Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Florida Keys (Lonely Planet)

Book Description

A 107-mile ribbon of highway spans the lime-green waters and more than 200 islands that comprise the Florida Keys. Just offshore, a necklace of dive sites parallels the archipelago. Divers have easy access to shallow reefs and spectacular wrecks, such as the Adolphus Busch Sr. or the U.S. Coast Guard cutters Duane and Bibb. Visitors to the Keys can swim with dolphins, celebrate the sunset or stay in an underwater lodge. This book describes 61 of the best sites in the region, from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas, with full-color photos throughout.

You'll get specific information on:

dive site topography and access
common and hazardous marine life
diving services for the entire Keys
travel logistics and topside attractions
10 easy-to-read maps

Customer Reviews:

A Good Guide for the Keys.......2007-02-17

This book is very informative, with good pictures and descriptions of the most popular dive spots in the area of the Florida Keys

Average customer rating:

Love It
An invaluably informative and easily portable reference for aspiring travelers to the state Florida
Please Note Date on Review above
in comparison to lonely planet california very disappointing

Lonely Planet Florida
Kim Grant , Loretta Chilcoat , Beth Greenfield , and Catherine LeNevez
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Lonely Planet Miami & the Keys
Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Florida Keys (Lonely Planet)
Frommer's Florida 2007 (Frommer's Complete)
Lonely Planet Orlando & Central Florida (Lonely Planet Orlando and Central Florida)
Lonely Planet California

ASIN: 1740599861

Book Description

Want to swim with dolphins, witness a space shuttle liftoff and rub shoulders with Mickey and Minnie? Whether you seek escape or adventure, this jam-packed guide delivers the goods on the Sunshine States, from the steamy Everglades to the warm, white sands of America's best beaches.

Miami essentials — deco delights, Cuban cuisine, nonstop nightclubs
in-depth coverage of Disney World and other major theme parks
the lowdown on hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing and more
food and lodging options to please all budgets
53 detailed maps, including special Miami section

Customer Reviews:

Love It.......2007-07-02

We're in the middle of the big decision/action to move to Florida. Leaving family, friends and relocating a small custom sign business. It's very scarey but this book has pointed out how much we will enjoy the lifestyle. Pennsylvania winters are bruital, we love tropical living, eating and all that goes with it. Swimming, diving, biking, hiking, exploring, etc... Outdoor activities. We've been down several times and this book really hits it on the head.

An invaluably informative and easily portable reference for aspiring travelers to the state Florida.......2006-04-06

Florida from Lonely Planet is an invaluably informative and easily portable reference for aspiring travelers to the state Florida whether for business or pleasure. Introducing the reader to a wealth of restaurants, hotels, tours, and other attractions, Florida offers vacationers and travelers of all budget levels an indispensable reference for Miami, the Florida Keys, Orlando, Tampa, St. Pete, Amelia Island, Bahia Honda, St. Augustine, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala National Park, and so many more Floridian communities, all in a superbly organized, completely "user-friendly" and easy-to-use guide which is confidently recommended to anyone anticipating their next trip to Florida.

Please Note Date on Review above.......2006-01-25

The above review is Dated May 2003 ....and it's a review of the 2006 Guide? If the folks can Time Travel in to the future, why bother wasting time reviewing books? I'd be checking out stock market picks....

in comparison to lonely planet california very disappointing.......2003-05-28

if you search a bank of america somewhere in florida this is the book to buy. despite of this there is a lot of other useful and useless information in the book. unfortunately the authors did usually not try to give valued comments, therefore you have no idea which things you should see and which aren't worth the trip.Additionally the authors do not always give you good descriptions of how to get to certain places and you should have another guide or at least detailed map for that. FOr example we ended up walking 2 hours through the sun to find the entrance of one of the parks... This is very different from the high standard of the lonely planet california which I had in mind when I bought this book. In conclusion I was very disappointed by this guide and would not recomment to buy it at all....

Average customer rating:

Short on Keys Informatino

Lonely Planet Miami & the Keys
Beth Greenfield
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Streetwise Dublin (Streetwise)
Lonely Planet Florida
Miami And The Keys (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)
Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Florida Keys (Lonely Planet)
Frommer's South Florida: With the best of Miami & the Keys (Frommer's Complete)

ASIN: 1740597532

Customer Reviews:

Short on Keys Informatino.......2007-05-16

Compared to other LP's I've read, this one is really small for such a large area as Miami and the Keys. The options offered for sleeping in the Keys are really limited in scope so they were of no use to me. I did better on price than the few places they mentioned by going to the web (got better places for less money). The history section was the only part of the book I enjoyed.

Lonely Planet Orlando & Central Florida (Lonely Planet Orlando and Central Florida)

Average customer rating:

Lots of info packed into a small book!
Reasonable not more
The author's response

Lonely Planet Orlando & Central Florida (Lonely Planet Orlando and Central Florida)
Wendy Taylor
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Lonely Planet Florida
Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides: Orlando (Eyewitness Travel Top 10)
Rand Mcnally Orlando, Florida: Local Street Detail
Hidden Florida: Including Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, the Everglades, and the Keys (Hidden Travel)
Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal, SeaWorld, and the Best of Central Florida (Unofficial Guides)

ASIN: 1740597079

Book Description

Where else can you visit Mickey, dig your toes in fine white sand and watch manatees swim with their pups? From soaring roller coasters at Busch Gardens to the scientific wonders at the Kennedy Space Center, this guide is your ticket for over-the-top adventures in Orlando & Central Florida.

• Full coverage of Disney World and Universal Studios
• The best beaches for castle building, strolling or surfing
• Excursions to historic St Augustine, vibrant Tampa, roaring Daytona Beach and eclectic Cassadaga
• Special tips for families and kids
• 24 detailed maps

Customer Reviews:

Lots of info packed into a small book!.......2004-05-20

I used this book for a recent trip to central Florida and found it very helpful. The book has lots of information on the theme parks and which shows and rides are most worthwhile. We only visited Disney's Animal Kingdom park, but found Taylor's suggestions right on the mark. We did not follow her advice to arrive early and boy, did we wish we had paid attention to that detail! I appreciated the information on the natural areas of Florida. Based on the book's recommendation, we spent a wonderful day at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore. We also spent time in Ocala, and this book has information on the sites in that area. Taylor is right: Silver Springs is a lovely, low-key attraction.

The main downside to the book is the lack of information on hotels --if you like detailed descriptions on hotels, you'll want an additional book or will need to use an online resource such as tripadvisor.com.

All in all, a great little book. Follow Taylor's advice to carry plenty of change for Florida's toll roads, and look beyond the few scattered comments in the book. I think good guide books have some personality, and I did not find the comments in this one offensive. For many travelers, myself included, some aspects of traveling in the South do come as culture shock, including the confederate flag that we saw flying above an orange grove right off the Inter-State!

Reasonable not more.......2004-05-05

After reading through the first couple of chapter you get the feeling that the writer didn't enjoy her stay in Orlando. Instead of providing more helpful information to the reader it seems that the author is focused more on sarcasm and snotty remarks. Still the book is an okay guide nothing more !

The author's response.......2004-01-09

I'm glad you found the information useful - I certainly worked hard on it! And I'm sorry you were personally offended by my remarks. In my defense however, I think my statement about "rednecks," taken in context, was not so bad.

For the readers' interest, here's the text:

"Rednecks, who refer to themselves as just that, can be found in many areas of Central Florida and are easily identified by their foul and racially derogatory language. Leave them in peace to wallow in ignorance, and don't go striking up any debates. In fact, if someone tries to engage you in one, you may just want to smile, nod and say 'uh huh' - it's just not worth the effort."

I agree, these are bold statements. But first of all, I'm talking about people who self-identify as "rednecks." And second of all, I think it's fair to say that people who speak derogatorily regarding race can be classified as ignorant. Either that or just plain mean, but knowing people personally who have derogatory impressions of nonwhites, I know that the latter (ie, "mean") is not necessarily the case! Some real sweethearts are racist.

Also, this wasn't in the warning section at all, just under "Society & Conduct" (right after some text about the wonders of Southern hospitality). In the previous paragraph, I made a statement about how nonstraight couples should be careful about their conduct in such regions, but I didn't comment on the possible consequences. But I think it's safe to say that gay people should be aware that it's not a good idea to show same-sex affection in some of those areas.

Since many readers of this book will be from other countries, I thought this information to be not only useful, but necessary. We can't expect foreigners to be familiar with US cultural norms from region to region.

I definitely made bold comments throughout the book; some things I loved, some things I liked, some things I didn't like, and some things I hate. But Lonely Planet is known not only for being informative, but also opinionated - that's why people love the books.

Again, I'm sorry you didn't like some of my opinions. Take heart that I love the South, have family in the South, and take pride in the South.

Book Description

Travel through the hidden pockets and idiosyncratic history of San Francisco with this guide, written with an affection for the city that enlivens every page. San Francisco's restaurants, shops and cutlural offerings enjoy detailed coverage, as do tempting destinations outside the city. Laced with anecdotes of hippies and shanghaiers, Beats and immigrants, this guidebook embraces every element of the crazy quilt that is San Francisco and lays them all at the visitor's feet.

Dizzying cable-car drops...sumptuous California cuisine...vibrant street scenes...pulsating nightlife...the City by the Bay combines attitude and charm like no other place on earth. Whether you're feelin' the love in the Haight or slicing through the fog of the Golden Gate, this streetwise and stylish guide will show you why it's so easy to leave your heart in San Francisco.

• TAP IN to the urban pulse, with inspiring City Life coverage and in-depth restaurant, cafe, club and shop reviews

• TEAR AROUND TOWN with the world's best guidebook maps and detailed walking tours

• LET LOOSE with insider tips from local authors, from cruising the Castro to sitting pretty in North Beach

• ESCAPE THE CROWDS with the best guide to hidden gems and daytrips to the East Bay, Wine Country and beyond

• SLEEP IN STYLE with the widest choice of accommodation options to suit your pocket

Customer Reviews:

Lonely Planet San Francisco.......2006-11-04

Loved seeing the city of San Fancisco after reading about the local neighborhood haunts. Lonely Planet has long been my first choice of Travel Guides. This one was good, although it lacked some of the overall insights that I have liked in other LP guide books, and had some of the poorest photography ever edited for such a scenic city.

I recommend the guide books suggestion of renting a mountain bike and taking in the sites of Golden Gate Park and heading out to Salsalito via the Golden Gate Bridge and taking the ferry back into town.

The only guidebook you need (just add a detailed Muni bus route map and you are set for weeks of fun).......2006-07-05

I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to guidebooks. I don't believe that there is one-size-fits all guidebook, and when I travel, I get an arsenal of books and select the top three to use on the road. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I needed no other guidebook to San Francisco! As a general rule, Lonely Planet guides are the most compact and info-packed books on the market, and this guide is unparalleled. It fits neatly in any purse or backpack and the only add-on I would recommend for your trip is a detailed Muni bus route map.

Even without a detailed map, this guide can get you all around the city. Every attraction, restaurant, and hotel is listed indexed and numbered on a half dozen neighborhood maps in the back of the book. There's no need for detailed directions because the maps allow the traveler to plan their own route.

The attractions? Wow! You get all your essential tourist hot spots, plus info on alternative forms of sports and recreation, hidden shopping sites, stores which have house cats or dogs, free wine and cheese at poetry readings, theater reviews, upscale/campy adult entertainment, and much more. San Francisco is well-known for dining options, and this book has the most listings of any guidebook. Nightlife is given extensive coverage, so that anyone can find sites of interest, from late-night coffee shops to Latin dance clubs to sports bars. Of course, a site such as City Search can augment your search for good eats and nightlife.

The book can be read in a number of ways. It offers a week full of suggested itineraries which make a great starting place. The reader can also search by neighborhood or by type of excursion desired, and complete public transportation information is provided. The guide even offers limited information on side trips outside the city proper. A complete index to all attractions, hotels, and restaurants is included.

Don't travel without the Lonely Planet, especially when visiting San Francisco.

Lonely Planet is the way to go!.......2006-03-17

I travel a lot and a Lonely Planet book of my destination is always in my carry-on. This SF book was very helpful for my sister and I who recently went on a 'girls shopping weekend' up there (from the L.A. area). We did manage to find all the great shops (thanks to the 'Shopping' section) and then have time for some sightseeing on the side. All the directions, maps, addresses, opening times, admission costs, etc. were accurate and precise. The transportation maps are especially helpful in a city like San Francisco where a rental car is not only not necessary but can definitely be a burden (not much parking!). The book also provided interesting facts about historical sites such as Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. I recommend this book to anyone who is traveling to San Francisco whether it be for a weekend or a month or anywhere in between. There is enough stuff in this book to keep you busy, I promise! And it's very easy to use and has a nice Index in the back where everything is possible to find =)

grain of salt.......2005-12-29

I used this guidebook for my first visit to San Francisco and liked where it took me. I just moved here and needed to acclimate. I think it's geared more for younger tourists that are less set in their ways. I wanted to see more than just San Francisco and used the Golden Gate Trailblazer to fill in places to hike around. They were a nice duo to carry around. After two weeks, I'm finally getting the hang of it and less dependent on the maps.

Bulky and mostly useless.......2005-12-27

I know that's a very sweeping subject title but I am afraid its very relevant from the perspective of the average traveler who will pick this book up. The maps are horribly designed. Often you need to go back and forth to make sense. In the end, I just had to print out Google maps to actually get about the city. Too much information and little organization. Probably not written for the tourist but rather for the resident of the city.

Lonely Planet Miami & the Keys (Lonely Planet Miami and the Keys)

Average customer rating:

Much more detailed, less photography, but worthwhile...
Very Good Guide

Lonely Planet Miami & the Keys (Lonely Planet Miami and the Keys)
Kim Grant
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Florida Keys (Lonely Planet)
Lonely Planet Florida

ASIN: 1740591836

Book Description

Kick off your shoes and slather on the tanning oil - this is Miami, baby! And Lonely Planet knows what you want. Mellow out on the perfect beach or cruise down to the Keys. Sample the flavors of Little Havana and sweat off the calories in SoBe's hottest nightclubs. This guide has it all!

reviews of dining and lodging options for all budgets and tastes
full-color section highlighting the city's famed art deco architecture
thorough coverage of the sand, swamps and sizzle of Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades and Key West
19 user-friendly maps, including an extensive city map section

Customer Reviews:

Much more detailed, less photography, but worthwhile..........2005-07-08

This book is much more detailed, has less photography than the DK Eyewitness books on Miami & the Keys. But it is worthwhile.

Very Good Guide.......2005-01-24

As a Floridian who visits Miami several times a month, I have found this guide to be an invaluable resource while on my trips to the Magic City. This book, as is typical of Lonely Planet's guidebooks, is very practical and easy to use while keeping the reader interested with fascinating information about Miami's cultural aspects. The only flaws are a couple of minor errors regarding street names, but nothing that will likely present the average visitor with any problems. All in all, another great and well written guide from Lonely Planet. I cannot reccommend this book enough.

Lonely Planet Miami (Lonely Planet Miami, 2nd ed)

Average customer rating:

This covers it all
By far the best guide to Miami's social life and history

Lonely Planet Miami (Lonely Planet Miami, 2nd ed)
Nick Selby , and Corinna Selby
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

North America | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0864426534

Book Description

15 Maps

Customer Reviews:

This covers it all.......2000-08-13

This provided me with plenty of groundwork to spend time in Miami . Historical background and explanations were excellent, as well as the maps, contact numbers, and accomadation. A lot of this bookd was taken the from the larger LP work on Florida was was excellent as well. The only thing to note is that some of the hotel prices in the-then more affordable category has risen, in some cases by a third. The hostels in Miami/Miami Beach cannot be beat.

By far the best guide to Miami's social life and history.......2000-03-13

Before arriving to Miami, I bought this guide. Once there, I tested it and it was 98% accurate. No matter what you are interested in, this guide has a suggestion for you. From dining and clubbing, to hints and tips, to small excursions outside the metro area. A must for everyone interested in visiting Miami.

Average customer rating:

Accomodation list great; spin above average
Second Edition Is Simply Great
A Lonely Planet Disappointment
Indeed - not proffessional book
Great maps! The rest is all a matter of opinion

Lonely Planet Florida (Serial)
Nick Selby , and Corinna Selby
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

North America | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0864423748

Book Description

57 Maps

Customer Reviews:

Accomodation list great; spin above average.......2000-07-25

Another Lonely Planet book, this listed enough hostel accomodation for me, and the maps, and background information were plenty of a base to begin a trip to Florida. Upon arriving to the Sunshine state, it is best to add onto this base of (LP) information by word-of-mouth from fellow travelers and locals. This addition provided me with enough information, and it certainly beats the AAA guidebooks, (and many other travel books), which are short, shallow, & designed for the exciting people that travel in RVs and those that mingle with the "Days Inn" crowd. Important to note: there was sarcasm and juvenile expressions in thie book, that appreared to be condescending. This is not the first time that writers for LP have done this. Often, the chirpy sarcasm, was indeed, incorrect. LP should make a note of it. Many-a-times, international backpakers/travelers think they "know" most everything, becuase the think they've "been there and done that." Usually it's quite the opposite. Bottom line: regardless of the impish tones, take this over most other travel books.

Second Edition Is Simply Great.......2000-05-20

I used this book for a trip to east coast and central Florida and thought it was the best Florida guide of all the ones I looked at. I stood in the book shop looking through all the guides, and checking chapters against each other, and found that this was the one to get. When I got to Florida, I found the information was right on target for all the sights, the restaurants and especially the history. The history of the Space program in this book was better than anything I saw, and even better than the information I got in the Kennedy space Center visitor center. I was surprised to see people claiming inaccuracy in the reviews here, but I looked at the dates and think they must have meant the old edition of the book. This one is tops, and kudos on Lonely Planet and the selbys for this great new edition.

A Lonely Planet Disappointment.......2000-04-09

While I have found other Lonely Planet guides to be top notch, the Florida guide is a disappointment. The tone, which was intended to be hip, comes off as juvenile. Good places were overlooked and mediocre places over extolled. The Lonely Planet Mexico guide is imbued with comprehensive knowledge of the country. The Florida guide gives the impression of having been thrown together to fill a gap in the Lonely Planet series.

Indeed - not proffessional book.......2000-01-06

I had apprehensiveness when I bought this book since already in the tutorial, where the authors tell about them self it can be easily understood that the USA is not their specialty - actually, it is hardly mentioned they've been in the states at all! However, I needed guiding-book and was familiar the other Lonely Planet so I took the chance & about the book: while my trip I was disappointed again and again since I found the guidelines un careful or even wrong. Let's take for example the chapter deals with the Everglades Park. The book's hottest recommendation is to go to the 10,000 islands. (only) According to the book, this is area where there are a lot of small peaceful islands with white sand and dolphins around you& and you can hire your bout, have a private island for the day or even for the night. Well, let's start with the simple fact that those island haven't got any grain of sand! And you can hardly find an island in which you can park at all since the flora is so crowded..

Great maps! The rest is all a matter of opinion.......1999-09-18

Great look. Great maps, organized but watch out for the assessment of hotels and restaurants.

I drove around South Florida, making a circle from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Myers, down to Key West, and back to Miami.

The book was useful: the background and history information were interesting; one doesn't have to lean on AAA and can even use the maps when driving!

But what you read and what you get was inconsistent.

For example, to my pleasant surprise, I found many more worthwhile restaurants than what were listed.

In Key West, the book mildly recommended The Curry House bed and breakfast, and I found it very, very charming, with an excellent breakfast!

On the flip side, I was very disappointed when on the first night I had made a reservation at the St. Tropez hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. In the book it was favorably described as 'large rooms and clean.' The rooms were large, it was clean; but the walls were very thin, there were questionable other guests, and the whole place reeked of cigarette smoke. I came out of there smelling like a cigarette factory.

Customer Reviews:

Good Reference For Diving in Southeastern Florida.......2000-05-02

This book is a good reference source about diving in southeastern Florida. Because of the Keys, many people don't realize the quality of diving that can be found off the coast of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. The book describes many sites in detail and also provides depth, visibility, and difficulty information.

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