Florida Keys Vacation Options

If you are planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, plan on getting out on the water. For experienced boater or novices, Captain Pip's Marina and Hideaways, 1410 overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, offers a great package deal, room and boat for one reasonable price.

The accommodations at Captain Pip's are clean and comfortable. All of the rooms are equipped with a full kitchen or kitchenette. Most of the rooms are on the waterfront where you are only a few steps away from your rental boat dockage. The grounds are freshly landscaped with comfortable outdoor furniture and gas grills strategically located for outdoors entertaining. Entertaining is the correct description, as the guests often join in creating feasts from their fresh catch of the day. Cozy nooks are available to those wishing to enjoy privacy under the tropical palm trees.

Captain Pip's rental fleet ranges from seventeen feet to 24 feet in length. Center consoles dominate the fleet, but a deck boat and a cuddy cabin are available. Several new boats have recently been added with new fuel-efficient engines. If you are a serious fisherman, opting for an upgrade to one of the fuel-efficient Cape Horns will save money. For those vacationers that just want to get out on the water, the assigned boats are fine for exploring the island waters.

If you are not an experienced boater, guides are on duty to take you fishing, snorkeling or sightseeing on the boat that comes with your room. Charter fishing packages are also available aboard Papa Pips, a 28-foot Topaz, or Pips 36, a 36 foot Bruell sport fisherman.

Whether an experience boater or novice, the Florida Safe Boating Course, available online at http://www.boat-ed.com/fl/fl_internet.htm is highly recommended. Added confidence in your boating skills will make you and Captain Pip's more comfortable.

The Marathon area has some of the most diverse fishing opportunities in the Keys. Offshore for Dolphin, Tuna and billfish; the reef for tasty snapper and grouper, the historic Seven Mile bridge for Tarpon and a mixed bag or the Florida Bay for Snapper, mackerel and a huge variety of others. Nearly everyday is fishable if you take advantage of the various options.

Snorkeling is not limited to the reef either. There is a variety of dive spots all around the island for underwater sight seeing or spear fishing. Chasing Florida lobster and stone crab is a popular pastime in the Keys. Marathon has many locations where divers can find a tasty reward for their efforts.

Successful fishermen may opt to have any of the local restaurants cook their catch or enjoy their own culinary efforts in their rooms. Porky's Bayside is on the Captain Pip's grounds serving up some fine bar-be-que and cook your catch recipes. In season, Porky's offers nightly entertainment along with the great food.

Captain Pip's Marina and hideaways offer relaxing accommodations in the heart of the Florida Keys. Join Barbara and John Maddox, the owners, for memorable tropical vacation. Be careful, Captain Pip's can be addictive. Their list of repeat vacationers grows every year.

Guides are also available for half days to show you how to safely navigate the local waters. Many guests enjoy a short boat handling review provided by the guides, should significant others may not share complete confidence in your boating prowess.

For more information see www.captainpips.com.