Advice for Tourists and Day-trippers in Key Largo

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Capt Scotty

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
384
Reaction score
49
Location
the "Keys"
# of dives
500 - 999
Interesting reading that was in the Coconut Telegraph this month.....

Editorial: Advice for Tourists and Day-trippers

Before the new Jewfish Creek Bridge
was built I owned a visitor center located
at Gilbert's Resort. The purpose of that
type of business is to book hotel rooms and
water sports including fishing trips,
snorkeling, waverunner rentals, glass
bottom boat trips, and more. While there I
heard some of the frustrating tourist
questions all locals have been asked.
Question like: "We only have 2 hours, what
can we see and do in the Keys?" or "We
brought a cooler, where is the beach?" The
worst one was "Can we walk to the reef?"
So here is some information and advice
for people visiting our beautiful Florida
Keys…
The Florida Keys are famous for our
Coral Reef State Park. Nowhere else in the
continental U.S. can you see live coral. It is
hard to describe the incredible beauty.
Since it is a state park the fish are
protected and they seem to know it. If you
have only one day in the Keys this is a must
see. But you have to get on a boat because
it is four miles of shore out in the ocean.
All along the highway there are snorkel
and dive shops, pick one, they all go to the
reef. We like Sundiver Station because
they are friendly and dependable. If you
don't want to get wet, we recommend a trip
on the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom
Boat (see page 12 for coupon). Food and
drinks are available and you can kick back
and relax while the narrator describes the
different coral and sea life. It is
educational as well and fun for the whole
family.
If you only have a couple of hours the
next best thing in the Keys is our fabulous
fresh seafood. In this newspaper you will
find only the very best restaurants in the
Upper Keys. These restaurant owners buy
the seafood fresh from the fishermen.
After tasting fresh fish, lobster and crab
you will swear off the frozen forever.
There are no public sandy beaches in
Key Largo. The closest is Anne's Beach MM
73.8. If you are short on time Gilbert's
Resort at MM 108 has a beach and they
welcome visitors but coolers are not
allowed. You are welcome to enjoy the
beach and pool but food and drinks must be
purchased at the tiki bar or inside the air
conditioned restaurant. Boat and
waverunner rentals are also available. And
you can always just sit back and enjoy the
live local entertainment and watch the
boats come and go.
Changing your itinerary and deciding to
stay longer is HIGHLY recommended.
Gilbert's has reasonable motel rates with
views of the water. Please enjoy your stay
and come back often.
 
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