The Magical Islands of the Keys
The Florida Keys is a series of lovely islands which extend southwest from Miami. The islands are individually unique in their own way and utterly magnificent. This is the best location for scuba diving, fishing, canoeing, and boating. The waters are clear aqua, the water temperature is pleasant, and the weather is perfect for enjoying the island life.
Leaving Miami, through the Overseas Highway, the first island, Key Largo could be the first terrific destination for visitors. Being at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is absolutely unique experience. The greatest specialties are the living coral reef formations and the marine life that attract most park visitors, who can also get a gorgeous view of the reef and the undersea world from a glass-bottom boat. Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, camping are also available!
In Marathon, The Dolphin Research Center’s residents are eagerly waiting to meet you, and communicate, swim or paint with you.
Then drive through the famous and filmed Seven Mile Bridge connecting Knights Key to Little Duck Key marveling the shades of the turquoise and blue colors of the water. Later, on your way back to Miami, there is a closer view to the historic bridge which was used as a railroad.
The last and largest island is Key West, where Ernest Hemingway completed the Farewell to Arms at his home on Whitehead Street and wrote other pieces of literature. Key West and its residents of the haves and the have not inspired the setting and the characters for Hemingway’s novel, the To Have and Have Not – some at the harbor, others at Sloppy Joe’s bar. Now visitors can see this famous place, and meet the descendents of Hemingway’s six-toed cats.
The lighthouse, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory are located on Duval Street. Visit The Southernmost Point of the U.S., a glass bottom boat, shops, restaurants, enjoy the 19 th century architecture and try a key-lime pie. Dive to explore sunken ships and gorgeous coral reefs.
Key West has its own international airport and numerous marinas. Visitors can fly down there, take their boat, a cruise, or travel by car through all the other quaint islands. With all that Key West offers, you will understand why President Harry Truman wrote in his winter White House: “I’ve a notion to move the capital to Key West and just stay.”
