SUN & WATER: A FLORIDA INSIDER’S TRAVEL GUIDE

From Orlando theme parks to the Florida Keys, polo fields, hidden beaches, and offshore fishing traditions

Introduction: Florida as a Collection of Worlds

Florida is not one destination—it is several layered into one state.

In a single trip, you can move from Disney fireworks to offshore marlin fishing, from polished resort dining in Orlando to barefoot beach bars in the Keys, from snorkeling coral reefs to watching polo matches in Wellington.

This guide collects years of practical travel notes, reservations, routes, and local favorites across Orlando, Fort Myers, the Florida Keys, and South Florida’s equestrian and polo country.

It is designed less as a brochure and more as a working field guide—built around experience, timing, and the places that consistently deliver.

CHAPTER 1 — ORLANDO: RESORTS, PARKS, AND FAMILY BASE CAMP

Getting There: Airfare & Timing

Airfare for three people was approximately $1,400 in August 2016 for December travel on United, reflecting peak holiday pricing patterns.

Car Rental Strategy

Two main approaches:

1. Costco + Alamo (Preferred Value Option)

  • Premium car rental: about $400 for 13 days (around 2023 pricing)
  • Historically around $1,300 in earlier years
  • Strong value when booked early through Costco travel

2. Membership Fast-Track Rentals

  • Budget or Hertz using personal membership programs
  • Useful when flexibility or upgrades are needed

Where to Stay: Caribe Royale Orlando

A long-time family base in Orlando:

  • Caribe Royale Orlando
  • Address: 8101 World Center Drive
  • Phone: 407-238-8000

Past stay example:

  • 2016: 2 nights for $360
  • Comparable suite pricing in 2023: approximately $225 per night

This property works well for:

  • Disney access
  • Spacious suites
  • Resort-style downtime between park days

Disney & Theme Park Strategy

Key priorities:

  • Disney parade or special event tickets
  • Discovery Cove snorkeling day experience
  • Visit Celebration, the planned Disney town:
    • Walkable shopping
    • Model community architecture
    • Scenic driving tours through residential areas

Dining Near Disney Springs

Raglan Road Irish Pub

Located in Disney Springs:

  • Fish and chips
  • Scallops
  • Irish beer selection
  • Live pub atmosphere

Discovery Cove

A signature Orlando experience:

  • Snorkeling in controlled reef environments
  • Dolphin encounters
  • Tropical lagoon experience

Surf & Water Sports Near Orlando

Surf Lessons & Parks

  • Disney Typhoon Lagoon surf experiences available through Disney programs

Best Nearby Surf Beaches

  • Cocoa Beach (~1 hour, ~$3 tolls)
    • Beginner-friendly waves
    • Cocoa Beach Pier area has softer surf
  • Satellite Beach / Melbourne
    • Better for intermediate to advanced surfers
    • Rock-bottom breaks
  • New Smyrna Beach
    • Most consistent surf in Florida
    • Reliable waves year-round

Surf Rentals

  • Cocoa Beach Surf Company (near Ron Jon’s)
  • Quiet Flight (preferred over Ron Jon’s)
  • Board rentals typically under $20/day

CHAPTER 2 — FORT MYERS & SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Local Food & Markets

Sun Harvest Citrus

  • 14601 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy
  • Fort Myers, FL
  • Known for citrus products and “orange ice cream”

Fleamasters Flea Market

  • Local shopping and produce sourcing

Restaurants & Dining

  • Fat Katz Sports & Bistro
    • 10080 Daniels International Court, Fort Myers
  • Skip One Seafood
    • 17650 San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
  • Sweet Melissa’s
    • Sanibel Island fine dining
  • Lido Beach Restaurant
    • Famous for grouper sandwiches and lobster rolls
  • The Salty Crab
  • Key Lime Shack
    • Fort Myers Beach favorites
  • Owens Fish Camp
    • Sarasota (516 Burns Lane, 941-951-6936)

Outdoor & Activities

  • Legends Country Club (bocce ball)
  • Englewood Beach (famous for shark teeth hunting)
  • Snook One Charters (Capt. Alan Hedstrom, 239-823-9775)

Shopping

  • Silver Eagle Florida (Native jewelry)
    • 850 5th Avenue South, Naples

CHAPTER 3 — THE FLORIDA KEYS: KEY LARGO TO KEY WEST

Key Largo: Diving & Snorkeling Base

Morning Star Charters

  • Small sailboat (max 6 people)
  • ~$75 per person (4-hour trip)
  • Focus: non-typical reef snorkeling

Key Largo Highlights

  • John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
    • First U.S. underwater preserve (1960)
    • Coral reef sanctuary zones
    • Excellent snorkeling and photography
  • African Queen boat (Bogart film history)
  • Conch House: conch fritters

Lodging

  • Ocean Pointe Suites (2-bedroom condos with kitchens)
  • Key Lime Sailing Club (hidden gem lodging)

Islamorada: Fishing Capital of the U.S.

Robbie’s Marina

  • Tarpon feeding experience
  • Admission ~$1
  • Fish buckets ~$3
  • Famous “Scarface” tarpon story (historic resident fish tradition)

Other Activities

  • Rain barrel art shops
  • Cheeca Spa
  • Catch-and-cook restaurants
  • Marina fish viewing (3–4 PM daily catch arrivals)
  • Island rentals and private stays

Marathon

  • Sombrero Beach
  • Turtle Hospital (turtle releases)
  • Aquarium Encounters
  • Dolphin Research Center (Grassy Key)
  • Stone crabs and Key West pink shrimp

Lower Keys

  • No Name Pub
  • Sugarloaf Marina kayaking
  • Mahi mahi fishing opportunities

Key West

Top Experiences

  • Conch Train tour
  • Hemingway House
  • Mallory Square sunset
  • Dry Tortugas / Fort Jefferson (Yankee Freedom ferry)
  • Sunset sailing (America 2.0)

Food Highlights

  • Key lime pie (including chocolate-dipped versions)

Travel Notes

  • Ft. Myers to Key West boat: ~3.5 hours, $125/person, 5-hour visit option
  • Driving: ~5 hours without stops

CHAPTER 4 — POLO & SOUTH FLORIDA EQUESTRIAN LIFE

Florida Polo Club Network

Major clubs include:

  • International Polo Club Palm Beach
  • Grand Champions Polo Club
  • Palm Beach Polo Club
  • Sarasota Polo Club
  • Vero Beach Polo
  • Everglades Polo Club
  • Wellington-based clubs (Escue, El Rey, Santa Clara, South Forty, etc.)

Wellington: Polo Headquarters

Dining

  • Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille (10880 Forest Hill Blvd)
  • Riggins Crabhouse (pier dining, Lantana)

Equestrian & Polo Shopping

  • US Polo Assn. store
  • Nano’s Mallets (Wellington)
  • DerDau (boots/leather goods)
  • The Tackeria (best polo ball pricing)
  • Polo Gear showroom (team discounts available)
  • Tato’s Mallets
  • La Martina store

Polo Venues

  • International Polo Club Palm Beach
  • Wellington polo barns and training facilities

Nearby Attractions

  • Lion Country Safari (drive-through wildlife park)

Hotels Near Polo Grounds

  • Royal Inn Hotel (Royal Palm Beach)
    • ~$134/night (2016)
    • Budget option near equestrian areas

CHAPTER 5 — FISHING & MARINE LIFE (STATEWIDE)

Deep Sea Fishing Culture

Florida’s offshore fishing includes:

  • Marlin
  • Mahi mahi
  • Tuna

Charter insights:

  • Experienced captains often matter more than boats
  • Early morning departures (3:00–6:00 AM common)
  • 8-hour trips recommended for success

Key Charter Operators

  • Die Hard (high-intensity early departures)
  • Action (value-focused)
  • Ho’okela (experienced captain reputation)
  • Start Me Up (fast, reliable boats)
  • Reel Lucky / Lucky Strike II
  • Hinatea, Kai Akua, No Problem, Desperado

Bottom Fishing Options

  • Strike Zone (includes lunch)
  • Marjorie Ann (4-hour private trips)
  • Hokua catamaran trips
  • Sunset fishing (Ho’okela)

CHAPTER 6 — TRAVEL NOTES & TRADITIONS

Across Florida trips, several recurring themes emerge:

  • Costco provisioning runs on arrival
  • Surf gear, liquor, and Christmas meal supplies
  • Holiday traditions (Santa photos, themed beachwear)
  • Banana bread, pie stops, and roadside food culture
  • Mixing structured resort days with spontaneous exploration

Conclusion: Florida as a Network of Experiences

Florida is not one story—it is many overlapping ones.

Orlando delivers structured entertainment and resorts. Fort Myers offers coastal seafood culture. The Keys provide diving, fishing, and slow-water living. Wellington represents equestrian tradition. And everywhere in between are beaches, markets, marinas, and local characters that define the state’s rhythm.

The best way to experience Florida is not to rush it—but to move between its worlds intentionally, letting each region reset the pace of the trip.

And like all great travel systems, the real value is not just in the destinations—but in the traditions that repeat each year.