Sailing to the crystal clear reef.

By Shayne Benowitz

It’s hard to believe, but this time next week it will be the beginning of a long Labor Day Weekend and the official end of summer. I know, I know, don’t get too depressed! No one likes it when summer ends, right? Well, we’ve all got one more weekend to really live it up.

Of course, in Key West we exist in a state of perpetual summer. Maybe you can enjoy Labor Day with us at Fury or maybe we’ll just see you in the fall. Either way, it’s time to toast to the end of a long, hot summer. What have you got planned? Family picnics or BBQs? A quick escape to the beach?

At Fury, it will be business as usual—or perhaps, more than usual. We’re gearing up for a busy weekend of water sports, and of course, we’d love to see you aboard our fleet.

The Ultimate Adventure is by far the most popular trip and the greatest value. It’s the perfect Labor Day package: Key West snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, inflatable water park, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and all you can drink. That pretty much says it all!

If you’re looking for a quick escape, join us on one of our snorkel trips departing three times daily: 9:30am, 1pm, and 5pm. This is an absolute “Must-Do” in Key West. It would be embarrassing to be this close to the third largest coral reef system in the world and not set out to explore it.

If you’d prefer an aerial view of our island paradise, then the calming thrill of Key West parasailing is for you. Trips depart every hour on the hour from 9am to 5pm. Yep, for some of us that’s the daily grind!

And of course, don’t miss a single sunset while you’re here, and make sure you catch it on the water at least one night. We’ve got a classic champagne sunset sail or a little bit of rock n roll with the Commotion on the Ocean featuring a great live band, appetizers, and margaritas.

Either way, we hope you and your family have a wonderful Labor Day and we hope to see you on the water in Key West soon!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.

A view of Adventure Island from the parasail boat.

by Shayne Benowitz

With Keys kids heading back to school tomorrow and Labor Day right around the corner, the end of summer is creeping near. I remember that anxious feeling as a kid and still get it to this day. Somehow, fall will always feel like the start of a new year. If you’re like me, you’ll want to squeeze in one last summer hurrah before it’s officially over.

Lately, the Ultimate Adventure has been packed with families enjoying their summer vacations—and for good reason. It’s tons of fun and an excellent value for a big brood. Children under age five are free and ages 6-12 are half off of the adult $139 admission price. Book with a sales agent in Key West and we’ll throw in a free sunset sail for the whole family.

So, what are you getting for this great price? A full day of fun in the sun! The trip departs daily at 10am and a continental breakfast awaits with fresh fruit, mini bagels, muffins, danishes, yogurt, and OJ. Before you know it, we’ll be whisking you reefbound where you’ll enjoy a full hour snorkeling at the third largest barrier reef in the world. And let me tell you, the visibility and clarity has been unreal lately. The water is so inviting!

After your snorkel session, we’ll set sail towards Adventure Island and serve a full lunch spread: fried chicken, cold cut sandwiches, potato salad, cookies and more! Once you arrive, you’ll be rotated through a smorgasbord of activities: parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking. There’s also a swim area designated with a water trampoline, iceberg climbing wall, and brand new triangular slide.

Once you’ve finished jet skiing it’s happy hour for the big kids and our friendly crew serves up free-flowing beer, wine, and wine spritzers while you soak up the sun. You’ll return to the dock at 4pm, just in time to cruise Duval Street before dinner!

What are you waiting for? You know you deserve a little fun before school starts. Enjoy your family vacay on the water with Fury! The days are counting down…

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.

Annabelle reef-bound!

by Shayne Benowitz

There really is nothing like summertime in Key West. It’s hot and balmy. The sun shines bright. And the water is oh-so inviting! That’s also why I love working on the water in Key West and really can’t imagine doing anything else down here. This is the time of year where all you need is a bathing suit, flip-flops, and of course some SPF.

The reef has been absolutely stunning lately with near unlimited visibility. (more…)

Scotty's clean-cut new look.

by Shayne Benowitz

If you’ve been parasailing with Captain Scotty, it’s an experience you’re not likely to forget. He is one of the most friendly, funny, and lively people on this island. He greets friends, customers, and strangers with his sunny smile day in and day out. When I first moved to Key West four years ago, Scotty was one of my very first friends. (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

If you happen to live in the Cape Coral or Fort Meyers area, then surely you’re familiar with Fox 4’s morning show, the Morning Blend. Well, while you’re home for the holidays, be sure to tune in because it’s Key West week. And what’s a week in Key West without an excursion on the water with Fury? (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

The Key West and Caribbean Fury side by side at Ocean Key

This morning, when I arrived to the Ocean Key House to check in our customers for the Ultimate Adventure, my eyes did a double take. Docked in the marina was not one, but two Fury catamarans. I knew that the Caribbean Fury, our fourth catamaran had been in the final stages of completion over the last two weeks. I knew that Stephen, Chad, Zac, and Captain Chuck had sailed it from the boatyard in New Orleans where it was constructed to Key West this week, but this morning was the first time that I laid eyes on her. (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

Here we come upon another one of those biggie holidays in the year. Easter weekend! For many this means special time spent with the family and usually at least a three day weekend. If you find yourself heading all the way south and are wondering what to do on Easter Sunday, Fury has a very special trip planned. (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

Fresh fruit tray on the Ultimate Adventure.

What’s one of the best things about the Ultimate Adventure? The food. Once you step off the gangway and onto the deck of our catamaran, your adventure begins and your breakfast awaits! You don’t have to worry about a thing.To have breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared for you all day, well, that’s my idea of paradise.

As a mate at Fury, preparing the meals day after day, I’ve gotten creative with how to put our ingredients together. Read on for a little something extra special on how to maximize your ultimate buffet meals while you enjoy the fun of the Ultimate Adventure. (more…)

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.

(more…)

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. (more…)