Planning your Florida Keys vacation

With the longest living reef in the Western Hemisphere, the Florida Keys truly are a diver's paradise. Here you'll find more than 500 wrecks to explore, the world's first underwater hotel, more dive shops per square mile than anywhere else in the world, and crystal clear waters with visibility up to 120 feet. The Keys' entire coastal area has been declared a National Marine Sanctuary to protect the abundant marine life that is so prevalent here. Whether diving of snorkeling, the variety of corals such as stag, elkhorn, brain, tree, and sea fans along with more than 600 varieties of fish create an underwater experience like no other. Snorkeling, the family sport of the 90's, costs less than the price of tickets to an amusement park and allows the whole family to enjoy the beauty of a living coral reef. It is said "If you can swim, you can snorkel". With this in mind, snorkeling becomes a great way to observe living coral and more than 500 species of tropical fish. Key Largo boasts John Pennekamp State Park. With its large shallow water bank reef, the park has become one of the worlds premier snorkeling destinations. The year round temperatures of the Florida Keys make visiting year round enjoyable. Water temperatures are kept comfortable by the Gulf Stream and the water is rarely below 70 degrees in the winter.

Travel Tips

The beaches in the Florida Keys are one of its main attractions, so beach safety is of utmost importance for vacation planners. Be sure to wear sunscreen with a high SPF, as the sun can be quite intense, even on cloudy days. Reapply after swimming, activity, or after several hours on the beach. While you want to return home with a great tan, a bad sunburn can put a damper on your vacation. Build your tan slowly during your stay. Some areas along the beaches in the Florida Keys are patrolled by lifeguards, and families with young children would be advised to frequent these. The Florida Keys are a very safe place to visit, but visitors should use common sense. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, or on the beach unattended. Numerous banks are located throughout the area that offer currency exchange, and ATM’s are plentiful.