lies south of the FL Keys Inside Route, south-southeast of Jewfish Hole’s unlighted daybeacon #1X (note that marker #1X is NOT part of the main channel)
UPDATE!!!! Ok, the new manager called corporate and apparently they will allow live aboards (although they do not have a POUT station. Also, ref fuel, they have installed a 2500 gal tank (gas only) above the docks, it is on the other side of the road and is not functional yet. Most importantly, I finally ran down pricing. You sort of have to point it out, repeatedly, but apparently you can stay here for $12 per foot if you stay for a month. For my boat, that comes to around $450 plus a $100 electric and water fee. For this time of year and with the amenities this properties offers, I think that is reasonable. At any rate, it beats the crap out of $1800 a month:) Hope to see you soon, Knee Deep Somewhere John and Sally M/V Knee Deep
The original post on this marina is no longer entirely accurate. Charmaine is closer to the mark. I am here right now and I love the place, in fact I am applying for the harbormaster position. First, the positive aspects…the property itself is very nice and well maintained. They just got about a dozen brand new “cottages” in various pastel colors which are actually small cubeular trailers. The primary use of the property is RV and tent camping sites. There are now 2 small stores which for lack of a better description carry most anything you would want in an RV park. They also carry frozen bait and have live shrimp at the store located in front of the docks as there are many people who launch runabouts for day fishing here. There is also a large fish cleaning station. The staff is indeed very hospitable and the restaurant is pretty good. Shawn seems to be the main chef while awaiting Alice to get back to 100% after knee surgery. The restrooms and showers are always clean, which is kind of odd since I never actually see anyone cleaning them:) There is a large SHELL sign at the docks which would lead you to believe there is fuel, but such is not the case, they have even removed the pumps since I was last here. Ok, not to be negative, but by way of information, every place has certain drawbacks. In the case of Fiesta Key, which is probably my favorite place to hang out in the keys, at the top of the list has got to be price. The original description for this marina states $1.50 per foot per night. May I say both “no” and “way”. Allow me to elaborate. That may have been true back in 2008 at the time of that post and when KOA owned the property, but about a year ago, give or take, some company called Morgan Properties (I think that’s it) bought the place. I do not know anything about the company but they obviously do not specialize in marinas or resort campgrounds. That would not be a bad thing if they would allow the onsite manager to make the decisions, but apparently they can’t even take a leak without consulting with New York first. Now, back to pricing…Sally and I live aboard the 38 foot steel hull Benford Tug “Knee Deep”. This summer when I was here, the previous manager, well, kicked us out stating that “corporate” had decreed that they would no longer allow live aboards on the property, which is somewhat amusing since the main difference between an RV and a boat is that one of them floats:) At any rate, during that trip they could never decide what to charge us, all of the rates being exhorbitant. One day it would be $85, the next $65, the next $75, then back to $85, etc. It was almost as if the office had a dartboard that they threw a dart into every morning to decide the rate. This time, with a new manager (nice guy by the way), my rate has been $61 per night. BTW, the new manager is going to call NY tomorrow to see if there is a rule about live aboards. Still, if you think about it, as nice as it is, this is a campground and $61 a night comes to over $1800 a month which makes staying for an extended period of time cost prohibitive for most of us. Other than the fact that the bean counters in NY are trying to micromanage and pricing themselves out of the market, I can’t actually think of another downside. The pricing is the key, anyone who knows about the Keys knows that Nov. 1 begins the “high” season. Right this minute (Nov.4) I would estimate that the property is at about 15-20% capacity, and that is on the weekend! One last thing, if you want to come here, which I reccommend, don’t try it with more than about a 4 foot draft. Come strait in, DO NOT try to cut the corners. For about a 1/4 mile out on either side the water is about 3 ft and sometimes less. I have actually run my dingy aground, and it is not sand, it is rocky. This place is well worth it, I highly reccommend this marina. I will let you know what I find out about liveaboards:) Knee Deep Somewhere, John and Sally M/V Knee Deep
We have stayed here several times. Always enjoy the friendly staff and lovely surroundings. Spent much of our visit 3 years ago, watching a 300+ lb sea turtle in the inlet to the marina. He came and went at his leisure on a daily basis, as did my husband and myself. A cool place to hang out for a few days or weeks away from the cold weather in Virginia. Dot Dalton
May 6th, 2009 Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park & Campground MM 70, Long Key Florida Keys 24° 51.061 N 80° 47.749W by Charmaine Smith Ladd On Long Key, amidst 28 acres of lush tropical trees and foliage, is a little known place (formerly a KOA Campground) called Fiesta Key. You would think yourself in the Bahamas as you look around at the quaint, brightly colored island setting with the laid-back charm. Touting a small marina (jet ski rentals too) and ship’s store, an Olympic-sized fresh-water swimming pool, hot tubs, motel rooms, waterfront bar and grill, internet access, two complete laundry facilities and much, much more, Fiesta Key is a great place to go for a not-so-far-away getaway. The marina is for very small boats only. However, immediately west of Fiesta Key, one can anchor at semi-protected Jewfish Hole. A fair-weather anchorage in the winter, Jewfish Hole offers good year-round protection from the East and Northeast (via the shallows outlining Fiesta Key). The good folks at Fiesta Key are quite hospitable. They were so nice to us as they allowed us to dispose of our trash, gave us access to potable water, and were extremely gracious in every way. Our dinner there was very reasonably priced, delicious and served with a smile. The people working at Fiesta Key like their jobs and it shows! Just let them know you’re anchored out and what you need. Their fees are nominal and their warmth genuine. Having access to the amenities of Fiesta Key and knowing that its staff is both friendly and helpful sure gives a new twist to the anchoring out experience. When is the last time you anchored out and were able to get all your laundry done all the while with an ice cold beer in hand and an eye on the Marlins game? Fiesta Key is a wonderful escape from the hustle of marina and mooring life to a quiet anchorage with all the anchoring space for as much solitude one could ever want…yet also offers you a taste of the nightlife, dinner out, and all the social minglings if you so desire. It’s all there for you at Jewfish Hole Anchorage and Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park, and Campground. Charmaine Smith Ladd, SSECN’s Regional Correspondent for the Florida Keys, bringing you “The Low Down from Down Low.”
Reviews from Cruisers (4)
UPDATE!!!! Ok, the new manager called corporate and apparently they will allow live aboards (although they do not have a POUT station. Also, ref fuel, they have installed a 2500 gal tank (gas only) above the docks, it is on the other side of the road and is not functional yet.
Most importantly, I finally ran down pricing. You sort of have to point it out, repeatedly, but apparently you can stay here for $12 per foot if you stay for a month. For my boat, that comes to around $450 plus a $100 electric and water fee. For this time of year and with the amenities this properties offers, I think that is reasonable. At any rate, it beats the crap out of $1800 a month:) Hope to see you soon,
Knee Deep Somewhere
John and Sally
M/V Knee Deep
The original post on this marina is no longer entirely accurate. Charmaine is closer to the mark. I am here right now and I love the place, in fact I am applying for the harbormaster position. First, the positive aspects…the property itself is very nice and well maintained. They just got about a dozen brand new “cottages” in various pastel colors which are actually small cubeular trailers. The primary use of the property is RV and tent camping sites. There are now 2 small stores which for lack of a better description carry most anything you would want in an RV park. They also carry frozen bait and have live shrimp at the store located in front of the docks as there are many people who launch runabouts for day fishing here. There is also a large fish cleaning station.
The staff is indeed very hospitable and the restaurant is pretty good. Shawn seems to be the main chef while awaiting Alice to get back to 100% after knee surgery. The restrooms and showers are always clean, which is kind of odd since I never actually see anyone cleaning them:) There is a large SHELL sign at the docks which would lead you to believe there is fuel, but such is not the case, they have even removed the pumps since I was last here.
Ok, not to be negative, but by way of information, every place has certain drawbacks. In the case of Fiesta Key, which is probably my favorite place to hang out in the keys, at the top of the list has got to be price. The original description for this marina states $1.50 per foot per night. May I say both “no” and “way”. Allow me to elaborate. That may have been true back in 2008 at the time of that post and when KOA owned the property, but about a year ago, give or take, some company called Morgan Properties (I think that’s it) bought the place. I do not know anything about the company but they obviously do not specialize in marinas or resort campgrounds. That would not be a bad thing if they would allow the onsite manager to make the decisions, but apparently they can’t even take a leak without consulting with New York first. Now, back to pricing…Sally and I live aboard the 38 foot steel hull Benford Tug “Knee Deep”. This summer when I was here, the previous manager, well, kicked us out stating that “corporate” had decreed that they would no longer allow live aboards on the property, which is somewhat amusing since the main difference between an RV and a boat is that one of them floats:) At any rate, during that trip they could never decide what to charge us, all of the rates being exhorbitant. One day it would be $85, the next $65, the next $75, then back to $85, etc. It was almost as if the office had a dartboard that they threw a dart into every morning to decide the rate. This time, with a new manager (nice guy by the way), my rate has been $61 per night. BTW, the new manager is going to call NY tomorrow to see if there is a rule about live aboards. Still, if you think about it, as nice as it is, this is a campground and $61 a night comes to over $1800 a month which makes staying for an extended period of time cost prohibitive for most of us. Other than the fact that the bean counters in NY are trying to micromanage and pricing themselves out of the market, I can’t actually think of another downside. The pricing is the key, anyone who knows about the Keys knows that Nov. 1 begins the “high” season. Right this minute (Nov.4) I would estimate that the property is at about 15-20% capacity, and that is on the weekend!
One last thing, if you want to come here, which I reccommend, don’t try it with more than about a 4 foot draft. Come strait in, DO NOT try to cut the corners. For about a 1/4 mile out on either side the water is about 3 ft and sometimes less. I have actually run my dingy aground, and it is not sand, it is rocky.
This place is well worth it, I highly reccommend this marina. I will let you know what I find out about liveaboards:)
Knee Deep Somewhere,
John and Sally
M/V Knee Deep
We have stayed here several times. Always enjoy the friendly staff and lovely surroundings. Spent much of our visit 3 years ago, watching a 300+ lb sea turtle in the inlet to the marina. He came and went at his leisure on a daily basis, as did my husband and myself. A cool place to hang out for a few days or weeks away from the cold weather in Virginia.
Dot Dalton
May 6th, 2009
Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park & Campground
MM 70, Long Key
Florida Keys
24° 51.061 N 80° 47.749W
by Charmaine Smith Ladd
On Long Key, amidst 28 acres of lush tropical trees and foliage, is a little known place (formerly a KOA Campground) called Fiesta Key. You would think yourself in the Bahamas as you look around at the quaint, brightly colored island setting with the laid-back charm.
Touting a small marina (jet ski rentals too) and ship’s store, an Olympic-sized fresh-water swimming pool, hot tubs, motel rooms, waterfront bar and grill, internet access, two complete laundry facilities and much, much more, Fiesta Key is a great place to go for a not-so-far-away getaway.
The marina is for very small boats only. However, immediately west of Fiesta Key, one can anchor at semi-protected Jewfish Hole. A fair-weather anchorage in the winter, Jewfish Hole offers good year-round protection from the East and Northeast (via the shallows outlining Fiesta Key).
The good folks at Fiesta Key are quite hospitable. They were so nice to us as they allowed us to dispose of our trash, gave us access to potable water, and were extremely gracious in every way. Our dinner there was very reasonably priced, delicious and served with a smile. The people working at Fiesta Key like their jobs and it shows!
Just let them know you’re anchored out and what you need. Their fees are nominal and their warmth genuine.
Having access to the amenities of Fiesta Key and knowing that its staff is both friendly and helpful sure gives a new twist to the anchoring out experience. When is the last time you anchored out and were able to get all your laundry done all the while with an ice cold beer in hand and an eye on the Marlins game?
Fiesta Key is a wonderful escape from the hustle of marina and mooring life to a quiet anchorage with all the anchoring space for as much solitude one could ever want…yet also offers you a taste of the nightlife, dinner out, and all the social minglings if you so desire. It’s all there for you at Jewfish Hole Anchorage and Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park, and Campground.
Charmaine Smith Ladd, SSECN’s Regional
Correspondent for the Florida Keys,
bringing you “The Low Down from Down Low.”