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hohenwald48 · 04-28-2023, 06:04 PM

Float plane or Yankee Freedom ferry to the Dry Tortugas from Key West. A little pricy but a great way to spend a day.

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TimLoon · 05-07-2023, 06:04 PM

Following up on the trip.
Stopped at most of the recommended places and picked up brochures. Also stopped at a few others, some not even worth going through the gate.
Not surprised at the prices since the nicer ones were already fully reserved for January through March next year.
Loved the Keys but don't need to visit Key West again. Just not our cup of tea.

Charming · 05-08-2023, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavnTheWales

Any MUST see thing in the Keys? Or any good excursion recommendations? Looking at Key West area.

We have done day trips from cruise ships in Key West. We rented bikes for ease of getting around. We toured the Hemingway House, Southern White House, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. We would like to go back some day and tour Fort Jefferson.

I had reservations for Florida all the way to the Keys and back up in 2020. Had to cancel the entire trip. We wanted to go to Florida next spring and detour into the keys, no such luck - everything seems to be booked or such an outrageous amount I refuse to pay it.

SavnTheWales · 05-10-2023, 07:35 AM

At SugarLoaf KOA right now. Beautiful, much nicer than any I have driven thru here. Cost $135 nite avg for 14 days. Half of our row is empty, so there is availability. Back in spots are nice, don’t think I would want water front. The no-seeoms are definitely out. Get some spray and avoid early morning, evening sitting out.

Wasted 3 hrs this morning trying the standby option for Yankee Ferry to Dry Tortuga. There were 10 people in standby and they let NOBODY on. You may read boat holds 250 and they reserve 175, but that doesn’t matter. If you can’t reserve months in advance don’t waste your time. It’s the ONLY boat allowed to dock there. Got up at 5am, drove 30 min, waited 1.5 hrs and paid $42 to park, only to be denied… sucks but just wasn’t meant to be.

We walked down street and our taking the Fury Ultimate Adventure for the same cost as Dry Tortuga. Will report how it was when we get back.

Charming · 05-10-2023, 08:37 AM

That is a good rate for post high season.

We are KOA members but when we would be visiting the Keys we would have to stay for a full week which does not fit our plans and the rate with our discount would be about $200 per night.

SavnTheWales · 05-13-2023, 08:31 AM

The Fury Ultimate Adventure gets a thumbs up. It was over 6hrs of fun. Starts with 30 minute boats ride to their playground. Breakfast is served during the ride. Food was good and plentiful. When arrived at playground they separate you into groups. My group did jet skis first, followed by banana boat ride, then parasailing. Each activity was 20 minutes or so. All good equipment and good supervision. Then there is another 20 minutes to play on the water playground or just chill on the boat. Next you motor about 45 min to the reef. Lunch is served and was excellent. You get about 45 min to snorkel. We were in the water about 3 min and saw a shark below us (10 feet). After snorkeling you have about an hour boat ride back. During the ride they serve drinks. All the adult drinks are included (beer, wine, margaritas, Champaign)

We had a great time and feel this was a great alternative to the Dry Tortuga trips (that you can never get tickets for). The cost was around $200 per person. With it including 2 meals and all the activities it was well worth it. They also offer pictures ($40) to purchase during both Parasailing and overall trip… so $80 if you get both. I thought that was high, but got both anyways. Don’t forget to tip at the end, that’s how the staff makes their $$$, just like bartenders. So overall it was about $500 for 2 people.