The Degroots have some excellent suggestions for enjoying Key West during the holidays, both on and off the water.

The “walk to town” marinas are in the Key West Bight. We stayed at the Galleon Resort and Marina for a month. Plenty of room except for New Years eve. Galleon is the only marina with floating docks in the bight. Only place with a small beach next to the outdoor bar. Galleon is also a timeshare so if you have friends coming down they can stay there as well. I think the Hyatt is next to that and they have great holiday buffets. The folks at A&B Marina (fixed docks, most without finger piers) next door aren’t particularly fond of the racing sailboats or race week so you can most likely get a slip there. Again, New Year’s is tricky. This bight itself is a “happening place.” But you really do need to chill out a while before you amble over to Schooners. The dog sits on a bar stool and drinks beer from a mug, but the bands are great – if you get my drift. If you’re there over New Year’s. They lower a wench from the yard arm to count down the seconds before midnight. There are three or so other marinas in the bight. Just keep in mind you need to make reservations well in advance. The marinas up closer to the mouth of the bight are a bit more on the rolly side (you’re sideways to the opening. Lots of traffic including tour boats. Go for a monthly rate. Even if you only stay a couple weeks, it’s still less expensive. Have fun, we did.
Bob & Kemba DeGroot Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Galleon Marina

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For A and B Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Key West Bight