There鈥檚 no shortage of fun stuff to do in the . From reef snorkeling and mangrove paddling to bike cruises and beach camping, there鈥檚 enough outdoor recreation to last a lifetime. The southernmost point in the U.S. is made up of five distinct districts, each of which offers its own unique take on outdoor entertainment. Our recommendation? Use the following as a Florida Keys starter鈥檚 guide, and then trust your adventure-seeking instincts to lead you to the rest of the fun.
Key Largo
Snorkeling Progression | Hiking Long Key State Park
The snorkeling from shore at is great, but sign up for a charter boat to head 20 minutes out to the shallow鈥13 to 23 feet deep鈥攔eefs offshore and it gets world-class. If you sign on with the聽聽a divemaster will help coach new snorkelers, too. Expect to be wowed. 鈥淲e always see fans, soft and hard corals, nurse sharks, moray eels, and schooling fish like jacks and grunts,鈥 says dive instructor Cory Dam, with the center. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e lucky, you might see an octopus.鈥 Many of the full-service dive centers like 聽and the 聽offer snorkeling trips, too. Check them all out聽. Later in your stay, opt for hiking and shore fishing from the expansive . It鈥檚 famous for its shallow swimming and white sand beaches, some of which are exclusive to you if you choose to camp out to catch the sunset.
Islamorada
Light Tackle Fishing | Stand-up Paddleboarding
If one of you has a fishing bucket list while the other is just happy to catch whatever is biting, Islamorada is the answer. Here the shallow-water fisheries offer up a steady stream of ravenous species (sea trout, snapper, and drum) that pretty much guarantee that both parties will see plenty of action. 鈥淚鈥檓 known for paying attention to the rookie on board,鈥 says Captain Ted Benbow, who runs 聽with his son. 鈥淭hey end up catching as much as or more than the experts. It鈥檚 a unique fishing experience. I still get charged up every time I go out.鈥 Want to mix up the fishing beyond the light tackle fare? Over a dozen charter boats offer offshore trips for bigger game fish. Start with 听辞谤 , or find all your options from backcountry and flats fly fishing to party boats . Need more time on the water? Rent paddle boards or kayaks from 鈥攐r better yet, sign up for a guided night paddle tour under the stars.
Marathon
Family Swimming with Dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center
Yes, it sounds like a dream, but you actually can swim with dolphins while learning about their biology and habitat at the . Here, you can get up close and personal with聽well-cared-for dolphins鈥攖here鈥檚 a variety of experiences to choose from, including a family-friendly option that includes a dorsal fin tow and full-day admission to the center. The best part? Part of your entry fee helps maintain the sanctuary, which has been protecting dolphins since 1984 and acts as a first responder to stranded marine mammals across southern Florida. Keep up the interactive education and altruism by stopping by , a rescue, rehab, and release facility that offers tours to the public. Later, feed sharks at , perhaps the world鈥檚 most interactive and immersive marine aquarium.
The Lower Keys
Camping on Big Pine Key | Beach Time at Bahia Honda State Park
Tent and RV camping abounds on the Lower Keys. From beach sites at 聽campground to full RV hookups at the Breezy Pine RV Park, there鈥檚 a ton of great options鈥攜ou can see them all . Overwhelmed with all the choices? Try , where you can practically fish from under your awning, and , which is famous for white sand beaches and great snorkeling. Either way, check out the to see the endangered species and learn what you can do to help. No tent or RV? Not a problem. There are tons of other options as well, from cabins at Bahia Honda State Park to houseboat rentals throughout the area.
Key West
Wreck Diving | Nightlife | Eco-Tours | Culture
Your one-stop spot for all Keys culture, Key West is both a quirky and upbeat artists鈥 enclave and one of the top wreck-diving destinations in the world. Settled by a mix of Bahamians and New Englanders, the town has a Wild West flair, and architecture that鈥檚 as iconic as the people who call it home. And the downtown is hip and lively enough to satisfy your inner tourist鈥攏o matter how much you like to pretend it doesn’t appeal to you. But as riled up and full of vigor as the place is, you can still escape the crowds effortlessly. Our top pick for non-divers? A secluded and intimate sea-kayak eco-tour with in the wildlife-filled mangroves of the everglades鈥攚hat the locals refer to as 鈥渂ackcountry鈥 waterways. In fact, such eco-tours are now a major Key West draw, with options to paddle clear bottom kayaks with 听辞谤 catch a ride on the 聽to bird watching and beach exploration. Later, rent bikes and basketed trikes from the famous shops鈥攚ith eight locations loaded with red beach cruisers.