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.

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

Fury Girl (center) with friends Alecia and Bob

It’s easy to entertain guests when they come for a visit in Key West. Quite simply, I take them to work with me. When my family came down over the winter holidays, they spent all day on the Ultimate Adventure and watched the sunset on the Commotion. The plan was the same when my best friends came to visit over New Years. Recently, I had a long lost childhood friend make a visit to the Keys with his fiancé. What did we do? Hopped aboard the afternoon snorkel trip, of course! (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

Fury Girl with a snorkeler at the reef.

Now that spring has fully sprung it is the absolute best time of year to enjoy a day at sea. It’s true, in Key West we are incredibly fortunate to have a warm climate all year long, but there is still something special about the gorgeous conditions that we find at the reef during the month of May. (more…)

By Shayne Benowitz

A snorkeler enjoying the wonders of the coral reef.

All right, so you’ve got your travel arrangements to Key West all taken care of and you are on your way to a wonderful getaway in paradise. You’ve decided that an excursion to the coral reef is a must, but what if it’s your very first time snorkeling? You may not know what to expect, and you don’t want to admit it, but you’re a little nervous. Well, allow me to demystify all the wonders of the coral reef and provide you with some pointers for stress free snorkeling. Pay attention, boys and girls, because Snorkel School is in session with Professor Fury Girl! (more…)

by Shayne Benowitz

During our seven mile trek south on the way to the coral reef Snorkel School commences and we gather all of our passengers for class a on what you will see at the reef, how to use your gear, and how to safely get in and out of the water. Often times, the majority of our passengers are trying snorkeling for the first time. For some people it is even their first time swimming in the ocean. Whenever I’m conducting Snorkel School, I always tell passengers to talk to me before they get in the water if they are nervous or if they are not strong swimmers. I’d like to fill you in on a few tips that I give beginner snorkelers so that they have an enjoyable, stress-free experience while swimming at our reef.

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by Shayne Benowitz

It was an ideal summer day on the water as the Pacific Fury sailed out to Rock Key for an afternoon snorkel trip. The water was flat and calm and when I jumped in on lifeguard duty, I was pleased to report 60 feet of stunning visibility. The water temperature was a comfortable 86 degrees and with a calm southeast wind and slack tide, conditions were just perfect. (I was also happy to be sporting my new Sofia by Vix bikini that I bought at the Surf Shack earlier this week—nothing like a new bathing suit!) (more…)