Tropical islands, pure-white sandbars and the third largest coral barrier reef in the world: the natural beauty of the Florida Keys has been enticing travelers for generations.
The Florida Keys are a seemingly never-ending coral cay archipelago that divide the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico 120 miles off the southern tip of Florida. The Keys, which are just 90 miles by sea from Cuba, have a culture all of their own. Laid-back, creative and culturally diverse, life in the keys runs only on island time.
Spend your days on the islands diving in a washed-out, sun-faded landscape, splashing in sparkling shores of sandbars, adventuring in the sticky heat of the mangroves or simply kicking back and relaxing in the tropical temperatures.
The archipelago is home to some stunning underwater landscapes across the 1,700 islands, and there are scuba diving opportunities aplenty with a diverse marine life thriving around the protected reefs. Take the exciting route to the Keys and drive along the famously scenic Overseas Highway and then use your car to travel around the islands at your own pace.
So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets, pack your bags – the magic of these islands is waiting for you. Here’s a look at the best places to go in the Florida Keys:
Key West
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At just 4 miles long and 1 mile wide, laid-back Key West is the epitome of island lifestyle. Artistic, quirky and fun, Key West has long been a haven for those looking to take a break from the everyday and spend time relaxing and enjoying life. The tropical island offers visitors the chance to kick back, so you can spend your time wandering the interesting neighborhoods and sipping iced coffee in charming cafes, or sunning yourself on the beaches. You can even go out on the water fishing.
It’s easy to travel around the island – grab yourself a bike and see the sights by pedaling around the quiet streets, or take the bus or tram. Home to the southernmost point in continental USA, accommodation on Key West usually always has views of the sea.
Where to Stay in Key West
- Margaritaville Key West Resort – With fantastic views over the water and its location in the center of the Old Town, this upscale resort is a fun and friendly place to stay.
- The Marker Waterfront Resort – This Victorian era lodging comes complete with simple furnishings; some rooms have four poster beds! The garden here is wonderfully shaded and comes complete with its own heated pool.
- Truman Hotel – Bold, modern rooms decorated with marble are the order of the day at this 3-star offering, which also comes complete with a picturesque poolside area shaded by palm trees.
Key Largo
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If you’re looking for an island paradise and the chance to do a spot of diving, then look no further than Key Largo. Home to a depth of nature, visitors to the island can enjoy a huge range of activities from fishing and kayaking to hiking in the national park. The crystal clear water just off of the coast of Key Largo, in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, boasts the world’s largest artificial reef which is a big draw for keen divers.
The tropical island is has a large Cuban population, and as such you can take the chance to try out some traditional Cuban cuisine in restaurants with stunning sunset views. Stay in Key Largo at one of the island’s many beachside resorts which offer everything you will need so you can sit back and relax. For accommodation on a budget you can opt for a family-run inn.
Where to Stay in Key Largo
- Hampton Inn Key Largo – You can laze under the shade of the palm trees with the sand between your toes at the small beach, swim in the hotel’s outdoor pool, or even rent a kayak and go off adventuring.
- Marina Del Mar Resort – A hot tub and a heated swimming pool (complete with tiki bar) await you ; hinted at by its name, this 3-star hotel is actually located on Key Largo’s largest deep-sea marina.
- Atlantic Bay Resort – Located on its own private beach, staying at this resort means unwinding right in the peace and quiet of nature.
Marathon
Located in the Middle Keys, Marathon stretches for ten miles and is a great choice for a family-friendly getaway. The island has a welcoming local community and a wealth of amenities to make your stay comfortable.
Spend your time under the shade of the trees at Sombrero Beach and swim in the safety of the roped-off area of ocean. You can also try out all sorts of watersports during your stay on Marathon, or take a visit to the turtle hospital where you can learn about wildlife conservation in the Keys.
It’s a good idea to rent yourself a car so that you can travel around the island easily and discover local restaurants serving freshly caught seafood as the sun sets. There is a huge variety of accommodation in Marathon: you could choose to stay in a floating house in the marina or at one of the family-orientated resorts with tranquil sea views.
Where to Stay in Marathon
- Tranquility Bay Resort – Stay in one of the simply opulent rooms in the hotel or opt for your own 2 or 3-bedroom beach house. Amenities include a grill area, a Mediterranean cafe and a beach bar.
- Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway – Sat right on the water’s edge, this place really is a little hideaway where guests can really get into life in the Keys. There are plenty of opportunities to hit the water by renting a boat or going on a snorkeling trip, or just simply whiling away the hours by fishing from the hotel’s dock.
Islamorada
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Translating as Purple Island, Islamorada is consists of six islands: Windley Key, Plantation Key, Indian Key, Upper Matecumbe Key Lignumvitae Key and Lower Matecumbe Key.
These beautiful locations have been labelled as a village of islands, and are known for their depth of marine wildlife with people drawn to the area to explore the many reefs. Islamorada is also popular with keen anglers as there is a wealth of fish to be caught just off the shore.
Hiring a car is essential if you want to see all of what Islamorada has to offer, but you can also try out hiking the tropical trails at Long Key State Park. With so much of Islamorada surrounded by water it would be hard to find a hotel without views of the ocean. There’s a wide choice of resorts to stay in, from mid-range to high-end, most of which have their own pools and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Islamorada
- La Siesta Resort & Marina – You’ll never get bored here, since fishing rods, and kayak and bike hire are included in the nightly fee. It’s right next to the Overseas Highway, meaning it’s perfect if you’re on a road trip.
- Amara Cay Resort – Each room is decorated with an island theme and feature balconies that overlook the water. There’s also the option to choose a room with a kitchen, which is very convenient.
Big Pine Key
Easygoing Big Pine Key is the place to come and kick back. Named after the pines that grow on the island, it is home to the beautiful Bahia Honda State Park. Take some time out on the island and enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling or swimming in the enticing crystal clear waters around Big Pine Key.
If you fancy being more active, there’s a wide range of watersports to try – or you could hike around the Blue Hole, a former limestone quarry turned freshwater lake with attractive natural scenery. Or you can add a dollar bill to the walls of No Name Pub, a popular pub and eatery that is often the first stop for road trippers making their way to Key West.
The island is also famous for its large population of Key Deer that have dwarfed in size after many generations of living in the keys.
Where to Stay in Big Pine Key
- The Barnacle B&B – This B&B is a laid-back sort of place that’s all kitted out in Caribbean style decor, meaning bright colors and eclectic ornamentation in the homely rooms.This cool place to stay comes with its own private beach, tiki hut and BBQ area.
Little Torch Key
The small island of Little Torch Key is charmingly local, with a friendly atmosphere that’s ideal for couples looking for a relaxing getaway. There are a handful of shops and restaurants for visitors to choose from and the other more populated Keys are an easy car journey away.
This is the island to choose if you are looking for peace and quiet away from it all. And nearby diving opportunities are aplenty at the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.
If you want to stay in the Florida Keys in a slice of romantic solitude you can catch the boat over to Little Palm Island and stay in the enchanting resort – the only problem is, once you sink into your hammock, it will be hard for you to go anywhere else.
Where to Stay in Little Torch Key
- Parmer’s Resort – There are unpretentious rooms on offer at Parmer’s Resort – which come complete with balconies (or patios) – as well as waterfront cottages that feature full kitchens, meaning you get to keep costs low and cook yourself.
