Key West FL Florida

posted by admin on May 8

Key West’s Mallory Square is bursting with activity and acts as the main plaza of Key West. It’s here at Mallory Square that we celebrate the sunset every evening, with live music, performers, artists and a rowdy cheer as the sun goes down. In fact, the sunset celebration at Mallory Square is on our Top Ten Things to do in Key West. Why? Where else do you get to see the sun set over the water, in the eastern part of the United States? The shimmering colors over the water and the brilliant sky reflecting its pink and orange hues, well, you’ll want to celebrate too, once you get here!

Mallory Square is on the waterfront, facing Key West harbor. From Mallory Square you can see Sunset Key, which is a private resort island, you can see boats coming and going, and you can see several small islands that surround Key West. It’s a beautiful place to gaze out and think about how good life is!

In the evening, the street performers set up and do amazing and entertaining things for visitors. There are tightrope acts, juggling, magic, and well it changes from time to time so it’s never the same twice. The mood down at Mallory Square is joyous and slightly exciting, as another night is about to start, on Duval Street. Everyone is in a great mood, and what a great place to be!

During the day, it’s still nice because it’s a wide open space, so different from the tiny lanes and streets of Old Town. You can see Tarpon sometimes, off the pier, and usually at least several types of fish hanging around. Mallory Square is a nice place to catch your breath, chill out, and regroup for the next Key West activity.

posted by admin on May 8

So you’re on vacation and you’re excited for some Key West FL diving? You’ve come to one of the most popular dive and snorkeling destinations in the world, brought to you by North America’s only living coral reef. And the sinking of the USS Vandenberg in May 2009 makes Key West FL diving even better! That’s because now, in addition to all the great reef dives you have always been able to make, you can also dive the world’s second-largest artificial reef! But let’s take a look at some of the most tried-and-true reef spots where Key West FL diving excursions will take visitors. Did you know there’s already an intentionally-sunk boat now serving as an artificial reef and dive spot? It’s the Cayman.

The Cayman salvager is just south of the island of Key West, in about 60 to 100 feet of water. It’s been down there more than twenty years now, so there’s a good ecosystem built up. Key West FL diving boats go there just about every day, for very good dives. The Cayman was a good sturdy work boat built during the 1930s, tending buoys, laying cable and carrying materials around. She also carried Cubans in 1979, which was illegal. She was seized and sank at the dock, then they tried to tow her out to deep water for a fishing spot, but she sank on the way out in just 90 feet of water so there she sits, a top Key West FL diving attraction!

Key West FL divers can see Jewfish, moray eels, jacks and all kinds of big and small fish alike when they dive the Cayman. Together with the USS Vandenberg, and other Key West FL diving spots, the Cayman is one more reason why Key West FL diving is among the best in the world!

posted by admin on May 6

Key West FL parasailing might just be the best surprise thing you can do for yourself while on vacation in Key West! It’s thrilling, safe, and you see a very different side of Key West and the ocean…from the air.

Be a “flyer” and experience the exhilirating feeling of slowly rising above the water, gazing down at marine life and the edges of Key West nearby. Safely done over the water, Key West FL parasailing is perfect for anyone who wants a thrill and wants to see Key West from the air. You don’t even have to know how to swim to go parasailing. You are snugly strapped into a harness seat the whole time, and of course always attached to the boat. Buckle up, sit back, and enjoy the view!

Go solo or tandem with a buddy. Bring a camera but put it in a waterproof case. Your captain will dip your feet into the water if you request it, and most do! What a refreshing way to see Key West and cool off at the same time. Your trip will be approximately one hour, from dock to dock, with about 10 minutes of flying time on most boats. See ya in the friendly skies!

posted by admin on May 5

Dry Tortugas is one of the most beautiful attractions in Key West. This National Park is on our list of Top Ten Things to do in Key West, and it’s definitely worth spending a full day of your vacation traveling out to this remote park and back. For that’s what it takes, since it’s located 70 or 80 miles west of Key West, accessible by two ferry services that run trips out to Dry Tortugas.

Travel out to this remote brick fort built in the Civil War era, and listen to a very informative talk about Fort Jefferson, which is the name of the actual fort. Your guide will also be educated in local wildlife, including nesting birds at Dry Tortugas and marine life you will see on the ride out to the Park.

The Fort at Dry Tortugas is surrounded by a moat, filled with water and then surrounded by flats on all sides. The flats (another name for shallow salt water in this area) are brilliant turquoise blue, sea green water and simply gorgeous viewed from the top of the wall surrounding the fort.

Snorkeling is great here, and you can explore the area in the afternoon, after lunch. Usual itinerary is:

1. breakfast on the boat, around 8:30 as you travel out
2. trip out is around 2 hours
3. guided tour of Dry Tortugas, with nature specialist
4. lunch on the boat
5. a couple hours for exploring snorkeling, bird watching etc
6. back on the boat for the ride home, back at the dock by 5:30pm

posted by admin on May 2

What’s the right way to have the best vacation in Key West? Make sure you book yourself on a Key West FL snorkeling boat and see the coral reef. You can’t do this at just any tropical island resort town, since coral reef doesn’t exist in many palces in the world, especially in North America. The coral reef off the Florida Keys and Key West FL is the only living one in North America, in fact. So what are you waiting for? Experience the magical marine world and the beauty of living coral and the tropical fish that co-exist in Key West waters. The best way is, of course, Key West FL snorkeling!

Almost anybody can manage Key West snorkeling, too. It doesn’t take much swimming skills, since the salt water makes you very buoyant. Plus, any professional Key West FL snorkeling boat will provide you with personal flotation devices. On top of that, the boat crew stay on board the boat and watch the snorkelers as an extra safety measure. So, you’re safe!

The coral reef is sometimes found in very shallow areas on the reef, like at Sand Key Lighthouse. Some parts of that area are only two feet under the surface. That means you can really see the vibrant colors of the fish and the coral colonies. Just float above the coral, relax, and look down. Breath through your snorkel and you could float there for hours!

Key West snorkeling is never the same twice, either. The conditions out on the reef and time of year are only the beginning of the long list of things that make every snorkel venture unique and exciting. You really never know what you’re going to find out there. Key West is lucky to be near such an exciting natural resource. Snorkeling the reef really is up there on the list of top things to do in Key West.