posted 11-22-2001 10:40 AM ET (US)        

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In the midst of planning a trip to the Keys with the Montauk in tow. Islamorada sounds like the place right now.

Any hints, tips, suggestions or past experiences to share?

posted 11-26-2001 10:32 PM ET (US)            

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I've been down there often.
Islamorada is great... There is the "SandBar" off shore from the tiki bar mm86 - tons of bikinis and boats. Very important is nearby Indian Key and Lignumvite Key.

There is also the "outback", launch at the Carribean Club mm101 cross the bay into the "outback" - Stop at Nest Key.

posted 12-03-2001 09:29 PM ET (US)         

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OK, I'm done pissing and moaning about PWC's. I live a block from Adams Cut in Key Largo and last summer we had a hundreds of the things racing thro the cut. There was so much smoke in the neighborhood that I thought it was fog!. All day long buzing noise.

Islamorada- Bentleys Restaurant still the best, little bakery on bayside great stuff. Woody's weekend "show". free ramp by Indian Key. Great fishing on the reef and the hump. Sand bar at Holiday Isle is fun, but not on holiday weekends. Since there is no license to own or drive a boat-- any idiot does here in south florida. I've seen a boat anchor perpendicular to a line of anchored boats and "backdown" to set his anchor and set the rest of them free! really. Its like watching some boat ramps only a hundred boats at a time. Come up to Key Largo and have a beer at Gilberts. Say hi to Rebecca, Amy and Jill

posted 12-04-2001 05:46 PM ET (US)            

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Thanks for the info, Paul.

Hate to disappoint you, but PWC does indeed stand for personal watercraft. The thing is though my PWC is typically quieter and smokes less than two-stroke outboards. The new four-strokes coming out for 2002 will be quieter still and not smoke at all.

Sounds like you'll have to find some other segment of recreational boating to piss & moan about!

posted 02-11-2002 09:50 PM ET (US)            

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Finally got the trip set......Feb 23 thru Mar 1. Staying at White Gate Court in Islamorada.

Any more suggestions? Especially interested in restaurants we can access by water.

Thanks.

posted 02-12-2002 03:27 PM ET (US)            

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We've stayed (with Montauk)at a place called Largo Lodge, right in Key Largo, on the west side of the road. Has it's own little two or three dock landing, small beach (where the manatees come almost every afternoon, looking for fresh water. You wander into the water with a hose, and they will try and swallow the hose!) and small fully equipped bungalows, set very privately in a jungle-like setting. Decent places to eat (can't remember the names) both north and south of the motel.

Best - Don

posted 02-12-2002 04:43 PM ET (US)         

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Don - I know the Largo Lodge - one of the neatest little, well hidden places on Key Largo. Always wanted to stay there, but so far have not. One of these days, though.

Compounder - be sure to visit the Bass Pro owned Adventure World, and eat on the dock at the Islamorada Fish Company, both together and right on the water and accessible by boat, on the inside shore. Great seafood. Caribe Marine, nearby, is owned by a fellow who used to own Portage Entry Marine in Port Clinton OH, and they are a Whaler dealer down there now. The Cheeca Lodge, across the road, is also worth checking out. This is the nicest hotel on Islamorada, and where George Bush Sr stays when down there fishing.

posted 02-12-2002 07:22 PM ET (US)            

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Compounder-

Adventure world and the Islamorada Fish Company are both must-see's. I've been trying to remember their names to recommend them to you while you're in Islamorada, but they just weren't coming to the surface (thanks, Larry). They are both a planned stop for me going either way from/to the lower Keys, whether I'm hungry or not, and whether I need fishing gear or not. They are worth checking out.

kingfish