Hello from the front desk!
February 16th 2007 06:51
Dana here, front desk manager/reservations clerk/maintenance/customer service and general info person at the Seafarer resort in lovely Key Largo. Spent a large part of the day reading reviews from folks all over the world who'd come here to the Keys for the first time. I noticed a common thread emerging..many had a preconceived notion about the Florida Keys and were rather surprised when they arrived. Today's post will attempt to address some of these common issues.
First of all, a little background. The Keys were, up until about 10,000 years ago, a living coral reef. When that reef emerged from the ocean, the Keys as we know them today were formed. What does this mean to you? Well, first of all, it means that unlike places further north in Florida, we have no big beaches for the most part. We're too young of a land mass to have developed much in the way of sandy beaches yet. There is one notable exception; Bahia Honda state park, which is about 2/3 of the way down to Key West. Plates between keys shifted there 'way back and created our one long vista of beach.
That's not to say we have no beaches; we have plenty of small ones, enhanced with trucked-in sand. During hurricane season (generally May through October, though it's been known to vary) heavy winds tend to blow a lot of that sand off of the little beaches, leaving a lower layer of coarser, broken-up dead coral--the precursor of sand. Most of the small beaches exist on hotel/motel/condo properties that are on the water, for the guests. Some natural beaches emerge during low tide-Sea Oats beach, for instance, which is south of Islamorada on the way to Marathon. Anne's Beach, a medium-sized plage on the ocean side of lower Islamorada, can get crowded at times. Last I knew, the far southern end of it tolerated nude sunbathing, but that may have changed. Bottom line: if you want long stretches of beach to walk on, either hit Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale, or drive down to Bahia Honda. Our little beaches are pretty, but much better suited to sunbathing and swimming than long walks.
The living coral reef that remains is truly spectacular to see, and I have scuba dived all over Asia and California, as well as Fort Lauderdale. I don't say that lightly! To access these reefs, which are located 2.5 miles offshore at the nearest point, you must go by boat. The finest reefs stretch from Key Largo to south of Islamorada. There are others in Marathon and Key West as well, but not nearly as many. Key West's reefs are in pretty poor shape, last I heard.
Marathon's reef, Sombrero, is nice and they have a fair-sized beach there as well. There are many many choices of how to get out to the sites; dive and snorkel shops abound. For snorkelers I'd recommend Pennekamp State Park's (Key Largo) catamaran trip. There are bigger boats, but they can get really crowded. Unless you like being packed in like cattle in the high season, ask about the boat's passenger capacity whilst shopping around for a trip.
For divers, try Quiescence or Cristal Clear in Key Largo: both are 6-passenger boats. For those who don't snorkel or dive, there are glass bottom boat trips. Check the weather on trip day. Winds over 10 knots can really stir up the shallower reefs, making your visibility nil.
That's all for now..next post will try to cover some of the activities and places to eat. Until then, stay warm!
First of all, a little background. The Keys were, up until about 10,000 years ago, a living coral reef. When that reef emerged from the ocean, the Keys as we know them today were formed. What does this mean to you? Well, first of all, it means that unlike places further north in Florida, we have no big beaches for the most part. We're too young of a land mass to have developed much in the way of sandy beaches yet. There is one notable exception; Bahia Honda state park, which is about 2/3 of the way down to Key West. Plates between keys shifted there 'way back and created our one long vista of beach.
That's not to say we have no beaches; we have plenty of small ones, enhanced with trucked-in sand. During hurricane season (generally May through October, though it's been known to vary) heavy winds tend to blow a lot of that sand off of the little beaches, leaving a lower layer of coarser, broken-up dead coral--the precursor of sand. Most of the small beaches exist on hotel/motel/condo properties that are on the water, for the guests. Some natural beaches emerge during low tide-Sea Oats beach, for instance, which is south of Islamorada on the way to Marathon. Anne's Beach, a medium-sized plage on the ocean side of lower Islamorada, can get crowded at times. Last I knew, the far southern end of it tolerated nude sunbathing, but that may have changed. Bottom line: if you want long stretches of beach to walk on, either hit Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale, or drive down to Bahia Honda. Our little beaches are pretty, but much better suited to sunbathing and swimming than long walks.
The living coral reef that remains is truly spectacular to see, and I have scuba dived all over Asia and California, as well as Fort Lauderdale. I don't say that lightly! To access these reefs, which are located 2.5 miles offshore at the nearest point, you must go by boat. The finest reefs stretch from Key Largo to south of Islamorada. There are others in Marathon and Key West as well, but not nearly as many. Key West's reefs are in pretty poor shape, last I heard.
Marathon's reef, Sombrero, is nice and they have a fair-sized beach there as well. There are many many choices of how to get out to the sites; dive and snorkel shops abound. For snorkelers I'd recommend Pennekamp State Park's (Key Largo) catamaran trip. There are bigger boats, but they can get really crowded. Unless you like being packed in like cattle in the high season, ask about the boat's passenger capacity whilst shopping around for a trip.
For divers, try Quiescence or Cristal Clear in Key Largo: both are 6-passenger boats. For those who don't snorkel or dive, there are glass bottom boat trips. Check the weather on trip day. Winds over 10 knots can really stir up the shallower reefs, making your visibility nil.
That's all for now..next post will try to cover some of the activities and places to eat. Until then, stay warm!
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Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
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Comment by Kiwi Author
Conversations from NZ
Kiwi author's short stories
Conversations from NZ
Swept from the Sea (fiction/romance)
Anyway, how is the weather over there?
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Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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Yes, Hemingway wrote s few of his works in Key West. His house is a landmark now, and yes , the six-toed cats are descendants of his original brood and have the run of the place.
Right now (summer) winds are high (25-35 knots) and seas rough, but the temps are warm, around 83 degrees fahrenheit. Not the best time to dive here. It's better in winter/spring when seas are calmer.
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
Tammy
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
D.
Comment by charliesgirl_992000
Histeries, Mysteries and what not
Lifes little slices
Mystical Creativity
ps, LOVE your picture!!!
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Comment by Lesley