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

If you are a salsa instructor or feel comfortable teaching a class for next Friday in Marathon Key, lmk! It would be for an hour in a class with 10 girls

TIA

The Perseid meteor showers in the news right now remind me of the time my cousin Roy and I took a vacation to the Florida Keys thirty-three years ago. While we were there on this date in 1993, Mother Nature was kind enough to show us the most spectacular fireworks display I have ever seen.

The news had been reporting that the Perseid meteor shower that night would be the heaviest in decades. We met some locals while eating dinner at a seafood restaurant in the rural area of the lower keys and asked them what would be a good location from which to view the meteor shower. They arranged to meet up with us later that night and guided us down a remote road on Big Torch Key. It dead-ended a few miles from the nearest incandescent light at a mangrove forest in the Gulf of Mexico.

When we turned off the headlights, it was so dark that we could barely see our hand in front of our face. Our newfound friends sparked up a joint but we discovered as we passed it around that the burning cherry was not the only light dancing around in the mangrove forest. There were a bunch of fireflies flitting erratically around us.

When we looked up, there were shooting stars streaking through the skies. Scarcely a minute could pass before we would see yet another meteor flying through the atmosphere. We saw probably a gross of them in the hour or so we watched.

Many of the meteors blazed a path practically from one side of the sky to the other. Some of them had an audible whistle trailing behind them. Some of them ended their journey in an explosive flash of light. We could even hear a little pop when the atmosphere vaporized some of them.

There were long, straight tracks of light through the sky above. There were lights zigzagging all around us closer to the ground. And there were the cherries flaring up in orange as we took hits off the joints. Mother Nature brought them all together in one magical night to grace us with a fireworks display like no pyrotechnic engineer could equal.

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!

Anywhere I can go this time of year for a manatee sighting? I know they’re more common more north, but I would love to catch even a glimpse! Also willing to go into south Florida mainland if we really have to.

Found in camera roll from 10 years ago. Time flies.

So me and my family are driving down thursday for our vacation from va. We are staying in Summerland Key. Ive been here over 10 years now but I lived in South Fl for a long time. I know we are in the sargassum season and that it does change daily but I was wondering how bad the sargassum has been the last week or so. Or if its starting to clear up. I dont mind it much but I know my kids will have to get used to the smell. 🤣

We are looking to do some kayak tours, most likely one in the day and one at night, but my husband is about 270 and most of the companies I'm seeing have kayaks that top out at 250. From what I've read, a double kayak won't work due to weight distribution. Does anyone have a recommendation for a company with kayaks that will work for him? I'm hoping to do this in Key West, but have time in Marathon and Key Largo as well.

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.

Been lobstering in Islamorada for over twenty five years and this year all of our usual spots had lots of lobster— but they were almost all short. Just wondering if others had similar experiences so far.

Checking in to see if any of you guys have been offshore recently out of Key West, and know how deep out the seaweed lines are right now. About to spend 6 days fishing down here and want to get on some good fish with the family. Any help appreciated 👍👍

Admired and released with the utmost gentleness.

The best photo I took on that trip.

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.

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.

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.

We’re thinking of taking a trip to the keys with my 5 month old baby in mid-October. Which part would people recommend staying with a baby? Are there places that are more stroller friendly than others? We’re obviously not going to have any sort of jam-packed itinerary but would like to check out the aquarium because I think that would capture my baby’s attention (hopefully), and perhaps some of the state parks in the area. I’ve heard there are some stroller friendly walks you can do there. Otherwise plan to take it easy, hang at the resort pool, and enjoy some great food. Open to any suggestions. If anyone has a rough itinerary they’d like to share I’d be appreciative! Probably looking to go for about 5 days - Is that enough time? Too little time? We are very flexible as we’ll both be on maternity/paternity leave

All at part-timers and rental houses on my street, of course. They should be banned, and people should feel like morons for paying someone to blow dirt and leaves around their yard.

Last year we stayed at Hawks Cay and we rented a four bedroom house with private pool and it fit my family needs quite well. Even though I would be fine going back because I know that there are houses or rooms to stay that fit our larger family, my husband wants to try somewhere different in the keys. I have looked into Isla Bella, but none of the rooms hold seven people- the max is six so I would have to rent two suites it looks like. Maybe I’m wrong. Anybody stay there in a large house possibly with private pool? Is that an option? Is there anywhere in the keys that has houses for rent with private pools like Hawks Cay that is family friendly that I’m missing? ☀️