Favorite Places: Looe Key

May is upon us.  If you are anything like me, that usually means vacation planning and/or dreaming hits high gear with the siren song of summer gently calling.  With that in mind, I'm launching a new series called Favorite Places.  I'll share some of my favorite spots, things to do and tips that may help you as you plan your upcoming vacations.  At the very least, I hope this helps to inspire folks to think outside the typical vacation box, to open up to new experiences and enjoyment of being in the outdoors.

I can't wait to share one of my absolute favorite places on this planet - Looe Key - with you as the first highlighted Favorite Space.  If you are a regular to my blog, this name might ring a bell as it was mentioned in the post about my Keys trip last fall (click here to read).

Simply put, this place is phenomenal.
  

Looe Key is a part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is designated as a Sanctuary Preserve Area (SPA).  It is a groove and spur reef system located a few miles east of the lower Keys.  The reef runs from about six inches to 30 feet in depth which allows for a variety of viewpoints.   It is named for the HMS Looe which is said to have run aground there in the 1700's. 

Logistics are always an important part of trip planning and getting to Looe Key is fairly straight-forward.  Once you've arrived in the lower Keys you can take any number of tour providers out to enjoy a day of snorkeling or scuba diving at the reef.  You're also able to take your own boat or charter a boat captain.  However, planning is important as there are only a set number of available mooring buoys for docking as dropping an anchor is not permitted.  We have used both Bahia Honda State Park (link) as well as Strike Zone (link) and would recommend either as a good choice based on our personal experiences.  Bahia Honda State Park is an absolutely stunning place and is hands down one of the best state parks in the Florida Park system (link).  Strike Zone was also a great tour and they stop at two dive locations.  Both were fantastic the day we went.

Looe Key is routinely named as one of the top locations for diving and snorkeling in the world.  That's right - in the world.  And, I can attest that is the absolute truth.  I've been forunate to have spent time underwater in some of the most outstanding destinations throughout the Caribbean and Hawaii, and I easily rank Looe Key as the best.  It's hard to believe that this bounty of amazement is so near and accessible.  

Our experiences there featured a plethora of sea life, almost too numerous to name.  The stage is set and excitement brews as green and leatherback sea turtles as well as bottlenose dolphin accompany you on your boat ride out to the reef as they flit and glide in the blue waters.  Once you arrive the water displays bands of jade, green and turquoise which combine like the most masterful of watercolor paintings with the lightest azure being highlighted on the sandy bottom of the channels formed by the groove and spur structure.                                                                            It is at that moment you realize you are entering a new world altogether as the beauty and serenity is almost overwhelming.  

However, the real show is under the surface of the water.  After strategically jumping in from the boat deck to avoid those pesky moon jellies* your journey really begins.  The kaleidoscope of coral abounds.  I felt it was a rare opportunity to see such variety.  Fish and other marine life in vast and tropical colors begin to catch your eye as the rhythm of the current and the sound of your breath become like a harmonious song.  Soon you are drifting to the beat of an underwater world that is completely unique.  It is hard to not find a deep appreciation, sense of wonderment and peace from the privilege of visiting this undersea landscape.  

A real highlight for Nick was when he came face-to-face with his biggest fear. For the first time, he was mere feet away from a Black Tip Reef Shark.  The shark was about 5 feet in size, spotted Nick from afar and then slowly, in a predatory manner, came a little closer to check Nick out a little more.  I was, unfortunately, in the opposite direction from Nick around the same time examining a Goliath Grouper so I didn't get up close and personal with that shark. Although the diversity of the fish life was enthralling, I continued to find myself focused on the variety of coral which was showcased in every direction.  

Both trips were magical.  Something so incredibly amazing happens when you push your limits, when you explore something new...in fact, that may be the allure and draw of traveling in the first place.  The appreciation such experiences afford is enormous.  I am certain you'll feel it too if you ever find your path leading to Looe Key.  

* Note:  Moon Jellies are sometimes floating through this area, at times very numerous which may impact or cancel your tour.  This only happens a few times a year.  They are smaller sized jellies and have short tentacles with a sting similar to that of a bee.  If stung, it is easily remedied with a little vinegar which most boat crews keep on deck or you can bring your own.  

Florida Spotlight Series: A Place Among the Cypress

There's a place not far from my doorstep that beckons to Old Florida.  Turquoise water that is crisp and cool, a gentle breeze rustling the trees, cypress knees almost as tall as me.  A place where you can hear absolutely nothing one moment, the call of a red-tail hawk the next and the laughter of a child the moment after that.  I think this can generally describe one of many spring-fed rivers found throughout Florida.  There's about nothing I enjoy more than a day out on one of these rivers.

There are many options for a day trip to explore one of Florida's springs from the Tampa Bay area.  One such trip that also happens to be one of the closest to my home is Weeki Wachee Springs.  At a little under one-and-a-half hours away (each way), it makes for an easy day trip.  

There are several options to choose from when exploring Weeki Wachee Springs.  In fact, it is one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions.  Best known for the live mermaid show, the state park also offers boat tours of the river, manatee watching and a water park.  Weeki Wachee itself is a first-magnitude spring.  That means it falls within the largest category of springs by water volume, discharging around 64 million gallons of fresh water a day (on average).  After some research and discussion, we decided to do a 5-mile kayak tour of the Weeki Wachee River.  We utilized Weeki Wachee Kayaking as our operator and were very pleased with the personalized service they provided.  For less than $50, we had a tandem kayak rental for the day with drop off and pick up for our 5-mile kayak down the river.  

We were dropped off inside the Weeki Wachee State Park near the headspring and followed the river out of the park, into a wildlife refuge and along homes and private property to our final destination which was a pull out near a campsite that our tour operator has an agreement to use.  It took about 3 hours which included a stop of about 20 minutes.  We pulled off the river and secured our kayak so we could swim.  While the current moves swiftly, we found a little cove that was suitable for a quick dip.  It is hard to describe just how refreshing a cool dip in these spring fed waters can be.  Suffice to say, I felt totally rejuvenated and extremely vibrant after our swim.  Skin is soft, aches and pains are gone, and we both felt more energized overall.  Nick and I often joke that this must be what Ponce de Leon was hoping to find as he searched the world for the Fountain of Youth!  

The view looking down river from our swim spot. 

It was about 75 and sunny the afternoon we went out.  A slight breeze and a good mix of sun and shade.  While we weren't among the lucky who saw manatee, otter and deer that day, we enjoyed our time on the river.  We were fortunate to spot a few leaves changing color which is a rarity in Florida, and a welcome surprise for these midwestern transplants.

Although I love Florida's beaches and enjoy living near some of the world's best as ranked by Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor, there is nothing like getting away to enjoy a sunny day floating down the crystal-clear spring fed rivers in our state.  If you haven't been, I'd encourage you to do so.  It's like spending a day in yesteryear and is sure to leave you refreshed and relaxed in a way that's hard to match.  

Have you been to a Florida spring?  What's your favorite and why?  Would love to hear your comments and suggestions.  

Happy Exploring!

Jess 

Beautiful fall colors 

Key Limin'

Ahh, the Florida Keys.

After living in the state for more than eight years, we finally made a road trip through the Keys a reality.  Boy, was it worth the wait!  We've in fact been to Key West several times, but have always arrived via high-speed ferry in and out of Fort Myers and never ventured out of Key West proper.  We had fun, but this time we were looking for a different experience.  And this road trip fit the bill, perfectly.

There seems to be loads of information available about the Florida Keys.  I found a very helpful guidebook from Frommer's called Frommer's Shortcuts: The Florida Keys through the iPad bookstore.  After viewing websites and blogs galore, I found this book to be the most helpful and complete resource of anything I referenced.  It gives a great overview of each area within the Keys along with some ideas of things to do, places to stay and where to eat.  It's a good starting point all in one place.

More than 800 keys make up the island chain the sprouts off the tip of Florida, south of Miami.  This chain is referred to as the Florida Keys and has five distinct areas.  From the north, Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key & the Lower Keys, and Key West.  Each area has a different vibe to it.  Coming in from the north, we had an opportunity to essentially go anywhere within the chain.  After reading the above mentioned book, we ultimately decided on making Big Pine Key & the Lower Keys our base of operations.

There are "name brand" hotels located sporadically throughout the keys, the majority being in Key West and Key Largo.  There are lots of different types of accommodations available from high end B&Bs to low rate motels and even camping.  We decided to stay at Parmer's Resort on Little Torch Key, just over the bridge from Big Pine Key and fairly central to most of the activities we targeted.  It is a basic place, with clean rooms, a nice pool, a continental breakfast with fresh fruit daily, it had great outdoor space for chillaxing and good views.  Our room had an efficiency kitchen which was big plus for us.   It proved to fit the bill for our needs.

Activities are the heart of any Keys vacation.  If you've read any of my previous posts you can probably guess we like to be outdoors for most of our vacations.  This was no different.  Our major priority was to get a few snorkel trips in, spend some time in the National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge and relax.  Thankfully, we were able to do all of that and more.  Here are some of the highlights that I would recommend:

Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary - Best reef I've ever snorkeled.  Ever.  (I'll be being following this post with another to thoroughly discuss Looe.  So be sure to check back with the blog soon!)


Bahia Honda State Park - Little but mighty.  This state park has it all.  The park has an on-site vendor, Bahia Honda Park.  You can catch a boat ride out to Looe Key from here which we did for one of our trips to the reef.  Reasonable priced and a great experience.  You can also rent kayaks, chairs, etc and they have a gift shop for any needs or mementos you might have while visiting. 

Key Deer Wildlife Refuge - Not for everyone and that's okay.  If you like wildlife, quite places and textbook Florida nature, this place is for you.  

Castaways Restaurant in Marathon - $2 Bud drafts and outstanding sushi, ceviche and fresh catch - yes, please!  

Keys Fisheries - fresh seafood market and an order window right on site.  We stopped here a few times for fresh fish to take back and prepare at our hotel as well as had lunch prepared there one day.  Pretty solid. They are well-known for Lobster Ruebens.  

We did a lot of things and even worked in some mini-golf and delicious key lime pie. :)  But like all vacations, we couldn't do everything.  Due to some boat problems from our captain and guide, we had to cancel our backcountry fishing trip.  And, we really wanted to get over to Dry Tortugas National Park but being a holiday weekend and waiting on weather reports to make our reservations resulted in having all seats sold out.  So we have a good list of things we'd like to do next time we're down that way.  Until then, we had a great experience, almost surprisingly so, and are looking forward to some future island time for more cheesin' and limin'.  

Have you been to the Keys?  What's your favorite and why?  Have you been to the Dry Tortugas?  Would love to hear about your experiences!

Cheers!