The Florida Keys & Key West aren’t just another vacation spot where you arrive, soak up some sun on a pretty beach, maybe do a little shopping or take a sightseeing tour, sample the local cuisine and depart — essentially unchanged — after a few days.
Reconnect with friends and family while sharing a sun-drenched sailing or kayaking adventure. (Photo by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Sure, you can do all those things just about anywhere along the 125-mile subtropical island chain. But the destination’s vibrant and multifaceted opportunities mean you can (and should) do far more than passively “see the Keys” or “visit the Keys.”
And right now, as the shadow of Hurricane Irma’s unwelcome Sept. 10 visit continues to fade, it’s more important than ever to discover and connect with the islands and the spirit that defines them — and with the special Keys experiences that will make your senses tingle and your smile spread from ear to ear.
The Keys combine the features of a welcoming American small town and those of a Caribbean outpost rich in mañana mindset, irreverent humor and unexpected joys. And while Irma might have impacted some of the island chain’s landscape, storm winds couldn’t touch its one-of-a-kind heritage and heart.
That means, if you treat yourself to a pre-winter break by heading for the unique, individualistic Florida Keys, you’ll find plenty of activities and adventures to experience.
For example, try kiteboarding for the first time, fueled by the ever-present breeze on the shallow flats of the Middle Keys. Catch and release a silvery tarpon off Islamorada, feeling that throat-catching wonder when you let it slip back into its saltwater home. Savor cool, tart Key lime pie at a waterfront restaurant while the sound of an island band sets your feet tapping. Dive into the spectacular underwater world off Key Largo and discover North America’s only living coral barrier reef.
Whether the adventures are large or small, a Keys vacation can fill your senses and leave you feeling vibrantly alive. Equally important, in the Keys’ easygoing atmosphere, you’ll find the freedom to make personal connections with the things and people that matter to you.
Renew romance with a dreamy only-in-the-Keys sunset cruise. (Photo by Greg Tromba, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Reconnect with your kids by sharing the thrill of a swim with friendly dolphins in a saltwater habitat. Connect with the natural world while kayaking through the tranquil Lower Keys backcountry, watching the graceful sway and dance of sea birds and tropical fish.
Reawaken your creativity during classes and seminars led by Keys artists and artisans, or satisfy your sense of heritage by following the route of the historic Florida Keys Overseas Railway. Or reconnect with your significant other on a slow, romantic sunset sail followed by a water’s-edge seafood dinner under the stars.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon the Keys 35 years ago, when the pace was a little lazier and the island chain was spiced by a renegade, end-of-the-world flavor that was completely irresistible. After two days in Key West, I realized I’d found my home — and that feeling has never changed.
Maybe your visit won’t inspire you to make the Florida Keys your forever home. But if you immerse yourself in the Keys experience, you can forge an unforgettable connection with the offbeat, magical islands … and make your stay even more meaningful by reconnecting with the person you really want to be.
