My Perfect Day in the Florida Keys: Snorkeling, Tarpon Feeding, and Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes
Some of my favorite travel memories aren’t the biggest adventures or the most expensive excursions. Sometimes they’re the simple days where everything seems to come together perfectly.
One of those days happened during our recent trip to the Florida Keys.
As someone who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since I was five years old, I know that adventure usually requires a little extra planning. Before most people even think about breakfast, I’m already checking my Dexcom, making sure my Omnipod is working properly, and confirming I have everything I need if something unexpected happens.
The extra preparation has become second nature over the years, and it’s a small price to pay for being able to enjoy days like this one.
We woke up around 7:00 a.m. at Amara Cay Resort in Islamorada. The plan was simple: drive to Key Largo, spend the morning snorkeling, stop at Robbie’s to feed the tarpon, and enjoy a relaxing evening back at the resort.
It ended up being one of my favorite days of the entire trip.
A Morning Drive to Key Largo
After getting ready and packing our diabetes supplies, Steven and I made the short thirty-minute drive to Key Largo.
We had booked a shallow-water snorkeling excursion with Sundiver Snorkeling Tours. Steven found them through a quick Google search while we were planning the trip, and after reading the reviews, we decided to give them a try.
I had been looking forward to this excursion for days.
We had snorkeled before in Jamaica and Sarasota, but there is something special about the Florida Keys. The water is clearer, the wildlife feels more abundant, and the reef system is unlike anything we have at home in South Carolina.
When we arrived at the marina, I immediately knew it was going to be a good day.
The weather was perfect.
There was almost no wind, the temperatures were comfortable, and the water looked calm enough to be a swimming pool.
While we were waiting to board, we spotted a nurse shark swimming around the docks. Seeing wildlife before we even left the marina felt like a good sign.
Before departure, the crew gathered everyone for a safety briefing. We also let them know that I have Type 1 diabetes. We didn’t anticipate any issues, but because we’d be offshore with a group, we always think it’s important for the captain and crew to know in case of an emergency.
Heading Out to the Reef
The ride to White Bank Reef took about forty-five minutes.
I spent most of the ride sitting outside, enjoying the breeze and watching the water change colors as we moved farther offshore.
The anticipation kept building.
As the reef came into view, I could actually see the lighter-colored patches beneath the water. Even before getting in, it was obvious the visibility was going to be incredible.
The crew anchored in shallow water ranging from just a few feet deep near the reef edge to roughly fifteen feet along the drop-off.
The water was absolutely beautiful.
Floating Above Another World
The first fish I noticed was a parrotfish.
I’ve always loved them because they’re colorful, easy to spot, and constantly busy moving around the reef.
Soon after, we started seeing schools of yellowtail snapper and mangrove snapper moving through the coral.
For the next hour, Steven and I simply floated.
There was no schedule.
No rush.
No distractions.
Just crystal-clear water, colorful fish, and conversations about how lucky we were to be there.
One moment I remember vividly was spotting a barracuda.
Steven thought it was cool.
I thought it was slightly terrifying.
I wouldn’t call it panic, but let’s just say I was very aware of exactly where that barracuda was for the rest of the time we were in the water.
Fortunately, it wasn’t interested in us at all.
Managing Diabetes on the Water
One question I often receive is whether I wear my insulin pump and CGM while snorkeling.
The answer is yes.
For this trip, I wore both my Dexcom G6 and Omnipod 5 in the water.
Because heat, saltwater, and long days outside can weaken the adhesive, I used Peelz overpatches for extra protection.
They worked great.
Being an hour offshore also means I pay close attention to my blood sugar.
Even though I use a CGM, I still like to verify things manually when we’re out on the water for extended periods.
We had snacks, low treatments, backup supplies, and insulin with us, so I felt prepared throughout the entire excursion.
That preparation allows me to relax and enjoy the experience.
Feeding the Tarpon at Robbie’s
After returning to shore and changing clothes, we drove to Robbie’s.
If you’ve never been, imagine standing over a dock while enormous tarpon wait below for someone brave enough to feed them.
Steven volunteered first.
Of course.
The fish exploded from the water with unbelievable speed.
Some of them looked seven feet long and well over one hundred pounds.
I seriously considered feeding one myself.
Several times.
But every time I got close, I changed my mind.
Maybe next trip.
Watching Steven do it was entertaining enough.
The pelicans were almost as entertaining as the tarpon.
Several people nearly lost their fish to aggressive pelicans diving in from every direction.
The entire dock was laughing.
An Afternoon of Doing Absolutely Nothing
Back at Amara Cay, we spent the afternoon doing something we rarely do at home.
Nothing.
I fell asleep on our balcony chair while soaking up the warm sunshine and listening to the sounds of the resort below.
Sometimes vacation doesn’t need to be complicated.
Sometimes the best moments are simply slowing down.
A Perfect Ending
That evening we walked to Lazy Days Restaurant for dinner.
While waiting for our table, we wandered through Bud N Mary’s Marina and admired the boats tied up along the docks.
The mosquitoes were absolutely relentless.
The food made up for it.
We shared a shrimp dip appetizer, enjoyed a Caesar salad, and relaxed while watching the evening unfold around us.
As the sun disappeared and the palm trees started glowing in the evening light, I found myself thinking about how perfect the day had been.
There were no major plans.
No huge accomplishments.
Just beautiful water, incredible wildlife, time with my favorite person, and the freedom to enjoy it all despite living with Type 1 diabetes.
Those are the days I remember most.
Harriet’s Diabetes Travel Notes
For this excursion I packed:
Omnipod 5 supplies
Dexcom G6 supplies
Backup insulin
Low blood sugar treatments
Snacks
Glucose meter and test strips
What worked well:
Wearing Peelz overpatches over my Dexcom and Omnipod
Bringing backup supplies even for a short excursion
Informing the captain and crew about my diabetes before departure
Staying hydrated throughout the day
Biggest lesson:
Having Type 1 diabetes doesn’t mean skipping adventures. It just means planning ahead so you can enjoy them with confidence.