Florida Keys

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scottman
Posts: 628
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 5:46 am

Florida Keys

Post by scottman »

Anyone been down to the Florida Keys to kite, I have planned a trip down to the Keys this late May into the first week of June, any recomendations on where to kite or what to see and so on? I'll be staying at the Bluewater Keys Rv Resort, right on the water, I have my Kayaks and snorkeling stuff and all my kite gear, just never down there before.
Paul F
Posts: 171
Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2002 1:56 am
Location: Portland Oregon

Re: Florida Keys

Post by Paul F »

I camped in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park many years ago. The reef is great for snorkeling and is a complement to wind sports because the reef visibility is only good on windless days.
scottman
Posts: 628
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 5:46 am

Re: Florida Keys

Post by scottman »

Thanks for the info Paul.
Pavel
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 5:22 am
Location: Sioux Lookout ON Canada
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Re: Florida Keys

Post by Pavel »

Heading down to Marathon for Xmas. Couple of beaches down there - Coco Plum and Sombrero - shallow water, butter smooth.
Key West offers trips to the flats. Most of the beaches are pretty small so drift launching is advised but walking out is no prob.
scottman
Posts: 628
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 5:46 am

Re: Florida Keys

Post by scottman »

Most excellent, thnaks man, hope you get some great wind!! I'm going a little late in may so I might not get any, but then again I'm not solely going down for just kiting, more to just kick back.
Elkman
Posts: 87
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Location: Bloomington, MN
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Re: Florida Keys

Post by Elkman »

I'd recommend Whale Harbor Marina, located at mile marker 83.5 on the Overseas Highway in the town of Islamorada. That's where I first tried kiteboarding and took my beginner lesson back in February. The water is relatively flat there, and there's a reasonably good-sized beach there for rigging up. The only downside is that it's a semi-private beach, so you have to pay $10 per day to use it. It's very scenic, though -- there's plenty of blue-green water everywhere.

Here's a link with more information: http://www.kitebeaches.com/kitesurf/loc ... arina.html

I took my lesson with Seven Kiteboarding, one of the local kite shops. They also have a directory of other local launch sites in the Keys.

Enjoy the trip. I hope I can get back down there again when I go to Florida in mid-February.
Todd Murray
Bloomington, MN
Reds
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Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:39 pm
Location: Mahtomedi,MN
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Re: Florida Keys

Post by Reds »

I had great sucess in Islamorada. Whale harbor is the place to kite. Do the 11 mile downwinder to Anns beach. Launches are skinny but water is shallow and smooth. Seven Kiteboarding has a trailer set up at the beach where you can get assistance, rental equipment, lessons, pump up...etc. Great spot to ride. Other kite shop is called The Otherside. They have slingshot y otro in stock. Water is shallow with grass flats. It's about 1 - 2 hrs from Miami depending on traffic. Have a blast!
Patrick
seamonkey
Posts: 253
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:17 pm
Location: Mahtomedi

Re: Florida Keys

Post by seamonkey »

I hit whale harbor this past April. I've never experienced a coral reef before. I'm going back for more in early April, 2010. The seafood is also more diverse than in Padre, in my opinion. I got to hand feed wild monkeys too. Not much wave action, but Miami has that. When Jeff W. and I first arrived in Key Largo, some local authority told us nobody kites in the Keys. He did'nt know about 7 Sports.
" Real living begins on the far side of despair " _ Jean Paul Sartre
JRN
Posts: 2001
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:38 pm

Re: Florida Keys

Post by JRN »

I WANT TO TRY IT NEXT SPRING, TOO! Which airport? I was thinking about Ft. Meyers
and kiting there, hitting Miami, and then hop scothcing down the Keys. I've always wanted to see Hemmingway's 7 toed cats.
WARNING:
I AM AN UNREFORMED SERIAL FLIRT!!
(please respond accordingly ;^{})
jeffwieb
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:18 pm
Location: zimmerman mn

Re: Florida Keys

Post by jeffwieb »

Definately hit whale harbor for some flat wAter. I would also check out south beach for a day of waves and great scenery :shock: . You can kite just north of the last lifegaurd tower. Key west is also a good spot. Planning on goin this spring also. Great spots from Naples all the way down to the keys and it's easy little drives to anywhere. Now you're thinkin with your dipstick Jimmy!
seamonkey
Posts: 253
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:17 pm
Location: Mahtomedi

Re: Florida Keys

Post by seamonkey »

Yeah, short easy drives, unless the Everglades have a forest fire going on, like past April, and if you're driving at night you do have to watch out for gators on the road. Miami, after dark was just as exciting as the shore with 85 degree temps, 25 MPH east wind, and topless topography. You know what I'm talk'in about!
" Real living begins on the far side of despair " _ Jean Paul Sartre
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