FloridaKeys.co.uk

The Overseas Highway and a Chain of Coral Islands

The Florida Keys are a chain of coral islands curving south-west from the tip of mainland Florida, linked by the Overseas Highway, a road of about 125 miles that crosses more than 40 bridges. The most famous, the Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon, runs across open water so turquoise it seems to continue forever. The route passes through Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Big Pine Key before ending at Key West, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.

The Keys are defined by their water. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, at Key Largo, was the first undersea park in the United States, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the only living coral barrier reef in the continental country. Snorkelling and diving here put guests among parrotfish, sea fans and shipwrecks, while backcountry fishing charters head out into the shallow flats at dawn. Islamorada is known as a sport-fishing capital, with a laid-back, friendly seaside character.

Key West, Sunsets and Key Lime Pie

Key West is the southernmost point of the continental United States and a town of colourful conch-style houses, bougainvillea and distinctive character. Duval Street runs from the Gulf to the Atlantic, and Mallory Square holds a nightly sunset celebration of street performers, musicians and stalls. The Hemingway Home and Museum, where the writer lived in the 1930s, is famed for its six-toed cats, while the Southernmost Point buoy is the town's most photographed landmark. Fantasy Fest, held in October, is a flamboyant carnival of costumes and parades.

The Keys' cuisine is a celebration of the sea: conch fritters, fresh snapper, stone crab and the famous key lime pie, whose tart filling and graham crust are claimed by every café along the highway. Seventy miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is reached by ferry or seaplane and holds the great brick Fort Jefferson, ringed by coral and clear water. A tourist board has endless material here, and the Cayman Islands and Bahamas offer natural companions for guests who love reefs.

When to Go and How to Reach the Keys

The dry, sunny months from November to April are the most popular, with warm days and gentle breezes, while late spring suits divers and anglers. The Keys can be reached by a scenic drive of about three to four hours from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or by a short flight into Key West, and many UK guests combine them with a stay on the mainland. A road trip along the highway, with stops for lunch and time on the sand at beaches such as Bahia Honda State Park, is the classic approach.

Itineraries often begin in Fort Lauderdale or in the wider Florida peninsula, and continue to the island chains of the Caribbean by cruise or flight. A name like FloridaKeys.co.uk lets hotels, boating operators and airlines present the Keys as a single, unified story: a journey in which the drive is as memorable as the destination, and every island offers a different version of the same sunlit sea.

Island by Island: Where to Stay in the Keys

Each stretch of the Keys has its own character, so the choice of island shapes the holiday. Key Largo is the diver's base, with dive lodges, waterfront resorts and quick access to the reef. Islamorada, the sport-fishing capital, has relaxed oceanfront resorts, fishing lodges and sunset bars on stilts above the water. Marathon is the family favourite, with sandy beaches, marinas and the Turtle Hospital close by. The Lower Keys, around Big Pine Key and Cudjoe, are quieter and greener, with small inns and cottages that suit nature lovers, kayakers and anyone seeking a slower pace among mangroves and tiny key deer.

Key West is the grand finale, with a choice of historic guesthouses in painted conch houses, lush courtyard hotels in Old Town and larger resorts on the Atlantic side. Couples love the small, gingerbread-trimmed inns on quiet lanes, while groups of friends and families choose private houses with pools and outdoor kitchens. Houseboats, fishing-lodge cabins and waterfront villas add variety, and luxury travellers can take a private island resort or a spa retreat. Whichever island you pick, the water is always close, and an extra night on the road adds time for sunsets, much like a stay in the Cayman Islands but with a road trip to link the stops.

Pink Shrimp, Pirates and the Conch Republic Spirit

The Keys' cooking has a distinctive island accent. Key West pink shrimp, sweet and tender, are served grilled, in garlic butter or in tacos, and fish sandwiches, conch chowder and yellowtail snapper turn up on waterfront menus. Cuban influence is strong, with pressed sandwiches, café con leche and crisp Cuban bread, and fresh coconut and mango add tropical flavours. Spiny lobster season opens in August and brings festival meals, while winter stone crab is a luxury seasonal treat. Roadside stands sell smoked fish dip and fresh key limes, perfect for a picnic at one of the sandy state parks on the drive.

The culture is eccentric and welcoming. The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West opens a door to presidential history, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum shows treasure recovered from Spanish galleons, and the Key West Literary Seminar draws writers each January. The Conch Republic Independence Celebration in April is a joyful local festival of parades and pageants, Pride in June fills Duval Street with colour, and Fantasy Fest closes the year's party calendar in October. Winter is the golden season for weather, spring brings calm seas for fishing and diving, and summer is the time for lobster, warm water and long, lazy evenings.

Reefs, Wrecks and Kayak Trails Under Big Skies

For active guests, the Keys are a natural playground. Key Largo has the Christ of the Abyss statue, a submerged bronze figure that is one of the best-known snorkelling sites in the world, and the Spiegel Grove wreck gives experienced divers a giant artificial reef to explore. Off Key West, the Vandenberg, a former naval vessel, lies on the sea floor as another major dive attraction. Looe Key in the Lower Keys has some of the healthiest coral. Kayakers glide through mangrove tunnels, paddleboarders explore shallow flats, and kiteboarders find steady winds. Sunset sailing trips are a staple of any stay, and fishing charters suit all ages.

Day trips and add-ons are plentiful. Biscayne National Park, an underwater park south of Miami, and the Everglades can be reached on the way down, while Dry Tortugas is a full day by boat or seaplane from Key West. Divers who love the Keys often continue to Bonaire or Cozumel, and beach guests combine them with the Turks and Caicos. An airline or fly-drive operator could package a one-way road trip from Fort Lauderdale with a flight home from Key West, giving the whole of Florida a memorable southern end.

Planning your stay

The Overseas Highway links the Keys across more than 40 bridges, including the long Seven Mile Bridge, running from Key Largo in the north to Key West at the southern end. Key Largo and Islamorada are known for diving, snorkelling and fishing, Marathon is a family base, and Key West has historic streets, sunset gatherings and a lively evening scene. The reef off the Keys is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.

Key West lies roughly 90 miles from Cuba, and the Bahamas are a short flight or cruise away, with Cuba close on the map. Back on the mainland, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are common stops, and the Florida guide covers the whole state.

When to go

Winter and spring are warm, dry and the most popular time, and prices peak from December to Easter. Summer is hot, humid and cheaper, with calm seas good for snorkelling but with thunderstorms and mosquitoes. Autumn is quieter but sits at the heart of hurricane season.

For the Florida Keys, bear in mind that the Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June to November.

Getting there and entry rules

Most visitors fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale, collect a hire car and drive south. Allow around three and a half to four hours from Miami to Key West without traffic, and more at weekends and holidays. Small flights serve Key West itself, and shuttles are available. The speed limit is strictly enforced on the highway.

Apply before you book anything non-refundable.

If you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 you cannot apply for an ESTA, so check your history before you book the Florida Keys. If you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 you cannot apply for an ESTA, so check your history before you book the Florida Keys.

Hurricanes, evacuation and the sea

Sun and heat cause most problems for visitors, so use sun protection, drink water and take shade breaks.

Driving, costs and healthcare

In the Florida Keys, keep passports out of any hire car, boot included, and avoid leaving items on display, since gangs may target vehicles driven by people who look like tourists. Petrol stations that do not display their price often charge considerably more.

Expect these rules in the Florida Keys: the legal age to buy and drink alcohol is 21 across the US.

Before you travel

Entry requirements and official travel guidance are updated regularly, so check the latest position with your government before booking. The sources we used are listed at the foot of this page.

Why the Florida Keys matter to the industry

FloridaKeys.co.uk lets a hotel group, tourist board or airline publish current answers on the road, the reef and storms for the Florida Keys, and our AI platform carries them to searchers.

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