Florida Keys
A 125-mile chain of tropical islands linked by the iconic Overseas Highway, the Florida Keys deliver sun-soaked scenery, laid-back charm, and world-class watersports. From Key Largo to Key West, each region offers its own blend of natural beauty, fresh seafood, and vibrant culture. With warm temperatures year-round and peak season from December to March, the Keys are the perfect escape whenever you need a little paradise.
Why Visit Florida Keys?
- Relax on stunning island beaches with turquoise waters and breathtaking sunsets.
- Discover incredible snorkelling and diving spots among vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
- Savour fresh seafood and tropical flavours in charming waterfront restaurants and tiki bars.
- Explore unique attractions, from historic Key West to scenic drives along the Overseas Highway.
More About Florida Keys
Key Largo
Heading south from Miami, Key Largo is the first stop, with great places to stay including Bakers Cay, Bayside Inn, the Holiday Inn, and the Reefhouse Resort & Marina. Explore John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for diving, certification, underwater sculptures, shipwrecks, and the barrier re2ef, then enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, and a backwaters cruise on the historic African Queen. Families can also opt for glass-bottom boat tours or head to the nearby Everglades for crocodile, alligator, and manatee encounters plus classic airboat rides.
Islamorada
Islamorada, the fisherman’s paradise affectionately dubbed the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, stretches about 20 miles through the Keys while narrowing to just 150 feet in spots, and offers attractions like Anne’s Beach, the Hurricane Monument, Theater of the Sea, and countless fishing excursions, along with popular Upper Keys stays such as Cheeca Lodge, Amara Cay Resort, and La Siesta Resort & Villas.
Big Pine Key
Leaving Marathon across the epic Seven Mile Bridge, you enter Big Pine Key, home to Bahia Honda State Park with its stunning beaches and crystal clear water ideal for snorkelling and diving; you can also explore the Blue Hole’s freshwater habitat for alligators and wading birds, meet the horses and llamas at Sheriff’s Animal Farm, and visit the National Key Deer Refuge and Watson Nature Trail visitor centre, where protected pinelands, easy walking paths, and the tiny, freely roaming Key deer make for a memorable stop.
Key West
Key West, the southernmost and most vibrant of the Keys, is a quirky, eye-catching hub packed with attractions, offering everything from laidback stays like Margaritaville and Havana Cabana to luxury favourites such as the newly renovated Casa Marina, with upscale options just offshore at Sunset Key Cottages and nearby Stock Island’s The Perry and Ocean’s Edge Resort & Marina, plus a golf course; visitors can dive into Duval Street’s bars and nightlife, join the pre-sunset buzz at Mallory Square, cruise at sunset, tour the Hemingway House, enjoy events like Pride, Hemingway Days, Fantasy Fest, and the Key Lime Pie Festival, and even snorkel or explore Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas by boat or seaplane.
Food and Drink
Indigenous Florida Keys cuisine incorporates diverse and delicious influences with an abundant array of fresh fish and seafood harvested from local waters - including Key West pink shrimps, yellowtail snapper, hog snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, dolphin or mahi-mahi, lionfish, and stone crabs. Other local treats to try: Cuban mix sandwiches, vaca frita, conch fritters, and stone crab claws.
Local breweries and distilleries craft their offerings with the island lifestyle in mind and most eateries include Key Lime Pie on their menus, each with their own twist on the classic dessert. No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without sampling a few hand-crafted cocktails infused with subtropical flavours such as Key lime or coconut and, of course, the signature The Rum Runner.
Culture
Key West offers plenty of inspiration for literature lovers, from the Tennessee Williams Museum on Truman Avenue to tours of the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum on Whitehead Street, where Hemingway crafted some of his greatest work, plus the annual Key West Literary Seminar. Across the Keys, you’ll also find a full spectrum of entertainment, including musicals, comedies, Broadway imports, concerts, and festivals, with venues such as Marathon Community Theater, Key West Theater, Red Barn Theatre, Tennessee Williams Theatre, Waterfront Playhouse, Key West Fringe Theater, and the Studios of Key West delivering a robust year-round lineup.
Average temperature
- Jan 22°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 24°C
- Apr 27°C
- May 28°C
- Jun 29°C
- Jul 30°C
- Aug 30°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 27°C
- Nov 25°C
- Dec 23°C
What currency is used in Florida Keys?
What is there to do in Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys offer endless adventure! Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, kayak through turquoise waters, and explore historic Key West’s lively streets. Savour fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, relax on sun-soaked beaches, or take a scenic drive along the iconic Overseas Highway. Paradise awaits at every turn.
When is the best time of the year to visit?
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