FLORIDA KEYS
Area: Florida
Country: United States of America

Location:
In the SE United States. Comprises a 126-mile archipelago extending W from the S tip of the state of Florida. In the Straits of Florida, with the Atlantic Ocean to the S and the Gulf of Mexico to the N. Key West (the westernmost island) is 90 mls N of Cuba and 150 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road (which can take 4 hrs or more); Key Largo (the easternmost island) is 56 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road.

Telephone code from UK:
1 305

Website:
http://www.see-florida.com

Position:
Flat, lush coral islands linked by 42 bridges along US Route 1. In places the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is little wider than the road itself; driving along at sea level or across the bridges (the longest one is 7 mls) can feel as though you are driving on the water itself. The road is signposted with green "mile markers" (MM), starting at 0 in Key West and ending at 126 just S of Florida City/N of Key Largo. Big traffic queues (particularly at weekends and holidays), as the road is for the most part single carriageway. Approximate journey times from Miami are as follows: Key Largo 60_90 mins, Islamorada up to 2 hrs, Marathon 3_4 hrs, Key West 4 hrs or more.

Description:
MARATHON (mile markers 47_54). A great sport-fishing centre, with all kinds of fishing on offer, including deep-sea fishing trips aboard charter boats. Several fishing tournaments held each year, including the Tarpon Tournament in May and the Shark Tournament in July. Sailing is popular, as well as scuba-diving and helicopter rides. A dolphin research centre (at mile marker 59) offers dolphin swims. A museum of natural history with coral reef and artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks. The small town of Marathon (on Vaca Key) has its own airport, with regular flights to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota and Naples. Two golf courses: a 9-hole public course and an 18-hole private one. Clusters of shops, bars and restaurants are dotted along the coast road. Daily shuttle buses go to Key West (about a 1-hr drive) and to Miami. A car is recommended. ISLAMORADA (mile markers 80_85). Islamorada town straddles the main road on Upper Matecumbe Key. It has a fair choice of bars and restaurants (the Holiday Isles complex is one of the liveliest spots for nightlife after Key West), but they are all spread out and so access to a car is definitely an asset. Like Marathon, it is a sport-fishing centre, with several annual fishing tournaments, including the Sailfish Tournament in December. Sailing, scuba-diving and para-sailing are popular; light aircraft are available. The Theater of the Sea has dolphin and sea-lion shows, a touch tank and a shark-feeding pool (dolphin swims available by advance reservation). The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Islamorada, as does the Greyhound bus service from Miami to Key West. It is a 1ť- to 2-hr drive from both Miami and Key West, about ť hr from Marathon (and Marathon airport) and 20_30 mins from Key Largo. KEY LARGO (mile markers 100_104). This is the first resort you reach when coming from Miami (approximately 1 to 1ť hrs' drive depending on traffic); it is the scuba-diving capital of the Keys and part of Florida Keys National Maritime Sanctuary. Several of the hotels are situated around the marina, within easy walking distance of each other and a selection of shops, bars and restaurants. Car hire is not an absolute essential here, although the resort is rather spread out along US Route 1. The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Key Largo and Greyhound buses go to Key West. The most interesting attraction in the area is the 78-sq-ml John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (mile marker 102), America's first underwater national park; it has an unusual aquarium, nature trail through mangrove forests, beach, snorkelling and picnic areas as well as glass-bottomed boat trips out to the coral reef. For scuba-divers, the living coral reef is the place to explore. The Key Largo Undersea Park is a research/educational facility (mile marker 103), with guided tours and snorkelling/diving opportunities, including the wreck of a Spanish galleon. Glass-bottomed boat trips are also popular.

Suitability:
The Keys have something for everyone, with the focus on water activities. Laid-back atmosphere, much nightlife and many "celebrations", particularly in Islamorada and Key West (which tend to attract younger and livelier crowds), though there's peace and solitude if you want it. Good deal of history around for history buffs. Popular wedding destination, including underwater weddings offered by a few of the dive resorts. A favourite holiday destination for Americans and Europeans.

Accommodation:
Accommodation tends to be beside or just off the main US Route 1, and concentrated mainly around the Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo areas. Wide range, from small budget roadside motels to well-endowed hotels within own extensive grounds. Many properties have small artificial beaches and marines/quays; some properties are adults only. Some islands are almost privately owned resorts in their own right (such as Duck Key).

Shopping:
Centred mainly on Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo, with mostly water-sports gear, swimwear, souvenirs, T-shirts and products made from shell and key limes. Large supermarkets and hypermarkets; some furniture and home-ware stores. Key West has the best selection.

Beach:
Being coral islands, the Keys have only a few natural beaches, and they're fairly narrow at that. Those that there are include the beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (mile marker 102ť, Key Largo); Anne's public sandy beach (mile marker 73ť, Islamorada area); Sombrero Beach with shell sand (mile marker 50, Marathon); Bahia Honda State Recreational Park (mile marker 37, Lower Keys); and Smathers and South Beach at Key West (mile marker 0). The emphasis is on water-based activities like scuba-diving, fishing and water sports. Many properties have small, private beaches of artificial sand.

Entertainments:
Daytime: diving, snorkelling, fishing, deep-sea fishing, glass-bottomed boat tours, jet-skiing, para-sailing. Museums (including Ocean Point Hammock, mile marker 50ť, Marathon) and places of historic interest. State and wildlife parks (such as John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, mile marker 102ť, Key Largo). Dolphin centres (such as Dolphin Research Centre, mile marker 59, Marathon). Nightlife: focus on sunset celebrations, particularly in Islamorada and Key West, with its plethora of bars. Many of the larger hotels offer evening entertainment, from live music to karaoke and limbo dancing. Theatres in Marathon and Islamorada. A few cinemas (Key West, Marathon and Islamorada). See also Key West section.

Eating:
A variety of dining options, from roadside fast food to a la carte (most of which can be found in the larger, better-equipped hotels), and generally concentrated around Marathon, Key Largo and Islamorada. Emphasis is on seafood, but also many Cuban/Caribbean-type restaurants/eateries and grills, as well as a few choices offering Thai, Japanese and New World cuisines. Key-lime pie (yellow, not green!) is a local speciality.

Public-transport:
Four Greyhound bus services each way per day through the Keys, stopping at various points including Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon; some are drop-off destinations and others bus stops/flags. City buses make the journey daily from downtown Miami to Key West, with several stops en route. Also a bus service from Miami International airport (the Airporter) to Key Largo and Islamorada. The Dade_Monroe Express bus service runs between Key Largo (leaving from mile marker 98) and Florida City Wal-Mart Supercenter 7 days a week. Various taxi firms throughout the Keys on call; water taxis. Variety of transport for hire, including Harley Davidson motorbikes. See also Key West (General Description).

Local-excursions:
Bahia Honda Coral Reef Park with beach; Big Pine Key (home to the Key deer, mile marker 37). Full day: Florida City; Miami; Fort Lauderdale.