By Shayne Benowitz

Shayne lifeguarding at the reef.

This afternoon on a snorkel trip to Sand Key, Brian and I were talking about all of the amazing things we had seen at the reef lately. Every day is gorgeous on the water, and some days are truly exceptional. Brian told me that he was seeing nurse sharks at the reef frequently. Almost every day when I lifeguard, I hear customers exclaim that they saw a shark. Usually, they are thrilled and compare their story with other members in their party. On occasion, customers swim back to the boat in a panic. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

A Fantasy Fest Float with a Presidential Mobile.

If you’ve never been to Key West during Fantasy Fest, it’s truly one of those things you should experience at least once… or in my case, three times, and for plenty others many more times than that. Parties are hosted all week at different bars around town all leading up to the Saturday night Fantasy Fest Parade. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

One of Shayne's crystal clear photographs capturing the joy of parasailing

Your boat is leaving the marina as your parasail mate explains to you that you’ll be flying in the air on 600 feet of line that will propel you into the heavens between 300 and 350 feet. The swift boat is cutting through the marina, skipping over wakes, and zooming away from the harbor. Your mate continues to explain how you should bend your knees and relax when it comes time for that dip in the water. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

Dubz striking a pose on the Atlantic Fury.

Keeping up with fashion in Key West is like nowhere else in the world. On a small island where we’re accustomed to eternal summer, we don’t take much notice to anything that doesn’t translate well on and off the water. At Fury, we have a few trendsetters shuffling along the docks, not to mention a Surf Shack at our check-in booth where you can scoop up the latest styles that these fashion-forward Fury mates rock. This is the first interview in a new semi-regular series “Fury Style File.” Our first subject is WJ, better known around town as “Dubz,” a Fury catamaran mate and skateboard designer. Read on to see how you can cop his funky rocker-meets-skater-punk style. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

Guests test their balance on the new Saturn.

As if an iceberg rock climbing wall, a water trampoline with a catapult, and a sea teeter-totter was not enough, Fury continues to outdo itself by adding a Saturn orbit to its inflatable, floating amusement park at Adventure Island.

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by Shayne Benowitz

Even those thankful to be living day in and day out on this easy-going island come down with a case of island fever occasionally. Sometimes that means its time to book a flight to the mainland, but often a quick fix can be found in a scenic drive up Highway-1. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

The Legacy recently recovered just offshore.

The Commotion on the Ocean is easily the most popular sunset cruise on the island for both locals and visitors alike. It is truly a one-of-a-kind trip. Aboard the Key West Fury, the newest catamaran in our fleet, you are treated to all you can drink of beer, wine, wine spritzers, champagne, and margaritas along with a smorgasbord of appetizers including chicken wings, meatballs, a cheese tray, a deli tray, and fresh vegetables. Best of all, though, is the live band playing all of your favorite covers as well as original songs led by Hog’s Breath Saloon’s talented Cory Heydon. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

Sunday morning, the Fury crew transformed into a 1950s surf movie as Nicole drove her surf wagon (we nicknamed her “Woody”) around the island picking up Captain Westy, Stephen, Captain Charlie, me, and four surfboards and cruised to South Street Beach to see if the strong south wind of Gustav’s aftermath was churning up the surf. Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

Parachute Pearl smiling away.

Captain Scotty and I flew a brand new state-of-the-art parachute on its maiden voyage today on the parasail boat. She stands out as one of a kind on the western horizon, smiling down at our passengers with her big bright eyes and pearly whites. We decided it would only be fitting to name her “Pearl.” Read the rest of this entry »

by Shayne Benowitz

Stephen running a line from the catamaran around a piling

In Key West at least, Fay felt like nothing more than a long, heavy downpour for most of Monday afternoon. Read the rest of this entry »