If you’re already thinking ahead to fall and winter vacations, there’s a good chance you’re thinking Florida. But for all the popularity of such cold-weather destinations as Miami Beach and Key West, there are plenty of others that offer similar fun-in-the-sun diversions, but are slightly off the beaten tourist track.Plus, there are those that offer an altogether different experience that defies the Jimmy Buffett-inspired, margarita-sipping Florida norm.
Cudjoe Key
Located between the Bacchanalian burg that is Key West and the more humdrum locale of Marathon, Cudjoe Key is a slice of the Florida Keys as they were intended to be. That is, a nature-lovers paradise that feels like an American version of a desolate Caribbean isle.
Wherever you go, you’re surrounded by water: the Atlantic Ocean to one side, the Gulf of Mexico to the other. But you’re not surrounded by crowds: Cudjoe has no real shopping center whatsoever. In fact, there’s barely much beyond houses and the occasional convenience store or run-down restaurant.
The focus here is on aquatic activity of all sorts: fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, you name it. But the best part is that if you’re still in search of a “scene,” be it bar-hopping or fine dining, Key West is still just an hour away.
Where to stay: You won’t find many formal accommodations (hotels, B&Bs) in Cudjoe. But you will find lots of vacation rentals. One good source: the Century 21 Prestige Realty Group (305-745-3340), which handles dozens of rental units within Venture Out, an oceanfront community with a huge pool and other amenities. It’s not particularly upscale, but the location can’t be beat.
Info: Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce (305-872-3411)
