The Upper Keys Boat Charters (3 days, 2 nights)
The journey begins at around 8:00 or 9:00 am, and we cruise on the south side of Government Cut, Waterfantaseas head out farther out to avoid the shallow waters of Fisher Island, Key Biscayne, and Virginia Key. We then continue to cruise south to the calm waters of the upper region.
At around noon, we’ll be on Key Largo, where we can anchor for lunch/dinner, or for a casual swim. This will give us enough time to get to Isla Morada by midday.
There, we’ll dock at Holiday Isle, a full service resort complex that boasts several restaurants (including the Horizon, which is situated atop the main motel building and features spectacular views along with top notch food and service), many bars, including the waterside Tiki Bar (which is where the famous Rum Runner drink was invented-watch out; it’s far more potent than it tastes!) that features live music at night.
For those guests that decide not to stay aboard the vessel, and would like accommodations that are a bit more quiet and upscale, the beautiful Pelican Cove Resort is directly next door. This resort provides a quiet ambiance which can easily be mixed with the lively next door nature.
Holiday Isle also offers a perfect place to use the Wave Runner: an area on the flats in front of the resort where the water is deep enough for water bikes but not for conventional boats. You’ll have the whole area to yourself (except, of course, for the others who share your enthusiasm for riding PWCs).
With on-site restaurant options including a steak house and a rib joint (in addition to the Horizon and a number and variety of snack type booths), you won’t have to worry about going hungry come dinnertime-or any time. And if you want a more upscale dining experience for dinner (although the Horizon is quite elegant itself), the famed Marker 88 restaurant is but a short cab ride up the road.
The on-site restaurants are also open for breakfast, so your second day starts with several options also. When you’re ready to go boating again, your captain can take you to any of several interesting reef sites (suitable for snorkeling, diving, or both) that are but minutes from the marina. Where you go and how long you stay are entirely up to you!
When you return to , remember that all the amenities available to the resort’s motel guests are there for marina guests also.
Your third day starts with your choice of breakfast (both as to location and type) and then, after your last stab at playing typical Keys’ tourist (perhaps by getting some souvenirs from one of the marina side shops) you check out and head back.
