Runoff and spills have periodically resulted in high levels of fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria in the Florida Keys, resulting in swimming advisories for nearshore waters and beaches.
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Calusa Beach is another popular option in the Keys. It's located within Bahia Honda State Park, between Big Pine Key and Marathon, on the Gulf side, which means its waters are sheltered and calm. The gentle Gulf is great for families with children who want to swim.
The crime rate is low on the islands (maybe because the bad guys have nowhere to go), though most crimes are perpetrated against tourists. The usual precautions, such as locking your car doors, keeping valuables out of sight, and awareness of your surroundings, contribute to tourist safety.
Are there Sharks in the Florida Keys? You bet. It is common to catch nurse sharks while fishing on the flats. These bottom dwellers are generally docile and will only act defensively if provoked, so if you see one out snorkeling or diving there is no need for alarm as long as you do not disturb it.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean—including Key West—runs from June to November. While we're fans of Caribbean off-season travel, even during fall months like October, you should expect plenty of afternoon showers this time of year. You also face heightened risk of having your trip disrupted by a major storm.
The Keys don't have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore.
August is the hottest month in Key West, with average temperatures ranging from an average high of 91 to a low of 81 degrees. The humidity is also quite high, with plenty of rainfall. For those sensitivy to humidity and weary of rain, August is probably the worst time to visit Key West.
We see a number of different types of sharks in Key Largo, mainly Reef Sharks, Nurse sharks and some Bull sharks. There are however visitors to our shores that are a little larger.