One of the world’s largest seagrass beds is part of the Florida Keys ecosystem. It provides feeding grounds for turtles and manatees—a natural detail that draws attention to life beneath the water’s surface. The thousands of mangrove islands in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary also offer a perspective from the water: there are opportunities for paddling, with conditions affected by the tides and weather.
Nature Between Water and Land
At Bahia Honda State Park, palm-lined sandy beaches and clear water are paired with opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking. The Golden Orb Trail in Long Key State Park offers a different focus: the 1.1-mile walking trail passes through various plant communities. These nature experiences highlight both water activities and a walk through diverse vegetation.
The offerings at the beaches also differ in their focus. At the beach in Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, there are opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing. Bahia Honda also offers opportunities for snorkeling, as well as kayaking. Those interested in underwater history will find another point of interest at San Pedro State Park: the underwater park includes a shipwreck from 1733 and replicas of cannons; snorkelers and divers use the park.
History on Buildings and Islands
At the Key West Lighthouse, two construction phases can be traced to specific years: the lighthouse was completed in 1848 and raised by 20 feet in 1894. Pigeon Key tells a different story. During construction of the Overseas Railway to Key West, more than 400 workers lived there in a railroad village from 1908 to 1912. In 1993, the Pigeon Key Foundation took over the care of the island and began restoration work to turn it into a museum. This sequence shows both the earlier railroad project and the later work on the historic island. Historic Fort Jefferson is located on Garden Key.
In Key West’s historic districts, distinctive Conch-style architecture shapes the streetscape. The Hemingway Home was built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial style. Nearly 60 polydactyl cats, each with six toes, live at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. The Fort East Martello Museum opened in 1950 as the Florida Keys’ first museum. Its collections include works by Cuban folk artist Mario Sanchez and Robert the Doll. The cultural range thus extends from architectural history to specific artworks and well-known collection pieces.
Plan Your Visit and Public Services
The Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo provides information from park rangers, educational exhibits, informational brochures, a gift shop, and backcountry permits. As visitor services may change seasonally, check current operations before your trip. Monroe County manages 22 park and beach properties across the island chain, covering a total area of more than 100 acres. There are also eight public boat ramps in the Florida Keys. These facilities may change, so it is worth checking the current status as you plan.
Marathon also has a recurring culinary connection: the town is known for its annual seafood festivals. Individual event dates may change. If you plan to attend a festival, check the dates in advance.
Explore More Destinations
Explore more destinations: Key Largo, Little Torch Key, Tavernier, Marathon, Key West, Islamorada, Marathon Shores, Duck Key, Layton, Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key, Key Colony Beach, Sugarloaf Key, Stock Island.
Go to the main travel overview: Florida.
