we made your Florida Keys Travel Guide. Learn all about the coral kingdom: an archipelago of islands that divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. A little piece of paradise!
Where is Florida Keys
The archipelago is located in the extreme south of Florida, approximately 1:30h from Miami.
In an arc of 193km in length launched to the south of the tip of Florida with the final island – Key West – just 144km off the coast of Cuba.
And with a narrow road (and 42 bridges) connecting the islands, traveling through the Florida Keys feels like you're on a magical journey surrounded by water.
While it's possible to take a car from Miami and reach Key West (and the southernmost point of the continental United States) in less than four hours (without traffic), this takes away from the charm and richness of the Florida Keys.
Every few kilometers there is a discovery to be made: a tiki bar, a seafood joint, a beach resort or boutique hotel, a beautiful nature reserve or just an exhilarating turquoise view over the famous saltwater flats in toward a blue horizon.
So take a road trip – spend a few days in Key Largo or Islamorada near the top end of the archipelago, touring Marathon or Big Pine Key, then settle in for some serious quirky culture, history and bohemian fun in Key West.
Take time to snorkel, dive and fish, walk along the beach, and eat lots of seafood (and key lime pie).
Florida Keys time zone
Eastern Standard Time (Daylight Saving Time is observed seasonally).
Best time to go to Florida Keys
The high tourist season in the Florida Keys begins right after the holidays at the end of December and lasts until May.
During the months of winter it almost never rains, and even if the clouds pass with a few showers, they disappear that day.
The Keys' subtropical climate means temperatures mild throughout the year, January's high temperatures making it an excellent destination when even Central Florida can be experiencing frost.
At the summer, when temperatures hit the warm range (the average July high is 30°C), the crowds disperse a bit and hotels tend to drop their prices, making this a great time to visit if you're looking to best deals and don't mind the heat and humidity.
the season of hurricanes in the Atlantic goes from June 1st to November 30th, which means more turbulent weather and the possibility of dangerous storms (the peak hurricane months for Florida Keys are between August 15th and October 15th🇧🇷 That said, some of the most beautiful weather of the year – calm waters and fluffy clouds – also occur during this time.
Festivals in the Florida Keys
festivals in the Florida Keys draw large crowds and can be a reason to go or a reason to choose a different vacation time, depending on the type of travel you are looking for.
Peak festivals include the Key West's Hemingway Days (including the famous Hemingway contest) in July and the Carnivalesque Fantasy Fest in october, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival in March, the 7 Mile Bridge Run (the only run surrounded by water along its entire length) in April, and the Key West Brewfest over Labor Day weekend.
Facts about the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a 201km long island chain that begins south of Miami. The coral and limestone islands are connected by 42 bridges – one nearly 11 kilometers long – over the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Keys are divided into five regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine and Lower Keys and Key West.
Key Largo is known as the Diving Capital of the World and is home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the USA's first underwater preserve.
Islamorada is known as the World Capital of sport fishing and is famous for its backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing.
THE Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon is one of the longest segmented bridges in the world.
In Lower Keys, Big Pine Key is home to a national refuge that protects the endangered miniature deer, which have surprisingly come back from near extinction.
Key West, famous as the beloved home of writers Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams (and home to a warm and welcoming LGBTQ+), is closer to Cuba (140 km) than Miami (240 km).
The island – just two miles by four miles in size – is home to a vibrant historic district, an international airport and the southernmost point in the continental United States.
The only road connecting the islands – the Florida Keys Overseas Highway – is the southernmost stretch of US Highway 1 and is sometimes called the Highway That Goes to Sea.
Its green mile marker signs start at mile marker 113 on the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line and run down to marker 0 at the corner of Fleming and Whitehead Streets in Key West (a popular photo opportunity).
It is common for hotels, restaurants, and other websites to assign locations to the nearest mile marker (MM).
The trip from Miami to Key West usually takes four o'clock.
The waters surrounding the chain, which include shallow plains, mangrove cays and coral reefs, are protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail connects nine historic underwater wrecks and artificial reefs from Key Largo to Key West.
Over the years, Florida Keys residents have prospered with agriculture, shipwreck salvage, sponge fishing, commercial fishing (the second largest industry in the Keys today), and tourism the area's main economic driver.
Tourism got its first boost from railroad baron Henry Flagler, who completed a railroad in 1912 linking the Keys to bring tourists south, but a hurricane in 1935 destroyed segments that were never rebuilt.
The Overseas Highway, completed in 1938, became the only way to travel between the Keys on land.
You classic dishes of the Keys reflect the islands' exposure to Caribbean cultures and include spicy conch soup, Cuban classics like old clothes and pork marinated in mojo sauce, pink Key West shrimp and key lime pie.
Surrounded by fishing grounds, the Keys are a great place to eat fresh seafood – classic catches include yellowtail, grouper, lamb, snapper, mahi-mahi, lobster and stone crab.
How to Get to the Florida Keys
Transfers from Miami International Airport (MIA): Keys Shuttle and Florida Keys Express Shuttle offer door-to-door transfer services from Miami International Airport.
Miami bus service: The Greyhound Keys Shuttle connects from the Miami Bus Station and serves the Keys to Key West. Miami-Dade Transit Route 301 Dade-Monroe Express runs from West Palm Drive/3rd Avenue in Miami to Mile Marker 50 in Marathon. From there, the Key West Lower Keys Shuttle connects Marathon to points in Key West.
Inside the Keys: Some islands offer their own transport systems. Freebee Islamorada's on-call electric vehicles take passengers between the 4 islands that make up Islamorada. In Key West, the Duvall Loop is a free bus service with 18 stops in Old Town.
Taxis: Local taxi companies generally service the island area – ask locally for taxis. A taxi stand serves passengers arriving at Key West International Airport (EYW).
Ride sharing: Uber and LYFT operate in the Florida Keys.
Renting your own car.
Best hotels in Florida Keys
Key Largo
Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo
Address: 97000 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: (305) 852-5553
This 200-room and suite resort doubles down on Key Largo's new charms, and its white-sand beach is a tropical playground for paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing, to lounging along a beach shaded (and kept hidden) by a forest of trees. wooden net. The resort's new design features hand-carved furniture, wicker and metalwork – a stylish fit for couples, families and solo travelers.
The Key Largo Bungalows
Address: 99010 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Phone: (305) 363-2830
A former trailer park on a stunning stretch of coastline with a sandy beach has been converted into a lush enclave of tiny homes with grand luxuries including private porches with soaking tubs and outdoor showers. Three on-property restaurants (including a toes-in-the-sand Mexican cantina), a savvy bar with a Hemingway vibe, a top-notch spa, and a panoply of water activities, including catamaran excursions, make it easy to stay. Adults-only, all-inclusive and only 100 km from Miami International Airport.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Address: 81801 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, FL 33936
Phone: (305) 664-4651
This classic luxury resort with its long dock and sport fishing vibe emerged from a post-hurricane upgrade with a third pool, second tiki bar and 10 new casita-style villas complete with butler service.
On the posh side, but with loads of family pool fun, Cheeca is a Keys icon for a reason.
island resort
Address: 82100 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, FL 33936
Phone: (305) 664-2031
From its classic mid-century Overseas Highway signage to its rows of charmingly redone waterfront units (including rooftop solar panels), this family-friendly resort is a nostalgic treat. There is a 1,100-foot long coral sand beach for loungers, two saltwater pools, a fishing pier, and new colorful pads for kids. For rainy days, there's even the Florida Keys History and Discovery Center and Aquarium right on the property.
Marathon
Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club
Address: 58182 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL 33050
Phone: (305) 998-4590
With nostalgic panache, this formerly faded property has been given an eye-popping makeover, as well as an all-new approach to sustainability. On 50 beachfront acres, Grassy Flats is part of the Marathon renaissance, and its classic pool scene and on-site Barrel & Bale bar and beach club seal the cool deal.
Hawks Cay Resort
Address: 61 Hawks Cay Blvd., Duck Key, FL, 33050
Phone: (866) 347-2675
This is pure gold for families wanting a Middle Keys getaway where day trips in every direction are possible. Located just off the main drag on charming Duck Key, Hawks Cay offers water excursions directly from its marina, in addition to the enchanting company of local dolphins. Angler & Ale, the on-site restaurant, will cook your catch or keep everyone happy with dishes like Florida lobster, grouper cheeks and whole roast red snapper.
Bella Island beach resort
Address: 1 Knights Key Blvd., Marathon, FL, 33050
Phone: (305) 481-9451
In the wake of 2017's Hurricane Irma, this new luxury resort on Marathon Key is a game-changer, high-design on a mile-long stretch of private beach and surrounded by over 1,000 palm trees. An outdoor pool and bar with killer sunset views complete the fantasy.
Big Pine and Lower Keys
Palm Island
Address: Little Torch Key
Phone: (305) 684-8341
The only private island resort in the United States is tucked away in the Lower Keys, and it's a luxurious beauty made even more luxurious and beautiful with its post-hurricane renovations. Accessible only by boat and seaplane, the enclave features 30 thatched-roof bungalows with updated interiors (including new suites and floor-to-ceiling glass doors and outdoor copper tubs), new private poolside cabanas, and the sumptuous spaTerre.
Key West
Casa Marina Key West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Address: 1500 Reynolds Street, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 296-3535
Moving gracefully into its second century in 2021, this historic landmark summons the panache of the heady early days of Florida's development at the hands of industrialist Henry M. Flagler. What remains are those glorious lines of Mediterranean Revival architecture, carefully preserved, particularly in Casa Marina's lobby, with its arched doorways and columns and Dade County pine woodwork. Modern luxuries like a pair of pools, a white-sand beach, spa, and rum bar keep this grande dame extremely relevant.
The Gates Hotel Key West
Address: 3824 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040
Phone: 305-320-0930
Perched on the water where the Overseas Highway enters Key West, this urban hotel with a bright beach sensibility feels like a haven within a haven (there's free transportation to Old Town). With a dreamy pool and top-notch rum bar, it can be tempting to never leave the property.
Kimpton Key West
Ella's Cottages – 811 Simonton St., Key West, FL 33040
Fitch Lodge – 1030 Eaton St., Key West, FL 33040
Lighthouse Hotel – 902 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040
Ridley House – 601 Caroline St., Key West, FL 33040
Winslow's Bungalows – 725 Truman Ave., Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (877) 219-4500
One of the newest additions to Key West, this collection of five historic homes, inns, and inns tucked among Old Town's lush side streets are now unified under one hotelier, and it's a wonderful array of boutique hotel options. Each property welcomes pets with open arms and offers complimentary bikes, hammocks, at least one pool, and continental breakfast.
Best restaurants in Florida Keys
Key Largo
Alabama Jack's
The low-key vibe at this outdoor bar on two barges is like a welcome to the world of the Florida Keys (even if you have to run a little way off the Overseas Highway and cross a toll bridge to get there).
But it's a rite of passage: don't miss the conch fritters and the house band – they've been playing there forever.
Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market
A Key Largo tradition for nearly 40 years, this bright blue shack has been the place for big plates of fresh fish and key lime pie (another claim as the best in the Keys). Look for smoked fish and smoked fish sauce here, both Florida specialties.
Key Largo Shell House
Let this family-run institution be your introduction to conch fritters, a Florida Keys specialty. And if you're in the mood for breakfast, have a stack of lemon pancakes.
Mrs's kitchen mac
Named for founder Jeff MacFarland's mother in 1976, this colorful restaurant has long been a local landmark as well as a tourist destination, and for all good reason. Whether it's fresh fish and grits for breakfast or the house-made “konk” tomato soup and baskets of fried fish for lunch, Mrs. Mac is an Upper Keys must.
Islamorada
Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar
It's all about catching the sunset and some live music at this toes-in-the-sand favorite, feasting on local favorites like house-smoked fish dip and lemon pepper snapper. The “Frozen” key lime pie on the dessert menu is famous.
Pierre's Lounge & Restaurant in Morada Bay
It can't all be salty seafood dips in the Keys, so look to Pierre's for Old Florida elegance: a quaint plantation-style mansion, a palm-fringed beach and elevated takes on fresh catch. Part of the complex, the Beach Cafe is beachfront, torchlit dining.
Marathon
Castaway Beachfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar
This classic, sprawling seafood dive has a progressive bent, as owner John Mirabella has joined the movement to capture the invasive species of lionfish that have attacked the Keys' underwater ecosystem.
The result is lionfish on the menu of the aptly named “King of the Jungle” sushi roll (check out the videos on the screens above the bar showing Mirabella diving for the wild-looking fish).
Keys Fishing
There's nothing better than a seafood dive alongside one of the biggest fish exporters on the coast, and this salty classic is pure Keys fun (catch the stone crabs when they're in season). The Lobster Reuben and key lime pie are famous (and rightly so), so bring your appetite.
Big Pine and Lower Keys
south of the seven
If you're wondering, the name means you're south of the Seven Mile Bridge that marks the Lower Keys. Feel like an insider? Now it's time to celebrate with panoramic water views and Mediterranean-inspired menu in this recent remake within the Sugarloaf Lodge landmark.
Square Grouper Bar and Grill
Before hitting the Key West turmoil, this Lower Keys standout is the perfect post-up with its great cocktails and clever seafood dishes like fried conch with a wasabi drizzle. Don't miss the seafood stew.
Key West
Grocery Store and Sandwich Shop 5 Irmãos
Line up with the locals at this historic corner grocery store to grab an excellent Cuban sandwich or another local classic, the Cuban mix (ham, pork, salami, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles). Did we mention they also sell cigars?
Blue sky
With its dense foliage and quirky decor, this Key West landmark is the bohemian hangout of choice, whether at the small stand-up bar for happy hour or taking a table for brunch, lunch or happy dinner. Yes, the upstairs bedrooms were once a brothel, and yes, Hemingway refereed boxing matches here, and yes, the key lime pie is the tallest (and most delicious) pie you'll ever see.
Captain Tony's Lounge
At the original site of Hemingway's main bar, Sloppy Joe's, see decades worth of dollar bills (and other things) nailed to the ceiling. And tell your friends you drank where Hemingway went to drink his whiskey and soda.
Cuban coffee queen
This is Key West's original flavor spot for a café con leche (Cuban espresso with steamed milk), Cortadito (double Cuban espresso with cane sugar topped with steamed milk), smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and Cuban favorites like rice and beans. Coffee bags make great souvenirs.
Little Pearl
Aptly named, this cute and modern restaurant, with its ample navy blue banquettes, is a real Key West find. The chef's tasting menu puts local catch and thoughtful, tropical-inspired preparation at the center. Reservations required.
Pepe's Cafe and Steakhouse
A Key West must, a historic treasure, and worth the wait in line (because you will). Opened by a Cuban fisherman in 1909, Pepe's serves tasty fare all day, but it's those ample breakfasts with eye-opening mimosas and greyhound cocktails made with fresh juice that define a perfect Key West morning.
Papagaio Green Bar
Key West is a city of bars, and even if crawling down Duval Street isn't your thing, you'll want to pay homage to this famous live music venue with its wide balconies and stay for a round and a set (or two). As the sign says, it's a sunny place for shady people.
Things to do in the Florida Keys
coral restoration foundation
Whether you're just in for an eye-opening explanation of the danger facing Florida's coral reefs or book ahead and join the volunteer coral planting program, this truly is a great way to connect with the reef ecosystem that is so crucial in Florida. and elsewhere).
It's also a great way to explore Key Largo's diving scene.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
This is a must-see for snorkelers and scuba divers (and if you don't swim, there are always the glass-bottom boat trips).
These 120 square kilometers of nautical space form the first underwater park in the US, and while the mainland areas boast mangroves and tropical nets, it's the coral reefs that are worth it (and don't forget, Keys waters are always warm, even at the deepest depths). of winter).
Join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour or rent kayaks, paddle boards or canoes.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Well off the beaten path, this 300-acre castaway island is home to Lignum vitae, a spectacular little tree that grows in the tropics and blossoms into glorious flowers (its wood is among the densest and heaviest on the planet). You'll need a boat or kayak to get here; check out rentals and outfitters here.
Turtle Hospital
Leave the old-school nurturing aquariums behind and fall in love with the rehab residents here at the world's first state-licensed veterinary hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of endangered sea turtles.
The tours are excellent and well worth booking in advance.
Bahia Honda State Park
A long-time favorite, this 524-acre state park is receiving a US$ 2.96 million restoration on its north side in 2021, including a 24-campground renovation. Meanwhile, the entire park is a magnet for beach, swim and snorkeling: a perfect day visit.
Keys National Deer Refuge
They're tiny, adorable, and unique to the Florida Keys. And now these miniature key deer are protected, having been saved from the brink of extinction.
Start at the Visitor and Nature Center to learn more about Key's deer, including where to see them and how to explore the refuge's 9,200 acres of preserved forest, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater and salt marshes, and mangrove forests.
Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
No, Audubon did not sleep here (or live here). But this grand 1840s house-museum, with its lush courtyards, is named after the famous naturalist whose paintings of Florida birds are truly iconic.
Join daily tours to catch a glimpse of historic Key West life as well as the famous birds of Audubon – or just enjoy some quiet, refreshing moments on the shaded patio. (Insider info: Audubon spent crucial time birding in Key West in 1832, but lived aboard a sailboat.)
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
There's no better pilgrimage to the Keys than to the home of its most famous literary citizen. Enjoy the lounging cats that are the offspring of Papa's original gang, learn the history behind the pool and walk the small walkway to his writing studio.
Harry S. Truman Little White House
Harry Truman gave them hell, and so he donned a tropical shirt and had friends go fishing and playing cards at this naval site circa 1890, which, when Truman settled there for 175 days of his presidency from 1946 to 1952, became known as the Little White House.
Join a tour of Florida's only presidential venue to get a personal insight into the man behind the office and have time to wander the tree-lined streets of your neighborhood.
Hemingway Rum Company
Located in the bustling Old Town docks area, this new distillery is the perfect hop into the cool shade for a tour, tasting and a little shopping. The star of the show here is Papa's Pilar, a premium rum in a captivating bottle produced with the blessing of the Hemingway family.
Honest Eco Tours
Key West is full of cruise charters, but this progressive tour company sets it far above the rest for its commitment to sustainability and environmental education.
Owned and operated by biologist Billy Litmer, Honest Eco operates out of Historic Seaport and features the SQUID, Key West's first electric power charter boat. Schedule a Dolphin Watch and Snorkel or All the Above Trip, which adds kayaking and an organic vegetarian lunch.
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Come for the 50 to 60 types of butterflies, stay for the pair of flamingos that roam the glass conservatory and delight all visitors. The Learning Center – which focuses on the monarch butterfly – is great for naturalists of all ages.
Key West professional guides
Ready to live that sport fishing dream? The guides here can help even a fishing novice get Hemingway's experience on the water, and they're ready to help experts land that trophy fish.
Mallory Square
Yes, it's touristic. And yes, you can't let in catch at least one sunset to join the throngs of revelers who ogle the street performers, drink daiquiris and do their best to see Key West's famous Green Flash at sunset. Don't miss the cat stunts (seriously).
Old Town Literary Walking Tour
This 90-minute guided walk gives you an inside look at the landmarks and sites that mark the city's literary legacy, including the homes and favorite places of Tennessee Williams, Shel Silverstein, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Frost, among other luminaries. To see the complete Ernest Hemingway, take the time to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, above.
southernmost point
Can you resist a photo on the large, brightly painted buoy that marks the southernmost point of the American continent?
If not, get up early and head to this picturesque corner and get your picture taken before the queue starts to form (because it does).
Where to shop in the Florida Keys
Shell World
Kitschy and over the top, this is a classic Florida Keys tourist stop, but it's totally worth it. Soak up the splendor, pick up a souvenir and know you're part of a great tradition of roadside attractions.
Florida Keys Vendors
You're in the capital of sport fishing, so let's get down to business: this excellent shop will get you ready for your saltwater fly fishing adventure, pair it with a guided tour when you're inspired (you will be). In addition, a large selection of sun protection equipment, which is vital here.
Ocean gardens and gifts
If your home doesn't have a nautical theme, it will be after an hour (or more) in this emporium of all maritime decor, from antiques to handmade outlets (there are shells and costume jewelry too). From anchors to oysters, it's a wonderful place to stay.
Portside Studio and Gallery
Bright and airy, this funky gallery in the heart of the Keys not only showcases owner Valerie Perreault's work, it also hosts shows by emerging artists and features classes, film festivals, lectures, performances and installations.
Rain Barrel Village
There's no resisting Betsy, the 40-foot-long spiny lobster that beckons you from the side of the road. A nod to the old Florida tourism of yesteryear, this collection of colorful cottages set in gardens with all manner of arts, crafts and clothing is pure fun.
90 Miles to Cuba
In a colorful corner of the Historic Seaport District, artist Linda Reike curates vintage finds including rare books, nautical antiques, jewelry and postcards from 1930s Key West and Cuba.
Kermit's original Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Don't think you're being too touristy, falling victim to Kermit's charming presence outside, inviting you to sample a little taste and go inside.
It's totally worth it. This institution is O spot to pick up all kinds of candies that have the words "Keys" and "lemon" on them.
Rodrigues Cigar Factory
The oldest cigar company in the Florida Keys is a fragrant place to spend some time, even if you're not sure you're a cigar smoker (but the perfect place to bring back a souvenir for the one in your life).
Tours include demonstrations, a cigar and Cuban espresso (book online in advance).
Florida Keys weather
The climate in the Florida Keys is subtropical, and the proximity of the Gulf Stream and the Gulf of Mexico means that average summer and winter temperatures rarely differ by more than 10 degrees. Which means year-round paradise (except hurricane season). Here's how the seasons split:
Winter: What's not to love about a season where it almost never rains and temperatures hover between 23 and 26°C. warm. Average rainfall for both months hovers below two inches.
Spring: Early spring is still pretty dry, but with May comes more precipitation (3.5 inches of rain) as hurricane season officially approaches on June 1st. In terms of average temperature, March opens with an average high of 25.8°C and in May that high is up to 29°C.
Summer: Even at the height of summer, the average high is 31°C, and the lack of highways and urban sprawl means the heat isn't as severe as elsewhere. And all the water around the Keys has a refreshing oceanic effect. But it's the wet season, with June and August coming in at just over 12 inches a month.
Autumn: This season includes some of the most violent months of hurricane season, so this could mean threatening storms. It can also mean beautiful, calm days with billowing clouds. August's high temperatures begin to decline, dropping to 30°C in September, 28°C in October and a mild 26°C in November.
Florida Keys travel guide
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