How-to: Planning a Keys Trip

Planning a family vacation is never easy. Whether it is for a small family or a big family, either one is not easy and requires the same basic things; where are you going? How much are you going to spend? And how long are you going? A lot more factors into these trips down for mini-season, we are going to break them down for you one by one, with some extras.

If you’re planning a trip to the Keys for mini season, the first priority is to find a place to stay. Where you stay will depend on your family’s needs and budget. Here’s a few things to consider when deciding.

Which Key do you stay in? The FL Keys are made up of many Keys or towns. Each Key is a bit unique. Ask for recommendations from people you know and do some research before deciding where to go. Do you know anyone going for mini season? If so, try to stay near them. Mini season is more fun when you have friends around to compete with!

Now for budgeting, mini-season is significantly more expensive than regular season. Expect to pay $300+ per day for lodging expenses. Keep this in mind while looking at prices on line. They will be higher than what they advertise during mini season. Many places also tack on cleaning fees and a 12.5 % tax will add to your expenses. Length of stay goes right with budgeting. Most non hotel rentals require a minimum 7 day stay so make sure to put that in your budget. Do you have pets? If you plan to bring them make sure the rental is pet friendly and expect to pay a pet fee.

How many people in your group? Rentals are licensed for a certain number of people. Be aware that the rental may not have beds for that number of people. Read carefully the bedding situation and see if it meets your needs. Most rentals will count a sleeper sofa and full sized bed as sleep for 2 individuals. This may be fine for young children, but not ideal for adults.

Will you be bringing or renting a boat? If renting, make sure to reserve boat early. Most rental places sell out quickly. We reserve our boat in January each year. Make sure your rental has a dock that fits your boat length and is easily maneuvered. This is especially important for novice captains. Some docks can be narrow or difficult to manage. How far is the lodging from the boat ramp or rental place? Is there storage for your trailer? How far is the dock from your rental? Can all members of your family navigate a long walk in the hot sun to get to and from the boat? How far is the dock to open water? Most of the canal rentals will have a bit of a drive at idol speed to open water. This increases gas costs and eats into precious dive time!

How close is rental to grocery, pharmacy, restaurants and dive shops? Keep in mind traffic is heavier during mini season which can increase drive times. Make sure your house has comfort items: washer/dryer, dishwasher, stocked kitchen, coffee pot, bait freezer? Make sure the rental has your “must haves” to ensure a good trip!

Look for rentals on reputable sites: VRBO, HomeAway, Airbnb, and local realty sites. Beware of rental scams. Do your research and make sure you are sending deposits to the actual owners and not a scammer.

Book early! Rental selection will be scarce closer to mini season. If you find a great place, roll over your deposit and pre book for next year! You can always cancel later in year, but chances are you’ll be counting the days until next season!

-HL