Whose been to the Keys during Spring Break?

bionicarm

Active Member
The wife is already planning Spring Break for next year. Her and the kids want to go to the beach instead of skiing, but she's heard all the horror stories about the rowdy crowds at all the Florida beaches. I was thinking of going to Marathon for the week and renting a boat for private diving, snorkeling, and fishing. I figured it's far enough from Miami and Key West to avoid the crazy college kids. Anyone been to that part of the Keys during Spring Break?
Before you say it, I was also told that all the decent properties in the Keys area disappear by September/October for the March timeframe (that's why I'm looking now).
 
Well 1st off if your looking for beaches the keys are the wrong place to go. you wont find any rowdy college kids in marathon either. You will find world class diving and fishing. If you decide to go to marathon stay in Key Colony Beach. My parents own a place there and it is perfect. You will have canals in your backyard for instant access to the Atlantic and the Gulf. There is a par 3 golf course and when you rent you get access to the Cabana club which has a full service bar, pool, and a private bch on the atlantic side.
 
Also with the economy being the way it is rentals are very easy to get anytime. We just got back last month and it was the slowest Ive seen in a long time. Rentals get hot during the beginning of lobster season, but tend to drop off after that. My parents place sometimes goes months without renters from Feb to April.
 

shogun323

Active Member
Originally Posted by spinylobster
http:///forum/post/3081848
Well 1st off if your looking for beaches the keys are the wrong place to go.
Good posting!!!

With the beaches here if you get away from where all the action is you are ok. I don't even go to Clearwater Beach anymore. There are plenty of low-key spots to go.
Plus I don't put on my best behavior when I have had a few drinks and tourists start feeding the $h1t hawks (aka seagulls) near me.
 

bionicarm

Active Member
Thanks for the info. I've been looking at rental properties in Key Colony Beach on VRBO and Homeaway. The property does look nice. We went to Key Largo a couple of years ago, and found out about the beaches down there. They seemed like they were more shell-based as opposed to the soft white stuff you find in South Beach. Also noticed there were no waves. Don't know about Sombrero Beach or Bahia Honda. All the tourist sites tout those two as the best beaches in the Keys. Our intent is to rent a boat for the week and do a bunch of diving, snorkeling, and fishing. We figured we'd do a couple of day trips to Key West, but don't plan on staying there late at night (I've been on Duval St. when it wasn't Spring Break. Can't imagine what that place is like during that time).
Don't like the seagulls? Just throw a few Alka Seltzer in the air. That'll get rid of them...
 

bionicarm

Active Member
Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3081891
Go to Cozumel if you want to dive. Better diving than the Keys and probably cheaper.
We just got back from Cancun last week. You're right about the reefs down there. However, I've seen the MTV videos and parties that happen in Cancun and Cozumel during Spring Break. That's why I was lookin at the Middle Keys.
As far as cost, they jack the prices WAY UP during Spring Break in Mexico. Our Cancun trip cost me $2,000 for four people at an all-inclusive resort for 4 days (Iberostar Pairiso Beach) with airfare and transportation included. A friend of mine told me his college son and three of his buddies were in Cancun this last Spring Break, and they paid over $5,000 for 3 days and the same type of accomodations.
 

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3081891
Go to Cozumel if you want to dive. Better diving than the Keys and probably cheaper.
I would think Cozumel would be the LAST place you would want to go to during spring break if your not in college!
 
T

tizzo

Guest
I just got back from the keys and I have been to the barrier reef off Key west and also Looe key (At the recommendation of Groupergenius).
Mind you, it's not Cozumel, but it it GORGEOUS!!
From queen angels to blennies! Black tips and barracuda! Fire coral, brain coral and elkhorn.
Lots and lots of softies...
Looe key is a bit south of Marathon, but it's nice. If any pics came out, I'll post em.
Key west is pretty crazy year round in the evenings... That's what makes it key west! Great place to visit, but no place to raise your kids, lol.
 

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/3082072
I would think Cozumel would be the LAST place you would want to go to during spring break if your not in college!
I actually never thought of Cozumel as a big spring break place. The town isnt that big and there arent that many bars there.
 
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