Serving up 125 miles of various island magnificence, the Florida Keys supply a seemingly infinite provide of turquoise waters, pristine white sands and out of doors adventures. Experiencing a lush subtropical local weather and year-round heat might sound out of attain inside the continental United States, however because of the street that runs nearly to the tip of the archipelago, it’s nearer than you suppose.
Stretching from Key Largo to Key West and past, there are round 800 keys to discover, and lots of are related to mainland Florida by the Abroad Freeway. So load up the automotive, pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, and take a look at our checklist of greatest seashore getaways within the Florida Keys.
1. Bahia Honda State Park
Finest seashore for birdwatching and actions
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One of many largest gems on the Florida Birding Path, Bahia Honda State Park teems with wildlife and presents nice alternatives for birdwatching. Nestled between Large Pine Key and Marathon, the park is residence to species corresponding to wooden warblers, nice white herons and sandpipers; it is a haven for each birds and nature lovers.
For prime views of the park’s feathered residents, head over to the Outdated Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge. Whereas now not in use, this partially accessible metal bridge extends over the water, offering breathtaking vistas of the park’s pure magnificence.
Along with birdwatching, Bahia Honda State Park presents a big selection of beachside actions. Guests can lease kayaks, embark on snorkeling excursions and discover nature trails proper beside the shore. The park’s science heart provides a contact of discovery, with workers available to teach guests about native marine life corresponding to stone crabs and comb jellies.
Planning Tip: To benefit from the expertise, keep at one of many park’s three campgrounds, with rest room and bathe blocks, tent areas and hookups for RVs.
2. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Finest seashore for historical past lovers
Historical past lovers visiting Key West on the third weekend of the month are in for a deal with at this sandy spot. Situated on the island’s southwest tip, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park hosts month-to-month Civil Struggle reenactments, bringing to life the fort’s position as a Union stronghold.
12 months-round, guests can discover this fort from the mid-1800s on guided excursions that spotlight its historical past within the Civil Struggle and Spanish-American Struggle, and examine a powerful assortment of seaside cannons and artillery. The park additionally has Key West’s greatest seashore, with white sands, calm waters supreme for swimming and vibrant tropical fish beneath the waves.
Elements of the shore might be rocky, so water footwear make wading simpler. The seashore can be a serene various to Mallory Sq. for watching the sundown, although the park closes instantly after the solar dips beneath the horizon. Accessing the seashore requires a brief 10-minute stroll from the park entrance.
Detour: A 15-minute stroll east of the park is the well-known Hemingway Home, as soon as residence to its namesake writer and nonetheless residence to six-toed cats.
3. Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Finest seashore for a secluded escape
Regardless of its identify, Key West isn’t the westernmost vacation spot within the Florida Keys; that distinction belongs to Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park, 70 miles west. Spilling into the Gulf of Mexico, this distant spot consists of seven islands and is among the most secluded locations within the US Nationwide Park system.
To succeed in it, guests should e book a switch through the park’s official ferry, the Yankee Freedom III, or constitution a personal boat or seaplane. When you arrive, you’ll uncover pristine coral reefs, secluded seashores and historic Fort Jefferson, a large Civil Struggle-era fortress.
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Native Tip: Guide your ferry tickets as far upfront as attainable, as they sometimes promote out days, if not weeks, upfront.
4. John Pennekamp State Park
Finest seashore for an underwater journey
Hailed as the primary underwater park within the US, John Pennekamp State Park spans greater than 48,000 acres of ocean and 170 acres of dry land, providing a mixture of marine adventures and land-based actions. It is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and its coral reefs teem with marine life corresponding to barracudas and parrotfish.
For an up-close view, e book a glass-bottom boat tour to Molasses Reef (they run 3 times day by day year-round), or discover the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue on snorkeling or diving journeys. For those who’re completely happy to discover above the water, the park has miles of mangrove-lined channels for kayaking.
On land, there are three nature trails, together with the Mangrove Path – a boardwalk showcasing this distinctive ecosystem – and the Wild Tamarind Path, the place labels assist guests establish native hardwood bushes. The customer heart includes a 30,000-gallon aquarium and informative nature movies, whereas nightly campfire applications are a enjoyable contact throughout the trip season.
Planning Tip: The park has its personal dive store, providing day by day boat dives in season. Snorkeling journeys depart as much as 5 occasions day by day; e book forward on-line.
5. Sombrero Seaside
Finest seashore for households and turtles
This widespread seashore in Marathon is as family-friendly because it will get, with shaded picnic spots, barbecue grills, a playground and volleyball courts. Its calm waters and sandy shores make it supreme for enjoyable or swimming, and from April to October, the seashore is a vital nesting web site for loggerhead turtles – about 10% of the sand is fenced off to guard them.
The town of Marathon presents distinctive alternatives for guests to assist survey and depend the nesting websites, and there are periodic occasions the place nature lovers might help launch rehabilitated turtles again into the ocean. Verify the town administration web site for bulletins.
6. Curry Hammock State Park
Finest seashore within the mid-Keys space
If the colourful crowds of Key West really feel a bit a lot, the serenity of Curry Hammock State Park presents an ideal escape. Nestled between Duck Key and Marathon, this 1000-acre haven is right for out of doors lovers looking for quiet.
The park options campsites, a 1.5-mile nature path and 4 picnic pavilions, however the actual spotlight is paddling. Two widespread kayak routes await, with the standout being the 1.5-mile loop round Little Crawl Key. This scenic journey takes paddlers by mangrove tunnels and a deep-water lagoon, passing sun-soaked sandbars –excellent for a day immersed in nature.
Native Tip: Regardless of being a paddling hub, on-site leases might be hit-or-miss exterior of the vacation season. Instead, close by Marathon Kayaking and Paddleboarding presents leases year-round.
7. Smathers Seaside
Finest Key West seashore escape
Image a traditional South Florida seashore with white sand stretching all the way down to turquoise waters. Nestled on Key West’s southern shore, Smathers Seaside suits the invoice completely, with ample house for leisure or journey. Highlights embody volleyball courts, meals vans and a water sports activities hub the place you may prepare parasailing, jet snowboarding and kayaking.
For a mini journey, can wade out to the sandbar simply offshore – the shallow, calm waters at Mathers Seaside make it simple to discover. It is value noting nevertheless that this spot will get filled with crowds of faculty college students throughout Spring Break.
8. Higgs Seaside
Finest seashore for canine lovers
In case your Key West journey contains Fido (otherwise you love seeing pups frolic on the sand), Higgs Seaside is a must-visit, because of one in all Florida’s prime canine parks. It’s a captivating spot for leisure, exploration and high quality time together with your furry buddy.
Close by, the Key West Wildlife Heart rehabilitates injured birds, sea turtles and different wildlife, and it presents public excursions six days per week. Past the wildlife, Higgs Seaside has white sand, six tiki huts for picnics, and the historic West Martello Tower – a former army lookout with picturesque gardens that make an ideal Instagram cease.
Native Tip: Canines should stay on a leash on the park, apart from the fenced-in canine park which has devoted areas for small and enormous canine.
9. Anne’s Seaside
Finest under-the-radar seashore
Tucked away on Higher Matecumbe Key in Islamorada, Anne’s Seaside has shallow, calm waters which might be excellent for wading, framed by an emerald line of mangroves. It is supreme for picnicking, sunbathing or kayaking by peaceable waters, and a novel boardwalk presents elevated views of those idyllic environment. Parking is restricted – there are about 15 spots – so arrive early to safe your valuable piece of actual property.
Detour: No journey to Islamorada can be full with out visiting its most well-known resident, Betsy the Lobster. This large lobster statue stands off the Abroad Freeway, about 20 minutes north of Anne’s Seaside.
10. Founders Park Seaside
Finest seashore for sunsets
One other dreamy spot in Islamorada, this seashore and park is an area gem with a wealthy historical past, named to honor (you guessed it) the world’s founding households. Masking 40 acres, the park has a sandy seashore, sports activities fields, strolling trails and a canine park. Going through west, it’s additionally a primary spot for taking within the spectacular sunsets over Florida Bay.
Native Tip: To take the outdoorsy-ness to a different degree, the Historical past of Diving Museum is simply minutes away, providing a deep dive into the Keys’ underwater heritage.
