At the southernmost tip of the United States lies the Key West, known for its vibrant nightlife, thrilling water-sports, gorgeous beaches, awe-inspiring historic sites, and the conch-style pastel architecture.
What Makes Florida Keys Unique?
The Florida Keys islands are like a completely different world from the mainland. The string of colorful coral reefs, isolated beaches, and the laidback towns offer visitors a welcome escape from the stresses and cares of everyday life.
No matter what activities you have in mind, you will feel different the moment you set foot in the area. Spend time at a secluded tranquil beach, watch dolphins swim in the clear blue waters, or gaze at the sunset while sipping a cocktail.
Endless Beach Days
With average temperatures within the range of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the Keys live up to the Sunshine State nickname of Florida. With over 150 islands waiting to be explored, you wouldn’t run out of options for your next beach holiday.
Smathers Beach in Key West is a favorite among families with great amenities such as the nearby cafes and rental shops for jet skis and others. If you prefer something more peaceful, Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park is worth checking out located near Key West Garden Club’s pretty gardens at West Martello Tower.
For a more secluded getaway, hop on a charter boat that will take you to Dry Tortugas National Park, a stunning crescent of golden sands with a 19th-century fort’s historic stone wall as the backdrop.
Bahia Honda State Park is also one of the Keys’ most picturesque stretches of coastline. Here, you can feel sheer bliss the moment you start exploring the Loggerhead or Calusa beaches. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park’s Cannon Beach with its shallow waters is ideal for snorkeling so you can see the remains of a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.
Be Up Close and Personal with Animals
Simply snorkeling or swimming in the warm waters will give a chance to have personal encounters with some of the many tropical fish of the Keys. You also wouldn’t have a hard time spotting the local dolphin population as they play in the shallows and are easily seen from beaches. Taking a guided water tour will also give you a chance to see the manatees, Florida’s gentle giants who sleep and eat around the waters laden with plants.
The sea turtles are also some of the area’s most popular animals. To see them up close, you might want to visit Marathon’s The Turtle Hospital where rehabilitation is done on injured turtles before they are released back to the waters.
You can also spot all types of fish, birds, and even the elusive Key Deer at the three national parks of the Keys: Big Cypress National Preserve, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Biscayne National Park.
Make More Memories in the Florida Keys
You will feel like you are in a whole new world in the Florida Keys, with its stretches of golden sands, changing scenery, and sun-soaked towns that you will remember for the rest of your life.
