Key West and the Florida Keys
Key West and the Florida Keys are a long chain of small tropical islands off the southern tip of Florida, connected to the mainland by a highway that hops from island to island over the sea. Key West is the last and most famous island, and it is the southernmost point of the whole United States.
The Florida Keys are loved for their warm turquoise water, palm trees, and easygoing island life, plus the only living coral reef in the continental United States. People come from all over the world to fish, snorkel, watch dolphins, and enjoy the famous Key West sunsets and colorful old streets.
Warm Tropical Weather
Key West is warm and sunny almost all year, with gentle sea breezes and temperatures that rarely drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit even in winter. Summers are hot and humid with short afternoon rain showers, and the ocean stays warm enough for swimming every month of the year.
The Ocean and Beaches
The islands are surrounded by shallow, calm turquoise water that is warm and clear, perfect for wading and swimming. Beaches like Smathers Beach and Bahia Honda State Park have soft sand and gentle waves that are safe and fun for families.
The Coral Reef and Snorkeling
Just off the Keys lies the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, protected inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Snorkelers and divers can float above bright coral and see hundreds of colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays in the clear shallow water.
Deep-Sea Fishing
The Florida Keys are called the sport fishing capital of the world, where boats head out to catch tarpon, sailfish, mahi-mahi, and tuna. Calmer flats near shore are famous for bonefish and permit, and many families enjoy easy trips to catch snapper for dinner.
Wildlife of the Keys
The Keys are home to gentle sea creatures like manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles, and dolphins are often seen jumping beside the boats. On land you can meet the tiny Key deer, a miniature deer that lives only on these islands, and watch pelicans and herons fishing along the shore.
Sunsets at Mallory Square
Every evening crowds gather at Mallory Square in Key West to watch the sun sink into the sea in a burst of orange and pink. It becomes a happy party with street performers, jugglers, musicians, and food stands celebrating the end of the day.
History and Old Town
Key West has a colorful history of sailors, pirates, treasure hunters, and famous writers like Ernest Hemingway, whose old house is now a museum full of six-toed cats. The Old Town streets are lined with bright wooden houses, and a marker at the Southernmost Point shows you are just 90 miles from Cuba.