The Florida Keys
America’s Caribbean
The Florida Keys got its name from the Spanish word cayo, or island. The Keys are a 112-mile long chain of islands that start at the extreme base of Florida’s terrain. Guests access the Florida Keys via land, ocean, and air. Once here moderate down and relax. It’s your get-away and you’ll be living on island time. The islands are encompassed by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The Keys offer probably the best angling and plunging spots in the world. This is also the home of the main living Coral Reef in the Continental United States.
Exciting Attractions
Thrill-seekers can test their skills on an adventurous fishing charter. This experience gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with various tropical fish on a snorkel trip. You can also dive to explore a famous Florida shipwreck.
For landlubbers, there is also plenty do. The Keys are the home of some of Florida’s finest parks and sanctuaries. There are plenty of places to shop for island wear, home decor, check out local events and much more. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to get a true taste of history into the life of Ernest Miller Hemingway, an American journalist, novelist, and short-story writer.
Still not convinced? Why not explore a 19th Century Fort and Snorkel Crystal Clear Water with Incredible Marine Life. That’s right, about 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Only accessible by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and let your next vacation begin here in the Florida Keys!
Top 3 “Must Do’s” in The Florida Keys
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Off Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where the rich underwater life and a number of wrecks attract many snorkelers and scuba divers. The state park is an inviting sight to behold for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike, and it’s an ideal place to become acquainted with marine life. Off the water, the park has a café and nature trails and offers guided tours of the historic fort.
- Dry Tortuga National Park. Located in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, 70 miles from Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat or seaplane. In addition, this archipelago of seven beach-ringed islands is also home to Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortification that takes up one island in its entirety. The park is a favorite among snorkelers and divers for its coral and seagrass, as well as the numerous shipwrecks that can be easily spotted under the surface. Popular snorkeling spots are the Historic Coaling Pier, Fort Jefferson’s moat wall, and Garden Key’s coral heads. Those with their own boat can explore around Loggerhead Key’s Little Africa Reef and the Windjammer Wreck.
- The Florida Keys has a cuisine unparalleled to nonother due to the amount of fresh and natural waters surrounding the Keys. Be sure to check out the Top 5 Places to Eat in the Florida Keys.
Vacation Homes
The Florida Keys boasts a beautiful selection of vacation homes fit for every family and lifestyle. Located throughout the city Book Villas vacation homes promises to deliver stunning views, beachfront getaways and memories to last a lifetime. Book now with Book Villas today!