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

Mar. 15, 2025

Jimmy Buffett, Carl Hiaasen.Photo:Carl Hiaasen/Instagram

Carl Hiaasen/Instagram

Jimmy Buffett’s longtime friendCarl Hiaasenis remembering the late star.

While attending theBad Monkeypremiere in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 12, Hiaasen, 71, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about the fond memories he has of time spent with Buffett, whodied at age 76on Sept. 1, 2023.

Noting that there are “so many” great times he shared with the “Margaritaville” singer, Hiaasen highlighted that many were spent “either on a boat or an airplane” when Buffett wasn’t performing.

“He loved [performing] more than anything, but when he wasn’t, he was fishing or flying somewhere to fish or go surfing,” the journalist continued. “Those were just such special times.”

Carl Hiaasen.Monica Schipper/Getty

Monica Schipper/Getty

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

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

“It wasn’t an act. It wasn’t just his brand. That was the way he lived,” he continued. “That dude, he had a great life, and he would be the first to tell you that.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Looking back to a specific instance when Buffett let his carefree approach to life lead the way, Hiaasen said the star once left an outing with friends in the Bahamas to travel to a private island to play golf before nightfall.

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

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

Jimmy Buffett.Rick Diamond/Getty

Rick Diamond/Getty

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

“Honestly, I treasure those times we had, being 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 Margaritaville restaurants, resorts, hotels, communities and cruises plan to celebrate “Jimmy Buffett Day” on Aug. 30, and the following Labor Day weekend with “consumer activations, room packages, drink promotions and give-back moments,” according to a press release.

source: people.com