my life, but this was my first trip to that part of the state.

It's not crowded, and there's plenty to do in the area. Rental rates that we found were not as high as other parts of the state, but the area is beautiful! Little Gasparilla is a no-cars island. You have to take a ferry from the mainland. Or, do as we did. We rented a boat for the week and had our own transportation. Tons of fun taking the boat out for lunch!

Cruising around in Placida Harbor we saw dolphins, manatees, bald eagles, ospreys, and huge blue herons.

One day we ventured as far south as Cabbage Key - supposedly the place that inspired Jimmy Buffett to write Cheese Burger in Paradise.

How much was the boat rental for the week?

 

[saxologist]

First off let me say ive never been anywhere outside of New England. So anyone rolling there eyes saying ohhh jeeze only Florida not Jamaica or Bermuda be nice. Me and the wife figured it was cheap, we dont need passports, and ive always wanted to check out FL. Were going right after the wedding at the end of May 2011. Were flying which Ive never done either (only a short ride on a chinook ). Asides from renting a car we wanted to either rent jet skis or a boat for a day (which I found for around 300 bucks for 8 hours). Were most likely staying for 5 or 6 days. I think she wants to check out each island if possible or at least most. Im so lost when it comes to figuring out good places to stay at and what to do once I get there. Im not trying to blow a ton of money on the flight or car rental. Anyone familiar with the area or can recommend stuff??

OK upper keys:
Morada Bay for dinner and can stay next store possibly
Island Grill
Robby's to feed the fish
Drinks or stay Cheeca Lodge ($$$$)
Bakery for Breakfast forgot name.
Lazy Days if you catch your own fish..they will cook it.

 

[bword]

OK upper keys:
Morada Bay for dinner and can stay next store possibly
Island Grill
Robby's to feed the fish
Drinks or stay Cheeca Lodge ($$$$)
Bakery for Breakfast forgot name.
Lazy Days if you catch your own fish..they will cook it.

Thank you for the suggestions!!

What do you guys about getting a package deal from Expedia car,hotel,room in one shot? Since ive been on a "real" vacation this is new to me and im iffy about piecing stuff together

 

[dozment]

How much was the boat rental for the week?

I think the boat was around $800 for the week. We actually got a really good deal on our condo - we basically borrowed it from a friend. So, the little we paid for the condo plus the boat rental was still far less than we normally pay for beach vacations.

And, having the boat made the vacation one of the best we've ever had. We were first-time boaters. The people we rented from spent about four hours with us the first day to be sure we knew the rules of the road and were comfortable.

We looked around at rental rates while we were there, and they were better than any that I've seen anywhere in Florida.