Can’t Make It to The Maldives? Try This Florida Alternative

We’ve all seen those iconic floating villas in the Maldives. Whenever I see them on my feed, I always start plotting a trip and envisioning myself soaking up the sun and swimming in that beautiful blue water. And then I check flights and realize it takes 20-30 hours of travel, including multiple planes and airports, and I’m immediately disinterested. I love the vibes, but not the travel time. However! I found this incredible houseboat in Key West that scratches the itch without all the travel time.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience pure seclusion, allow me to introduce you to the Tiki Suite, a unique houseboat in Key West. You won't have to worry about any neighbors here! The only way to get here is via water shuttle, which guests can schedule in advance. 

The Tiki Suite is perfect for a couple. The custom oak bed is a centerpiece that adds a nice touch, and when the 65” television rises from the footboard, you’ll feel like royalty. The 14-foot-high vaulted ceiling makes the space feel enormous.

Guests have some outdoor furniture to relax on, plus a hammock for peak lounging and wildlife watching. Dolphins, manatees, and sting rays are just a few of the wildlife sightings you could spot, right from your bed! Two stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear are provided, so you can spend your days cruising around the water. Smaller fish, conch, and starfish love to enjoy the shade from the Tiki Suite, too. 

Like any off-grid, glamping-style vacation rental, you’ll need to do a bit of prep work prior to arrival. There is a roto-molded cooler on the houseboat, which can keep ice for up to nine days. You’ll want to do a grocery run before you arrive, and make sure you bring ice for the cooler. Speaking of food, there are no cooking appliances on board (with the exception of the K-Cup coffee maker), and flame-generating devices, like stovetops, are not allowed. Keep this in mind when shopping for food! 

The Tiki Suite has air conditioning, a shower, a toilet, WiFi, and electricity, which is supplied by a battery and power inverters. There’s also a generator on board, so you can have little luxuries like hot water for your shower. There’s a 20-gallon reserve for fresh water. 

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants in Key West that can be reached after a quick ride from the water shuttle. There are a few different companies you can use to get you from ship to shore, but we’d recommend Ship 2 Shore. They have a relationship with the Airbnb owner, so you can get a discount by using them. They are one of the only companies that allow free parking at their shuttle dock. The shuttle schedule is on the Airbnb listing, and it leaves in both directions multiple times a day. This makes it easy to hop onto one of the many tours in Key West, have a beach day, or enjoy a nice meal on land before heading back to your tiki houseboat. 

If you fly into the Key West International Airport and rent a car, it’s only a 10-minute drive (less than three miles) to the water shuttle. Much better than a 30-hour travel day, right? Share this article with someone you want to visit Key West with, and be sure to check the official Airbnb listing so you can scroll through more photos, check dates, and start planning your epic vacation today.