Gay Key West & Florida Keys Adventure Tour

Day 1: Gay South Beach!

Guests should fly into the Miami or Ft. Lauderdale airports, for a transfer to our lovely hotel in chic, trendy South Beach (the southern portion of Miami Beach). Those arriving early may want to stroll along the waterfront Art Deco district, meander past the gardens and fountains of the pedestrian shopping plaza, or simply enjoy a coffee and pastry under the palm trees while feeling the buzz of this bustling island city.

After a 6 pm orientation together at our hotel, we will head to a local gay-friendly restaurant for our welcome dinner. Afterward, we’ll discover some of the dazzling gay nightlife that South Beach has to offer!

Day 2: Florida Everglades and Local Tropical Flavor

We will have breakfast at the hotel this morning before departing for an airboat tour of the Everglades, as well as a kitschy, informative presentation on alligators, crocodiles, and snakes native to this unique habitat.

Lunch today will be at a restaurant that makes great use of the abundant local produce from the acres of farmland in southern Florida. “Robert is Here”, a fruit stand where shoppers can find strange and exotic fruits grown nearby, some of which are never found in mainstream grocery stores. Visitors may want to enjoy a starfruit, sapodilla, or dragonfruit smoothie; pick up a jar of passionfruit preserves or a guava pastry; or grab a stick of alligator jerky for the road. After lunch, we will visit Schnebly Winery and Brewery, the southernmost winery in the continental United States.(Pending COVID availability) We’ll taste an assortment of wines made from tropical fruits (such as lychee, guava, and starfruit) grown on Schnebly’s property.

We’ll leave the mainland this afternoon and travel a short portion of the Overseas Highway. This famous 127-mile road has 42 bridges that connect dozens of islands all the way to our final destination, fabulous Key West.

Dinner tonight is at Key Largo’s best Thai and sushi restaurant, where the ambiance is intimate and the cuisine, delicious. We’ll return to our Key Largo Hotel.

Day 3: Snorkeling in Turquoise Water

After breakfast at our hotel, we will spend a portion of our day snorkeling in the aquamarine waters off Key Largo. Weather permitting, we will visit the famous bronze statue Christ of the Abyss (submerged under the crystal clear water) and explore the wildlife and beauty of the coral formations at Dry Rocks.

We’ll eat lunch together today and later enjoy happy hour at the Tiki Bar. Dinner will be on our own tonight after freshening up at our lovely Key Largo hotel.

Day 4: Kayaking Through Mangroves; Experience Native Keys Flora and Fauna

The Overseas Highway has many dedicated sections of bike lanes and bridges, or wide shoulders for bicyclists to truly take in the spectacular seascapes. The dappled turquoise and aqua waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the north can be as gentle as any lake. You may occasionally see whitecaps in the distance, but the “surf” here is generally very calm, which makes for perfect kayaking conditions.

In fact, let’s do that today! We’ll take a short ride from our hotel, stow our bikes at Robbie’s Marina, and pick up our paddles to explore the mangrove tunnels nearby. We may get to see one of the wild (and endangered) American crocodiles who call this mangrove stand their home, as well as native birds who relax among the exposed roots. At low tide, tiny crabs can be seen overhead in the tree branches, and purple sea sponges can be spotted just below the waterline. If time and weather permits, we will paddle under the bridge, south-east to Indian Key, an 11-acre island that still has streets and ruins from its 19th-century town.

At Robbie’s, we’ll certainly meet the pelicans who loiter at the docks, waiting for a treat from the fishing boats that launch daily. Tarpon are massive game fish (growing up to 8 ft long) native to the area, and the dock has a feeding enclosure where guests get to see them (and the smaller, faster Jacks) up close.

After lunch together, guests have the afternoon free to explore nearby islands or beaches, or simply relax with a cocktail near the pool, with dinner on our own tonight. Restaurants in the Keys are well-known for preparing fresh, locally caught fish such as snapper, grouper, and dolphin. (Visitors can get pretty concerned about this until they learn that dolphin fish is another name for mahi-mahi!). We’ll tonight in one of Islamorada’s lovely beachfront hotels.

Day 5: Surrounded by Sparkling Water

Breakfast is at the hotel this morning, and bags will be transferred to our next lodging. We have a long and beautiful bike ride today, with cyclists able to stop and visit various suggested scenic spots, beaches, cafes, and restaurants at their own speed along the way. On the many bridges, cyclists can stop and peer into the pristine water, where we might see sea turtles and schools of fish feeding near the pylons. After checking in to our Marathon hotel, We’ll plan to regroup for dinner together tonight at one of the island’s excellent local restaurants, and share our stories from the day.

Day 6: The Highest Vista on the Overseas Highway

After a hearty breakfast, cyclists will prepare to cross one of the prettiest (and certainly the most famous) stretches in the Keys, the Seven Mile Bridge. The topmost spot on the bridge provides one of the most breathtaking ocean views in the Keys.

Lunch is on our own today, and those with time may choose to detour on Big Pine Key or No Name Key, home to the tiny, endangered (and adorable) Key Deer who are native only to this very small area. For a bit of casual, southern Florida fun at the half-way point, stop at the local mini-golf course. This themed golf course is landscaped with lush sub-tropical foliage and flamboyant winter-flowering plants and could be a fun break from the saddle.

We’ll reach Key West this evening and check into our charming gay-friendly lodging. New visitors to Key West are pleasantly surprised at how gay the town really is, and not just in the number of clubs, but also in how free couples feel to walk around town holding hands, sunning together at the beach, or sharing a cozy dinner at any restaurant in town.

Tonight we’ll dine together at one of Key West’s best restaurants (it’s so hard to choose!), and we’ll take in a drag show at one of the many gay hotspots in town.

Day 7: Gay Key West

Enjoy your free morning by sleeping in or you can head out for some paddleboarding!

We’ll have lunch together today, and then give you the afternoon and evening to explore this unique, colorful, gay-friendly town. We have some great suggestions for touristy sights worth seeing, and we’ll give you the 411 on the hottest gay destinations for visitors and locals alike.

Day 8: Watersports!

We will spend the last day of our gay Florida Keys adventure playing in the water! Take an all-day watersport-cruise and experience the thrill of jet skiing, take in breathtaking views while parasailing, snorkel at the coral reef, and sunbathe on the deck of the catamaran. Breakfast, lunch, and drinks are included during the tour. Bring your sunscreen, towel, and a waterproof camera!

Day 9: More Fun in Key West

The continued fun is on today! For our male guests, you will receive day passes to the Island House, a world-famous gay men’s resort. Lunch is on your own today; many will choose to dine in at Island House’s full-service restaurant and bar. After a day at the pool, take a short disco nap or just rinse and repeat before meeting with the group for our farewell dinner!

After dinner, we’ll go out tonight for drinks at one of the many gay establishments in town!

Day 10: Departure or Begin Optional Extension

We love having visitors in our town! We hate to say goodbye! But today is the day….Unless you stay just one more day. See the Extension tab for more info about a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.