VISITORS TIPS
All Keys Tips
Instead of spending your entire trip on one
key, spend a few days in the Upper Keys, Middle Keys and Lower Keys. Each area is unique
and has much to offer.
If you are planning on fishing or diving, be
sure and get a copy of updated rules and regulations. These can be found in the front of
our local phone book or by calling the Florida Marine Patrol. Local residents and
authorities are not forgiving of violators. FLORIDA
KEYS
Jet-skiers, you must follow the
rules of navigation like any other boat and avoid operating your craft in such a manner as
to cause any harm to the environment or annoyance to other persons. For those of you that
rent jet-skis, this is not usually a problem since rental craft are limited to designated
areas and monitored by the rental company. If you are bringing your own jet-ski, be
forewarned they are frowned upon by many locals and visitors. This is the unfortunate
result of the irresponsible use of these watercraft in the past. Please note, the editors
of this guide have no problem with the responsible use of any watercraft. This
information is provided simply as a hint to help all visitors have a safe and happy trip.
If you see anyone dumping garbage, harming
or harassing birds, manatees, dolphins or any other wildlife, report them and be proud you
did. Believe it not, since this is a small group of islands, more often than not, law
enforcement almost always gets their man/women (got to be politically correct). FLORIDA KEYS
Lobster traps have owners and for the most
part they do not look fondly upon those who raid their traps. If you survive the wrath of
being caught by a lobsterman, you may still be charged with a felony.
Visit the reef, don't harass it by touching
the coral or taking the sea creatures from their natural environment. FLORIDA KEYS
If you are navigating a boat, be sure and
purchase and study official navigational charts before you launch. Running aground only
damages the environment and your boat. Unlike your boat, only great periods of time can
repair the environment. Laziness is the sole cause of poor seamanship. FLORIDA KEYS
When fishing for sport, enjoy your catch,
but enjoy the release just as much. If you are fishing for dinner (e.g. dolphin, grouper)
take only enough for your meal. Make your friends and co-workers catch their own fish.
After all, the fun is in the catch, not the meal. FLORIDA KEYS
Don't litter. FLORIDA KEYS
Sunblock: use it. The higher the SPF factor
the better off you are. FLORIDA KEYS
If you are bringing pets, be careful not to
leave them in cars for even the short time you would be in a store. Temperatures soar to
in excess of 100 degrees in minutes. FLORIDA
KEYS
Additional tips for Key West
visitors -
When you are shopping in Key
West, if you come across items in a store that you like but the prices are not marked on
the item, beware. Do not purchase the item until you ask an attendant a price, and they
give you an exact price. Follow this practice no matter how inexpensive you believe the
item may be. Some stores that sell t-shirts, sweat shirts, sweat pants and similar items
do not place prices on the products because they are outrageously high. The customer,
having purchased items of a similar nature in their own city or town, purchases the items
(even though they have not been told the price) believing they can't be too much higher
than at home. When the items are rung up, they find out they just bought a pair of sweat
pants and a sweat shirt for $100.00. To our understanding, this problem is limited to a
handful of Key West stores primarily selling t-shirts, sweat shirts and similar type
goods.
Scooters and bikes -
if you rent a scooter or bike while in Key West, the traffic rules are the exactly the
same as if you were driving a car. Thus, you cannot drive the wrong way up a one way
street, run stop signs, etc. In addition, scooter horns are to be used like horns on a
automobile. If you are driving down the road beeping the horn for amusement, you will
receive a ticket. This tip courtesy of Southpoint Divers in Key West.
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