how are the beaches in the FL keys?

[leahjade]

were thinking of a trip to Key Largo. We love the gulf coast beaches and wondered how the beaches in the keys compare?

 

[NotUrsula]

Mostly nonexistant. There are no natural beaches in the Keys; the few that are there are man-made. (The natural shoreline in the Keys is mostly mangrove marsh.)

This is not to say that the Keys are not beautiful or lots of fun; they are. They just are not really a beach destination.

 

[phorsenuf]

http://www.discoveringfloridakeys.com/florida-keys-beaches.php

 

[johnsontrio]

We love nice beaches too! The beaches in the Keys are not on par with Marco, the Panhandle or Hilton Head to name a few, but the water, oh so, makes up for it. We just got back from the Florida Panhandle and while the beaches there are gorgeous with the sugar white sand beaches, it was not as enjoyable a vacation as we have had to the Keys the past 2 years. While most of the shoreline is rocky there are a few nice beaches that we enjoy there.

Sombrero Beach MM 50
the recreation area at MM 75 (can't remember the name of the beach)
Bahai Honda State park at the 7 Mile Bridge

I love, love, love light blue clear water that doesn't beat you up when you get in. The visibility in the water there is so clear it's like swimming in your bathtub. And we really enjoy the totally laid back atmosphere in the Keys. You don't find many high maintenance, obnoxious people there and there is absolutely no place to go that you need to get dressed up. Our kind of vacation.

The place we stay is in Islamorado and only has 20 units. From the resort you can see the Gulf side and the Ocean side, which is very unusual. Usually a good number of the units are empty as the owners are older and if they don't come they don't trade them. Most years there are only a few kids there.

We enjoy exploring all the different little islands of the Keys. We find something new everytime. Give it a try!

 

[leahjade]

Thanks for the info! So more than likely we won't be able to step outside of our condo and go to the beach like Capitiva or Marco Island? Will we have to drive to a state park?

 

[johnsontrio]

Thanks for the info! So more than likely we won't be able to step outside of our condo and go to the beach like Capitiva or Marco Island? Will we have to drive to a state park?

The place we stay at has a little beach (maybe 100+ feet) and is on the gulfside. It is fine for getting in and swimming but it is not a preferred beach location. We usually spend one day just chilling at the resort and then spend 1 or 2 days down in Key West. We go snorkeling and scuba diving at Louu Key which is around MM 22. The rest of the time we make trips to the other beaches. Annie's Beach at MM 75 is free as is Sombrero Beach. Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo) is not all that great for a beach day but has a nice nature center and does have snorkel boats that go out.

There are some pricier resorts that have beaches that you can spend a couple days on. One would be Cheeca Lodge and there are others. I haven't really ever checked them out because I use my timeshares to trade down there and we like the place we go. I do know that the Marriott in Key Largo has a crappy beach and I would be terribly disappointed to get there and be expecting a nice beach area.

I can also give you a very negative review of Holiday isle Resort in Islamorado. Lots of adult partying there, not a family atmosphere at all. Not a place I would take children.

 

[leahjade]

How far is the Everglades from Key Largo? Any ideas for fun family things to do near Key Largo and great places to eat would be appreciated! Thanks!