Planning a vacation for your favorite destination – the Florida Keys? Fresh blue water, exotic seafood, and plenty of activities bring Florida to the list of must-visit places in the USA.
With every mile travelled, Florida has something different to offer. Every island has its own culture, and it is a joyful place for all. Whether you are planning to go on a family trip or dreaming of a romantic escape, Florida has something for all of you.
Go through with this ultimate guide to the Florida Keys, which covers everything you need to know — from when to visit to top activities for each location.
Key Takeaways
- Best time to visit the Florida Keys
- How to get to Florida without missing the scenic beauty.
- How to choose a perfect vacation rental
- Activities to enjoy, island by island
- Food exploration in the Florida Keys
- Packing essentials for the trip
Planning Your Florida Keys Vacation
Planning a successful vacation to the Florida Keys begins with proper preparation. Deciding when to go and how to arrive at the major destinations will ease and smooth out your journey.
Exploring the Florida Keys after considering factors, such as visiting in the pleasant weather and traveling through the pathways with the most scenic views, can add more fun to your trip.
When to Visit the Florida Keys
Starting from the month November and ending in April is the ideal time to visit the Florida Keys. The months are warm with a pleasant climate, moderate sunshine, and low humidity. It is extremely crowded and pricey during these months.
To visit on a low budget, May-June, September-October are the best months. Be aware of the hurricanes and consider travel insurance while traveling in budget-friendly months.
Getting to the Keys: The Road Trip Experience
Flying directly into Key West may give a quicker start to your journey, but you will miss your drive to the astonishing scenic highways. Consider flying into Miami, and enjoy the 42 series overseas highways by renting a car. This will allow you to explore all the islands without missing the incredible drive to the various other keys.
Finding the Perfect Vacation Rental
Traditional hotels with extra space, a proper kitchen to save extra food costs, and a private pool are best for families and groups will be a perfect vacation rental for a Florida Keys vacation.
Understanding your expectations from the hotel, your budget, group size, and then deciding on the hotel to stay is the best practice for finding a perfect vacation rental. Also, reviews can help you get some insider tips for the trip. Prior booking is recommended to avoid last-minute chaos, especially during peak season.
Island by Island: Essential Activities and Experiences
Finding all the activities to explore on each island will take a lot of time. Here we have shared the best activities to be done and the best places to visit to get the most out of your trip in less time. The three keys have the best to explore in the whole Florida vacation.
The Upper Keys: Key Largo and Islamorada
The Upper Keys have two main towns – Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada. The upper keys have some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving, being beautiful by the National Marine Sanctuary.
Many exciting activities, such as snorkel tours, diving sites, jet ski rentals, kayak tours, and many more, are available to explore. Snorkel tours will take you to the boundaries of the park to see the vast underwater marine life. Feeding tarpon at Robbie’s of Islamorada is one of the satisfying activities for travellers.
The Middle Keys: Marathon
The Middle Keys are best for a serene and quiet atmosphere, most particularly outside. One has to go to Marathon to see the turtle hospital, where turtles that get washed up on beaches and are injured are rehabilitated before being released. Dolphin Research Centre can also be found for dolphin protection and has interactive programs with dolphins.
Sombrero Beach, Bahia Honda State Park, Seven Mile Bridge, and Pigeon Key can be very fascinating for beach lovers. For local nature trails, visit Crane Point Hammock, which is a wild bird rescue centre and a quick stop museum.
The Lower Keys and Key West
Key West has something for everyone – bars, beaches, museums, gardens, shops, and more. The Lower Keys are famous for families, spring breakers, snowbirds, and more. Being called a party spot, it has a lot more to do than just bar hopping.
Whether you’re into history, snorkeling, wildlife, or just soaking in beautiful sunsets, this part of the Keys has you covered. Also, consider booking a dolphin-watching cruise or a jet ski tour, and no doubt, witness the sunset sail or watch the sunset from land at Mallory for free.
Foodie’s Guide to the Keys
A vast variety of food availability is also one of the attractions for a Florida Keys vacation, especially for seafood lovers. Florida has a high availability of restaurants that serve fresh-from-deck catches like grouper and snapper.
Must try conch fritters from local spots, also don’t miss out tasting a slice of Key Lime Pie, which is a tangy, sweet dessert, available at almost every destination. You will have to do experiments for Key Lime Pie, as most of the shops and restaurants claim to be serving the best ones.
Packing Essentials For The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys have many destinations, and you will have to travel for days and nights. Effective packing will help you to avoid basic problems related to clothing and personal accessories. Such as carrying sunscreen with you will protect your skin from UV rays, and having an underwater phone pouch with you will help you snap clear images of the seascapes underneath and marine wildlife.
Also, carrying polarized Sunglasses/Hats shields you from direct sunshine on your face, and polarized glasses will enable you to eliminate the ocean’s glare so that you can observe wildlife. Water shoes will be of assistance while engaging in water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, etc.
Conclusion
The Florida Keys are a destination with a variety of activities to do. Prior planning of hotels, destinations, trip essentials, and others can put you at ease during your trip. Visiting the most famous beaches and places is the best way to enjoy Florida to the maximum, within a few days.
How many days are required for a Florida Keys vacation?
A trip of 6-8 days is recommended for a Florida Keys vacation. This is the time required for exploring the main islands and attractions.
How to travel in Florida on a low budget?
A vacation to the Florida Keys can be expensive, specifically during the peak season. Travelling in low crowd months, as finding a cheap place to stay, can make your trip inexpensive.
What all should be packed to make my trip easier?
Carrying a sunscreen, an underwater phone pouch, polarized sunglasses/hats, and water shoes can help you make your journey easier.
What things should be considered for finding a vacation rental?
Understand your expectations from your vacation rental first. After this, consider your budget, group size, and then deciding on the hotel to stay is the best practice for finding a perfect vacation rental.
