Why Choose A
Florida Keys Vacation?
A Florida Keys vacation is packed with everything you want to do, in one easy to get to and amazingly beautiful place.
Enjoying year round perfect Florida weather, this is where fun and sun meet, and tropical magic begins.
When planning a vacation in the Florida Keys, you'll find that Florida Keys travel is also very easy.
No longer do you have to worry about expensive, sporadic flight times.
Nor are you plagued by questionable airline carrier woes that hamper other tropical destinations.
You can fly into Miami International Airport and get a Florida car rental, driving from Miami to Key Largo, then continue on through the Florida Keys to Key West.
If you're strictly planning a vacation in Key West Florida, you can fly direct, rent a scooter, take a cab or simply walk the small and bustling section that's Old Town Key West.
The Sun Greets the Sea as Another Florida Keys Day Dawns
State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, Dale M. McDonald Collection
The Layout of the Florida Keys
To make planning your vacation in Florida Keys easier, you need to know that the Florida Keys are made up of many islands or cayes, easily divided into three sections.
The Upper Keys are the furthest north and are closest to Miami, Homestead and Florida City. This is where Key Largo, Tavernier and Islamorada are located.
The Middle Keys contain the City of Marathon and Key Colony Beach.
At the south end of the Middle Keys is where the Old and New Seven Mile Bridges are located. The new bridge transports you over impossibly beautiful water down to the Lower Keys.
The Lower Keys contain the popular destinations of Bahia Honda, Big Pine, Sugarloaf, and Key West.
Key West Florida, or Cayo Hueso, is at the end of the chain of islands. This fabulous and energetic spirit of the Conch Republic is also home to one of the wildest island events - Key West Fantasy Fest.
Florida Keys Map Including Everglades National Park
www.byways.org
When planning a vacation to the Florida Keys, it helps to have an understanding of Florida Keys history along with the area's overall layout.
The above Florida Keys map gives you a quick perspective of the islands and the area immediately to the north including Homestead, just south of Miami.
The highway to the west of Homestead marked Main Park Road is the major route through the main section of the Everglades National Park. This is where the Ernest Coe Visitor Center is located, and just past the entrance gates you'll come to the worthwhile Royal Palm Nature Center.
Maps provide a good overview of where cities and attractions are, in relation to each other.
The following Florida Keys video will give you a good feel for the geography of the region. Shot from the air, it puts into perspective the smallness of the islands in comparison to the broad expanse of ocean surrounding them.
You'll also see that water sports are plentiful, with boating, sailing, powerboat racing, fishing and snorkeling being popular pastimes.
You'll spot palm studded, white sandy beaches, and catch a glimpse of the magical expanse of the Seven Mile Bridge as it connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys.
Courtesy of YouTube and Digital Island Media
Florida Keys Vacation Fun Activities To Do
As you explore this website, you'll quickly discover there's no shortage of things to do on your Florida Keys vacation. Just a sampling of the fun Florida things to do include dolphin encounters, fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving Florida Keys.
Our Florida Keys Calendar of Events also gives you a good breakdown of all the exciting Key Largo FL to Key West events that occur each month.
Plus in 2013, the State of Florida is celebrating it's 500th anniversary. This is in commemoration of Ponce de Leon's discovery of the penninsula during his quest for the Fountain of Youth.
This means that the Florida Keys will be planning a variety of additional fun things to do that will make your Florida Keys vacation even more fabulous.
On your holiday, you'll also want to visit the many interesting Florida Keys museums, spend time kayaking, hiking, bicycling, camping or go out on a Key West sunset cruise. Plus if your vacation in Florida Keys coincides with October, you'll want to include at least one day of revelry at the annual 10 day Key West Fantasy Fest.
You'll also want to spend some time "meeting and greeting" the many ghosts of Key West. With so many tragic and untimely deaths having occurred in such a small area, it's no wonder the island's Spanish name is Cayo Hueso or Isle of Bones.
However, scuba diving Florida Keys is one of the most popular vacation activities, and scuba diving Key Largo is considered to be world class.
You also don't have to confine your adventures to just Key Largo FL. The Shipwreck Trail will lead you south on an exciting journey of exploration. Plus you'll find that Marathon Florida and Key West have many great wrecks and reefs waiting for you to discover.
Giant Barrel Sponge
www.noaa.gov, Photo Courtesy of FKNMS
When snorkeling or scuba diving Florida Keys, you'll be thrilled by the vast display of rich and colorful marine life inhabiting the Florida Keys coral reefs.
While exploring these wonders of nature, don't be surprised if you end up on a swim with dolphins, or run into a spiny lobster or even a gigantic sea turtle.
Most Florida Keys vacations entail spending considerable time in the water since there's so many activities you can pursue. However, it's also fun to stretch out on one of the five great Key West beaches, soak up some sun, or just watch each morning's spectacular sunrise.
A Florida Keys vacation also means world class Florida Keys sport fishing. Whether your idea of fun is being in Islamorada fishing, or in Key West fishing, you've come to the right place. This is where world records are made, and some even broken, any given day of the year.
Fishing Charters in Florida Keys Catch the Big Ones!
Collection of Don DeMaria
Florida Keys Public Libraries - Flickr
Places to Stay in the Florida Keys
Florida Keys lodging is as varied as a Key West sunset. They range from modest and comfortable, to luxuriously decadent. With ocean every where you look, most Florida Keys accommodations are either on water, or provide an ocean view.
Some are more affordable than others, for example in the Upper Keys and Middle Keys you'll find that lodging is typically less expensive.
There's also the many fine Key West lodging establishments such as the Waldorf Astoria's Casa Marina Resort - for well - more.
To help you plan your Florida Keys vacation, we've listed all the Florida Keys lodging by area and type. We've also included descriptive listings and TripAdvisor comments for each one. Just click on the handy link below each picture to explore the region of the Florida Keys you're interested in.
 Key Largo Lodging |
 Marathon Lodging |
 Key West Lodging |
You also don't have to purchase Florida Keys real estate to enjoy being here on a long term basis. One of the more popular Florida lodging options include Florida Keys vacation homes. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay in style - "your way".
Florida Keys vacation rentals are extremely popular for anyone wanting to enjoy a home style atmosphere and experience what life would be like living in the Florida Keys. You can also arrange for Florida Keys vacation rentals on a short term basis which makes them flexible and convenient.
However, for many people, Florida Keys real estate is the big temptation. Are you interested in a hidden Florida Key? Perhaps a villa, or an oceanfront condo suits you more. Imagine enjoying a more permanent vacation in paradise, right in your own, new home!
Enjoy Spectacular Florida Keys Oceanfront Views
Courtesy Southernmost Hotel Collection
Staying in Touch With Florida Keys Vacation
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You'll notice as you read through this site that we've included many wonderful pictures for you to enjoy. The copyright information on these pictures can be found on our Photograph and Sponsor Disclosures and Disclaimers page.
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If you have a Florida Keys question, a great story or pictures you'd like to share with us about your Florida Keys vacation, please let us know!
We know you'll have a terrific Florida Keys vacation, and perhaps we'll even see you around this fabulous American Caribbean paradise!
Cathy
Key Largo - 33037
Marathon - 33050
Key West - 33040
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