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For those in Miami seeking the best weekend trips that are just a short drive away, there are stunning locations that offer relaxation, excitement, and the opportunity to create lifelong memories, and these places are certainly not to be missed. You don’t have to travel far to have an experience like no other, so whether you want beach time, nature hikes, or city vibes, these spots offer a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Read on to find your next weekend adventure!

Key Largo & The Upper Keys: Your Island Escape

Key Largo and the Upper Keys are home to the famous John Pennekamp State Park, and the premier place for an abundance of fun. With crystal clear waters and coral reefs, the stunning natural beauty is like nothing you’ve ever imagined. Playa Largo and the Keys offer a variety of activities such as:

• Relaxing on Pristine Beaches – The white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun.
• Snorkeling or Diving in the Vibrant Reefs – With a diverse array of marine life, snorkeling and diving are activities that you definitely want to do. Enjoy seeing colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and various coral structures like fan and brain coral.
• Kayaking or Paddleboarding Through Mangrove Tunnels – An experience that you just won’t have anywhere else, kayaking or paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels is the ultimate adventure.
• A Laid-Back Island Vibe – The laid-back island vibe is an escape from the fast pace of everyday life, giving visitors the chance to relax, unwind, and have a tropical getaway that won’t be forgotten.

Mainland Escapes: Variety Just a Short Drive Away

Key Largo is in close proximity to mainland Florida, offering easy access to some great experiences.

• Islamorada – Known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” Islamorada is home to the arts scene, shopping, and rich culture.
• Marathon – This is the place for family-friendly activities and the Turtle Hospital. Set on 13 islands, visitors will see loggerhead turtles, a bird rescue center, a tropical forest, and more.

Hopping between the Upper Keys is easy, with a scenic route on the Overseas Highway that connects all the islands.

Mainland Escapes: Variety Just a Short Drive Away

Diverse mainland options cater to different interests, and there is something for everyone.

• Everglades National Park – This is home to nature and wildlife, with airboat tours and hiking, so you can experience the charming beauty that you won’t see anywhere else.
• Fort Lauderdale – This town offers a different kind of beach vibe and arts scene, and is known as the “Venice of America”. Be sure to check out the Historic Stranahan House Museum and the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Plan Your Miami Getaway With Playa Largo Ocean Residence

Next time you want to take a break from the busy Miami Metro and enjoy some wonderful experiences, be sure to plan your getaway with Playa Largo Ocean Residence. Here, you’ll find stunning ocean views and chic vacation rentals with exclusive custom touches, making it a place that you’ll want to visit time and time again. For more information or to book your next stay, contact us today.

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Key Largo is a great place to visit, and it’s a particularly great place to fish. While there are awesome charters, there are even better fishing spots that are accessible by private boat, by kayak, or even on foot.

Here are some of our favorite Key Largo fishing spots, so you can choose the one best for you.

Adams Cut Bridge

Adams Cut, also known as the Marvin D. Adams Waterway, is easily accessible on foot. It is a great place to fish for snapper and snook, as well as for tarpon. Tarpon tend to linger around bridges during the March/April run. For snook fishing, you can fish from summer through fall, with a recommendation to free-line a live pilchard or finger mullet.

The best time to fish Adams Cut Bridge is at night, when these large fish are closer to the surface. There are also other good spots along Adams Cut, especially for snook.

Tavernier Creek

This is a great place for kayak fishing (and just for kayaking). Tavernier Creek is lined with mangroves and accesses a shallow saltwater lagoon. The mangroves make it another good place for tough to catch, but delicious, snook. As the temperature drops, the fishing switches to redfish in the fall, or gag grouper in the spring. It’s also a good place to hunt for Florida’s small trout. Look for all of these fish close to the mangroves…you might hook a mangrove every now and then, but that’s part of the game.

It’s also a beautiful place to hang out with a line, almost as good as going into the Everglades.

Buttonwood Sound

If you have access to a boat (or are doing a charter), Buttonwood Sound is a great place for open water fishing…and you can launch right from Key Largo itself. You can catch spotted seatrout here, a local delicacy. It’s also a great place for red snapper and tarpon (during April/May).

Head further out and you may be able to snag a mahi mahi for dinner. They are beautiful to look at, too, but they don’t go down without a fight. A Buttonwood Sound trip is a great way to stock up on very tasty fish.

Florida Bay

South and west of the keys, Florida Bay falls within the Everglades National Park and is just off Panhandle Key. This is an ocean flat area and holds juvenile tarpon, permit, and bonefish. This is called the “flats slam” if you can get all three of them in one day. Permits are particularly elusive, making this a real angler’s challenge.

Florida Bay is part of an entire network of flats and shallows and keys that are worth spending time exploring and appreciating.

John Pennekamp State Park

John Pennekamp State Park is also called John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and is the nation’s first undersea park. It’s popular with divers, snorkelers, and kayakers. Despite its status, fishing is permitted in select areas. You can fish from shore or bring a boat, and you can rent a kayak if you need one.

Lots of fish can be found here. The reef makes it a good place for tarpon and grouper, and you can also find mangrove snappers and schoolmaster snappers here. It’s even a place where you can fish for nurse shark.

If you are visiting Key Largo, you are visiting some of the best fishing in the world…and fishing that can easily be combined with enjoying Florida’s weather and scenery. There are several popular local charters, but there are many more ways to strike out on your own, whether you are fishing from the shore, from a kayak, or renting a boat. All of these great fishing locations, and many more, are easily accessible from our Key Largo vacation rentals. Contact Playa Largo Ocean Residences to find out more or make your booking today.

Other sources:

https://goodkarmasportfishing.com/florida-keys-bridge-fishing-spots/

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Florida, including the Florida Keys, experiences hurricane season each year. Visitors flock to the Sunshine State yearly to walk its sandy beaches and bask in the warm sun. At Playa Largo Ocean Residences, we offer a complete guide to learn more about Key West’s hurricane history. Equipping yourself with information about the area’s climate can help answer questions like “When is hurricane season in the Florida Keys?” and “How can I be prepared?”  That way, you can nail down plans to visit the Florida Keys and experience paradise firsthand.

Are Hurricanes Frequent in the Florida Keys?

Hurricane season in Key West lasts between June 1st and November 30th each year. During this time, it’s more likely for a storm to pop up than in the winter and early spring months. Although the risks are still low, staying informed during Key West’s hurricane season is important. During the hot summer, warm air is transferred from the ocean to the air above, creating the perfect opportunity for strong storms and possible hurricanes to develop. Because of their tropical location, the Florida Keys are prone to experiencing hurricanes. The good news is that there’s always plenty of notice before one strikes.

What Should I Have Just in Case of a Hurricane?

Hurricanes bring powerful winds and torrential rain to the mainland, leaving residents and visitors at risk of flooding, downed powerlines, fallen trees, and damage to nearby structures. With a little prep and planning, you can enjoy visiting the Florida Keys, even during Key West’s hurricane season. 

As you pack your suitcase, plan on bringing a few extra essentials to have on hand in case a hurricane blows in. Some of these items include:

• An extra phone and charger to use in case of emergencies
• Extra prescription medication
• Essentials for your children (including diapers, wipes, formula, snacks, and clothes)
• Pet supplies if you’re traveling with your pup 
• Bottled water and snacks
• A physical map of the area

If a hurricane is approaching, ensure you have plenty of food and drinking water, and always keep your phones charged.

How to Stay Safe During a Hurricane

If you visit the Keys during hurricane season, have fun, but always remain aware, informed, and prepared. The Florida Keys National Weather Service Forecast Office is based in Key West, and it offers up-to-the-minute coverage of incoming storms, along with the Key’s tourism council. If you’re worried about the threat of severe weather, you can always call 1-800-771-KEYS.

As you pack for your trip to Key Largo during hurricane season, pack all the essentials you need, just in case your flight is canceled, your plans are derailed, and you end up on a new adventure. Our biggest advice is to remain flexible. Here, in the Keys, we’re all about the laid-back lifestyle. Hurricanes are a part of the climate and region we call home. With a little preparation and planning, you can soak up every minute of your vacation without worrying about the potential for bad weather.

Plan Your Trip to the Florida Keys Today!

Key West hurricane season lasts from June 1st through November 30th, but most hurricanes occur between mid-August and mid-October. At Playa Largo Ocean Residences, we are committed to showing you the best experience Florida offers. From its crystal clear waters and sandy beaches to the friendly locals and historic seaport, there’s so much experience and exploration. Read our local guide to learn more about the Florida Keys and plan your trip today!

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