Florida Keys

[terry rusinow]

Looking to travel to Florida Keys this Feb or March and want to kayak and snorkel and stay away from "tourist" traps, would prefer quieter areas.  Will rent a car, so could travel from top of keys to bottom or?

[Peter Parker]

December to May is the best time to visit Florida Keys that consist of about 1700 chain-like cluster islands. This is the popular or busiest time to visit and you will find higher accommodation prices at that time.

It's difficult to say which one is better but mostly people like to go in Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West and Marathon.

Have a comfortable stay in Luray VA Accommodations

[terry rusinow]

I'm looking for places that are off the beaten path, rather than staying where everyone else stays. I am looking for ecotours, kayaking tours, not places packed with tourists if there are any places like that in the Keys.

[Chelle Koster Walton]

Talk to Bill Keogh - he's the local paddling expert and has written guides. He's in Big Pine Key, where you have access to a couple of wildlife refuges by kayak. His Web site is www.keyskayaktours.com. A good cheap place to stay in that region is Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge - part RV park, part motel. If you want to go truly green, stay at Deer Run Bed & Breakfast where key deer roam the property and everything is ecologically correct - nice folks who run it too. www.deerrunfloridabb.com.

I write Fodor's In Focus Florida Keys book, which you might want to consider. A friend of mine does the iPhone app for the Keys. Search Tim O'Keefe Sutro Media.

[Debi Lander]

I'd suggest Islamorada and kayak out to Indian Key. The Key was actually the seat of Dade County until the Seminoles burned the village in 1840. Visit the ruins- not many people go there. Try the Hungry Tarpon for breakfast as the tourists come later in the day. La Siesta (lodging) doesn't have street appeal but offers nice cabins and its own harbor.

[Sarah Weaver]

one place i would recommend for a meal is the No Name Pub on No Name Key. you can google the directions. the food is good the ambiance is great and its not gonna be as packed as key West or Key Largo. good luck :)

[Diana Lambdin Meyer]

A good book to check out is "Florida Keys Paddling Atlas" by Bill and Mary Burnham.  Have fun.