Go To Key Largo
Key Largo is the first of the Florida Keys, and it’s the self-proclaimed Dive Capital of the World. Expect to dive in and find yourself in an underwater park. In fact, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located here, and it’s the first undersea park in the country. You can kayak through mangroves, snorkel or scuba dive, go sport fishing, or set out on a glass-bottom boat tour. For all of your favorite water activities, it doesn’t get much cooler than this!
You can also explore Key Largo by boat. If you’re older or not one for participating in activities yourself, boarding a vessel is a great way to get out on the water instead of getting in it. The African Queen Canal Cruise was made famous by the 1951 movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. You can embark on a 90-minute sightseeing cruise departing from Marina del Mar. Or you can level up and take a dinner cruise! There’s fun for the whole family in Key Largo.
Visit Islamorada
Islamorada is a village encompassing six of the Florida Keys that are known for their coral reefs. It’s located halfway between Miami and Key West. You can stop here for just a day trip or spend a bit longer seeing what there is to experience. This area provides you with activities, water sports, history, and local food. For example, you could swim with dolphins at the Theater of the Sea, which is Islamorada’s best-known attraction. It’s also known as the unofficial sport fishing capital of the world. This village of islands prides itself on fresh seafood, fine dining, and plenty of marinas. This artisan village is chock-full of colorful arts, crafts, and other island treasures.
Take a Trip to Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is located at Mile Marker 37 on Big Pine Key. It’s home to more than 150 species of rare flora and fauna. Here, you’ll find pristine and unspoiled beaches where you can shell, geocache, snorkel, and hang out. If you want to stay here, your options range from everything from primitive camping sites to glamping cabins. You can also see endangered Key deer as they feed and frolic in the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge, which is home to several hundred of the miniature deer.
See Dry Tortugas National Park
This conglomerate of islands 70 miles (112.65 km) west of Key West is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Here, you’ll be able to explore the park’s historic Fort Jefferson, snorkel, dive, or swim in the clear waters, enjoy birdwatching, or camp under the stars. Don’t miss it!
Try Out Local Food
No surprise that there will be plenty of fresh seafood to try when you’re visiting the Florida Keys. Here are some of the local foods you need to try when you’re on vacation:
Key West pink shrimp—sweeter than other varieties.
Hogfish - mild-flavored fish in the snapper family.
“Catch of the day” - snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, Florida spiny lobster, pompano, yellowfin tuna, swordfish, wahoo, sea bass, scallops, conch, octopus, or calamari.
Lionfish—invasive species introduced to Florida during the 1980s that restaurants feature when available.
Salute Diversity and Openness
The Florida Keys are an incredibly open-minded destination. If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this is the perfect place to plan your next vacation. The Keys are a gay-friendly destination, particularly the westernmost island, Key West, where the city motto is “One Human Family”. Drag shows, weddings, water excursions, late-night parties, beaches, clothing-optional resorts, and the only gay & lesbian historic trolley tour make the island the preeminent LGBT vacation choice. Whether you are looking for a romantic retreat or decadent fun, you can find it here in Gay Key West, where there's a party 365 days a year!
Final Thoughts
This 113-mile stretch of islands is some of the most beautiful scenery in the U.S. If you’ve been searching for the perfect destination this year, make it happen! We have been offering Florida Keys tours since 1986. Explore as much as you can while you’re down this way. As Jimmy Buffett famously sang, “These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes, nothing remains quite the same.” You’ll never be the same after visiting Florida’s most beloved chain of breathtaking islands. Visit The Florida Keys and Key West today with your friends and family to make the best of your time in the State of Florida. The sand and sea are waiting for you.
