{"id":37495,"date":"2015-09-28T13:22:19","date_gmt":"2015-09-28T18:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=37495"},"modified":"2017-04-13T17:05:41","modified_gmt":"2017-04-13T22:05:41","slug":"island-hopping-florida-keys-by-seaplane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/island-hopping-florida-keys-by-seaplane\/","title":{"rendered":"Island-hop the Florida Keys by seaplane"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine no traffic, no crowds and no noise\u2014except the soft buzzing of a propeller and untamed gusts of wind. Wild blue waters rise and fall with each breath the Gulf of Mexico takes. You’re soaring about 500 feet above the Florida Keys<\/a> island chain. Various forms of sea life bob and weave\u00a0through the waves: hammerheads, giant sea turtles, roly-poly\u00a0manatees and tiny, silver-crested fish. Well, they look tiny from your perch inside a seaplane, but they’re actually five-feet long tarpon.<\/p>\n

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That’s just another day in the life of pilots Julie Ann Floyd and\u00a0Nikali Pontecorvo, co-owners of Key West Seaplanes<\/a>.\u00a0\u201cEvery single day I soak it in,” says Julie. “It\u2019s a daily escape from the ground below. So peaceful and quiet. Just the water, wind and the seaplane.\u201d<\/p>\n

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You’ve done the South Beach party scene and you’ve completed the ultimate road trip down to the Keys<\/a>. Now it’s time for a new vantage point, one you can’t see from the highway.<\/p>\n

Pack your bags, we’re going island-hopping around the Florida Keys by seaplane…<\/p>\n

Key Biscayne<\/h4>\n

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Technically Key Biscayne<\/a> isn’t\u00a0part of the Florida Keys, but it’s a great place to start because it’s only 15 miles from Miami International Airport. And\u00a0unlike the rest of the action-packed city of Miami<\/a>, the island of Key Biscayne exudes a more tranquil vibe. Now you’re officially on island time.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong>: The Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne<\/a> is a luxurious beachfront resort with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. And because of it’s proximity to the Crandon Park Tennis Center<\/a>, this hotel\u00a0is where all the great pro tennis players like to stay every year\u00a0during the Miami Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where to Dine<\/strong>:\u00a0You won’t have to go far for casual Mexican food, a collection of 110 types of tequila and drop-dead gorgeous beach views. Cantina Beach<\/a> is located on-site at The Ritz. Nearby, 100% Natural<\/a> offers tasty, health-conscious options including fresh-squeezed juice. For excellent Indian food, check out Ayesha<\/a>\u00a0at the Galleria Shopping Center across from the Key Biscayne Library.<\/p>\n

Where to Play<\/strong>: You have two impressive stretches of sand to choose from: Crandon Park Beach<\/a> and\u00a0Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park<\/a>. Sit back and soak up some sun, go\u00a0stand-up paddle boarding, or for the truly adventurous, try kite-boarding. Climb up\u00a0the Cape Florida Lighthouse and the panoramic vistas from the top will literally take your breath away. The lighthouse (pictured above) is open at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.<\/p>\n

Seaplane Pick-up\/Drop Off Point<\/strong>: After a few days enjoying the sand and surf on Key Biscayne, meet up with Julie and Nikali at No Name Harbor, which is tucked inside the southwest edge of\u00a0Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. There’s a waterfront restaurant there called Boater’s Grill<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related: Here’s how to book a stunning Mediterranean cruise 2016.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Islamorada<\/h4>\n

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While most seaplane adventures will likely include a stop in Key Largo<\/a> (and we definitely recommend doing so!), we’re focusing on Islamorada<\/a> because it’s currently undergoing a creative renaissance. The\u00a0sleepy fishing village is blossoming into a thriving community driven by a group of local entrepreneurs. And it’s the picture-perfect backdrop for the hit Netflix show, Bloodline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong>: The brand new\u00a0Amara Cay Resort<\/a>\u00a0is an upscale boutique property located directly on the water in Islamorada. It\u00a0was formerly a budget-friendly\u00a0Hampton Inn, but\u00a0the new owners hired the talented Malcolm Berg and his architecture firm, EoA<\/a>, to execute\u00a0an impressive multi-million dollar renovation. Or check out the new and improved Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle<\/a>. Both properties are sporting excellent new face lifts.<\/p>\n

Where to Dine<\/strong>:\u00a0Oltremare Ristorante<\/a> at Amara Cay is the perfect spot for a romantic Italian dinner. Other new, must-try restaurants in the area include\u00a0oo-tray<\/a>\u00a0(a whiskey bar and gastropub),\u00a0Bad Boy Burrito<\/a>\u00a0(originally a Key West outpost) and Chef Michael’s<\/a> (owned by\u00a0Executive Chef Michael Ledwith).<\/p>\n

Where to Play<\/strong>: Reenact your favorite scenes from Bloodline at\u00a0Anne\u2019s Beach<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Long Key State Park<\/a>\u00a0— both locations appeared on the TV series. And head over to the colorful tasting room at the brand new\u00a0Florida Keys Brewing Co.<\/a>\u00a0for a tasty local beer and live music.<\/p>\n

Seaplane Pick-up\/Drop Off Point<\/strong>: Once you’ve adequately re-introduced yourself to the new and improved village of Islamorada, hitch a ride with Julie and Nikali at the dock at the Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Little Palm Island<\/h4>\n

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Let us introduce you to one of the most luxurious and unique islands in the country. There are no televisions and no telephones on this resort island\u00a0situated off of Little Torch Key and Big Pine Key in the lower section of the island chain.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong>: There’s only one place to stay and believe us when we say that it’s a showstopper. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa<\/a> is a collection of romantic bungalow suites that are only accessible by boat or, in your case, seaplane. Because words can’t even begin to describe this enchanting place,watch the video below from VISIT FLORIDA<\/a>.<\/p>\n