Looking for Florida Keys Recommendations - The Hull Truth

powhatanone · 08-31-2008, 06:25 PM

Just lost both of my parents over the last two months so holidays will be different from now on and my family suggests we go away this coming Christmas holiday. We are talking about going to the Keys for the first time. Any recommendations as to which area to stay, we are open to a house or condo, definitely want something on the water with boat rental opportunity in the area. Would be my wife, me and our three teenage children. Would like to stay within whatever the average rents are for the area; doesn't have to be five star but something decent.

Also, can we expect weather warm enough for most water activities, if not fishing will do. I hear it should be in the 70's, does that sound right? How is the fishing in December?

Appreciate any suggestions.

Prop Blast · 08-31-2008, 09:45 PM

Sorry for your loss, it'll be a different holiday season for certain.

Given you're coming from Virginia, the water should be fine for a host of activities -- fishing included. There are a ton of options in the Keys: Staying at a full service resort like Hawks Cay or Cheeca Lodge, a "normal" resort which are all over the place, or renting a house for the week. The full service resorts will obviously cost more, but you'll have access to a lot of ammenities onsite.

Personally, we rent a house when we go in the summer. It works out cheaper and more room to hang out in. Here's a website to check some out:

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/keys

Boat rentals are available all over as well. Fishing in Dec is great, but watch the weather for cold fronts -- they bring lots of wind. Barracuda and sharks on the flats, snapper and grouper in the nearshore waters. Offshore Sailfish and Tuna.

Hope that helps...

PB

HDRyder999 · 09-01-2008, 08:05 AM

Hawk's Cay is one of the best resorts in the keys. Recently, new owners have taken overand the prices have become "breathtaking". In summer of 08 overnight slip rental was $5 a foot [40' min] and diesel was $5.99.9. 07 was the last time I stayed there. You might want to take a look at Captain Pips. http://www.captainpips.com/ It has much more of a "keys" flavor. There's a restuarant on site with good and reasonably priced food. They'll cook your catch, too. They have both boat rentals and guides available there, too. In my opinion, if you're looking for a resort with a spa and expensive dining, go to Hawk's Cay, if you want "keys" flavor, go to Capt. Pips.

CudjoeDon · 09-01-2008, 09:16 AM

Hawk's Cay is nice, the one thing is that it is a little more than a hour from Key West. Christmas week is a premium week for most places in the Keys [especially hotels] which can spike rates. Flying into Key West can cost a lot -- often as much for the commuter leg as the main leg to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. Most people end up renting a car in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and driving down.

If you want to be closer to Key West [19 miles] please look at www.waterfrontkeys.com for Venture Out. Mixture of newer manufactured homes and older mobile homes with a variety of prices. Most are waterfront where your boat would be 10 feet out your back door. Has pool, tennis courts, small store [with gas], etc., in a gated community. Great access to both ocean and bay so you can do a range of fishing and snorkeling/diving.

December is a toss-up month for weather -- because of wind. Water temperatures normally in mid-to-upper 70's, air usually upper 70's, but both can change quickly [both directions] based on cold fronts.

If you have any questions, let me know.

CudjoeDon

jvtuna · 09-01-2008, 02:04 PM

Try www.keyrentals.com/ They have a number of homes for rent and he also rents boats to his customers. I have rented from him before. Boat was a 22' BW with 200hp . We stayed on Duck Key canel home with pool. Boat docked at back of duplex. BBQ,cleaning station dock lights. total cost for duplex and boat $1800.00 for wk.

23Dorado · 09-01-2008, 06:09 PM

Check out Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge. Nice place.

VBRO also has some great deals.

ljk · 09-02-2008, 02:37 PM

First you need to pick an area. Go to www.floridakeys.com to get a flavor for the upper. lower, and middle keys. Most folks consider Marathon to be more of a family destination. All of the postings above are accurate and give good advice. If you need help or more information, call me at (305)942-9678.

I don't have anything to rent or to sell you; just like to see people have a great time when they come down to Paradise!