camping in the keys

[Matthew_ Tatiana]

Hey guys, Im new on here and have had my boat a couple years now. Im thinking of taking my boat to key Largo and was wondering If anyone ever just brought camping gear and stayed on some islands camping while on vacation there?
Matthew

 

[4x15mph]

Welcome and its great to see another LS2000 owner. I am sure some florida folks will have ideas on camping locations.

 

[Matthew_ Tatiana]

Thanks for the welcome man! Yeah us ls owners gotta stick together.

 

[txav8r]

Welcome aboard! I am interested in the replies you get as well. Although, I think we would possibly bring the motorhome and look for a good campsite for it. Not sure if I would drag the boat or not. We tried that out west this summer and had some issues and never even got the boat in the water. Hopefully some of the SE guys have some good ideas. Once again welcome aboard!

 

[Matthew_ Tatiana]

I have a 2015 30 ft jayco whitehawk I brought to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park last Dec for 4 days. spent another two weeks in stuart fl just north of there. The state parks are the cheapest way to go but you have to book almost a year in advance if it in the keys. the regular rv parks are mad expensive. One place has an off season low rate of 1800 a month :/
It was killing me not to have my boat there. Did do alot of snorkeling though! Theres so many islands and such I would think you can just drop anchor or backup to the beach and tie off somewhere and setup camp. My wife and I also plan on getting some diving certs asap. I know you can go down 30 ft with no stay limits or decompression stops for starters.

The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
— Jacques Yves Cousteau

 

[viggen]

Been debating on this myself. Been to the keys a few times in the RV stayed at Boyd's, sugarloaf Koa and blue water key. All great places with good/bad.

Went through a divorce... Finalized two weeks ago.... And my x owned the RV. Thinking of heading down there and was also wondering if it's ok/legal/Etc to find a island and setup camp for a day or so. I don't even own a boat yet but have my eyes on a few.....

 

[Chris roehm]

http://goflorida.about.com/od/floridakeys/a/keys_camping_2.htm


Some insight

 

[Chris roehm]

seems like sound info


Virtually all of the backcountry (Gulf side) islands from NW of the Seven Mile Bridge all the way to the Marquesas west of Key West are National Wildlife Refuges (Great White Heron, Key Deer and Key West) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Last time I looked, the FWS regulations prohibited camping on these islands. Before trying, suggest you double check with the Refuge headquarters on Big Pine.

 

[Chris roehm]

And this

Check with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for allowed camping area. http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/

 

[Matthew_ Tatiana]

Thanks for the info Chris. Thinking of considering a cabin cruiser for trips down there. Is it ok to anchor is spots?

 

[Chris roehm]

haven't been able to find anything against anchoring