Mariana with Javier, winners of Fury's Facebook Photo Contest.

By Shayne Benowitz

And the winner of a Key West vacation for two, including roundtrip airfare, luxury accommodations, complimentary dinner, and all-you-can-play action with Fury Water Adventures… is Mariana Fernandez! Congratulations!

What an impressive win! Mariana entered the Facebook Fan Photo Contest in May and won the monthly prize. Her photo was our profile picture the entire month! I got to chat with Mariana via email and she was so sweet and so enthusiastic about her experience in Key West!

Mariana's winning photo!

She made the trip down from Miami with her husband Javier to celebrate her 28^th birthday in September 2010 and joined us on our snorkel trip. Mariana said of snorkeling, “The first impression we had as we descended into the water and glanced below was: ‘OMG!! IT’S SUPER DEEP!!!!’ Then, little by little, we lost the fear and before we knew it we were like two fish in the sea, swimming around, staring at the unknown world that was just beneath us!”

I love the way she describes her experience and I’m sure many of you can relate! Over the course of the contest Mariana rallied a whopping 1,842 “likes” for her photo. So impressive! She says she and Javier absolutely fell in love with Key West’s landscape and the kindness of the people. They are dying to get back and give parasailing a try, and it looks like they’ll have their chance and then some!

Congrats again Mariana! Thanks for being such a true Fury fan! Can’t wait to see you out on the water in Key West.

Shayne Benowitz is a freelance writer and Fury crew member. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

2012 Conch Drop at Sloppy Joe's.

By Shayne Benowitz

Is it too late to still be wishing people Happy New Year’s? I don’t think so! Although I did mean to get to this New Year’s blog sooner, I think we can take our sweet time looking forward to what the new year will bring. We had a great celebration in Key West, and it was actually the first New Year’s I’d spent here since 2006, the year I moved here. Some of my best friends and I have a longstanding tradition of traveling for New Year’s. They all came to Key West to ring in 2007, and since then we’ve been to Seattle, Las Vegas, and twice to Miami. For 2012, it was time to bring the party back to the island!

A couple of good friends from New York, Ted and Colin, came down to celebrate  with me and we got the weekend started right on the Commotion on the Ocean. Nicole’s mom was in town and so was longtime Fury Girl Becky for the holiday, so they joined us as Cory & the band rocked us into a spectacular Key West sunset.

For New Year’s Eve, we got a nice group together for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Blackfin Bistro and then cruised down Duval Street for the festivities. At 801 Bourbon, we saw Sushi in her stiletto before it dropped to ring in 2012. The block was absolutely packed, so we continued to Fogarty’s for the countdown. Everyone was out and ready to celebrate! We bounced around after that from Rick’s to the Lazy Gecko and finally to the Porch. And, of course, we couldn’t end the night without spotting the conch that dropped at Sloppy Joe’s. It was a great night!

At first I couldn’t think of exactly what my New Year’s resolution would be. 2011 was a big year for Fury and for me. The company’s expansion was exciting and we now have more trips than ever to offer our customers, including jet skiing, dolphin watching, the Double Dip snorkel trip, and the Island Adventure. All I could think of as a resolution was just to keep on keeping on. But a few days after the New Year, a mantra started to repeat itself in my mind: be energetic, be fearless, be positive. I think those will be good words to guide me through a New Year.

It was a blast to ring in 2012 in Key West and I look forward to more good times to come. Happy New Year’s everyone! May yours be healthy, wealthy, and… filled with snorkeling and parasailing!

Dolphins! Photo courtesy of Fury Fan Elizabeth Morin

by Shayne Benowitz

The Atlantic bottlenose dolphins inhabited Key West’s tropical waters long before Fury Water Adventures, but we’ve only recently begun to offer a trip dedicated to viewing these playful porpoises in the wild. The next time you’re in town, hop on board our  32′ power Dolphin Cat for Fury’s brand new Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Adventure. It’s a completely different experience from the classic Fury snorkel trip aboard our 65′ sailing catamarans.

Photo courtesy of Fury Fan Farrah Sczykutowicz

Captain David is often at the helm aboard the intimate Dolphin Cat and he has years of experience in finding the perfect place to view these graceful beauties in their natural habitat known as the Dolphin Playground. Approximately four miles northwest of Key West, there’s a five and a half square mile area where it’s common to spot dolphins playing, nesting, and feeding. It’s a safe place because the area is covered by a sandy bottom and a consistent depth of about 10 feet. This means no surprise attacks from sharks and other predators. The sandy bottom is also home to pin-fish and ballyhoo, which dolphins will sense with their echolocation radar and then swallow whole.

These mammals are social creatures and swim together in pods, so chances are once you spot one, you’re going to spot a whole lot more! Once you’ve thoroughly explored the Dolphin Playground, then it’s time for you to make a splash. Depending on water conditions and how long you played with the dolphins, Dave will chart a course out to the barrier reef or to a great spot in the backcountry sponge gardens. You’ll get to cool off in the crystal clear water and do your best imitation of Flipper!

It’s truly a unique experience. I know every time I spot a dolphin–no matter what Fury boat I’m on–I get a little rush of excitement and jump to my feet. They are such majestic creatures and it’s an experience you just have to have for yourself!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. For more follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Ballast Key on the way to Woman Key for kayaking.

by Shayne Benowitz

This is officially my new favorite Fury trip! If you’re dying for a beautiful and relaxing day on the water, you absolutely must experience the Island Adventure. Meredith and I hopped on board yesterday for the 3:30pm trip with Captain Anna and her crew Scott and Anthony along with eleven other passengers.

Lately, moon jellyfish have been abundant at the reef, which is not uncommon this time of year. I personally find the jellies enchanting to watch as they drift slowly with their purple and pink tentacles, but when there’s too many in the water they can definitely be a nuisance. No one wants to get stung! Our captains have gotten creative in finding alternative places to snorkel where there aren’t too many jellyfish.

Anna took us to Man Rock, which I’ve never been to before. Slightly west of Man Key, we anchored in a patch of sand that circled an outcropping of coral like a halo. Scott explained that Man Rock is practically off the charts, and since so few people know about it, the coral is extremely healthy and vibrant. The water was so inviting, I couldn’t wait to jump in and explore. We saw a few moon jellies when we first dropped anchor, but nothing to worry about.

Scott was right. The coral was gorgeous with large outcroppings and interesting brain corals and sea fans. Everything was very bright yellow-green. I swam around and saw lots of large yellowtail snappers, a few groupers, and sergeant majors. I came to a hidden cave and decided to swim close and see if anything was lurking underneath. Sure enough, a giant nurse shark, probably six to eight feet long, was snoozing on the sea floor. I called Meredith and Anthony over to come check it out, and a lot of our passengers got to see it too. Very exciting!

Shayne & Meredith on the Cruzan Cat.

We snorkeled a little longer and then got back on the boat to head out towards Woman Key in the Gulf. Meredith and I sat on the bench at the bow and enjoyed a cold Corona while we watched the mangrove islands approaching. We past Ballast Key, which actually has a private home and dock twelve miles offshore surrounded by nothing but uninhabited mangroves–such a cool sight!

We anchored outside of Woman Key and the crew launched kayaks. We paddled to a sandbar offshore and waded around in the crystal clear water. One passenger immediately found a conch shell and Scott waded around to find a sea biscuit, a tiny sea cucumber, and other sea shells. Meredith and I paddled around and spotted what I thought was a conch shell, but Scott explained that it was a welch.

The beautiful sunset.

Next, we were off on another kayak paddle towards the mangroves where we found shade. Scott explained exactly how these amazing trees survive in the saltwater and the integral role they play in our ecosystem. After a little more relaxation at the sandbar, it was time to paddle back to the boat. Sandwiches, chips & salsa, and fresh fruit waited along with more cold drinks.

We cruised back towards the channel just in time to catch the sun sink into the ocean between Sunset Key and Christmas Tree Island. It was absolutely beautiful. There is something about a day spent on the water concluded by a sunset that makes everything feel right in the world. We hope you can experience this feeling with us the next time you’re in Key West.

Justin hangin' onto the wibit!

by Shayne Benowitz

When the catamaran pulls up to Adventure Island after a morning snorkeling at the reef, there’s always a moment of anticipation. The jet skis are lined up glistening in the sun, the iceberg is waiting to be scaled, and the water trampoline is ripe for bouncing. The parasail crew is standing by on their boats and kayaks are set up ready to be launched. Now, you’ve got one more thing to look forward to: The Wibit!

This brand new toy has never before been seen in Key West waters and Fury guests, as well as the crew, are loving it! The four sides offer countless ways to play around. One side to climb up, two sides to slide down, and another to take a plunge into the refreshing waters of the Gulf.

Fun on the wibit!

It didn’t take long after setting up the wibit for a fan picture to show up on our Facebook wall. Az H Ar submitted an awesome pic with him and two of his friends sitting at the top. Our Facebook photo contest is still going strong and I love looking at the awesome pictures our fans send in every day. They spark such a great dialogue! If you ever find yourself Key West dreamin’, visit our Facebook page and these pix should be the cure.

The Ultimate Adventure was already an awesome day on the water. The wibit’s just the newest cherry on top! See you on the water soon!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz

Dolphins! Photo courtesy of Fury Fan Jennifer Smith.

by Shayne Benowitz

Lately on the blog, I’ve been telling you guys about the new trips we’ve added to our roster. So far we’ve covered the Island Adventure and the Double Dip Snorkel Trip. Today, let’s talk dolphins! It’s always been exciting catching an unexpected glimpse of these playful porpoises while sailing to and from the reef. Although not guaranteed, it’s also not uncommon to spot a pod of dolphins on any Fury Water Adventure. What’s really exciting is that we now have a trip dedicated especially to watching dolphins splash around in the wild in their native habitat- Fury’s new Key West Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Trip.

Photo courtesy of Fury Fan David M. Barry.

With our new Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Adventure aboard our new Dolphin Cat, we’ll cruise out through the Gulf of Mexico to the dolphin playground. Here, our expert captains know the best spot to catch sight of these majestic mammals. The blue-green waters of the Gulf are characterized by mangrove islands and shallow sand flats, which are ideal for dolphins nesting and feeding. If you’ve never seen a dolphin in the wild, it’s just something you have to experience for yourself! And if you have, well, you know what I mean! Dolphin sightings never fail to get our passengers on their feet oohing and ahhing as they watch these beautiful creatures.

Once you’ve gotten a good glimpse at dolphins at play, we’ll whisk you to the patch coral reef and sponge gardens of the Gulf of Mexico where you can cool off in the shallow waters and swim with wild abandon just like the dolphins you witnessed! Our crew will get you set up with snorkel equipment so you can discover even more marine animals underwater. Keep your eyes peeled for conch shells, sea urchins, and maybe even a stingray!

Photo Courtesy of Fury Fan April Bristol Walls.

If you’re a nature lover and want to learn more about the ocean’s ecosystem firsthand, this is absolutely the trip for you! At Fury, we’re very proud to offer this finally offer this unique experience. See you soon and don’t forget to send us pictures!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

And they're off! Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

By Shayne Benowitz

It was an exciting weekend for standup paddleboard (SUP) racing in Key West with the annual Key West Paddleboard Classic 12 Mile Race around the island. This was the second year that Fury’s own Captain Westy served as race coordinator. Easily the fastest growing water sport today, Westy has been a vanguard in popularizing paddleboarding in Key West.

Capt. Westy keeping his eye on the race. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

This year’s race nearly doubled in its number of entrants to almost 300 racers ready to battle the current, the wind, and the hot sun in a grueling circumnavigation of Key West. Some of the top paddlers around the country turned out to compete in what is becoming one of the hottest races of the season.

Along the racecourse. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

Not only standup paddleboards, but also kayaks, dories, sea cycles, surf skis, and prone racers took to the starting line at Smather’s Beach. Among them was Fury’s own Eliza Warren who competed for the first time and finished in 5:02:15. Quite an accomplishment!

Fury owners Scott & Marius at the races. Photo courtesy of Megan Ellis.

Fury’s friendly check-in-gal-cum-fabulous-photographer Megan Ellis was there with her camera snapping hundreds of photos to create a stunning photo journal of the event. And of course, Fury’s dynamic duo, owners Scott and Marius cheered the racers at the start line while the lovely Nicole and Annabelle encouraged them on at Mallory Square.

At Fury, we’re proud sponsors of the Key West Paddleboard Classic and very excited to see the sport continue its evolution. Congratulations to Westy for another great race! If you want to test out your skills on a paddleboard while in Key West, Westy has recently launched Paddle Republic offering clinics and instruction from Smathers Beach. Also, check out Lazy Dog for rentals from Hurricane Hole.

Shayne Benowitz is a freelance writer and Fury crewmember. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Fury's The Pride of Key West

By Shayne Benowitz

Traveling to Key West with the whole family for Spring Break? Allow me to introduce you to the Pride of Key West, the island’s only glass bottom boat. For families traveling with children of all ages and even with grandparents this is an excellent option to enjoy the beautiful coral reef.

With trips departing three times daily, hop on board our state of the art catamaran complete with a comfortable air-conditioned viewing cabin, spacious sundecks, bathrooms, and a snack bar.

For school aged children, this educational ecotour could turn into an extra credit project for history and science classes. Our expert captains will narrate a Key West harbor tour complete with a history lesson and fun facts about how our island came to be. All this, while he charts your course out to the stunning coral reef, the third largest in the world!

A blue tang in the middle of a school of sergeant majors.

Once you arrive to the reef, it’s time to get situated around our windows to the sea to watch the splendor of the underwater world unfold before your eyes. One of our seasoned crew members will take over from here with an informative narration about the reef’s delicate ecosystem and what you’re seeing: staghorn coral heads, brain coral, yellowtail snapper, parrotfish, and so much more!

The beauty of the Key West glass bottom boat is that you feel like you’re swimming with the marine life without having to get wet and without harming the sensitive ecosystem.

The coral reef truly is the best Key West attraction and it would be a shame to miss out while you’re here for Spring Break. Enjoy your vacation. See you on the water soon!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Parasailing, courtesy of Fury fan Sheridan Kushner.

By Shayne Benowitz

Dear Fury Fans,

We’ve been doing a lot of reflecting in the New Year. We are so fortunate to do what we do every day on the water in the Key West sunshine. And we know that none of this would be possible without YOU! It’s been so fun over the years meeting people from all over the country and around the world aboard our snorkel trips, our parasail boats, and our sunset cruises, not to mention the Ultimate Adventure!

"It doesn't get better than this!" courtesy of Fury Fan Cathy Pauly.

It’s also been great to keep in touch! We’ve received letters and cards from our dearest fans expressing what a memorable time they’ve had with us. And trust me, those cards hang in the Surf Shack for everyone to see! It’s also a thrill when someone hops on board and says, “Hey, you were the parasail mate last year when we were here!”

When we jumped on facebook and twitter a few years ago, everything changed. Now we can have daily conversations, share pictures and memories, and really keep in touch. It’s like you never left the island (well, sort of!)! From a weeklong conversation about Captain Chuck to amazing fan photos of the powerboat races and more, I’ve been thoroughly entertained!

Celebrating 50th birthday aboard the Commotion with Capt. Chuck, courtesy of Fury Fan Kim Lunsford Schadle

We thought it was about time we gave back to our loyal Fury fans because, well, that’s how we roll! If you haven’t visited our facebook fanpage in a while, you’re going to find some great new features. If, for some silly reason, you’re not already apart of our facebook community, simply “like” our page, and you will immediately be entered into our new fans reward program along with the rest of our fans.

Every month starting in February we’ll select a fan at random for an awesome giveaway. You could win a trip with Fury or sweet Fury swag like crew shirts, hats, and other accessories. Click on the “Win A Trip” tab and fill out the quick form to sign up for our eNewsletter (written by yours truly! Come on, you know you want to!) and you’ll immediately be entered in an all-expense paid 3 day, 2 night trip to Key West with luxe accommodations at the Ocean Key House, spa treatments, dinners, and of course, trips galore aboard Fury!

Honeymooning, courtesy of Fury Fan Julie Carty.

For the more creatively inclined, and I know a lot of you are, we’re also starting a Fan Photo Contest. We already receive awesome pictures from you guys, and now we want to reward one fan every month with an Ultimate Adventure for two just for sending your vacation pictures our way. Check out how the contest works on the “Photo Contest” tab of our facebook page, and keep the pictures coming in!

This is just the beginning of how we want to give back to you, so stay tuned for more offers, deals, and contests in 2011. Oh yeah, and don’t be shy about sharing your Fury love with your friends on facebook (and in real life!). The more the merrier!

"Having a blast on the Ultimate Adventure," courtesy of Fury Fan Daron Blake.

Here’s hoping your 2011 is off to a rockin’ start. We’re certainly enjoying ourselves in Key West. And, of course, we hope to see you down here soon! Next time, maybe it’ll even be on us!

XOXO,

Fury Girl

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.

Adventure Island

by Shayne Benowitz

If you were dreaming of a white Christmas, depending on where in the country you live, many of your dreams came true. While my family was visiting me for the Christmas holiday, their neighbors in the suburbs of Atlanta were experiencing snowfall.

If you’re anything like the Benowitzes or the Fury crew, then you might have been dreaming of a Christmas in the mid to upper 70′s with bright blue skies and a crystal clear ocean surrounding you. That’s exactly what our customers got aboard Fury on Christmas day.

It was business as usual with parasailing boats running every hour, snorkel trips, and our selection of Key West sunset cruises. We made the day extra special, however, with our Christmas Ultimate Adventure.

The Caribbean Fury set sail to the reef with a boatload of Christmas revelers excited for a morning of Key West snorkeling. Lucky for everyone, visibility at the reef has been phenomenal with up to 100’ of clarity. There was so much to see: yellowtail snappers, parrotfish, sergeant majors, and colorful coral.

A parrotfish: ideal conditions at the reef.

For the sail out to Adventure Island, the crew served up a delicious Christmas luncheon complete with all the fixings to fuel everyone up for an afternoon of more fun. A fleet of parasail boats was at the ready to whisk our customers 300 feet in the air for a stunning view of our island paradise. Key West jet skis and kayaks were standing by and all of Adventure Island’s inflatable toys were waiting to be pounced on.

Of course, as soon as everyone’s water activities were complete, happy hour commenced with free-flowing beer and wine. It was a truly memorable Christmas. Isn’t it nice to return home to the cold and the snow with a glowing Key West tan!? Happy Holidays!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.