FLORIDA KEYS VACATION RENTALS - BLACKBEARDS BOUNTY

Standard Features

• No Smoking
• Boat Access
• Air Conditioning
• Fully Furnished
• Fully Equipped Kitchen
• Linens Provided
• Television
• Private Parking or Driveway
• Located between Marathon (MM 45) and Key West (MM 0)

Additional Features

• Canal-front
• Boat dockage
• Pool
• Mini fridge in garage
• Screened balconies
• Open balconies
• Outdoor lounging area
• Patio furniture
• BBQ – gas
• Washer / Dryer
• Dishwasher

Bed Sizes

• King
• Queen
• 2 Twins

So you’ve heard of the “Lower Keys”, but what’s the difference between each Key and is it important to know before you decide on a rental property?

The Florida Keys are divided into three distinct areas: Upper, Middle and Lower. All of the Keys are quite unique. The Keys begin in Miami-Dade County and continue into Monroe County, ending in Key West.

The Overseas Highway (also known as US Highway 1) spans more than 126 miles and has 42 bridges connecting the islands. The Keys are speckled with mile marker signs, abbreviated as “MM”. Every passing mile has a green post on the side of the road telling you how far from Key West you are.

The Lower Keys begin at the south end of the 7-Mile Bridge or MM 47 and are comprised of Little Duck Key, Missouri Key, Ohio Key (also known as Sunshine Key), Bahia Honda Key, Spanish Harbor Keys, West Summerland Key, No Name Key (yes, there really is a No Name Key), Big Pine Key (home of the endangered Key Deer), Little Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Big Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, Park Key, Lower Sugarloaf Key, Saddlebunch Keys, Shark Key, Geiger Key, Big Coppitt Key, East Rockland Key, Rockland Key, Boca Chica Key, Key Haven, Stock Island, Key West, Sigsbee Park, & Fleming Key. The Overseas Highway ends at MM 0…which is Key West.

BIG PINE KEY — MM 30-33
Big Pine is one of the largest Islands in the Keys. It has a population just over 5,000. Water depths and boating access varies; some areas have 15 inches and some have 3-4 feet. Obviously this means you can have a certain kind of boat in some areas that won’t work in others. It depends what you’re looking for.

Big Pine is sometimes considered more “remote,” caught 1/2 way between Marathon and Key West. However, Big Pine does have its own major grocery store, post office, banks and restaurants. It also has unique retail shops and art galleries. On Saturdays, it is known for the very popular Big Pine Flea Market.

There are a lot of activity choices on Big Pine. Big Pine offers quick and easy access to the Gulf, Atlantic, and great backcountry venues. The island also offers nature trails that wind through Federal Refuge land where you can observe Key Deer and bird life. There’s also excellent kayaking through shallow backcountry. And don’t forget to snorkel or dive Looe Key, some of Florida’s best underwater areas when it comes to coral reefs.

CUDJOE KEY — MM 21-23
Cudjoe Key is a peaceful residential island surrounding its own bay, probably the best bay in the area for water sports. The island’s “fishhook” geography and bay are such distinct features that they can be easily identified in satellite pictures.

Cudjoe Key provides a wide variety of housing ranging from ocean front executive homes to standard canal homes. There is also an upscale gated mobile home park, Venture Out, on Cudjoe’s eastern shore.

Nearly all the homes are on the Atlantic side of the Overseas Highway. Boating access on Cudjoe is excellent, almost no matter where you reside. Boating drafts generally range from 2-4 feet, but some canals on the “fishhook” are narrow and have shallow entrances to Cudjoe Bay. The area known as Cudjoe Gardens at the west end of the island has much bigger and deeper canals that will accommodate larger boats.

RAMROD KEY — MM 27
Ramrod Key is a very quiet and primarily residential island with pleasant neighborhood developments located both north and south of the highway. It is described by residents as being more “laid-back”, more “keysey” than the islands found further down the chain. Ramrod offers some commercial amenities including a dive shop, gasoline, restaurants and bars.

Boating control depths are typically 2-2 1/2 feet with good access to both offshore and back country boating and fishing. Small boats are typical here.

SUMMERLAND KEY — MM 24-25
Summerland is an area for larger boats and private pilots. Summerland has one of the few remaining private, residential air-strips in the country that also offers boating access. The island offers unusually wide flow-through canals and a private air strip for local residents. The majority of homes on Summerland are located on the Atlantic side of the Overseas Highway.

Summerland has a small downtown along US1, with a small grocery store, restaurants, a bank, a wholesale fish shop, some healthcare offices, and retail.

And of course, you can visit Action Keys Realty of The FL Keys, Inc. located at mile marker 24 (gulf side) – right next to First State Bank.

SUGARLOAF KEY — MM 17-20
Sugarloaf Key offers quiet solitude to its residents. If you are looking for larger floor plans, more luxurious landscaping and privacy, this may be the Key for you. The majority of homes are located south of the Overseas Highway looking out onto the waters of Upper and Lower Sugarloaf Keys. Large ocean front estates rim the outside of the island facing out to the Atlantic.

Boating is excellent for shallow draft boats with quick access to the backcountry, but access for large boats and sailboats is extremely limited. The Sugarloaf backcountry is legendary for flats fishing.

If you are a pilot, Sugarloaf has a very small public airstrip you can fly into. It also offers a popular sky diving operation, and you’ll definitely see a lot of people “falling” from the sky on a daily basis. The houses along the airstrip get together at Christmas and the “Ho-Ho-Ho” lights can be seen for miles (we LOVE the Ho-Ho-Ho lights!).

THE TORCHES (LITTLE, MIDDLE & BIG) — MM 28
The Torch Keys are located just west of Big Pine Key and are comprised of three separate islands know as Big, Middle, and Little Torch Key. Little torch Key is primarily residential, with the majority of Little Torch Key nestled into the canal systems just south of the Overseas Highway on the ocean side. While there is some residential development on both Middle and Big torch Keys, these islands are largely protected by state and federal wetlands and hardwood hammocks.

RESERVATION POLICIES

Thank you for your interest in choosing one of our vacation rental homes for your next Florida Keys vacation. If your questions are not answered below – or you need additional information – please contact us. We’re here to help make your next vacation, a dream vacation!

HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION

To make a reservation, you must first choose from one of our Vacation Rental Homes. After your decision is made, you may either send us an email or you can simply call us at (800)874-1323 or (305)745-1323. If you choose to send us an email, go to the Vacation Rental page of your choice and click the e-mail link located there.

The complete reservation process is:

• Choose a home
• Check availability by sending us an email or by calling our office
• Call or email us to reserve your rental home
• Complete & return the lease packet mailed to you
• Mail your deposit payment with the signed agreement
• Pay the balance due 30 days prior to arrival
• Refer to “check-in” procedures prior to arrival

**All of the information you supply is used only for reservation purposes. We will not release any of your private information to any third party.

TAXES

All vacation rentals will be taxed on rent and cleaning fees; State Sales Tax (7.5%) & Monroe County Tourist Development Tax (5%) totaling 12.5% tax.

UTILITIES

All monthly vacation rentals will be charged utilities (water & electric) and cleaning fees in addition to rent. Our rentals require payment of 2 utility bills: Electric and Water. Utility charges are deducted from your deposit. Please read all of the information presented about our utility and deposit policies. You will also be presented with a detailed break-down of your utility charges upon return of your deposit.

Utility charges are prorated and based on EXACTLY how many days you occupied the property. Because we base your charges on the EXACT charges submitted to the owner’s of the property, we are not able to return your deposit funds until those bills have been generated. This is why we allow 45 days for the return of your deposit.

PET POLICY

Some of our Vacation Rental Homes allow pets; some do not. Homes that allow pets may require individual owner approval. For “pet friendly” rentals, refer to the detailed information on each property. Pet fees are required.

If owner accepts the request for pets, there will be a non-refundable pet fee of $150.00 per pet. Pets are required to be on a leash at all times when off-property. All pets must have current shots and immunization. Pets must be on a flea prevention treatment prior to rental. All pet feces must be picked up from property prior to exiting property. Pets walked in neighborhood must have all pet feces picked up and disposed of immediately. An additional pet addendum will be added to the rental lease. Please refer to the addendum for additional details.

PAYMENTS & CANCELLATIONS

Deposits and subsequent payments are accepted in the form of personal checks. 50% of remaining balance is due 60 days prior to arrival. The full balance must be received 30 days prior to arrival. Please note that rates are subject to change without notice and that seasonal, holiday and special events may be higher.

Regarding cancellations: 60 days prior to arrival, deposits will be refunded in full, less a $75 administration fee – this fee will be retained. If the cancellation occurs within 59 days, any and all deposits and or rents will be forfeited.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Arrival time is 3:00 pm; departure is 11:00 am. Please contact our office one week prior to your arrival to confirm your specific check-in procedures. At that time, departure procedures will also be discussed.

MONROE COUNTY’S “28-DAY RULE”

Unless otherwise specified, rental periods must be for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with Monroe County, Florida’s Vacation Rental Law.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Thank you for your interest in choosing one of our vacation rental homes for your next Florida Keys vacation. If your questions are not answered below – or you need additional information – please contact us. We’re here to help make your next vacation, a dream vacation!

HOW DO I MAKE A RESERVATION?

To make a reservation, you must first choose from one of our Vacation Rental Homes. After your decision is made, you may either send us an email or you can simply call us at (800) 874-1323 or (305) 745-1323. If you choose to send us an email, go to the Vacation Rental page of your choice and click the inquiry link located there. You may also visit our contact us page.

The complete reservation process is:

• Choose a home
• Check availability by sending us an email or by calling our office
• Call or email us to reserve your rental home
• Complete & return the lease packet mailed to you
• Mail your deposit payment with the signed agreement
• Pay the balance due 30 days prior to arrival
• Refer to “check-in” procedures prior to arrival

**All of the information you supply is used only to identify yourself to the website. We will not release any of the information to any third party.

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

Some of our Vacation Rental Homes allow pets; some do not. Homes that allow pets may require individual owner approval. For “pet friendly” rentals, refer to the detailed information on each property. Pet deposits are required. Should the property require fumigation after your visit, funds will be taken from your pet deposit. Because the need for fumigation is not detected immediately after your departure, we reserve the right to hold your deposit funds an extra 30 days prior to return.

ARE UTILITIES INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE?

Our rentals require payment of 2 utility bills: Electric and Water. Utility charges are deducted from your deposit. Please read all of the information presented about our utility and deposit policies. You will also be presented with a detailed break-down of your utility charges upon return of your deposit. Utility charges are prorated and based on EXACTLY how many days you occupied the property. Because we base your charges on the EXACT charges submitted to the owners of the property, we are not able to return your deposit funds until those bills have been generated. This is why we allow 45 days for the return of your deposit.

HOW DO I “CHECK-IN” TO MY RENTAL HOME?

In order to give you a key to your Vacation Home and to assure that all funds have been collected, we ask that you contact our office within 3 days of your actual arrival. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (excluding holidays). If we are not available in the office for your exact time of arrival/check-in, we will make arrangements to have a key available at the Vacation Home. That is why it is ESSENTIAL that you contact us prior to your arrival.

WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept personal checks for deposits and balances received 30 days in advance of your arrival. For payments that are not received 30 days in advance of arrival, certified funds must be collected. Certified funds include money orders or certified bank checks.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY RETURNED DEPOSIT?

Please read all of the information presented about our utility and deposit policies. Utility charges are prorated and based on EXACTLY how many days you occupied the property and are then deducted from your deposit. Because we base your charges on the EXACT charges submitted to the owner’s of the property, we are not able to return your deposit funds until those bills have been generated. This is why we allow 45 days* for the return of your deposit.

*If you are travelling with a pet, we reserve the right to hold deposits (if refundable) for an additional 30 days to assure that fumigation services are not necessary.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

If we are notified of a cancellation 60 days prior to your arrival, there are no penalties. If the cancellation is made 30-60 days prior to your arrival we reserve 50% of your deposit as a processing fee. If the cancellation is made 0-30 days prior to your arrival 100% of your deposit is held for processing.