Key West Bareboating

[vallarta]

We will be taking our first bareboat adventure from Key Largo to Key West this summer. We will have our adult children/spouses and kids 6 mo, 2 and 4. We would love some fun suggestions from you experienced folks. Remember - keep it simple.

[Teknav]

Must visit: Pennekamp Underwater State Park (Key Largo), Bahia Honda State Park (7-mile bridge) and Sombrero Beach (Marathon Key) are a favorite. Watch the depth of the water, where you'll be sailing; very shallow, in most of the keys. Sail the Atlantic side rather than the Gulf side. Above all, don't rush and have fun! Mauritz

[Tonyjay]

+1 on taking the open water side. However I would let the weather dictate. The bay is relatively calm but you'll have to be diligent in navigating. In islamorada on the bayside try lorilie or morada bay restaurant.

I would have someone on crab pot watch - you be dodging plenty of them on either side

[vallarta]

Thanks for the ideas. As a landlocked Texas Panhandle gal - the more input the better. My biggest concern is mastering shallow water and not embarassing ourselves while docking.

[JanetGroene]

Put blinders on the 4-year-old when walking Duval Street. I've seen things in shop windows there that would have required a lot of 'splaining if I had children in tow. Things are even more challenging if the children can read. I love Key West but parental guidance is advised.

[Tonyjay]

+1. Also take the kids early in the day to see Duval street. It helps if you're touring on a day when there are few or no cruise ships in. Google cruise ships key west and you'll get a schedule.

[capngeo]

So... Give us an idea of how much time you have and what your likes are.

[belizesailor]

+1 on Pennekamp...if your draft allows you to get into the mooring field...spent a couple of pleasant weeks there once waiting for weather. Good aquarium there for the kids.

Also used to captain charters for a company that ran trips to KW during Fantasy Fest....gave whole new meaning to the term "bare boating"....not a family vacation activity, but it sure was fun!

There are a few traditional sailing vessels which run sunset sails out of KW...you and the kids might enjoy that.

Dry Tortugas is way cool. You can book a day trip to there from KW.