There are many beautiful places to celebrate love with your toes in the sand, but nothing compares to a beachfront wedding in subtropical Key West. This idyllic island at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys offers an enchanting, laid-back vibe that’s irresistible to couples looking for a memorable and magical destination wedding.
For Florida Keys foodies, Oct. 15 rivals a national holiday in importance. Why? Because that marks the opening of the annual stone crab season. The orange-red, pale yellow and black stone crab claws contain a sweet, tender meat that’s among the Keys’ most popular delicacies — and they're served at restaurants around the island chain.
In difficult times, it’s calming to recall places that engender a sense of peace — such as the majestic "Christ of the Deep" statue, installed in the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 1965. The 9-foot bronze has become an iconic symbol of Key Largo's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
The Florida Keys are a truly friendly place. The island chain is one of those rare locales where you might be a stranger when you arrive on vacation, but you won’t be one when you depart. So make plans for a Keys getaway and discover some warmhearted, quirky “friends you haven’t met yet.”
The Florida Keys are putting Earth Day in the spotlight with activities on and around April 22, the globally commemorated “birthday” of the modern environmental movement. Of course, every day is a reason to celebrate the beauty of the planet in the Keys, home to spectacular natural wonders on both land and sea.
Roughly 18 years ago, the March Merkin permit tournament was born in the Florida Keys. One of the longest-running permit challenges in the world, the fly-fishing tournament is hard to fish and hard to win. Guest blogger Allison Delashmit provides a look at the angling event, and ways people can support it.
There’s a new way to explore the Florida Keys — a way that’s fun, fascinating and focused on nature. Visitors can now discover the island chain’s eco-attractions and environmental offerings by using the free Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail pass, featuring nearly 50 geo-tagged, bookable activities that encourage connecting with the Keys’ natural world.
As well as the continental United States’ only coral barrier reef, the Florida Keys feature unique dive spots that provide unparalleled adventures for underwater enthusiasts. The majestic "Christ of the Deep" statue, an artificial reef created from a historic Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad bridge, and much more await divers in the island chain.
Renowned as a world-class destination for anglers, history-rich Islamorada is where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing were pioneered. For decades, savvy anglers have found themselves “hooked” on stalking finned and gilled prey in area waters. Much to their satisfaction, there’s something to fish for during every season of the year.
Instead of celebrating the lead-up to Santa’s Dec. 25 arrival by bestowing daily gifts (as suggested in “The Twelve Days of Christmas”), consider celebrating with experiences. Florida Keys experiences, to be exact — because the island chain’s December calendar is packed with creative, colorful and heartwarming events designed to spark smiles and lasting memories.