kids in the keys

An Information Guide  to Activities, Attractions, and Family Friendly Accommodations in the Florida Keys Kids Tours in Florida Keys Boats

FLORIDA KEYS BEST   KIDS IN KEYS NAVIGATION BAR         INDEX PAGE FOR KIDS IN THE KEYS   BEACHES NATURE WALKS CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS WATER SPORTS DOLPHIN INTERACTIONS KAYAKING GOLF BOATS TOURS SNORKELING - SCUBA -SNUBA   CHILDRENS' PROGRAMS ATTRACTIONS BIKING AND SKATING FISHING CHILD HEALTH TRAVEL ICE CREAM READING MOVIES KIDS AND RESORTS DISCOUNTED LODGING HAWK'S CAY LINK E-MAIL TO KIDS IN THE KEYS MORE EXTENSIVE FAMILY GUIDE

BOAT TOURS FOR KIDS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS There are all sorts of boat tours available for families in the Florida Keys. Some focus on viewing the reef and marine life through glass bottomed boats, whiles others emphasize thrills and action over environmental learning . Still others advertise themselves as eco-island adventure tours, and try to combine fun and adventure along with learning. The tours listed below are appropriate for children.  . Strike Zone Charters - Big Pine - MM 29.5 This tour combines a number of activities and is great for children because it provides a variety of activities. Strike Zone uses a large catamaran with glass bottom to take patrons touring the back country . Visitors experience the Keys history, see an assortment of aquatic birds and marine life, fish a bit, snorkel over a coral reef, and enjoy Strike Zones fish cook-out on a private island. 5 and 1/2 hour tour. 800-654-9560 or 305-872-9863  . Wet Willy's Wild Island Tours Oceanside MM 54 See the Keys on a guided WaveRunner tour. Tour lasts 2.5 hours and is described as an "adrenaline rush". Twenty-six mile tour includes slalom course, back country islands, mangrove islands, marine life, wave jumping and going under bridges. Reserve ahead of time. 305-743-9822 Also offers boat rentals, glass bottom boat tours, charters, diving, and snorkel, water skiing, and windsurfing.  . Hawks Cay Resort and Water Sports - MM 61 1. The SNORKEL CENTER - The Snorkel Center on Duck Key is the island headquarters for Snorkeling, Sailing, Sunset cruises and glassbottom boat tours. Located at the Hawk's Cay marina docks, the Snorkel Center is less than a two minute walk from resort rooms at the Hawk's Cay Inn and villas at Hawk's Cay Village and about a fifteen minute drive from Islamorada or Marathon Glass Bottom Sightseeing Trips on the Osprey to see the reef in the AM. Snorkel Trip on the Osprey in the early afternoon 305-743-9000 Catamaran Sail Cruise aboard the Horizon - Sunset Cruises on 40' catamaran - includes sail, sunset, refreshments, and champagne 305-743-7000. Ext. 3555 - for mom, dad and the kids. 2. Island Adventure Eco-Tour - Thursday, Friday and Saturday several times a day. Discover the natural mysteries of the Florida Keys, hands on opportunity to learn about bird and aquatic wildlife, visit mangrove islands and learn local history . Need appropriate clothing and shoes for getting in the water 305-743-7000.    . Easy AdventureS Boat Tours - MM 81.6 bayside at World Wide Sportsman - Islamorada, 305-451-8393 Easy Adventures offers private snorkeling charters for families and groups up to 6 per boat. Snorkeling sites are shallow...sometimes only 2 feet, ideal for beginners. Cheeca Rocks is a nearshore patch reef with 7 foot tall coral formations in 10-12 foot depth, the tops of the corals in many places only 3 foot deep. Alligator Lighthouse sits atop an offshore bank-barrier reef with 3 foot depth in the shallowest portion. Advanced snorkelers can try their luck at catching a lobster. Lessons and equipment are provided free. We also offer guided tours to the ruins at Indian Key, home of pirates and ship wreckers. Kids can enjoy our "critter gettin" program and learn about weird and interesting sea animals. Spend a half day or full day exploring remote shallow bays, narrow creeks, and crystal aquamarine waters occasionally discovering dolphin, sea turtles, and manatees. For more information click on Easy Adventures Boat Tours at www.keysboats.com  . Glass Bottom Boat Tour with Hooka Diving - Captain Donna Browning - MM 54 This tour offers children three different ways to see the marine environment. Kids can choose their own comfort level of fun and excitement. They can stay dry and see it all through the glass of the boat. They can snorkel and see it from the surface, or they can try "Hooka Diving" which requires no scuba certification, but enables youngsters to duck under the surface and see the reef and fish really close up. Hooka diving is a lot less expensive than scuba diving and is a great way for kids and beginners to experience the thrill of diving. 305-289-9933 or cell phone 305-393-9919, http://www.seethereef.com . John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - MM 102.5 The concessioners of this state park offer 3 glass bottom catamaran boat tours a day aboard the 65 foot San Jose for the youngster that wants to stay dry. The trip lasts 2 1/2 hours and costs $10 for kids under 12 years of age. Adults and over 12 are charged $18. Entrance fee to the Park $4 for car and 50 cents per passenger. 305-451-1621. Also available twice a day is a sail cruise of John Pennycamp's waters on the 38 foot catamaran, Sea Dancer.  . Holiday Inn Glass Bottom Boat - Key Largo MM 100 Enclosed boat "Key Largo Princess" with large viewing salon and narrated tours, 280 square feet of glass bottomed viewing area for seeing the reef, fish varities, coral plumes, and sea fans. Panoramic view from sun deck. Visits the coral reef of John Pennycamp Underwater State Park, three times daily. Cruises two hours in length.305-451-4655       ACTIVITIES and PLACES TO VISIT for CHILDREN and FAMILIES in the FABULOUS FLORIDA KEYS  To find out more about Kids' activities and places to see to make your children's visit to the Keys a rewarding and worthwhile experience, CLICK on the links in the navigtion bar to the left or provided below. GUIDE INTRODUCTION . KIDS AND RESORTS . BEACHES . NATURE WALKS . MUSEUMS . WATER SPORTS . MOVIES . DOLPHINS . KAYAKS . GOLF BOATS TOURS . SNORKEL . DAY PROGRAMS . ATTRACTIONS BIKING AND SKATING . FISHING . CHILD HEALTH TRAVEL . ICE CREAM . READING .    GIVE TO A FLORIDA KEYS' CHARITY The links below are for charity organizations providing services for children in the Florida Keys. [ CHILDREN'S SHELTER ] [ FLORIDA KEYS KIDCARE ] [ KIDS IN SPECIAL SIUTUATIONS ] [ GUARDIAN AD LITEM GUILD ] [ OPERATION BRAVE KIDS ]   THIS PAGE CREATED BY FLORIDA KEYS BEST COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL_ http://www.floridakeysbest.com email@floridakeysbest.com Florida Keys Best 386 East Seaview Drive Marathon, Florida 33050 305-289-1872

.