You must do some of the following when vacationing in the Keys:
1. Hunt for some of the 2600 species of butterflies that inhabit the Keys. The best place to do this is at the Bahia Honda State Park. It is the home of a really rare butterfly, the Florida Blue. While at Bahia Honda, go for a swim on the best, most beautiful sandy beach in the Keys. Mile Marker 33.
2. On moonless nights, from our roof top deck, study the briliant display of stars and planets that provide constant overhead entertainment;
3. Visit the Dolphin Research Center (almost next door on Grassy Key); swim with the Dolphins; learn about them from skilled staff;
4. Go snorkeling at the Sombrero Reef Lighthouse- just 5 miles off shore- join a party of snorklers or rent your own boat; be surrounded by hundreds of colorful reef fish; be needlessly frightened by solemn barracudas; keep your attention on where you are floating to;
5. Have a well earned cocktail at the Marina Bar at the Hawks' Cay resort.
Well, we must talk about FISHING AND LOBSTERING. After all, Conch Key is the Caribean Spiny lobster capital of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys is the spiny lobster capital of the United States. Conch Key is the home of approximately 15 professional commercial lobstermen. The lobster season runs from August 1 to March 31 of each year. Visitors may catch them themselves. There are limits and an inexpensive license is required. Some use scuba equipment but many find simple snorkel gear to be perfectly adequate.
Fishing from Conch Key is a special treat. From the dock at our house one can quickly be deep into the 'back country' flats and shallow waters of Florida Bay. Fly fishing is superb. Bone fish the favorite quarry. And then, for more excitement, a 9 minute ride in a boat from our dock will take you under the bridge and into the ocean waters. The reef lies about 5 miles off shore.
And if theat is not enough, visit the Barracuda Restaurant in Marathon.
EATING OUT. Finally, although we are sure you will be busy cooking and preparing the lobsters and stone crabs and yellow tail snappers in our modern well equipped kitchen (and on the grill), it may be that someone in your party will want to go out to eat in a restaurant. Here are a few recommendations:
1. Island FIsh Company and TIki Bar: 12648 Overseas Hwy.Marathon, FL 33050-3537; (305) 743-4191. This is a typical and fine example of moderately priced, good quallty islands cooking, including oysters from the Gulf of Mexico, excellent soups, salads, hamburgers and steaks; open air (but covered); right on the water.
2. Pierre's Restaurant; an elegant, beautiful French restaruant at MM 81 in the Village of Islamorada; may possibly be the best restaurant in the Florida Keys; sandy beach; out door music; wonderful sunsets.
3. The Stuffed Pig: 3520 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL; traditional American breakfasts.
Other Activities:
Dolphin Research Center; Marathon Turtle Hospital; John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; Bahia Honda State Park; guided tours
