FL Keys / Key West

[Cane Garden Bay]

Has anyone taken the Hi Speed Ferry from Ft Myers to KW? Looks like a fun way to travel, just wanted to see if anyone recommends this mode of transport to KW. Thanks

[RAGTOPMAN]

Hi speed? My undrestanding is it takes like 3 1/2 hours. I bet it would be a very cool ride. Also for the money you could propablly find a puddle jumper for the same price and half the time

[Bfan53again]

Bfan53again I'm in a similar boat as you. I have 37 months to go I know its a long time but I'm in the planning stage now. Wife agreed to spending 2 months in Key West for my retirement GIFT

A good web site is "home away" lets you pic rental homes by day week or months

Enjoy Key West I won't be back till New Years this year

Advance planning is a good thing.........

Trip next month is just another teaser for retirement.......wish I had a firm date on that!

[piratenurse]

Airfare is over $100 more than the ferry. I'm not that crazy about puddle jumpers anyway. I'll be in Key West for a week, so figure the ferry ride will just help set my clock to island time. And they have a bar.

Hi speed? My undrestanding is it takes like 3 1/2 hours. I bet it would be a very cool ride. Also for the money you could propablly find a puddle jumper for the same price and half the time

[SwissParrotHeads]

By accident I just found a cool way to sleep on the keys, minimum stay of two nights unfortunately: airbnb boat in Islamorada. Hope this link works!

[Bfan53again]

Just returned from another week's stay in Key West....the time goes way too fast.

As always, I try to pass on some info that BNers can use on their next visit. Some of you may be aware of this, but hopefully it helps others......

> A day at Ft. Zachary Taylor is cheap entertainment. And "cheap" is a word little used in Key West! Admission is based on whether you walk or drive (for me, my wife, & car the fee was $7). You have access to a beautiful beach with snack bar & chair/umbrella rentals. Good swimming area. Keep your receipt & you can come & go all day. We returned in the evening to watch the sunset. What a wonderful, relaxed place to view this event! None of the maddening crowds you find at Mallory Square.....this is our new sunset spot!
> The Green Parrot Bar at 601 Whitehead Street is away from the craziness of Duval Street with many locals & a great staff. As I approach 60 I find it harder to enjoy the many wonderful musicians that begin their evening shows at 10 pm or later. On most nights, the entertainment at the Green Parrot does a sound check at 5:30. We got to enjoy many great bands, including the Red Elvises (real Russian musicians!), at an earlier hour where I could actually stay awake! Or maybe you'd want to catch a sound check to see if you want to return for the full show. Great idea, thanks Green Parrot! Check out there gift shop next to bar, too.....I got a beer bottle koozie with an opener built right in.....sweet.
> Definitely visit Smokin' Tuna just off Duval Street whose part owner is singer Scott Kirby. Caught one of his performances.....very nice! You have to look to find this place, it's on a small dead end street not far from Captain Tony's. I had the best conch chowder there.
> Check out the Key West Garden Club's gardens at West Martello, a Civil War-era fort, along the beach not far from Louie's Backyard. Free admission, but donations are appreciated. It has nice walk ways with views of the beach & ocean. The day we were there I saw a young lady sunning herself.....topless. Can't promise that for your visit!

[sonofabeach]

X2 on Fort Zachary Taylor

And surprisingly I had a great time here
http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/

[Harbour Shark]

Has anyone taken the Hi Speed Ferry from Ft Myers to KW? Looks like a fun way to travel, just wanted to see if anyone recommends this mode of transport to KW. Thanks

I've taken this ferry from KW to Ft. Myers Beach - I can't say that I would recommend it if you are looking for a fun way to travel. There is absolutely no scenery to enjoy between these two ports - for most of the voyage there is nothing to look at but water, which on that windy April day was whipped into 1 to 2 metre waves. This, combined with the speed of the ferry, resulted in a very 'lively' ride, which was not an issue for me as I make my living as a tug boat captain, but most of the other passengers looked to be pretty uncomfortable and green around the gills. Also, even on calmer days the open-air upper deck seating area is pretty much unusable once the ferry leaves port and gets up to cruising speed, as the effective wind speed and spray make it a not very pleasant place to sit, so everyone is pretty much confined to to enclosed lower deck. There is a bar where you can purchase your choice of two or three brands of over-priced bottled beer, which wasn't very busy, not surprisingly. Although I generally enjoy being on the water, I definitely would recommend flying into EYW to taking this ferry.

[Left Field ParrotHead]

Has anyone taken the Hi Speed Ferry from Ft Myers to KW? Looks like a fun way to travel, just wanted to see if anyone recommends this mode of transport to KW. Thanks

I've taken this ferry from KW to Ft. Myers Beach - I can't say that I would recommend it if you are looking for a fun way to travel. There is absolutely no scenery to enjoy between these two ports - for most of the voyage there is nothing to look at but water, which on that windy April day was whipped into 1 to 2 metre waves. This, combined with the speed of the ferry, resulted in a very 'lively' ride, which was not an issue for me as I make my living as a tug boat captain, but most of the other passengers looked to be pretty uncomfortable and green around the gills. Also, even on calmer days the open-air upper deck seating area is pretty much unusable once the ferry leaves port and gets up to cruising speed, as the effective wind speed and spray make it a not very pleasant place to sit, so everyone is pretty much confined to to enclosed lower deck. There is a bar where you can purchase your choice of two or three brands of over-priced bottled beer, which wasn't very busy, not surprisingly. Although I generally enjoy being on the water, I definitely would recommend flying into EYW to taking this ferry.

Was thinking of taking the ferry in November...

Maybe I'll rethink that now. Thanks!!

[Bfan53again]

X2 on Fort Zachary Taylor

And surprisingly I had a great time here
http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/

Agreed, the butterfly house was a lot of fun.........

[spadilly]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.

First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

[Landshark Girl]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.

First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Awesome, Spadilly! Have a great time! You're going to fall in love with it.

[karat]

Lefty are you going to MOTM? I have not seen you in 7+ years??

Has anyone taken the Hi Speed Ferry from Ft Myers to KW? Looks like a fun way to travel, just wanted to see if anyone recommends this mode of transport to KW. Thanks

I've taken this ferry from KW to Ft. Myers Beach - I can't say that I would recommend it if you are looking for a fun way to travel. There is absolutely no scenery to enjoy between these two ports - for most of the voyage there is nothing to look at but water, which on that windy April day was whipped into 1 to 2 metre waves. This, combined with the speed of the ferry, resulted in a very 'lively' ride, which was not an issue for me as I make my living as a tug boat captain, but most of the other passengers looked to be pretty uncomfortable and green around the gills. Also, even on calmer days the open-air upper deck seating area is pretty much unusable once the ferry leaves port and gets up to cruising speed, as the effective wind speed and spray make it a not very pleasant place to sit, so everyone is pretty much confined to to enclosed lower deck. There is a bar where you can purchase your choice of two or three brands of over-priced bottled beer, which wasn't very busy, not surprisingly. Although I generally enjoy being on the water, I definitely would recommend flying into EYW to taking this ferry.

Was thinking of taking the ferry in November...

Maybe I'll rethink that now. Thanks!!

[karat]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.

First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

It is awesome down there!

[RAGTOPMAN]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.

First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Dude have a fish sandwich at BO's, happy hour at Schooners Wharf, Sloppys and Hogs Breath just because. If you want someplace nice with alot of Buffett history swing by Louies and have some drinks on the back deck

Make sure you post how your adventure went went were not there we have to live vicariously through those that are

[spadilly]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.
First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Awesome, Spadilly! Have a great time! You're going to fall in love with it.

That's the plan!
(Missing the Houston show this year, but when my wife surprised me with the trip I couldn't say no.)

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.
First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Dude have a fish sandwich at BO's, happy hour at Schooners Wharf, Sloppys and Hogs Breath just because. If you want someplace nice with alot of Buffett history swing by Louies and have some drinks on the back deck

Make sure you post how your adventure went went were not there we have to live vicariously through those that are

Thanks for the tips. Everyone I've talked to speaks very highly of BO's. And I do love my seafood, so it's on the list.

[Bfan53again]

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.
First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Awesome, Spadilly! Have a great time! You're going to fall in love with it.

That's the plan!
(Missing the Houston show this year, but when my wife surprised me with the trip I couldn't say no.)

Headed to paradise on Tuesday.
First trip. To say I'm ecstatic would be a great understatement.

Dude have a fish sandwich at BO's, happy hour at Schooners Wharf, Sloppys and Hogs Breath just because. If you want someplace nice with alot of Buffett history swing by Louies and have some drinks on the back deck

Make sure you post how your adventure went went were not there we have to live vicariously through those that are

Thanks for the tips. Everyone I've talked to speaks very highly of BO's. And I do love my seafood, so it's on the list.

You are not going to be the same after that first visit KW.....and that's a good thing!

[Left Field ParrotHead]

Lefty are you going to MOTM? I have not seen you in 7+ years??

No MOTM for me this year... I'll get there one day!! (When I finally get off my a$$ and join a PHC...)

Me and the future Mrs. Lefty are taking a day or two from our trip to Fort Myers to go during the US Thanksgving week. She's never been and is dying to go!!

[clearlakeparrot]

Starting Nov 4 Southwest Airlines will serve Key West with 2 daily flights. No more AirTran

[Bfan53again]

Starting Nov 4 Southwest Airlines will serve Key West with 2 daily flights. No more AirTran

A direct flight from Baltimore to Key West would be sweet!!!!!