Two Fun Novels about Key West

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Whether on the flight to Key West or while there, it is nice to have a good book to read.  Two of my favorite fiction novels that have a Key West / South Florida settings are as follows:

The Monarch of Key West by David Paule

The book can be purchased as either a paperback or e-book.  I purchased from Kindle for just over $3.  This book will never be known as a bestseller or be up for nomination for a Pulitzer Prize but it was a fun read and very informative concerning Key West, it's quirkiness and how the island "works". 

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen

I am a big Carl Hiaasen fan and this book was a fun read.  It can be purchased in any form and is a mindless, fun and somewhat irreverent look at the island.  It is a good vacation/holiday read especially if you are in Key West or S. Florida. 

While some of the characters in each of these books may seem a bit outlandish, if you ever spend time in South Florida, you will know that they are not exaggerated. 

Have fun in Key West and hopefully you will enjoy these two books.

The Beaches of Key West

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach

If Gilligan and the Skipper's boat had gone down off the coastline of Key West, odds are that they wouldn't have wound up on a beach.

OK, so the title of this blog is, "The Beaches of Key West".  And the photo to the right, it's a photo of the largest beach on Key West.  That's right, the largest beach on the island.

Isn't Key West a tropical island?  If so, why is this the largest beach?

Key West is part of the third-longest barrier reef in the world and the only living coral reef in the United States.  Looking at Key West on the map, you would expect the waves to come roaring onto the beaches, however, the barrier reef off the coast of Key West does not allow that.  It breaks the large waves before they come to the island.  You will not see Key West advertised as a beach or surfers destination.  If you do, beware!  Key West is basically a large rock and not a sandy destination like the rest of Florida .

The beach in the photo is Fort Zachary Taylor Beach and is located within a state park on the island.  Access to the beach is inexpensive.  There are other small beaches that you will see on your trip from the airport but they are not as impressive as Fort Zachary Taylor Beach.

If you are a first-time visitor to Key West, you need to know what to expect so as not to be disappointed.  Do not let the lack of beaches keep you away.  There are plenty of great pools and much to do   In fact, take advantage of the coral reefs and go snorkeling in the clear water while you are there.  There are excursions right off the coastline and glass bottom boats that help you to be an active part of the coral reef.

The following is a link to a blog, Best Florida Keys Beaches, that describes what they believe to be best beaches on the Florida Keys, including Key West.  Keep in mind that a drive to a beach away from Key West involves renting a car and driving on a two-lane road at 45-55 MPH.  

Have fun!