Headed to the Keys for Memorial Day weekend? Here are five things to know about the trip
Travel to the Florida Keys is an adventure. Whether you’re driving or flying, you’ll get a taste of paradise: the water, the bridges, the openness of it all. But when you get to your destination, or even along highway pit stops, you’ll need to know a few things.
Here is a guide to keeping safe while you take in the sights and enjoy the events on Memorial Day weekend.
1. DRIVING TIPS
The Overseas
Highway, the only major road through the island chain, is not a place to speed or text. You’re on one of the most famous, spectacular drives in the U.S. — but it’s also one of the most dangerous.
The speed limit is 55 mph, and in several places it’s 45. At night, the speed limit on Big Pine Key drops to 35 mph to protect the endangered Key deer that roam about.
Most of the road is two lanes. Passing is limited. And while the scenery is divine, it comes with distractions.
This is a rural area and the Keys have only three hospitals from Key Largo to Key West. You don’t want to wind up in one of them, or worse, airlifted to a Miami trauma center.
About passing: It’s dangerous and largely futile. Impatient drivers can blow past a few cars thinking they’re way ahead of the game, only to eventually find themselves at the same traffic light.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times for traffic in the Keys. Expect the longest delays heading into the Keys on Friday and leaving on Sunday. And on any weekend day, you can bank on tie-ups along U.S. 1 in the five-island Village of Islamorada, from mile markers 90 to 72.6.
Keep in mind that U.S. 1 will be heavily patrolled over the holiday stretch by Monroe sheriff’s deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. The sheriff’s office said it is assigning extra deputies to patrol this weekend looking for speeding and reckless driving, illegal passing and drunk or high drivers.
And before you go: Download the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office app to keep up with traffic delays and any crash reports. It’s available on Apple and Google Play.
2. ON THE WATER
Expect heavier-thannormal law enforcement on the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico this week and weekend.
Deputies assigned to marine patrol and officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be on the water looking for unsafe boating practices, especially drunk boating.
It isn’t illegal to drink alcohol on a boat or have open containers, but boating while drunk or high — just like driving a car — is illegal.
Police ask that you designate a sober driver to get everyone back to the dock safely.
3. WHAT’S THE WEATHER FORECAST?
The preliminary forecast for the Florida Keys this weekend looks good for boaters and beachgoers, with much lighter winds and flatter seas than in recent days, said Jonathan Rizzo, coordinating meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Key West.
Expect the occasional rain shower or thunderstorm, but a washout during any of the three days is unlikely, Rizzo said. Still, people spending time on the water need a weather band radio that will alert them to changing conditions.
“Keep a weather eye on the sky if you’re out there boating, and make sure you have your flotation devices and life jackets and be ready to head for port should thunderstorms approach,” Rizzo said.
Otherwise, it’s expected to be mostly calm on the water, with one- to two-foot seas outside the reef and inshore seas one foot or less — with light winds, Rizzo said.
It’s fast approaching summer, which means temperatures in the Keys will be in the high 80s and low 90s just about every day from now until around October. The heat index this weekend, how it really feels, is expected to be 95 to 98.
“Make sure you keep hydrated and wear a hat and cover up from the ultraviolets from the sun,” Rizzo said.
4. WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WEEKEND? Upper Keys
The Matecumbe Historical Trust:
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It’s scheduled to hold its annual Memorial Day Service at 9 a.m. Monday at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument, mile marker 81.8 on the ocean side of the highway. The monument honors the victims of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, many of whom were World War I veterans. Guest speakers expected include District 120 state Rep. Jim Mooney, Monroe County Mayor David Rice and Islamorada Mayor Henry Rosenthal, who plans to give a brief history of the monument. Barbara Edgar, president of the Historical Trust, will make the introduction and invocation.
The 24th annual
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Afro Roots Fest: It comes to the Florida
Keys Brewing Co. in Islamorada at mile marker 81 on Saturday and Sunday. Johnny Dread and Javier García play at 6 p.m. Saturday. At 4 p.m. Sunday, it’s the nine-piece Latin funk band Suenalo and the Bad Apples Brass Band. Admission is free.
Marathon
Sombrero Beach:
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Spend some time at the beach that offers views of the ocean, picnic spaces and volleyball courts. It’s off U.S. 1 at mile marker 50. Turn onto Sombrero Beach Road toward the ocean and it’s at the end of the
road.
Key West
Custom House Museum:
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Key West turned 200 this year. The island’s people, culture and community over the centuries are captured in the “Key West 200” exhibit at the museum, 281 Front St. The Key West Art and Historical Society’s exhibit includes sponging equipment, cigar roller tables and tools, clothing, journals and photographs.
5. WHAT ARE SOME MUST-SEE SPOTS?
Upper Keys
Robbie’s Marina of
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Islamorada: Robbie’s, at mile marker 77.5, has charter fishing trips, parasailing and boat and kayak rentals along with a restaurant and open-air market. But it’s the chance to feed tarpon by hand at Robbie’s that makes it a classic Keys roadside attraction.
Middle Keys
Crane Point Hammock:
● Walk the trails and boardwalks at this nature center at 5550 Overseas Highway in Marathon. There are four butterfly gardens, a lagoon and museum.
Key West
Sunset Celebration:
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Watch the sunset at Mallory Square. The daily Sunset Celebration, a mini-festival of stunt performers, vendors and musicians, starts about two hours before sunset at the waterfront square and ends soon after sunset.