I know how it goes; you’re planning your Florida Keys vacation and as you’re doing your research you discover how much there is to do in the Keys. You can’t possibly fit it all in on your allotted number of vacation days. Let us present to you a Florida Keys Checklist.
These are the places, excursions, and things to do in the Florida Keys that really need to go on your must-do list. These are attractions that you will absolutely love and will leave you with great memories of your Florida Keys vacation. That being said, you don’t have to hit all on the list or that this is the “only” list. I could probably do 100 lists like this about the Florida Keys and not be wrong. Just pick what fits your vacation profile and go have fun.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
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John Pennekamp, the first U.S. underwater state park, has something for everyone, mangrove kayaking, beautiful beaches, 18th century canons viewable while snorkeling, and glass bottom boat tours so that you can view the reefs without even getting wet.
If you want to get wet, they also have snorkel tours, scuba tours, and boat rentals. If you like all that and you want to spend more than one day there, you’re in luck, they also have campgrounds with room for 42 RVs/tents.
Go Snorkeling/Scuba Diving on Your Florida Keys Vacation
Key Largo is the “Dive Capital” of the world! There are multiple tour operators that offer both scuba and snorkel tours to Christ of the Abyss statue as well as other spots on the reef. For scuba enthusiasts, there are shipwrecks around Key Largo that are on the Shipwreck Trail of the Florida Keys. If you’ve never been scuba diving before, need a refresher, or are an old pro, there are operators who offer every level of diving, including refresher courses and new to scuba courses. Find a list of Blue Star Operators here.
For people who want to spend more time floating on top of the water with an occasional dive closer to the reef, Pirates Cove Watersports, Sundiver Snorkel Tours, and Silent World Dive Center all offer a variety of snorkel tours to suit your needs.
Visit the Islamorada Sandbar
The Islamorada sandbar is about a mile offshore at MM 84 and it’s what it sounds like, a sandbar in the middle of the ocean. It’s pretty much a party in the ocean with people hanging out in beach chairs, with coolers, and even grills on the shallow part of the sandbar.
You can’t walk there, but you can kayak, paddleboard, or boat there. And if you don’t have access to one of those, there are private charters that will take you there.
Marathon Turtle Hospital in Marathon
The Marathon Turtle Hospital is a great non-profit organization that has been helping injured sea turtles since 1984. Take a couple of hours to tour this hospital and find out how they rescue and rehabilitate their patients. Included is an educational lecture on the dangers that sea turtles have to deal with and what the hospital does to help. You’ll also learn the colorful backstory of the hospital and tour the grounds with the tanks and pools of the resident sea turtles.
Go Fishing on Your Florida Keys Vacation
Not to be outdone by its neighbor Key Largo, the Dive Capital of the World, Marathon is the Fishing Capital of the world. It’s really easy to fish in Marathon, if you have the gear and a license you can fish off a bridge or shore and catch grouper, tarpon, and shark, you’d actually would be amazed at the size of some fish that are caught around the bridges.
If you have a boat, the Florida Keys offers the best fishing in world, just like their motto states. If you don’t have a boat, and you want to go deep sea fishing, or just near shore fishing, there are numerous charter boats available for rent. If you’ve never been deep sea fishing before, Marathon is the place to start.
Pigeon Key
Just down the road from the Turtle Hospital is where the modern Seven Mile Bridge splits from the old one. You can now walk, bike, or take a trolley across the old bridge to Pigeon Key.
Pigeon Key was important to the construction of the Overseas Railway, the original railway that connected the Keys, and later the Overseas Highway. The island housed the men who worked on both projects and was tapped for various other uses through the years. Today it’s a museum, a research center, and a summer youth camp with beautiful views.
You can take a couple of hours and take a guided tour of the building, after, you can spend more time exploring the grounds. There’s a dock that offers fantastic snorkeling (bring your own gear), or you can fish in designated areas (bring your own gear and license), or have a picnic at one of their tables (bring your own food).
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda has three(!) sandy beaches, that’s a veritable treasure trove in the Keys. They all have beautiful views of turquoise water and two are shadowed by an iconic historic bridge. They make Bahia Honda a perfect stop on your Florida Keys vacation for a couple of hours or a couple of days. The beaches are some of the best that you can find in the Florida Keys. The walk up to the old railway bridge is always worth it for spectacular views of the park and the surrounding waters.
If you’d rather do more than just hang on the beach, they have kayak rentals, and snorkel gear is available at the concession stand if you didn’t bring your own. There is also a snorkel excursion to Looe Key that you can sign up for at the concession stand, they do provide snorkel gear if you book the excursion.
If you want to stay more than a day, they have cabin rentals and RV/Tent campgrounds. Bahia Honda is a designated dark sky location, so the stargazing is incredible when you’re camping.
Keep your Florida Keys checklist of things to do in one of our travel journals. Each interior page has the picture from the cover slightly imprinted in black and white. Available in hardcover or paperback.
Hit a Tiki Bar at Sunset (or Any Other Time) on Your Florida Keys Vacation
Nothing says island time like relaxing under a tiki bar and enjoying a cold drink at sunset while you listen to the waves offshore. Luckily for you the Florida Keys have plenty of tiki bars wherever you are. You can hit the first one in Key Largo, Gilberts, then move on to Snappers, The Island Fish Company, Kiki’s, the next thing that you know, you’re watching the sunset in Key West at The Sunset Kiki Bar.
Hang Out on Duval Street in Key West
Duval Street is home to art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants, and of course bars. The restaurants range from fast food to fine dining, and the bars range from mild to wild to really wild (looking at you The Garden of Eden).
There are historic restaurants and bars with colorful backstories and patrons. You can hang out at two of famous author Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts, Sloppy Joe’s and Capt. Tony’s Saloon. Hell, you don’t even have to go into a bar, you can have a great time just sitting and people watching at one of the many patios up and down Duval Street.
If you’re a cigar aficionado or just want to sit in some really comfy chairs while you have a smoke, there are multiple cigar bars.
If you’re looking for a perfect itinerary, look no further we’ve got you covered! Three days in Key West laid out for you for ultimate fun.
Take a Sunset Cruise on Your Florida Keys Vacation
You don’t have to make it to Key West for a sunset cruise, I’ll let you in on a secret, every stop in the Florida Keys has a sunset cruise available. Wherever it fits in your schedule take it, because wherever it is, it’ll be gorgeous and you won’t regret it!
They have cruises with bands playing, sailing cruises, romantic cruises, dinner cruises, and booze cruises. Pretty much anyway you can get out on the water and watch the sunset, you can find it in the Florida Keys.
Partake in the Shenanigans at Mallory Square in Key West at Sunset
The sunset party has been made into an artform at Mallory Square in Key West. Live music, stunt performers, comedians, and local artisans displaying their wares all during the sunset hours. Sounds good you say, which night does this happen? Oh, that would be every night my friend. Just make your way to Mallory Square, the party starts about two hours before sunset.
Bookmark this page for when you’re planning your Florida Keys vacation. You don’t have to do it all in one trip, but this is a great checklist to reference for every trip to the Keys.
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