Places in Florida?

[Big A]

Would like to visit Florida this spring with my family. I'm the only diver and would like to dive and play some golf with the rest of the family. Does anyone have any suggestions as to as place where one could do just that. I've read the Keys are nice diving, but I have no personal experience there.

I would think that this isn't that hard of an order to fill? Thanks for the help!

 

[scubacoots3]

Not a whole lot to do for the family in Key Largo (which by many is considered to be the best diving in the keys) Largo is all about fishing and diving and it is awesome!!! after that not much else to do.

 

[fishdelasol]

As a SoFLA girl...I can say that you and your family will have a good time if you stay anywhere from Boca Raton to Miami.

I personally suggest that you check out these places...

Fort Lauderdale beach area--there is diving, golf, beaches, shopping, boutique stores, museums, great restaurants on Las Olas, and is an all around great place in a central location. It is also within driving distance of Key Largo for a day trip (about 1.5-2 hours each way).

Miami / Miami Beach--also has diving, golf, beaches, shopping. It is a bit more upscale if you plan on staying right in Miami Beach (South Beach). It is also much closer to Key Largo and makes a day trip there pretty easy, too (about 1 hour each way).

There are also nice areas in between Ft.Lauderdale and Miami, like Hollywood Beach.

Deerfield Beach--again..golfing, beaches, shops, restaurants. There is a Howard Johnson's right on the beach. This puts you near Boynton Beach and I hear they have really good diving, but I have no personal experiences, yet.

Key Largo will be tough for your family if they don't dive...

I will say that if I had to pick, I would pick Ft. Lauderdale because I am biased. I just know that area really well and love it! You have lots of options right on the beach or a 10 minute drive puts you in Las Olas with a lot of shops/restaurants nearby...there is even an IMAX theater in the area.

Last thing, go to the Florida Conch Divers area of the board. It has lots of info! Search some old posts and I would post the question there. Others will have lots of info. Once you pick where you are going I would ask everyone to recommend a Dive Op...make sure you give specifics about the type of diving you want to do and you skill level.

 

[Big A]

Fishdelasol,

Thanks for the good information! i'll look into fort Lauderdale a bit more. I'm glad i asked about Key largo as I had no clue there wasn't anything else to do other than diving. It's tough trying to put something together that suits everyone.

Is Fort Lauderdale packed out at spring break time? Was looking at the last week in March?

 

[fisheyeview]

Fishdelasol,

Thanks for the good information! i'll look into fort Lauderdale a bit more. I'm glad i asked about Key largo as I had no clue there wasn't anything else to do other than diving. It's tough trying to put something together that suits everyone.

Is Fort Lauderdale packed out at spring break time? Was looking at the last week in March?

Spring Break in Ft. Lauderdale is a thing of the past. The city of Ft. Lauderdale chased the Spring Breakers away in the late 80'/early 90's. They go to either South Padre Island, TX, Panama City, FL or Cancun now.

There is some increase in tourism during that time by the college kids not looking to party all the time, but no where near like it used to be. I would book in advance because of the northerners that winter down here. They do not really start to migrate back north until Easter time.

Let us know when you have set your plans. There are always south Florida SB divers looking for a reason to play hooky from work.

 

[Speargirl]

Key largo and Islamorada are considered the dive and fishing capital of the world. I would say as a family there is alot you can do here in the Keys. When you are diving they could snorkle a reef or go to Founders Park spend the day at the beach you can rent paddle boats, kite board and they have a nice skateboard park set up for the kids as well as a big pool they have a playground with BBQ grill's. Your family can rent jetskis, windsurfers and many other things also all over the Keys. We have the wild bird center which is between Key Largo and Tavernier, Theater of the Sea, Dolphin Plus where you swim with the dolphins, Turtle Hospital in Marathon, we also have Key West I would say go during the day night time is all about drinking. But for the most part the Keys has alot to offer your family when you are diving.

 

[fishdelasol]

In my opinion, Ft. Lauderdale will be busy during spring break. Fisheye is comparing it to years ago when it was CRAZY down off of A1A and Las Olas area....I still feel that it is moderately crowded with a lot of college kids on the beaches. But, it is not mass mayhem either, just college kids drinking/sleeping of hangovers on the beach.

Maybe instead of Las Olas and A1A (that is the main stretch of beach and bars) you could stay a few miles north or south of that area. Give the Sheraton Yankee Clipper a call and ask their opinion. The hotels will know best as to what goes on. I think that week is the very end of Spring Break, anyway. I had similar concerns about Key West when we got married there last April....it was very tame.

Speargirl's suggestions about the keys are right on. To me it sounds like a blast, but that will only be fun if that is what your family is in to. You didn't mention if you have little kids or teens....is their idea of a vacation shopping and sightseeing or is it fishing, jetskiing, and BBQ? It will just depend on what you all will like.

 

[Big A]

Speargirl,

Is there any golfing in the area you have talked about?

 

[fisheyeview]

Speargirl,

Is there any golfing in the area you have talked about?

Florida Keys Treasures Golf

 

[Richesb]

If golf is any sort of a priority I wouldn't reccomend staying in the Keys.

There is very little. Sombrero Country Club in Marathon semi private & Key West - public course. Everything else they call a golf course is 9 hole or less.

The diving and watersports are 1st class.