Some visitors come to the Florida Keys for the fabulous weather and the opportunity to soak up some sun. Others come for the fishing, diving and snorkeling. And if you want to immerse in the salt marsh habitat and get up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, herons or key deer, look no further than this handful of places to experience all that the Florida Keys have to offer. Here’s a travel guide to some of the most exciting activities (many of which are free!) in the Florida Keys.
Islamorada
Fishing and diving enthusiasts should stop at Islamorada, southwest of Key Largo. The number of fishing boats available for charter is testament to Islamorada as a fisherman’s paradise. On a budget? Get your fishing fix at Robbie’s Marina, where you can buy a bucket of bait to hand fish the tarpons at the docks. Watching these gigantic fish leap up in the air is a sight to behold. Robbie’s Marina is the quintessential Florida Keys watering hole, complete with a marina, restaurant, kayak rentals and sidewalk vendors selling everything from hammock to beads to fine art.
Robbie’s Marina
77520 Overseas Hwy
Islamorada
Marathon
Marathon is a laid-back fishing village dotted with marinas and wonderful anchorages, making it a favorite place for boaters to hang out while awaiting a good weather window to cruise to other destinations. An awesome beach to visit is Sombrero Beach, located at Mile Marker 50. Free and open to the public with plenty of parking, Sombrero Beach is one of the nicest beaches in the Florida Keys. While in Marathon, enjoy some excellent fish and stone crab claws at Keys Fisheries. Off the beaten path Burdines Waterfront also serves up some excellent French fries, blackened fish sandwich and burgers.
Keys Fisheries
3502 Gulfview Ave,
Marathon, FL 33050
Burdines Waterfront
1200 Oceanview Ave, End of 15th St,
Marathon, FL 33050
Sombrero Beach
521 23rd Street
Marathon, Fl 33050
Big Pine Key
Bahia Honda State Park has some of the best beaches in Florida, if not in the country. There is an abundance of wildlife, and the sunsets are simply magnificent. Some popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, birding and wildlife viewing. The park has a marina and several campgrounds, so you can bring your boat, RV or tent, or you can rent a cabin. You may need to reserve months in advance, as this is a very popular park.
Also located on Big Pine Key is the National Key Deer Refuge, home of the adorable Key deer, the smallest of the Virginia white-tailed deer. Visit the visitor center at the Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza to learn more about the history of the endangered Key deer and its habitat. You can also find Key deer foraging on both sides of Key Deer Blvd. Illegal feeding has them approaching you unabashedly for some hand-outs when you stop to get a closer look.
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy (Mile Marker 37)
Big Pine Key
Key West
Sunset celebration is a ritual in the laid back Florida Keys. At Key West, sunset viewing is celebrated every evening at Mallory Square with live music and entertainment. The celebration starts two hours before the sunset, so get there early to join in the fun. There are myriad vendors offering unique gifts as well as delicious food and alcoholic beverages. The grand finale is a spectacular sunset as the sun slowly sinks into the Gulf of Mexico.
Key West’s most famous resident is Hemingway. You can tour his home, now a registered National Historic Landmark, to see where he penned many of his greatest novels.
Key West has a wealth of dining and entertainment options. You can feel the pulse and hear music wafting from the bars and restaurants as you stroll along Duval Street. A Jimmy Buffet fan? Have a cheeseburger in paradise at Margaritaville. If you are lucky, you may even get to meet the singer himself. And if you have a penchant for rum, Tortuga Rum Cake Co is the place to go. A Grand Cayman outfit, this company makes some outstanding rum cakes; you can sample them at their store on Front Street.
Margaritaville
500 Duval St
Key West, Fl
Tortuga Rum Cake Co
431 Front St
Key West, Fl
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