Ponce de Leon “discovered” the Florida Keys (from cayo the
Spanish word for island) in 1513. They have, in their time, been the
home to Native Americans, Spanish explorers, pirates, artists, dreamers
and beach-bums. Today the Keys are among the premier outdoor adventure
destinations in the United States. Traveling from North to South the
1st Key is Key Largo, which features some of the best diving in the
Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Diving, snorkeling and
glass-bottom boats provide visitors amazing views of undersea life and
the Christ of the Abyss statue, a sub-aquatic bronze Christ.
Next is Key Islamorada, the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World”.
Anglers can fish for a multiplicity of game species like marlin and
tuna in the area’s crystal blue waters. Non-anglers can catch
a show instead or swim with the dolphins, stingrays and sea lions at
Theater of the Sea.
The Heart of the Keys, Marathon, is a little town in the middle the
islands. It’s a good place to shop before taking the 7-mile bridge
over the water, which offers stunning views of the ocean and the bay.
Past Marathon lays a chain of small islands known as the Lower Keys.
Here travelers will find unequaled diving at Looe Key Reef and pet-friendly
beaches at Little Duck Key.
Key West, the southernmost Key in the US, sits at the end of the Keys,
just 90 miles from the coast of Cuba. The nightlife here can get a little
crazy, but for some that’s part of its appeal. The nightly Sunset
Celebration at Mallory Square isn’t to be missed.
Visit Florida Keys