The Florida Keys are an archipelago (a collection of islands) stretching about one hundred and twenty miles off the southern tip of the Sunshine State of Florida, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Keys make the perfect escape to those who are no more interested in leading a boring, monotonous everyday life on the mainland. The tropical islands are magnificently dotted with mangroves, palm trees, restaurants, cafes, splendid Florida Keys vacation rentals, and resorts. These mangrove and sandbar islands are inundated with a different vibe altogether that would surely erase away all your worries and sorrows.
Dive into the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for a unique underwater life and take a plunge into the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary for Florida Reef, the only barrier coral reef in the United States of America – these striking destinations are widely renowned for scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, and fishing. Come out of the water, soak up the sun on the soft sands of pristine coastline, head straight to Duval Street to grab a mug of beer, and celebrate the Sunset Celebration of Mallory Square.
Florida Keys Vacation Rentals to Add Spice to Your Holiday
Often associated with swimming and sunbathing in the crystal clear turquoise waters, there’s actually much more than what you have read or heard about the Keys. The best way to get around its beautiful islands, immerse in the unique feast of the isles, eat fresh seafood, and try your hands at the adventurous activities is to find a perfect place to stay. Florida Keys home rentals offered by Search Florida Rentals are available in various forms including villas, condos, apartments, townhouses, and beach houses. These accommodation types are known for exuding local hospitality, luxury, comfort, safety and security, on-site service, and other additional services.
Whether traveling with a group of 12 people or a romantic escape away from the maddening crowd of Miami, or a business trip, you will always have the option to book a unique home rental to enjoy an unforgettable stay. Neighborhoods like Marathon Area, Key West Area, and Islamorada Area are replete with an outstanding range of holiday rentals.
Florida Keys’ Best Attractions & Activities
The islands of Florida Keys make a perfect family getaway where expansive beaches both crowded and unspoiled, exotic wildlife, spectacular state parks, interesting history, and endless water adventure opportunities promise to keep you energized and rejuvenated. What if these points of interests are within easy reach, will you still sit at home watching TV?
The topnotch things to see and do in the Florida Keys include –
- Bahia Honda State Park (Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda Key & Looe Key): Walk along the pristine coastlines on the soft sands or on the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge for awe-inspiring views, venture into the water for some water-related adventure activities, or do nothing except reclining to the beach hammock in complete dormant. Bahia Honda State Park, recognized for its long-stretched sandy beach, is perhaps the best natural stretch of sand in the archipelago. Kick-off to an adventure sun-drenched afternoon by renting the kayaks.
- Dry Tortugas National Park (Key West): 70 miles off Key West, located in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas National Park is an archipelago of 7 beach-ringed islands. The Park can only be reached by seaplane or boat. Visitors to this beautiful natural wonder will discover a majestic 19th-century fortress, Fort Jefferson. The fortification almost takes up one island in its entirety. A safe haven for divers and snorkelers, many come here to explore its gorgeous coral and seagrass. Garden Key’s coral heads, Fort Jefferson’s moat wall, and the Historic Coaling Pier are some of the snorkeling spots.
- Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters (Marathon): Your visit to this beautiful, interactive aquarium begins with a guided tour of the mesmerizing marine ecosystems including a tidal pool tank with horseshoe crabs and a mangrove-lined basis filled with tarpon. For immersive experiences, you may like to go underwater in the tropical fish-filled lagoon or the coral reef aquarium.
- Museum of Art & History at the Custom House (Key West): The Florida Keys boast numerous historical sites that are steeped in rich history. For vacationers with keen interests in history will be fascinated to sneak peek into Museum of Art & History at the Custom House and learn a bit about Key West’s history.
- Mallory Square (Key West): One of the island city’s greatest shows where you can take all your oddities, subcultures, and energies and mix and merge them into one. The outcome of all those squawky and raucous forces would form Mallory Square. Marvel at the spellbinding scenes where a man swallows fire, a cat walks a tightrope, and numerous other interesting performances. When dusk prevails and the sun sets into the west, the party animals get back to their life to immerse in nightly sunset celebration.
- History of Diving Museum (Islamorada): Stroll through this compact, unique museum and know about the evolution of diving. The museum houses relics and several exhibits will take you down the memory lane. The fascination comes from a whimsical room dedicated to Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo, the 1797 Klingert’s copper kettle, diving helmets, and massive deep-diving suits.
- Dolphin Research Center: Learn about California sea lions and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Take part in various interactive programs including swimming with the dolphins. Dolphin Research Center will always intrigue travelers who have a penchant for dolphins.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo): Another safe haven for scuba divers and snorkelers, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the country, is the ultimate venue to watch out rich underwater life. It has got captivating swimming areas, nature trails to stroll over, and pleasant beaches to relax. The park has over 48,000 acres of the west and 170 acres of dry parkland.
Most Popular Island Cities/ Islands of the Florida Keys
The following cities are the most popular and should be listed on the itinerary on your next vacation to the Florida Keys.
- Big Pine Key: An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Monroe County, in the Florida Keys, United States, Big Pine Key makes an ideal vacation destination for travelers looking for a low-key holiday. The city is known for drawing holidaymakers who have a strong fascination for water-borne activities like fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
- Key West: Key West is the southernmost city of America. The island city is thronged by visitors from all around the world for its breathtaking sunset views. Teemed with rich natural resources, many famous writers, such as Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams, and Ernest Hemingway, call the city home. An important part of the Florida Keys archipelago, Key West is draped in pastel-hued, conch-style houses. The city is dotted with diving and snorkeling destinations. Popular places to visit in Key West are Duval Street, Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Mallory Square, Dry Tortugas National Park, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, and Harry S. Truman Little White House.
- Key Largo: Your trip to the Florida Keys is never complete without visiting Key Largo. Located about 60 miles from downtown Miami, Key Largo, a census-designated destination in Monroe County, is power-packed with lavish resorts, stunning beaches, thrilling water sports, and great shopping.
- Marathon: Set on 13 islands, the city of Marathon is spectacularly scattered with barrier reef and the pristine beaches. The Dolphin Research Center brags about interactive demos in a shallow lagoon. The mangrove creek and the sandy shoreline are the main attraction of Curry Hammock State Park. Loggerhead turtles nest at Sombrero Beach and Coco Plum Beach.
- Islamorada: Super stunning sunset views, sugary-white sandy beaches, and calming waters – what more you could ask for? Islamorada is well-known for the Theater of the Sea showcasing dolphin encounters, History of Diving Museum displaying exhibits, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Indian Key Historic State Park brags off more than 1,800 ruins, and Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park flaunts dense tropical forest.
Florida Keys vacation homes can easily be spotted just next to the above-renowned places. Looking for a low-budget accommodation or a luxury one with all state-of-the-art amenities, holidaymakers will surely find the most suitable holiday rentals. Look for Florida Keys apartments under $1,500 for your entire family for a week.
Best Time to Visit Florida Keys
Expecting warm-water activities on your vacation to the Florida Keys? Keep in mind that August through September (the hottest months) sees visitors in large number throng to the islands. The average temperature during this period hovers around 91 Degrees F.
How to Get to the Florida Keys
The southernmost tropical islands, the Florida Keys can be reached via air, land, and sea. Getting to the archipelago could be one of the great trips. This is one of those destinations where you can fly, swim (take a short ferry), and drive from mainland Florida.
- By Air: Direct flights are available to Key West International Airport, Florida Keys Marathon Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Tampa Airport, Naples Municipal Airport, Orlando International Airport, etc.
- By Water: Ferry services are available from mainland Florida to Key West.
- By Land: One can reach the Keys on road. You need to take the Turnpike Extension, which would further connect you to Route US 1 and from there, you need to drive through the Keys to Key West.
Excited for the Florida Keys vacations? Read this Search Florida Rentals guide and equip yourself with the important travel tips before embarking on this memorable journey.
