We go to the Key Largo Marriott Resort every year or two. Its not really high end for a resort, but they have a small beach area - no waves and seaweed - but we get paddle boards or kayaks from a place right on site and have a good time. The pool is really nice, kids love it. There is a place to swim with dolphins nearby, a restaurant and bar on site. And its not too far down the keys so an easy drive from the airports. And its small so the kids can run around and we can keep track of them easily.

There are a few resorts in Islamorada that are kid friendly and it’s a good jump Off point to go to key largo or Bahia Honda.

Anonymous wrote:Once I took my daughter to Key West for a vacation, we stayed in a nice motel on the water, went out to check out the pool and were somewhat surprised to find lots of men sunbathing nude on the pool deck. So unless this is what you want your kids to see you might want to inquire when making a reservation if the lodging is frequented by a lot of nude people.

OMG! I would have been surprised as well. Educational, I guess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP didn't actually say the word "beach" so not sure why everyone is jumping to conclusions. It's true the beaches are not the reason one goes to the Keys, which are made of coral, not sand (that said, there is a beach at Bahia Honda).

One goes to the Keys for the scenery, boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, nature, snorkeling, etc.

I have never been with kids so no opinion on which has the most activities for them but personally I feel like Key West had the most options all around for things to do. That said, our best snorkel experiences were in Key Largo (Pennekamp) and Bahia Honda.

+1. We took our two kids under age 5 to the Everglades and then continued and saw a lot of other nature sights-a bird sanctuary, Theater of the Sea (tiny Seaworld type place). You can swim with the dolphins or turtles if desired. We kayaked with my older child from a beach which was rocky, but pretty.

We rented a pretty house in Islamorada. No naked adults-just kids and some nice pools and beautiful sunsets.

Anonymous wrote:OP didn't actually say the word "beach" so not sure why everyone is jumping to conclusions. It's true the beaches are not the reason one goes to the Keys, which are made of coral, not sand (that said, there is a beach at Bahia Honda).

One goes to the Keys for the scenery, boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, nature, snorkeling, etc.

I have never been with kids so no opinion on which has the most activities for them but personally I feel like Key West had the most options all around for things to do. That said, our best snorkel experiences were in Key Largo (Pennekamp) and Bahia Honda.

+1. We took our two kids under age 5 to the Everglades and then continued and saw a lot of other nature sights-a bird sanctuary, Theater of the Sea (tiny Seaworld type place). You can swim with the dolphins or turtles if desired. We kayaked with my older child from a beach which was rocky, but pretty.

Anonymous wrote:We loved Key Largo. There is a state park where you can snorkle and take snorkeling boats. We rented a house on the water that had a pool and tons of toys- fishing gear, nets, paddling boards, kayaks......... We took a day trip to Key West. We went to one of the big hotels for the day and used their beach and rented other types of boats (Hilton or Hyatt??).

Plenty of restaurants and a nearby grocery store.

Wait, you drove the 100 miles from Key Largo all the way down to Key West and spent your day at a Hilton? 100 miles for a Hilton when in Key West?

Anonymous wrote:I have never been - what is wrong with the beaches? The water is warm, right? Can you access it? Can you walk on the "beach" - or is there no sand? I am trying to picture what the problem is. Thanks

No there is no walking on the beach. The kids will hate it and you won't be able to do anything that is actually fun with the kids in tow. People are drunk, loud, and quite often naked. With that said, I LOVE key west, but haven't actually been on the "beach" there.

Anonymous wrote:The choices are a bit overwhelming. I'm leaning towards Key West since that is where the action is.

Suggestions?

Absolutely NOT. I go there about 3xs a year and there is the occasional child I see around town and I just wonder WHO are these people who bring their kids to Key West.

I take my kids to Siesta Key. I leave the southern keys to the adults. My kids really like to swim and the southern keys are not good for the beach at all.

Anonymous wrote:I have never been - what is wrong with the beaches? The water is warm, right? Can you access it? Can you walk on the "beach" - or is there no sand? I am trying to picture what the problem is. Thanks

its all rocks, there is no big sandy beach. At all. Anywhere.

We take our kids to Key West every year and the love it. There are endless activities there for kids. Here is a list of our favorites:

--fishing
--snorkeling
--riding bikes around
--Mallory Square street performers at sunset
--taking the boat to Sunset Key for a fancy dinner at Latitudes
--brunch at Blue Heaven
--Exploring Fort Zachary and sometimes snorkeling right off the beach there
--Key West Aquarium
--Visiting Hemingway House
--Climbing Key West lighthouse
--kayaking around the mangroves

We also recently went and did the Escape Room on the de-commissioned Coast Guard boat (so fun!) and took a sand-sculpting workshop.

Key West is really fun and there is a lot to do. I would recommend a hotel with a pool (Casa Marina if you have the dough). It's true that the beaches aren't great, but I'm not much of a beach person anyway.

OP didn't actually say the word "beach" so not sure why everyone is jumping to conclusions. It's true the beaches are not the reason one goes to the Keys, which are made of coral, not sand (that said, there is a beach at Bahia Honda).

One goes to the Keys for the scenery, boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, nature, snorkeling, etc.

I have never been with kids so no opinion on which has the most activities for them but personally I feel like Key West had the most options all around for things to do. That said, our best snorkel experiences were in Key Largo (Pennekamp) and Bahia Honda.

Anonymous wrote:I have never been - what is wrong with the beaches? The water is warm, right? Can you access it? Can you walk on the "beach" - or is there no sand? I am trying to picture what the problem is. Thanks

Floridian here. The Keys don"t really have beaches. Too much erosion. They are great if you have a boat. Love Key Largo for its snorkeling and Key West for its boozy port town vibe. The Keys are an experience, but not beachy.

I have never been - what is wrong with the beaches? The water is warm, right? Can you access it? Can you walk on the "beach" - or is there no sand? I am trying to picture what the problem is. Thanks

Agree with the previous posters. Beaches aren't great.

I had a great time at Hawks Cay, but that was more about the resort itself and not the Keys. There aren't really beaches so if that is your thing, I'm sure other parts of FL are better. Hawks Cay hasn't reopened yet since the hurricane