Jimmy Buffett’s Longtime Friend Carl Hiaasen Recalls 'Special Times' They Shared Before His Death (Exclusive)

Jimmy Buffett’s longtime friend Carl Hiaasen remembers the late star.

While attending Bad monkey premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 12, Hiaasen, 71, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about the fond memories he has of his time with Buffett, who died at age 76 on Sept. 1, 2023.

Noting that there are “so many” great moments he’s shared with the “Margaritaville” singer, Hiaasen emphasized that many were “either on a boat or on a plane” when Buffett wasn’t performing.

“He loved it [performing] more than anything, but when he wasn’t there, he was fishing or flying somewhere fishing or surfing,” the journalist continued. “Those were very special times.”

Carl Hiaasen.

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According to Hiaasen, he and Buffett first connected “many, many, many years ago” in Florida. “His heart was so much in Florida … and we took a lot of trips to Key West together,” he said.

Notably recalling a time when Buffett “could relax when he wasn’t performing,” Hiaasen said the artist “believed we should all be having fun all the time.”

“It wasn’t acting. It wasn’t just his brand. It was the way he lived,” he continued. “That guy, he’s had a great life, and he’d be the first to tell you that.”

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Referring to a specific instance where Buffett let his carefree approach to life lead the way, Hiaasen said the star once left a trip with friends in the Bahamas to travel to a private island and play golf before nightfall.

“We’re on a little island in the Bahamas and he’s getting into a seaplane with his golf clubs … and we’re like, ‘Where’s Jimmy going? There’s about an hour and a half of daylight left for this thing to land.’ And some rich guy with a little island built a five-hole golf course and invited Jimmy to play on the course before dinner,” he explained.

“We all just looked and said, ‘It’s good to be Jimmy.’ And it was,” added Hiaasen.

Jimmy Buffett.

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Hiaasen also told PEOPLE that Buffett is overall “one of the nicest guys ever.”

“Honestly, I appreciate those moments we had, since we were as busy as he was,” he added. – He was a good friend, I miss him every day.

Now, in honor of Buffett’s life, all of Margaritaville’s restaurants, resorts, hotels, communities and cruises plan to celebrate “Jimmy Buffett Day” on August 30 and the following Labor Day weekend with “consumer activations, room packages, beverage promotions and gift-moments backwards”, the press release states.

“This initiative aims to bring together fans around the world to pay tribute to Jimmy and the way he lived his life supporting others and the community – making the world a better place – supporting Singing for Change and other organizations,” the statement said.

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Source: HIS Education