The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys, consisting of Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, and Key West, stretch some 106 miles from the Florida mainland to Key West and offer the visitor some of the best fishing, snorkeling, and diving in the world as well as sanctuaries for the flora and fauna of the area, beautiful natural parks, gourmet restaurants, and historic points of interest.

 Travelers to the Keys have several options for transportation. If driving from Miami International Airport, take Lejeune Rd. south to 595 to the Florida Turnpike and then simply follow U.S. 1 south to the Keys. If coming from the Ft. Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport, go also to the Florida Turnpike and U.S.1. You will first arrive at Key Largo which is approximately 1 1/2 hours from the Miami Airport. Key West will be about 2 hours from Key Largo. Mile markers, small green signs marked M.M.,  indicate at what mile you are on the Overseas Highway (U.S.1).  

 A Shuttle offers door-to-door service from the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami International Airports to the Keys. Please call at least 24 hours ahead. 1-888-765-9997 or 305-289-9997. Greyhound Lines (Bus) has service between Miami International Airport and the Keys. Tel. 800-231-2222. AMTRAK trains run as far south as Ft.Lauderdale where you can transfer to a shuttle service. Tel. AMTRAK 1-800-USARAIL.   

                                                                                                                                    Florida Coastal Airlines (888-435-9322) has regular service into the Florida Keys Marathon Airport. Two charter airlines also serve Marathon: SeaCoast Airlines (866-302-6278) and Paradise Air (305-743-4222). Private aircraft, including jets, will find complete service at the Marathon Airport including two full service F.B.O.s with both jet and aviation fuels, maintenance, tie down, and pilot and passenger facilities.  

The Intracoastal Waterway runs the length of the Keys making them accessible for entry by boat.

 Many visitors come to the Keys for the superb diving found here. The entire chain of keys is a wonderland for both snorkeling and scuba. In many of the parks throughout the Keys the marine life is protected which offers superb opportunities for underwater photography. There are numerous artificial reefs providing habitat for the flora and fauna of the area, creating an idyllic enviroment for both photographers and divers.

 Although all of the islands offer the visitor superb recreational activities such as scuba, snorkeling, fishing, underwater photography, each Key also has its unique personal charm.

Island Personalities

 If you are driving south on the Overseas Highway, the first Key you will approach is Key Largo, about one and a half hours from the Miami Airport. Because of its location in the Upper Keys near the Florida Everglades, visitors can take tours of this fasinating preserve with its array of wildlife and botanical treasures. A special favorite for birders!

 South of Key Largo is Islamorada, known as the sport-fishing capital of the world and for good reason! Here one has the choice of fishing in the deep-blue waters of the Atlantic for tuna and dolphin or in the waters of the Florida Bay where tarpon, snapper, and bonefish abound. A favorite for divers is the 287-foot Eagle which was sunk to create an artificial reef. Numerous reefs make this ideal also for underwater photography.

 Below Islamorada in the area of Mile Marker 50, is Marathon, site of the Florida Keys Marathon Airport, a full-service airport for both jet and propeller aircraft. The waters off Marathon offer extensive patch reefs as well as several artificial reefs which are habitat to a wide spectrum of tropical fish and invertebrates. Its central location is an advantage when taking trips to the other Keys.

 Some 20 miles south of Marathon, is Big Pine, the least developed of the Florida Keys. Here is the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary with a tremendrous variety of marine life. A special attraction of Big Pine and the Lower Keys around it are the tiny Key Deer which can be seen in the Key Deer Refuge here.

 At the end of the island chain is Key West, a blend of urbanity and the tropics. Here are homes of figures such as Ernest Hemingway and wildlife artist James Audubon set amid palm-lined streets and ginger-bread houses. When the sun goes down, Key West comes alive with its Sunset Celebration, jugglers, mimes, and other performers. A host of restaurants offer guests everything from local specialities to international gourmet cuisine. It was in the waters off Key West that Mel Fisher brought up the treasures of the Atocha which are on display here.

 These are the tropical gems which make up this delightful tropical smorgasbord of islands known as the Florida Keys.

 Children will find an abundance of recreational activites in the Keys. In addition to watersports and the beaches, there are eco-tours, playgrounds with baseball and basketball facilities, swings, fish feeding, and other attractions for children. There are many excellent sites for family picnics throughout the Keys.

 You have a wide choice of transportation in the Keys -- bicycle, taxi, moped, motor bikes, tour bus -- whatever pleases you is available.

 There are comfortable accommodations for every price range and restaurants catering to every taste -- from island specialities to gourmet international cuisine.

 The Florida Keys -- America´s tropical paradise!