Best places to stay in south Florida

[Brian V]

Hey everyone.

We’re going out first trip to Florida and looking for the best places to stay in south Florida with the most things convenient to do.

Snorkeling
Airboats
Swamp tours
Etc etc

Let me know your recommendations

Thanks

[twinboat]

The Keys are for snorkeling but nothing else on your list.

You want to be near the Everglades , Miami or Naples, to access swamps and beachs.

[Rockwood27]

I agree that the southernmost parts of Florida will get you most of what you're looking for.

Which year are you planning on coming to Florida? If you haven't already made reservations for this winter, chances are you'll have to stay in Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, and truck stops.

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[twinboat]

I just booked 2, 2 week stays in the Keys State parks, for December 23 and they were tricky to get.
Private RV parks in the Keys are over $3000 a month, many with 3 month minimums.

[Palmeris]

Snorkeling
camping
airboats
plan ahead, reserve early

[Rockwood27]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I just booked 2, 2 week stays in the Keys State parks, for December 23 and they were tricky to get.
Private RV parks in the Keys are over $3000 a month, many with 3 month minimums.

December 23rd is BEFORE prime snowbird season. You were lucky!

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[Psneeld]

In my experience you can get airboat rides and swamp tours just about anywhere up and down Central Florida. Beaches can be found East or West up and down the State too.

Warmer temps only abound starting south of Orlando and increase steadily as you go south.

The first diving snorkeling opportunities on the East Coast start in West Palm (Blue Heron snorkel trail) and stretch to Key West...not positive about the West coast.

As far as the best places, might be more of "where you can get spots" and then figure the closest attractions.

[PanJH]

You might want to get a site at Collier-Seminole State park. Just outside the park is an airboat tour run by Billie Corey. Native American, nice guy and very knowledgeable. In the park you can rent kayaks and paddle around. Also in the area are 2 really nice drives that get you out to see some nature. Janes Scenic Drive is one, the other is Loop Road. In the area is Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk which takes you into Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. A bit further down the road is Shark Valley which is part of Everglades National Park. For snorkeling, I suggest you take a tour out to Looe Key. There is a boat that goes there from Bahia Honda State Park. Another option would be to swim with manatees up at Crystal River. You should also consider stopping some of our springs. Just do a search and see if there are any in the areas you are going to be at. I like Juniper Springs and renting a canoe to paddle down teh run... it takes a few hours going thru the crystal clear water in the woods. Another fun thing to do is a tube float down the Ichetucknee River. Again, crystal clear and a few hours of fun.

[SoonToBeFT]

FWIW, this was our experience. For snorkelling we liked going out on the boats from Key Largo John Pennekamp State Park where we stayed a couple days. Also did a trip out from just further south of Islamorada (most of the keys have boat tours leaving for different snorkelling spots along that highway). There's also some great for family fun at reasonable price "party type" fishing boats = catch the earlier not later ones to avoid the real "partiers"" Check Capt Robs Islamorada = was a good price we thought for the exposure and experience for those not gone fishing before.

For airboat rides our favourite of all time, was back in 1988, and we've done a few over past several years but was through Miccosukee Indian Village. It was also awesome to see their tall tables they made their crafts on by hand then, and slept on those same tables at night to keep off the ground from snakes/critters = very good experience. Our airboat driver even stopped and called the gators to the boat and had marshmallows as a treat (not sure that was any good for them but .....). Anyway's just sharing.

As the years have progressed with so many more safety protocols and farming of people (tourists) we've found things aren't quite what they used to be experience wise. We loved Gatorland zoo back in the late 80's and went every time we visited but since the late 90's onwards we've been 3 or 4 times only as it's not the same. Just saying time changes most experiences from days of old. LOL.

As for camping "if" you are stuck an odd night not able to make a reservation and can handle a dry camp there are lots of options just before Miami and North of the keys.

Have an awesome trip.

[Marine359]

If you’re headed for the Keys, but don’t want to bite off too much driving in a single day, stop for a night at Micosugee Casino. It’s free. Lots of space in the rv parking area, room to put out a slide, and level enough that you don’t have to use levelers. There are 3 restaurants in the casino, but they re not good food. We don’t gamble, so we had to accept that a poor meal was worth the cost of overnighting. From Micosugee, it’s an easy drive all the way down to Key West.

[kyfarmboy]

Excuse me. Quick?
Do the Florida state parks (Everglades & Keys) have hookups?

[Marine359]

Sorry,
I mistakenly posted that Micosugee Casino is free. We overnighted there on the way to Key West and it was dark when we pulled in. Didn’t see the signs. We overnighted free and nobody bothered us. When returning from Key West, signs were clear that you have to check in and pay $27 for the privilege to overnight in their parking lot. Wish there were other overnighting options, but $27 at Micosugee is not bad. All food options in the casino are horrible, so get carry out before you settle in, or cook in your rv. Thought about Cracker Barrel in Homestead, but a doper in a burnt out van scared us off. She came over and told us everybody gets their bikes stolen. How would she know unless she were in on the deal?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by kyfarmboy

Excuse me. Quick?
Do the Florida state parks (Everglades & Keys) have hookups?

Everglades are Federal parks, no hookup except way down in Flamingo.

Keys State parks have water and electric but booked solid 11 months ahead.