Category Archives: Tranquility Bay
Stone Crab Contest just a few days away…
With Stone Crab Season officially under way, we’re really looking forward to this Saturday’s 2nd Annual Stone Crab Eating Contest, a celebration of that special delicacy that we all hold so dear. You’ve only got a few days left to register for this “tasty test of crab-consuming capacity,” sponsored by the Keys Fisheries Market & Marina. Just a short ride away from our Marathon, Florida hotel, this contest is worth leaving the room for.
Entrants must be 18 years or older (with apologies to your crab-loving toddler) and pay a $25.00 entrance fee, a small price for all the succulent claw meat you can consume.
The contest starts promptly at 1:00pm on Saturday, October 20th– so don’t wait until the last minute! Register now by emailing keys.fisheries@comcast.net or calling 305-743-4353.
Fishing Report for Marathon
Fall fishing continues to be great here in the Florida keys, with almost every charter coming back with a diverse group of species. There are lots of redfish, snook and cobia in the flats (great for the fly fishermen!) as well as a good number of fish in the back country. Kingfish have been giving excellent bite out on the reefs and wrecks, along with their little cousin the cero mackerel. Daytime swordfishing and black fin tuna have been quite productive, with charters reporting large numbers of football-sized tuna and the occasional big one on every trip. The low number of boats out on the water makes this time of year an especially great time to get out there and put some lines in the water– you’re practically guaranteed to find a high yield spot without anyone to share it with!
Our Marathon hotel is wonderfully situated near some of the best fishing charters around (if we do say so ourselves!) so don’t hesitate to ask our front desk agents to set you up with a half day, full day or shared charter. And remember, our kitchen is always happy to cook your catch just the way you like it! What more can you ask for?
Countdown to Stone Crab Season opener
Well, it’s official: our favorite fall activity is now just one week away. We’re talking, of course, about Stone Crab Season– officially open on October 15th — that beautiful time of year when experts and novices alike can take to the waters to search for the beautiful (and sustainable!) crabs whose tender, sweet claw meat is considered one of the great delicacies of the Florida Keys. This year’s opening week will also include a Claw Eating Contest, so interested parties are encouraged to start their training now (crab cakes for breakfast, anyone?) Registration for the contest can be completed at: http://www.keysfisheries.com/events/
Mark your calendars, the countdown has begun!
Turtle Hospital
We at Tranquility Bay Hotel are huge fans of Marathon’s Turtle Hospital, which works tirelessly to rehabilitate injured sea turtles while educating the public through outreach programs and tours of the rescue facility. Recently, The Turtle Hospital was fortunate to receive a pregnant Hawksbill sea turtle who was found severely injured in St. Croix, USVI. The staff worked tirelessly to save “Good Harbor,” named for the beach on which she was found, however the turtle’s ailments proved too critical to overcome and she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, October 2nd. However, a shining silver lining was announced: veterinarians at The Turtle Hospital were able to rescue a total of 58 eggs from Good Harbor, which have been put into incubation beneath transplanted sand from St. Croix. With any luck, staff at The Turtle Hospital may find themselves airlifting a generation of baby Good Hopes back to their homeland of Good Hope Beach, St. Croix. In the meantime, Marathon visitors are encouraged to stop by The Turtle Hospital, located at 2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL (MM 48.5) to take a tour of the facility and learn more about the hospital’s rescue efforts and outreach programs.
For more information, call (305) 743-2552.
Forecast Update for This Week in Marathon
In most places, the end of summer signifies a deep depression coupled with the arrival of worse weather. Here in the Keys, however, we love when fall is near; not only does it mean hurricane season is almost at an end, but it signifies the opening of a season of drier, less heartbreakingly-humid days and the return of all our tourist friends! Summer can be a bit of a lull around here, and we’re excited to get back to swingin’ fall and all its glory.
The transitional period can be a bit tricky, however, with the weather doing its best to keep us guessing. Rain clouds are scheduled to stick around this week, with intermittent sunshine throughout. Today and tomorrow look especially wet, with scheduled thunderstorms looking to come to a head by Tuesday afternoon and clear off for a bit of sun on Wednesday. Temperatures should hover in the manageable mid-80′s (we can’t say we’re sorry to see those 92-degree days go away!) and seas are expected to maintain a bit of a chop, with winds coming in between 8 and 12mph all week.
Have fun out there, be safe, and we’ll see you at the Tiki Bar!
Florida Keys Birding Festival Environmental Fair and Family Day!
Fishing Report for Marathon
Fall is the slow season for most fishing charters down here in the keys, with many locals choosing to go on vacation this time of year due to the lower number of visitors, but for those who are still around there is a bounty of good fishing available. The reduced numbers of anglers in the water means lower pressure on fish at the reefs and wrecks, with reports coming in that lots of yellowtail and mutton snapper are still available and biting well. In blue water there are increasing bites of cobia, sailfish and kingfish, with the occasional wahoo giving anglers the fight of their lives. Also keep in mind that the cooler water that comes with fall makes for great bonefishing, and on the higher tides keep an eye out for great permit and tarpon bites. While certainly not as busy as summer, fall is definitely an exciting time to get out there and put some lines in the water– so what are you waiting for? Talk to one of the front desk agents at Tranquility Bay to see which charter is right for you!
Weather Forecast for Marathon
It looks like the on-and-off rain we’ve been seeing around here is going to continue throughout the rest of the week. The forecast for the next 7 days is calling for scattered thunderstorms through Sunday, with intermittent periods of sunshine throughout the week. That means temperatures will continue to hover in the mid-80′s, a nice respite from the scorching heat we’ve been having all month!
Reasonably high winds at the beginning of the week are expected to slow a little towards the weekend, so start planning that fishing charter you’ve been thinking about. In the meantime, there’s plenty to do in Marathon when a little rain comes our way. Stop by the front desk for some family-friendly rainy day activity ideas!
Pirate Party Tonight!
Dust off your eye patch and shoulder your parrot: Cabana Breezes is hosting a Pirate Party!
The final evening event of this year’s Conchtoberfest is going to be a swashbuckling affair, with pirate-themed drinks, music, food and fun– all to benefit two wonderful causes, Save-a-Turtle and The Marathon Wild Bird Center.
Cabana Breezes is located at 401 Ocean Drive East, Key Colony Beach, Mile marker 54.
Conchtoberfest Continues…
Tonight’s themed Conchtoberfest event comes courtesy of Sparky’s Landing, where St. Patrick’s Day returns for an evening of great Irish-themed fun.
Enjoy all the trappings of your favorite March holiday– but in September! Featuring green beer, Irish whiskey, corned beef & cabbage and a festive set of music, this is one Conchtoberfest evening you won’t want to miss. Proceeds to benefit the Pigeon Key Foundation, a worthy cause.
Sparky’s Landing is located on Sadowski Causeway, Key Colony Beach. Mile marker 54.