Florida Keys holidays are a gateway to exploring an archipelago of sunshine, beautiful islands and turquoise waters. This is a natural wonderland that stretches on for 120 miles, surrounded by shimmering oceans and full of wildlife and awe-inspiring reefs; a place where natural beauty is abundant and the sunset is celebrated every night.
Travel to Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys and you’ll soon realise why they’re known as the Natural Keys. With so much pure beauty, there’s many outdoor adventures to be had. Head to Key Largo and discover the fascinating sea life and colourful coral that wait for you beneath the turquoise waters. If you’d rather stay above water, take to a boat and kayak through mangrove forests in Big Pine Key and learn about the area’s unique ecosystem as you go. You can charter a fishing boat in Islamorada, the sport fishing capital of the world, and see what delights you can catch.
For those who like to chase adventure, there’s no better way to spend a holiday in Florida Keys than island hopping. Hire a car and drive along the Overseas Highway, an incredible 113 mile long highway that’s more than just a road; it’s an entirely unique experience, offering surreal views across the Gulf of Mexico. Drive across the ocean on bridges that seem to defy the laws of physics, including the Seven Mile Bridge, and end up in the vibrant island city of Key West.
Why not explore more of the Sunshine State while you’re here? Add some city energy to your Florida Keys holiday and make it a multi centre holiday. Stop in Miami to explore the iconic South Beach and experience the city’s unique spirit, and get your adrenaline pumping at Orlando’s legendary theme parks.
"Hire a kayak and steer your way through the mangroves. Be sure to look out for a manatee or turtle."
"Though you can visit Key West on a day trip from either Miami or Fort Myers, it’s a really incredible experience to island hop and spend a few nights on each of the Keys and it’s the best way to get the most out of this beautiful archipelago."
For 10 days every October, parties and parades of costumed locals and tourists flood the streets of Key West in celebration of creativity, imagination and fantasy. With beach parties, costumed runs, pool parties and endless cocktails, there’s a whole lot to do.
Each year, the beginning of the lobster season is welcomed in with a big party at Key West. It’s a four day long festival, with different events, including a Lobster Boil, a pub crawl along the famous Duval Street, a pool party at Havana Cabana Resort, a street fair and a live concert.
Every night, Mallory Square in Key West welcomes crowds to watch the setting of the sun and enjoy a whole gathering of artists, entertainers and food vendors. It’s a sight to behold, with the pinks and reds of the sunset and its reflections dancing on the Gulf of Mexico sea. This alone makes a trip to Key West worthwhile.
As the name suggests, it’s thought that the Key Lime Pie originated from Florida Keys. The pie consists of a crumb crust filled with a smooth, sweet and zesty lime filling, and sometimes topped with delicious meringue. What makes all the difference is the use of Key Limes, which have a noticeably different taste to other more common limes.
Florida Keys is synonymous with Conch, a mild and sweet tasting marine mollusk that’s very popular in the archipelago. It’s often used in salads and chowder, but it’s most commonly deep-fried into Conch Fritters: a must-try on a Florida Keys holiday.
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