Trade the winter blahs for the salt air, sweet breezes, and blue sky and water of Key West. Slip away to the southernmost outpost in the continental U.S. to savor the subtropical warmth and irresistibly laid-back vibe.
Acclaimed as one of the top saltwater sportfishing destinations on the planet, the Florida Keys offer sensational year-round fishing opportunities. And now, winning a Keys fishing vacation could be as simple as following the destination's Facebook page and entering the #FishFLKeys trip giveaway.
As chilly weather begins to invade northern realms, discover new and enhanced attractions in the sunny subtropical Florida Keys. From underwater exploration to sailing adventures to a unique "escape" experience, they're all designed to intrigue and delight visitors.
For more than three decades, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival has spotlighted coral reef protection and environmentally responsible diving. The unique “submerged songfest” takes place in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary at beautiful Looe Key Reef (about six miles south of Big Pine Key).
The Florida Keys offer a terrific choice of sea-based adventures that you can discover at your own pace, according to your own energy level. With options that range from paddleboarding to snorkeling, you only need one basic ingredient to have an exhilarating outdoor experience in the Keys: simply saltwater!
Encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors is vital in protecting the Florida Keys' natural resources — including the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef. Visitors can share Keys residents' commitment to preserving the unique ecosystem by following the “10 Keymandments.”
When work schedules and responsibilities seem especially stressful, the siren song of the subtropical Florida Keys can be almost impossible to resist. And why resist? The inviting island chain offers SO many ways to treat body and mind to “unplugged” relaxation, both on and off the water.
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.
Each year on Memorial Day Weekend, fans of the fast-growing minimalist trend cheer teams powering boats made of bare-bones materials in the annual Schooner Wharf Minimal Regatta. Now in its 26th year, the quirky regatta is an undisputed tradition in the Florida Keys -- featuring minimally constructed vessels, plucky mariners displaying a “sink or swim” spirit, and maximum fun for spectators.
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.