Florida Keys diners feast on local fish, shrimp, lobster and stone crab — often flavored with tropical fruits and spiced with influences from the island chain's rich melting-pot history. As well as fueling many local eateries’ success, this simply delicious cuisine has inspired culinary experiences from festivals to classes.
Captain Samantha Zeher, owner of Islamorada's KeyZ Charters, earned her license at just 18 while still a college freshman. Today she offers sightseeing charters that include snorkeling and sunset cruises, paddleboard, eco-tours and Everglades excursions. She’s also happy to treat passengers to island trips exploring Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and Alligator Lighthouse -- each with a history dating back to the 1800s.
In the waters off Key Largo, divers have installed a bronze plaque that names and honors the final 250 of 1,000 contributors to a project that sank a former U.S. Naval ship — exactly 15 years ago — to become an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The panel was attached to the side of the Spiegel Grove, the third-largest ship ever scuttled to create a new reef for divers, as another milestone in a story that proves sometimes truth IS stranger than fiction.
Diners can benefit the ocean environment by ordering lionfish at Keys restaurants, helping to decrease the invasive species' population and minimize its negative impacts. Delicate and delicious, the light white meat of the lionfish tastes much like snapper.
Upper Keys artist BJ Royster is renowned for painting transcendent underwater marine life scenes that exude a sense of calm and vivid peace. Realistic and inviting, her images encourage viewers to "dive in" and discover the Keys' ocean realm for themselves.
If you want to be mistaken for a Florida Keys resident — or at least a savvy regular visitor — don’t ever say “kontch.” The widely-used word “conch” is pronounced “konk" on the island chain that's proudly known as the Conch Republic.
The Florida Keys may be known for their subtropical landscapes, crystal-clear waters and sunny blue-sky days — but with an array of after-dark adventures waiting to tempt visitors, the action really intensifies when the sun goes down. Discover five memorable nighttime activities, from diving to ghost hunting, that just can’t be missed.
The Florida Keys offer wedding sites that can't be found anywhere else in the world, so couples can marry in a venue as memorable as their love. Historic Civil War-era forts, the homes of literary and political legends, and waterfront or even underwater settings are available in the unique island chain.
The quirky, charismatic Florida Keys & Key West are connected by a vibrant community of creative spirits — and pieces of their work have been collected into a mural that bridges the Keys with colorful artistry. It’s called, fittingly, “The Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys."
In the laid-back Florida Keys, vacationing is an art form. And if you’re seeking cultural experiences to supplement the Keys’ subtropical “fun and sun” vibe, you’ll find arts offerings in just about every genre. Check out four can’t-miss gems to enjoy and remember.