Fun in Key West Podcast

Michele O'Connor
  • 4.7 (11)
  • Places & Travel
  • Weekly

🌴 Welcome to the Fun in Key West Podcast! 🌴 Get ready to dive into all things Key West—the southernmost island where the sunsets are breathtaking, the food is unforgettable, and the drinks are always cold! 🍹 In this podcast, we bring you insider tips on: ✅ The best places to eat (yes, there will be conch fritters 🥥). ✅ Where to drink and enjoy the island's famous cocktails 🍸. ✅ The coolest spots to stay, from cozy inns to luxury getaways 🏝️. ✅ And so much more—from quirky local events to can't-miss festivals! 🎉 We'll also keep you up to date on the latest happenings around the island and occasionally chat with special guests who know Key West like the back of their sandy hand. 🐚 Whether you're planning your first trip, a frequent visitor, or just daydreaming about island life, this podcast is your ultimate guide to enjoying paradise. 🎙️ New episodes every wek—so don't forget to subscribe! Hit the like button if you're as obsessed with Key West as we are, and share the island love with your friends! 💌 Connect with us! 👉 Website: www.FunInKeyWest.com 👉 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more island vibes. 🌊 So grab your flip-flops, pour yourself a cold drink, and escape to the island state of mind with the Fun in Key West Podcast! #FunInKeyWest #KeyWestPodcast #IslandLifeVibes

  1. 2d ago

    From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration

    From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration In this Fun in Key West podcast episode, host Michele interviews Jamie Edelman, owner of The Underwater Gardener, about his path from running a landscape design business and earning a Master Naturalist certification to working at Snowshoe, West Virginia, and ultimately moving to the Florida Keys. Jamie describes his scuba background, collecting experience, and how he built a retail aquarium store and coral-farming operation, including indoor systems, a shop-based coral farm, and an outdoor coral farm at his home using canal water and sunlight. He explains sustainable aquaculture and fragging, what marine life he can legally collect (fish, anemones, gorgonians, etc.), and his goal to educate visitors about reef decline—especially loss of foundational elkhorn and staghorn corals—while highlighting major coral restoration efforts in the Keys and ways people can help. 00:00 Reef Then and Now 00:42 Podcast Welcome 03:17 From Landscapes to Naturalist 05:32 Finding Snowshoe 09:32 Life on the Mountain 13:28 Back to Florida Keys 16:22 Building Underwater Gardener 23:39 What Is a Coral Farm 25:46 Ponds and Coral Farm 26:19 Collecting and Fragging 28:17 Shipping and Store Name 29:08 Visiting the Shop 30:38 Education and Reef Tours 31:13 Reef Decline and Restoration 34:30 How to Support Restoration 36:51 In-Store Tanks and Travel Tips 38:33 Sponsor Break and Mission 40:11 Rapid Fire Key West Picks 43:30 How to Find the Store 44:56 Hours and Final Wrap 🌊 Explore More from This Episode https://funinkeywest.com/the-underwater-gardener-key-west/   🐠 Visit The Underwater Gardener Discover Jamie's Key West aquarium shop, beautiful coral, and fascinating marine life. https://theunderwatergardener.com ⛵ Get Out on the Water in Key West This episode is sponsored by Fun in Key West Water Adventures! Explore snorkeling excursions, sunset sails, glass-bottom boat tours, and more. https://funinkeywest.com/water 🪸 Learn About Coral Reef Restoration Discover how NOAA and its partners are working to restore the Florida Keys coral reefs. https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/restoration/coral-reef.html 📹 Watch the Coral City Camera Take a peek beneath the surface with the live underwater camera Jamie mentioned. https://www.coralcitycamera.com/

  2. Oct 23

    Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure"

    Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure" Host Michele from Fun in Key West interviews Jedwin Smith, author of the October book club pick Fatal Treasure, discussing Mel Fisher's long search for the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and the persistence behind "Today's the day." Smith recounts accidentally finding the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum during a storm, meeting Fisher the day Fisher went bankrupt, writing early newspaper stories that led his publisher to send him to Key West to join the salvage crew, and eventually diving on the site, including finding emeralds and running out of air before being rescued by Donnie Jonas. He describes the grueling work, major tragedies and deaths tied to the hunt, Fisher's Supreme Court victory, and how Key West changed after the discovery. Smith also outlines his other books, including Our Brother's Keeper about his brother's Vietnam death, and shares where to find his books and his email. 00:00 Welcome and Teaser 01:07 Key West Travel Tip 01:46 Meet the Author 03:20 Rainy Day Museum Visit 06:22 Mel Fisher Encounter 10:22 Press Backlash and Break 12:21 Joining the Salvage Crew 13:59 Atocha Discovery Rush 16:48 First Dive and Emeralds 22:06 Turning Stories Into Book 25:39 Tragedies Behind Treasure 28:11 Why Mel Never Quit 32:07 Royalty Clues and Court Win 33:59 Earning Kane's Trust 36:29 Key West First Impressions 37:54 Emeralds and Marriage Oops 41:19 Books Beyond Atocha 42:28 Finding Jeffs Story 45:14 Revenge to Reconciliation 50:32 Coin Necklace Origin 54:01 Rapid Fire Key West 55:57 Sharks and Barracudas 58:17 What Treasure Means Now 01:00:06 Where to Find the Books 01:02:35 Audience Q and Life Lessons 01:06:39 Final Thanks and Sign Off   www.funinkeywest.com/conch   📚 Want to Read Fatal Treasure? If Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and the people behind the treasure hunt have caught your curiosity, you can grab a copy of Fatal Treasure on Amazon. A little Fun in Key West housekeeping: This is a paid affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things I genuinely enjoy, and this book certainly qualifies! Sign up for the book club here: https://funinkeywest.kit.com/114924dc7f       More information at www.funinkeywest.com

  3. Oct 11

    Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest

    Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest Michele hosts the "Fun in Key West" live show focused on visiting Key West in October, explaining three distinct periods: before Fantasy Fest, during the 10-day Fantasy Fest (Oct 16–25, 2026), and the quieter days after. She covers typical October weather (mid-80s highs, mid-70s lows), warm water around 80–82°F, potential wind and passing storms, and the need for flexible travel plans and insurance due to hurricane season. She highlights water activities (snorkeling, sunset cruises, sandbar trips, kayaking, paddleboarding, glass-bottom boats) and notes sunshine doesn't mean calm seas. Events discussed include the Lower Keys Rotary Fall Festival, Burgers and Buffett Tunes, Reef Fest (Key Largo), Southernmost Half Marathon, Walk on White, and Fantasy Fest features like Goombay Festival, Artisan Market, Zombie Bike Ride, Pet Masquerade, street fair, Grand Parade, and Children's Day, stressing public nudity is illegal though body painting and revealing costumes occur in designated areas. 00:00 October in Key West 03:49 Weather and Hurricanes 07:13 Best Water Excursions 11:09 Before Fantasy Fest 12:04 Early October Events 14:54 Fantasy Fest Explained 16:45 Nudity and Family Tips 18:26 Fantasy Fest Highlights 24:03 First Timer Survival Guide 26:44 After Fantasy Fest 27:38 Shows and Cooking Classes 31:23 Markets and Weekly Fun 35:02 Rapid Fire October FAQs 37:42 Wrap Up and Trip Timing 39:22 Final Thanks and Sign Off   www.funinkeywest.com/conch https://funinkeywest.com/key-west-in-october/

  4. Sep 26

    Mikki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series

    Miki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series as Therapy and the Inspiration Behind Runaway to the Keys On the Fun in Key West podcast, Michele O'Connor interviews Charleston-based author and artist Miki Bennett, September book club pick author of Runaway to the Keys. Bennett explains she never planned to write until a doctor urged her to share her and her daughter's medical experiences; unable to write a memoir, she turned it into fiction, launching the Keys to Love series. She describes why the Florida Keys inspire her (Caribbean feel, clear water, relaxed, friendly culture) and how characters often earn their own books after she finishes each story; she wrote her first novel in 30 days and ultimately created five novels and two novellas. They discuss Skylar's theme of choosing your own path, her writing routine, travel's impact, her Camping in High Heels series, a brain injury that paused her writing, future books, favorite Keys spots, and where to find her online. 00:00 From Nonwriter to Fiction 00:40 Meet Miki Bennett 02:50 Why the Florida Keys 04:10 Water Island Vibes 05:18 African Queen Spotlight 06:04 Keys to Love Origin Story 08:50 Building a Book Series 09:44 Writing as Therapy 12:34 Skylar Choosing Her Path 14:55 Garrett and Love Themes 16:10 Real Keys in Fiction 17:28 Rapid Fire Favorites 19:40 Camping in High Heels 21:16 Key West Series Tease 21:33 Wild Travel Mishaps 23:06 Writing From Real Life 23:52 Art After Injury 25:30 Next Books In The Keys 26:25 How Travel Changes You 28:14 Family Vacation Planning 30:04 Keys Rapid Fire Favorites 33:51 Mallory Square Must Do 35:44 Mosaic Sea Turtle Brand 36:38 Where To Find Miki 37:47 Final Thanks And Wrap www.funinkeywest.com/africanqueen

  5. Sep 20

    Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke

    Historic Marker #65: Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke Michele O'Connor explores Key West Historic Marker #65 at 103 Simonton Street, tracing one site's many lives and how they reflect Key West history. The original building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1886, which burned about 12 hours, destroyed over 200 buildings across 50 acres, devastated the cigar industry, and may have been linked to tensions around the Cuban Independence Movement. A hardware store rose on the lot by 1892, followed by Jack and Rosa Williams' Jack's Saloon in 1914. In 1923 the building became a Coca-Cola bottling plant, with a local rumor that the Coke may have used cistern-collected rainwater, reflecting Key West's historic freshwater scarcity. The episode also notes reusable deposit glass bottles, the contour bottle, and how the 1938 Overseas Highway made local bottling unnecessary; later uses included offices, clothing stores, liquor distribution, and a key lime pie factory. 00:00 Key West Coke Legend 00:43 Welcome and Setup 02:15 Great Fire of 1886 03:42 Rebuilding and Hardware Era 04:49 Jacks Saloon Days 05:29 Coca Cola Arrives 07:16 Rainwater Cistern Rumor 08:32 Bottles Reuse and Design 09:54 Overseas Highway Changes 11:09 Many Lives of One Building 12:15 Marker Wrap Up and Question 12:58 Final Sign Off

  6. Sep 13

    Before the Treasure: The Navy Storehouse Behind the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

    Before the Treasure: The Navy Storehouse Behind the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Michele O'Connor explores the history of the building at 200 Green Street—now the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum—focusing on its earlier life as a U.S. Navy storehouse. Planned in 1902, built from 1908–1910 for $54,791, it was among Key West's most technologically advanced structures, featuring a steel frame constructed by the Penn Bridge Company. The episode explains Key West's strategic naval importance, the working waterfront of the early 1900s, and the role of coal in fueling steam-powered vessels as navies began shifting toward oil and diesel. After 1970s military cutbacks, the property moved to the GSA; Mel Fisher leased it in the early 1980s, purchased it in 1987, and the museum acquired it in 2000. The building's strength supports heavy artifacts and conservation tanks, making it part of the story it now preserves. 00:00 Treasure Building Teaser 00:20 Podcast Welcome Setup 01:32 Meet the Museum Building 02:09 Navy Storehouse Origins 03:37 Why Key West Mattered 04:30 Steel Frame Innovation 05:29 Coal Steamship Era 07:19 Waterfront Transformed 08:19 Sponsor Flora Days 09:21 From Navy to Mel Fisher 10:34 Built for Heavy Artifacts 11:34 Building Is the Exhibit 12:50 Final Takeaway Outro https://funinkeywest.com/floridays/

  7. Sep 13

    Unusual and Unique Things to Do in Key West

    Unusual and Unique Things to Do in Key West (Thursday Night Live) Michele hosts the Fun in Key West Thursday Night Live show and invites viewers to share unusual Key West experiences beyond staples like Duval Street, Mallory Square sunset, the Southernmost Point, and key lime pie. She recommends exploring Truman Annex, including the Truman Little White House white-glove tour, historic markers, and Art & Historical Society walking tours; and watching Friday sunset from the US Coast Guard Cutter Ingham with 1940s music and drinks. Other ideas include rolling a die for happy-hour cocktail pricing at General Horseplay, taking key lime pie-making classes at the Key West Key Lime Pie Company, attending Key West Cooking Show demonstrations and cocktail classes (with Bar One), touring iWitness True Crime (real crimes, 17+), visiting Robert the Doll, exploring West Martello's gardens, visiting Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden parrot sanctuary, seeing rescued birds at the Key West Wildlife Center and animals at the Sheriff's Animal Farm, taking alternative sunset options (Fort Zachary Taylor, sails, sandbar charters), and biking with local guide Lloyd. 00:00 Welcome and Theme Song 01:49 Why Go Beyond Duval 03:55 Explore Truman Annex 07:36 Sunset on the Ingham 08:59 Dice Roll Happy Hour 10:40 Make Your Own Key Lime 12:42 Cocktail Classes and Rum 14:14 True Crime Walking Tour 16:06 Robert the Doll and Forts 18:41 Secret Garden Parrots 20:09 Alternative Sunsets 22:10 Wildlife Rescues and Bike Tour 24:15 Wrap Up and Next Week www.funinkeywest.com/crime www.funinkeywest.com/unusual things to do in Key West

  8. Sep 6

    The San Carlos Institute: Key West's "House of Cuba" on Duval Street

    The San Carlos Institute: Key West's "House of Cuba" on Duval Street Michele O'Connor of the Fun in Key West podcast tells the story of the San Carlos Institute at 516 Duval Street, a pivotal site for Cuban exiles and Cuba's independence movement. Founded in 1871 on Ann Street by leaders José Dolores Pollo and Juan Maria Reyes and funded largely by Cuban cigar workers, it became an early bilingual, integrated school teaching in English and Spanish. José Martí addressed a major gathering there on January 3, 1892, urging unity that helped lead to the Cuban Revolutionary Party, and he called it "La Casa Cuba." The institute celebrated Cuban independence on May 20, 1902, survived fires, hurricanes, and collapse, was rebuilt with $80,000 from the Republic of Cuba and architect Francisco Centurion, closed in 1973 after condemnation, then was restored and reopened in January 1992. Today it operates as a free-admission museum, library, gallery, theater, and educational space. 00:00 Duval Street Mystery 01:19 Sponsor Key West Food 02:01 Meet San Carlos 03:11 Origins on Ann 04:16 Bilingual School Firsts 05:28 Marti Unites Exiles 07:28 Independence Celebration 08:12 Fire Hurricane Rebuilds 09:53 Politics Closure Collapse 10:55 Restoration Comeback 11:51 Visit San Carlos Today 12:22 Why It Matters 13:31 Wrap Up and Subscribe www.funinkeywest.com/foodtour

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About

🌴 Welcome to the Fun in Key West Podcast! 🌴 Get ready to dive into all things Key West—the southernmost island where the sunsets are breathtaking, the food is unforgettable, and the drinks are always cold! 🍹 In this podcast, we bring you insider tips on: ✅ The best places to eat (yes, there will be conch fritters 🥥). ✅ Where to drink and enjoy the island's famous cocktails 🍸. ✅ The coolest spots to stay, from cozy inns to luxury getaways 🏝️. ✅ And so much more—from quirky local events to can't-miss festivals! 🎉 We'll also keep you up to date on the latest happenings around the island and occasionally chat with special guests who know Key West like the back of their sandy hand. 🐚 Whether you're planning your first trip, a frequent visitor, or just daydreaming about island life, this podcast is your ultimate guide to enjoying paradise. 🎙️ New episodes every wek—so don't forget to subscribe! Hit the like button if you're as obsessed with Key West as we are, and share the island love with your friends! 💌 Connect with us! 👉 Website: www.FunInKeyWest.com 👉 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more island vibes. 🌊 So grab your flip-flops, pour yourself a cold drink, and escape to the island state of mind with the Fun in Key West Podcast! #FunInKeyWest #KeyWestPodcast #IslandLifeVibes

Information

  • Creator
    Michele O'Connor
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    183
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fun In Key West 2026
  • Show Website
    Fun in Key West Podcast

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