The Florida Keys and Key West is a 150 mile long string of Islands connected to South Florida by the scenic Overseas Highway; a road that suspends the traveller in a place that bridges the gap between sea and sky. In the Florida Keys you are a world away from the theme parks of central Florida, in a place that envelopes you with its warmth and beauty and grants you permission to shed the worries of the real world you just left behind!

The turquoise blue waters that surrounds Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West is a treasure trove both above and below. Divers and snorkeler’s splash down into the only living coral reef in North America to discover nature’s idea of an aquarium, while fishermen anticipate the challenge of catching their dinner and kite surfers await the caress of the light trade winds.

On land discover the art galleries, independently owned cafes, varied museums or just sit and relax in the abundant sunshine and recharge your batteries. Then celebrate the setting of the sun each night, at any time of year, by enjoying a cocktail or two, the local live music, authentic diverse cuisine and lively atmosphere.

The Florida Keys and Key West has welcomed travellers for hundreds of years giving safe harbours to explorers, pirates, rum runners and now tourists. Whichever category you fall into we invite you to discover the Conch Republic and most importantly ‘Come As You Are’!

Top 10 Must Do’s

1. Go snorkelling at the John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, the first undersea park in the U.S., and discover famous dive sites including Christ of the Abyss and the 510 foot U.S.S Spiegel Grove – one of the largest wrecks in US waters.

2. Make Key Largo your ‘base camp’ for exploring Florida’s Everglades National Park, the only eco system of its kind in the world! Take a guided tour of this preserve, home to mangrove forests and many endangered species of birds, fish, the elusive Florida panther and crocodiles.

3. Eat Key Lime Pie – No trip to the Florida Keys would be complete without trying its signature dish. Key Lime Pie was just named one of the Top 10 Iconic American Foods by USA Today (and the only dessert on the list).

4. Drive the Overseas Highway in a convertible – This All American Road is connected by 42 bridges including the famous Seven Mile Bridge and is consistently voted one of the Top 10 Most Scenic Routes in the US.

5. Take a day trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park – America’s most remote national park which is surrounded by 100 square miles of shallow, tropical water and includes Fort Jefferson; the largest all-masonry fort in the United States. Accessible by either passenger ferry or float plane.

6. Take a picture at the Southernmost Point concrete buoy – Only 90 miles to Cuba, the Southernmost Point in the continental US is also one of the most photographed spots!

7. Celebrate the sunset on any day of the year at Mallory Square and enjoy an array of street entertainment, art and craft stores, and live music or enjoy a 2 hour sunset sail on one of America’s historic “tall ships”. Most cruises include live music and beverages to toast the days’ end.

8. Visit Big Pine Key’s award-winning Bahia Honda State Park, with its world-class beach and Old Bahia Honda Bridge – offering a panoramic view of the island and surrounding waters.

9. Discover Anne’s Beach Islamorada, a local’s favourite, and try the sport of Kiteboarding while there. Enjoy the shallow water, tidal pools alive with marine life and shady picnic area for a full day family outing.

10. Learn about the rehabilitation of sea turtles with the family at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon – the world’s only licensed veterinary hospital that specialises in sea turtles.