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The Florida Keys & Key West's easy-going
attitude, renegade
spirit and vibrant
coral reefs make
them a favorite
destination. Dangling somewhere between Florida and the Caribbean – both
geographically and
philosophically –
the Florida Keys are
all together
someplace else. Just
as cleanly as they
break from the
mainland, they
depart from
mainstream tempos.
Their easy-going
attitude, renegade
spirit and vibrant
coral reefs make
them a favorite
destination for
families, couples,
watersports
enthusiasts and
escapees of all
kinds where shorts and
flip-flops are the
official uniform of
the so-called "Conch
Republic."
Beginning in Key
Largo, the Florida
Keys National Marine
Sanctuary protects
aquarium-clear
waters, its reefs
and marine life for
the benefit of
fishermen,
snorkelers and
divers.
Fishing is one of
the Keys’ greatest
attractions. Cast
for the big guys –
marlin, sailfish,
tuna, dolphin – on
deepwater charters
or learn to fish
with finesse for the
elusive bonefish, a
haunt of backwater
flats. You’ll find
charters available
on all the major
keys, particularly
Islamorada,
Marathon
and
Big Pine Key.
Marathon is the
launching point for
the Seven Mile
Bridge, part of the
Overseas Highway
that interconnects
the chain of keys
and
is consistently named among the
nation’s most scenic
drives.
The bridge drops you
onto Big Pine Key
and Bahia Honda
State Park, listed
among America’s best
beaches.
At the end of the
road, like a
tropical island
version of Oz (lots
of lizards, no
wizards), lies the
inimitable
Key West.
Forget all the rules
when you enter this
world of street
performers, artists,
sidewalk cafes,
funky saloons,
historic B&Bs and a
sunset celebration
second to none.
Among The Florida
Keys most popular
resorts are:
Key Largo Grande,
Hawks Cay Resort and
Marina,
Hyatt Key West
Resort and the
historical
Casa Marina Resort. |
