Florida Keys Holidays

You’ll have plenty of beaches to choose from on your Florida Keys holiday. Marathon’s Sombrero Beach is where endangered loggerhead turtles nest, so you might spot one as you stroll along the quiet sands. And, if you want to see coral reefs without getting on a boat, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a snorkeller’s paradise.

Families will love Islamorada’s Founders Park and beachfront. Make sandcastles on the beach, take a dip in the pool and splash pads, or play in the pirate-themed playgrounds. There’s even a marina here, usually packed with exclusive vessels. Harry Harris Park on Key Largo is also family-friendly, with shallow waters safe enough for everyone to swim in.

If you like to bounce between the beach and the bar, Fort Zachary Taylor’s sands are ideal. Cross the rocky sands for a bit of snorkelling, rent one of the grills to host your own barbecue, and rinse off in the outdoor showers before wandering back to Key West’s best nightlife spots.

Aside from the beaches, there are lots of things to do in the Keys. Visit Theater of the Sea and you’ll be treated to sea lion and parrot shows. When you’ve finished exploring the family-friendly park, discover an underwater world without getting your hair wet on a glass-bottom boat ride. You can also learn more about marine life at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. Even if you’re staying on the Keys’ upper islands, a drive across the Seven-Mile Bridge, connecting Marathon and The Lower Keys, is a must-do for the panoramic ocean views.

Learn more about one of the islands’ most famous residents at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which also has lovely gardens. Or, head to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. When the sun goes down, Key West’s Mallory Square is always buzzing with street entertainers. And if you’re searching for a watering hole, Duval Street is home to the liveliest bars on the islands.

Big Pine Key is home to Florida Keys’ best nature. Bahia Honda State Park is where most scuba diversset off for Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, where you’ll find a large coral reef and endless marine life. You don’t even have to leave dry land to see beautiful scenery here. Over 150 species of rare animals and plants call the area home, and there are three beaches where you can spot seabirds, shells and fish.

The National Key Deer Refuge on the island is also well-worth a visit. Its endangered deer, just 32 inches tall feel like real-life Disney creatures. Trek, cycle or kayak through the protected area and you’re likely to spot some. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, charter a flight or boat out to Dry Tortugas National Park to explore Fort Jefferson prison and spot unique wildlife.

It’s warm most of the time here, so holidays to Florida Keys come with year-round heat and sunshine. If temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties, sunny days and low rainfall all sounds good to you, plan your trip between November and April. But November to February is also peak tourist season, so the Keys are likely to be busy during this time.

Spring – March to mid-May – is also a pleasant to visit, although you can expect more rain if you visit later in May. There’ll also be university students enjoying spring break here around Easter time. Between June and August, temperatures in Florida Keys can climb to the mid-thirties, but it’s also the wettest time to visit. If you can handle Florida’s infamous humidity, most of the rain comes in short, sharp showers before revealing the sun. September and October are almost as warm and are much quieter, due to the chance of hurricanes.