Few places in the world are more elysian than the Florida Keys, flanked on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other side by the Gulf of Mexico. Known as keys, this beguiling chain of islands stretches 126 miles south towards Cuba, and are the perfect holiday escape.
Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. With 5 Keys to choose from, it’s worth knowing which one will be right for your next Florida getaway. As you explore the keys, you’ll discover an intriguing collection of islands strung together like a shell necklace.
If you’re an activity seeker, head to Key Largo and come face to face with an amazing array of fish while snorkelling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Experience creeks and corals along highway one as you head to Islamorada with its world famous seafood . Fly and flop in Marathon where the pace is a little slower, or for a taste of the Caribbean pencil in the the Lower Keys for the best sunsets, scenery and snorkelling than you could wish for.
Photo credit: @wedreamoftravel
Key Largo
First up, Key Largo: sure, it’s strewn with kitsch, but don’t let that put you off. There are some truly spectacular spots for relaxing by, in, and beneath the water. Key Largo’s glorious beaches with their coconut palms and perennially warm waters, offer awesome swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. A trip to Key Largo is incomplete without an excursion at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park—the country’s first underwater park, which is a must-see for scuba enthusiasts. Grab your snorkels and get diving.
Image credit: Rob O’Neal
Stay:
Reefhouse Resort & Marina with its beachy location and capacious facilities is the perfect place to base yourself, and benefit from its advantageous proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The rooms are airy and bright, many have balconies, book the ones with the bay front views if you can.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau
Eat:
The Keys is *the* perfect destination for seafood and Key Largo Conch House should be your first stop. The fare is simple but exceedingly fresh, and offers an alternative to the usual offering of fritters, fish, and fries found throughout the Keys. The emphasis is on healthy cooking, with the freshest possible seafood served with seasonal vegetables (or fries ). The must-try is a huge portion of conch, and lobster ceviche. For a more upscale experience head to Calusa restaurant and indulge in Caribbean-Creole cuisine with stunning bay views as a backdrop.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau.
Visit:
Although it seems obvious to state, your first stop has to be John Pennekamp State Park which is the first undersea park in the United States. It’s a truly spectacular place spanning 200 nautical miles of reefs which are 8 miles off shore, mangroves, and other precious marine habitats. Although the main draw is diving and snorkelling, gentler pursuits such as boat tours are also on offer. Any standout features or must-sees? Take a scuba trip to get close to Carysfort Reef, which not many dive trips visit. As it’s a water park, come prepared to spend your time on the water pursuit of your choice: kayaking, paddle boarding, diving or snorkelling.
Photo credit: Bob Care / Florida Keys News Bureau
Key West
Perpetually in summer, Key West is all about kicking back. Everyone and everything here seems to go at its own easy pace. But it’s not all hammock time—the diving here is phenomenal, as is the food. Travellers keep coming back for the must-eats: Cuban sandwiches, Cuban coffee, and key-lime pie, along with outstanding seafood. No surprise, the weather, the food, and the scenery have lured lots of crowds, but you can escape them with a well-timed visit in early spring—or just get out on the water where you can stake out your own private spot in the Gulf of Mexico.
Photo credit: Timothy Pierce/ Key Lime Bike Tours
Stay:
Location, location, location makes the elegant Marquesa Hotel the number 1 pick for your stay in Key West. Located at the heart of the old town with its endless rows of bars and restaurants, it manages to be both close enough to the action and also insulated from the party crowds. Not only that, The Marquesa is a mere 15-minute walk to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and just 10 minutes away from Mallory Square with its signature night-time Sunset Celebration. Marquesa is a luxury bolt hole that harks back to a bygone era of old Hollywood glamour. A coastal theme permeates the deco inside the rooms and as well as the facade of the property. A stunning interior courtyard that is enconsed amongst lush vegetation and overlooks a pool adds to the languid mood and a feeling of being cocooned from the hustle and bustle.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau
Eat:
Key West is home of the best Cuban coffee outside of Cuba. Local favourite Cuban Coffee Queen is the perfect spot for you to kick start your day with the perfect morning cup of coffee. Go for one of their Cuban specialties, such as their café con leche. Their sandwich selection is pretty impressive too and offers a great grab and go option if you have a busy itinerary. Continue the Cuban theme and dine at iconic El Meson de Pepe which is located in the popular Old Town neighbourhood next to Mallory Square and has been serving authentic Cuban food and drinks for more than 3 decades. You’ll be hard pressed to choose what to eat from the extensive menu but we recommend Guacamole Cubano served with homemade plantain chips.
Photo credit: El Meson de Pepe
Visit:
Literary types will know that Key West was the home of Ernest Hemingway for over 10 years and the home he lived in, now called Hemingway House in now one of Key West’s most popular attractions. The quirky tour takes you through largely preserved rooms filled with Hemingway memorabilia.
After the house tour you can take a leisurely stroll through the property’s verdant grounds, marvelling at the 53 polydactyl cats that reside on the property and finish off by popping into the gift shop that has numerous copies of every Hemingway title you can think of, including many special editions.
History buffs will love a vist to The historic Harry S. Truman Little White House where Truman spent 175 days of his presidency. The house is open 365 days a year and is a fascinating peek into how the Trumans lived, worked, and relaxed and has impressively been restored as it was in 1949.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau
If you’re keen to explore something beyond Key West, ferries and seaplanes can shuttle you approximately 70 miles from Key West to the Dry Tortugas, a small group of islands that were a a spectacular 19th-century military fort-now-turned-national park. Dry Tortugas is undeniably one of the world’s most spectacular private islands with a picture perfect beach overlooked by a stunning brick fortress. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you can choose to plant yourself on the beach and not move until your boat or seaplane (the only possible modes of transportation) is ready to take you back to the mainland, or actually get up and explore.
Dry Tortugas
Photo credit: Andy Newman/Florida Keys Bureau
Marathon
The island of Marathon is a true tropical paradise famous for water activities and rich history. Its most famous for the Old Seven Mile Bridge which is over a 100 years old and was the original railroad bridge that got turned into a mecca for people to gather and bike, cycle, and run, spot marine life (turtles, sharks, rays), or take in the stunning views. The Pigeon Key area, where Marathon is situated also has a historic and educational centre where guests can learn all about the fascinating history of the place.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau.
Stay:
The Med-luxe inspired Isla Bella Beach resort is the 5 star jewel in the crown resort located on Knights Key in Marathon, midway between Miami and Key West and it serves as a perfect location for exploring the Keys. It’s a stunning resort, part beach house, with sophisticated blue and white interiors with a strong Grecian influence . It ticks every singe box as far as resorts go: Every room has an ocean view, it has a nearly a mile-long private beach, five pools, a marina, waterfront restaurants, and an enormous spa. What more could you ask for.
Eat:
Everything you need food wise can be found on site: The Marketplace Café is where you can enjoy a quick coffee and pastry in the morning before heading out for your excursion and it also doubles up as a mini supermarket and deli where you can grab a bite when you’re feeling peckish. The Beach Bar is great for fresh seafood pre-dinner cocktails, and for a memorable dinner Mahina is the Hawaiian- inspired restaurant with breathtaking ocean views where you can enjoy fabulous fish dishes along with steak and chicken and veggie options.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau.
Visit:
After years of neglect, the old Seven Mile Bridge on the west end of Marathon reopened replete with a brand-new, 2.2-mile promenade that begins from Marathon and takes visitors on a breathtaking journey across the sparkling blue water, with endless views of the ocean. Whether you want a scenic walk, or a chance to spot sea life or simply to catch a sunset, the seven mile bridge has you covered.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau.
At the end of the old Seven Mile bridge you’ll find The historic 5- acre island of Pigeon Key. Most famous for being the home of workers who built the Overseas Railway from Miami to Key West. Today it’s a much loved historic site where visitors can take part in guided tours learning all about the fascinating history. You can make the most of the picturesque setting and enjoy a picnic, relax on the beachfront , snorkel or explore the area on your own before heading back to Marathon and perhaps catching one of the stunning purple-hued sunsets if you’re lucky enough to time your trip back.
Image sourced via Florida Keys News Bureau.
A six night visit to the Florida Keys with Purely America costs from £1,729 per person based on 2 adults sharing (for travel in November ‘23) including return flights from London Heathrow to Miami with British Airways; compact car hire for 7 days including all taxes, fees, insurance and unlimited mileage; accommodation on a room only basis including 2 nights at the Reefhouse Resort & Marina, Key Largo; 2 nights at Marquesa Hotel, Key West; 2 nights at Isla Bella Beach Resort, Marathon. Purelytravel.co.uk, 0844 80 444 80
Visit the Florida Keys website too for further information, www.fla-keys.co.uk
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