All about Florida Keys

Overview

The Florida Keys, an iconic scenic route is an epic road trip that many people around the world undertake. The entire coastal route is filled with picturesque landscapes across the islands that are connected by bridges on the turquoise waters giving you an exquisite tropical vibe throughout your entire journey.

The best thing about this road trip is that the drive time is less. Every following destination is less than an hour's drive and hence you can visit and explore every location without getting tired and relax at your own pace.

In this blog, we have covered everything related to this majestic road trip including the adventures you can embark upon and places where you can stay and dine with your loved ones.

What are Florida Keys?

The Florida Keys are a chain of tropical islands located off the southern coast of Florida, forming the southernmost part of the continental United States. They stretch from the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, starting near Miami, all the way southwest to Key West.

A road trip on this route is a panoramic drive through the islands. While on the journey, you can do various activities such as Snorkeling, Diving and Whale Watching to add thrill to your trip. In addition to this, various museums, wildlife and boat tours will create lifelong memories.

What are the 7 keys in Florida?

The Florida Keys are made up of over 800 islands in the southernmost city in the continental United States. The 7 main keys in order are as follows-

• Key Largo

• Islamorada

• Marathon

• Big Pine Key

• Bahia Honda Key

• Little Torch Key

• Key West

Florida Keys Map

How long are the Florida Keys?

The Florida Keys are stretched over a distance of 165 miles covering numerous small islands. The US Route 1 or Highway 1 covers these islands. You can easily drive through these islands and make a perfect road trip to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and indulge in the coastal beauty.

How many bridges are there in the Florida Keys?

There are a total of 42 bridges that cover the entire Florida Keys. The longest bridge of the route is the Seven Mile Bridge which is 35,716 feet long covering a distance of 11 km and connects the mainland of Florida to the Florida Keys. On the other hand, the shortest bridge is the Harris Gap Bridge which is 37 feet in length.

What to do in the Florida Keys?

As you drive through the islands, you can indulge in various water activities namely Kayaking, boating, scuba diving and fishing. You can also go hiking and discover some of the most beautiful spots on the islands. As you hike, you can also watch wildlife, camp and sleep under the blanket of stars. The full road trip is lavish with stunning beaches where you can soak your feet and unwind.

How to get to Florida Keys?

There are two ways to start your Florida Keys road trip. One way is to start from Miami and then drive through Florida City which will connect you to the first of Florida Keys, that is Key Largo. Another way is you start from Key West and drive all through the islands and reach Miami.

If you are coming from far-away places then you will land either at Miami International Airport or Key West International Airport. We recommend car rentals for your road trip as they will provide you the ultimate comfort and convenience to drive through the islands along with flexibility to take your car anywhere you wish to, for the best exploration.

What is the best time to visit the Florida Keys?

The best time to visit the Florida Keys is between late November and early December.

Being a coastal region, the weather is hot all year round. However, the months between November and February bring mild temperatures and low humidity enabling you to enjoy the trip fully. You can do various outdoor activities during this period. Moreover, there are a lot of music and art festivals due to the holiday time. If you wish to escape the crowd, you can visit the Florida Keys between April and May.

The Ultimate Florida Keys 5 Day Itinerary

We have made an itinerary starting from Miami and ending in Key West. If you wish, you can start from the opposite direction. To explore the islands fully and make the most of your trip, we have mentioned a 5-day road trip. Read our itinerary to get ideas for your trip and make the most memorable moments with your family and friends.

Day 1: Miami to Key Largo

Begin your iconic road trip from Miami and head to the first destination, which is Key Largo. The distance between the two is 68 miles which will take you around 1-1.5 hours to cover. The route for the day will be covered with cityscape first which will take you through the highways with lush green trees on both sides and will further open to the perfect oceanic view of Key Largo.

Spend a day in the Diving Capital of the World, Key Largo. Go to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in the southeast of the island. It is the country's first undersea park which offers numerous activities such as snorkeling tours, glass-bottom boat tours and a plethora of family-friendly outdoor recreation opportunities both on and off the water. To add more adventure to the day, go for scuba diving.

After spending some time undersea and watching the wonders of nature, take a walk in the lush green scenery of Key Largo and spend a night with the oceanic view from your hotel. Below, we have mentioned some of the decent hotels and restaurants that you can consider when on this island.

Day 2: Key Largo to Islamorada

Have a nice breakfast by the seaside and head to your next destination of the day which is Islamorada. It lies at a distance of 17 miles which will take you hardly 25 minutes to reach. While on your way, you can visit the Theater of the Sea where you can watch dolphin, parrot and sea lion shows. Here you can also go on boat tours, swim with dolphins, paint with sea lions and create fun memories.

Islamorada, the Sportfishing Capital of the World is a painted village surrounded by water which offers many things to do to its travelers. Get into the boat and catch some fish in the sea. You can also go to Robbie's Marina to feed the tarpon. Thereafter, you can also visit the History of Diving Museum, the Indian Key State Historic Site, Alligator Reef Light House and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park.

If you love to hike, this place has some good hiking trails. Visit Mangrove Hammocks and explore the hidden gems there. Watch the sunset over the horizon and have a nice dinner. Here is a list of some places where you can dine and spend a relaxing night.

Day 3: Islamorada to Marathon

On the third day of your journey, head to Marathon, a city in the middle of Florida Keys which is at a distance of 30.4 miles from Islamorada. This charming city is a blend of culture, history and adventure and is all set to give you a magical experience. It is a less crowded place loaded with attractions and natural beauty and hence you can have a laid-back day here.

Start your day in Marathon by visiting Turtle Hospital, a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured sea turtles. Thereafter, go for kayak, paddleboard or hike through the park's lush mangroves and trails at Hammock State Park. It is a great place for bird watching as well.

The people of Marathon are quite nice. Meet and get into talking with some charters and they will take you to the best spots for fishing mahi mahi and snapper where you can too fish like a local! Once you come back, soak your feet in Sombrero Beach and savor authentic food made with herbs and coastal love.

Witness the vibrant colors of orange and pink as the sun sets over the horizon at Sunset Park Beach and feel the serenity. Consider the following places to eat and stay in Marathon.

Day 4: Marathon to Big Pine Key

Lying at a distance of 21.4 miles is Big Pine Key, the next destination of your trip. Reaching here will take you around half an hour. The main highlight of the drive on this day is Seven Mile Bridge which is the longest bridge in Florida Keys. Take a walk on the bridge and click pictures with your loved ones.

Pro Tip: Start early in the morning and watch the sunrise on the Seven Mile Bridge.

Big Pine Key will captivate you with its soothing environment and beautiful panorama. Explore the local sights on this nature lover's dream island and witness Mother Nature in its rawest form. If you are with family, The Theatre of the Sea and the National Key Deer Refuge are great options. Visit Blue Hole if you wish to see alligators.

If you wish to add some thrill to your day, visit Bahia National Park. It is home to three beaches namely Loggerhead Beach, Calusa Beach and Sandspur Beach and offers many activities such as boat tours, snorkeling, diving and camping.

If you do not wish to camp on this day, consider the following places to dine and spend a night in Big Pine Key.

Day 5: Big Pine Key to Key West

On the last day of your journey, make your way toward the final destination which is Key West. Although it is a 45-minute drive, we recommend you start early so that you get more time to spend in Key West. This southernmost city in the continental United States offers aesthetic street views, gourmet restaurants and countless adventures on the shoreline.

Start with Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory where you can walk among over 50 species of butterflies in lush green gardens and cascading waterfalls. Moreover, the city is home to numerous museums which are within walking distance from each other. To name a few, these are Truman Little White House, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Sails To Rails Museum, Shipwreck Museum and Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House.

Spend the evening at Mallory Square where many local artisans come together and perform for the public. Enjoy yourself along the crowd and immerse in the magic of Key West.

Pro Tip: Buy souvenirs for family and friends at Mallory Square and try Key Lime Pie.

Here is a list of some decent places where you can eat and spend a night in Key West.

Useful Tips to Visit Florida Keys