I've been there a few times and found the paddling to be great. The inlets are good for days when the surf is too high. The keys are close so that is a huge plus. I'd stay out of fresh water unless being eaten is your thing. Wear a hat or don't paddle in the summer. It gets extremely hot.
Sorry but I have no information on storage for boats but if it's like anywhere on the west coast of Florida they have dry marinas everywhere. I have always preferred to store them safely at home for free.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
