Things to Do in the Florida Keys

Bahia Honda is a remote island on the Lower Florida Keys, close to the west end of the Seven Mile Bridge, which links the Keys to the Florida mainland. Bahia Honda State Park is one of the southernmost state parks and offers visitors an idyllic location to relax and unwind, surrounded by beautiful beaches, wonderful wildlife, and clear, warm waters.

Everything you need for a beach holiday is right on your doorstep – there are campsites right on the edge of the ocean and a few stilted cabins overlooking the bay.

You can bring a boat to launch from the boat ramp, and organized snorkeling tours to the reef are available. In addition, there are three hiking trails to explore and a nature center that offers ranger-led activities and talks.

Bahia Honda State Park, 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone: 305-872-2353

Established in 1980, Key Largo's Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge fulfills a critical need to protect the last remnants of the natural habitat of the American crocodile as well as a collection of other creatures that call this part of the Florida Keys home.

The refuge is located on Upper Key Largo, where it protects a diversity of habitats including hardwood forests, mangrove forests, and salt marshes, which provide critical breeding grounds for the crocodiles, the Key Largo woodrat, and Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly.

Unfortunately, due to the sensitive environment, the refuge is not open to the general public and can only be accessed by volunteers and for research purposes.

Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 10750 County Rd 905, Key Largo, FL 33037, Phone: 305-451-4223

Promising to be an ideal day-trip for nature lovers, the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park protects one of the few remaining large tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the country, along with over 80 other species of protected plants and animals, including the endangered American crocodile.

The park is well equipped to welcome visitors and features over 6 miles of trails, most of which are paved and suitable for bicycles, wheelchairs, and children’s buggies.

As you make your way along the trails, you will have great bird watching and photo opportunities.

There is also a self-guided nature trail, where signs will provide you with info on all that you are seeing. If you prefer, you can join a ranger-guided tour to learn all about the fragile ecology of the park.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, County Rd 905, Mile Marker 106, Key Largo, FL 33037, Phone: 305-451-1202

If you’ve ever dreamt of swimming with dolphins, Dolphins Plus Bayside on Key Largo is the logical place to live out your fantasy.

The cove is located on a natural lagoon on the northernmost part of Key Largo and offers nature lovers the chance to get really up close and personal with a bottlenose dolphin.

Your adventure will begin with a 30-minute boat ride through the backcountry, where you will be instructed about how to behave in the presence of dolphins before you head back to the cove and get your feet wet.

In addition to the organized dolphin swims, Dolphins Plus Bayside also offers natural swim dolphin encounters, where you don a snorkel and swim freely with the curious and friendly dolphins – an unforgettable Key Largo experience.

101900 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037, Phone: 305-451-4060

There aren’t too many places on Earth where you can combine history with an amazing underwater world bristling with marine life. Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is almost entirely covered by water except for a few small islands, one of which is home to historic Fort Jefferson, one of the largest forts every built, dating back to 1846–1875.

After you have toured Fort Jefferson, you can enjoy all the underwater wonders of Dry Tortugas National Park – there are great bathing beaches and several excellent dive sites including reefs, wrecks, and shallow areas perfect for children and beginners.

The only way to reach this amazing place is by scheduled ferry, private boat, or seaplane.

Considering the wonderful weather and superb location, it is unsurprising that one of America’s most honored authors fell in love with Key West and called the island home for more than 10 years. Ernest Hemingway drew inspiration from the remote and beautiful island and bought a Spanish colonial-style home here that was originally built in 1851. Ernest and his wife Pauline extensively renovated the old home, restoring it to its original charm and adding the exceptional luxury (in those days) of a swimming pool and lovely gardens. Today, visitors can go on a guided tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which has been exceptionally well preserved as a museum and contains much of the original furniture and fittings.

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, Phone: 305-294-1136

The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is essential viewing for anyone visiting the Keys and will give you a remarkable insight into the essential role of marine conservation in this very special ecosystem.

The Discovery Center is educational and fun for all ages and features over 6,000 feet of fascinating interactive exhibits, including one dedicated to introducing visitors to Aquarius, the world’s only underwater research laboratory.

You will be able to see an enormous reef tank filled with living coral and tropical fish and learn about the unique habitats found around the Keys. On your way out, you can pop into the gift shop to buy some really unusual gifts to take back home. The good news is that there is no admission fee and parking is free.

Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center, 34 East Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040, Phone: 305-809-4750

Running parallel to US Highway 1 (designated a National Scenic Highway), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is a (mostly) paved 90-mile trail that stretches from Key Largo to Key West, inviting and encouraging walkers, hikers, skateboarders, and cyclists to come and enjoy superlative views.

Along the way you can drop a line to fish for your supper from several fishing bridges and there are also launch areas for kayaking. The trail offers access to a large number of Keys’ attractions including the Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Crocodile Lakes National Park, and several more.

If you would like to camp along the route, you will find private campsites as well as campgrounds in some of the national parks.

Located in the Upper Keys close to Key Largo, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center is a great place to get really up close some of the many marine birds that are being cared for here.

The sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing injured wild birds and nursing them back to health so that they can be released back into the wild. In addition to providing a haven for these birds, the center also strives to enlighten visitors about all the dangers that confront our feathered friends and how we can play a part in protecting their environment.

You can look forward to seeing many free-ranging wild birds, possibly including pelicans, ibises, cormorants, and even storks. It’s an ideal outing for families and avid photographers.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary, 92080 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL 33070

Originally built around 1898, Fort Taylor saw active duty until 1947 and contains the largest US collection of sea-coast cannons, dating back to the Civil War. The historic fort is located near the southern tip of Key West and is adjacent to a beautiful beach that is popular for picnics, swimming, and snorkeling; be warned – you will need water shoes to walk on the finely crushed coral sand. You can learn about the history of Fort Taylor and its part in the Civil War by joining the guided tour. The top of the fort offers great views out over the ocean and there is a small on-site aquarium to visit before you leave.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park , 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040, Phone: 305-292-6713