The Florida Keys are an amazing place to visit on your Florida trip. Sunny weather, beautiful beaches and fun activities make it a top destination. Here are the top things to do in the Florida Keys.
Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please note that all sales are processed by the linked website, not Rays of Adventure, so you’ll be subject to their privacy policy.
Where should I stay in the Florida Keys?
The best place to stay to enjoy the top things to do in the Florida Keys depends on how much time you’ve got. If you’ve only got a few days, I’d recommend staying at Key Largo. It’s the closest town to the mainland, so you can start enjoying the Keys without having to drive too far. There are loads of activities based in Key Largo so you’ll be able to enjoy all the activities.
If you’ve got more than a few days, you could go down to Key West as well. The road on the bridge across the islands is beautiful, with great views all around you. Key West has lots of great activities as well.
All the below top things to do on the Florida Keys can all be done in Key Largo, so you won’t have to travel too far down the Keys to enjoy them.
What should I pack for a trip to the Florida Keys?
To get the most out of your trip to the Florida Keys, I’d recommend taking this guide to Florida (affiliate). There’s a great section about the Florida Keys, with ideas for places to stay and great restaurants.
The Florida Keys can get very hot, although the sea breeze means it’s often not as humid as the rest of Florida. Make sure you’re prepared for some hot sun. Take plenty of sun cream, sun hat, sunglasses and water on all your days out. Make sure you take swimming stuff as well, and a towel, so you can cool off in a pool or the sea.
The top things to do in the Florida Keys
Go on a snorkelling boat trip
One of the top things to do in the Florida Keys is to go snorkelling. The John Pennkamp Coral Reef State Park is just off the Florida coast, and it’s a beautiful place to go snorkelling. It’s like entering another world when you dip your head under the water. There are loads of companies that offer snorkelling trips, but I’d recommend this one for a great day.
The boat trips give you all the snorkelling equipment and buoyancy aid. The water isn’t the warmest, but you get used to it quickly. If it’s sunny, I’d recommend wearing a t-shirt when you go snorkelling so you don’t get a sunburnt back when you’re in the water. Then you can just focus on enjoying the amazing underwater world.
Watch the Iguanas
The Florida Keys is home to some amazing iguanas, who just roam around freely. You can see them just hanging out in a car park. Or you might see one up a tree. Or chilling in the shade. There are a great variety of colours and sizes too. It was great!
Think carefully about swimming with dolphins
One of the most famous things to do in the Florida Keys is swimming with dolphins. There are several place that offer this experience, for adults as well as children.
Think carefully and do a lot of research before booking a trip to swim with dolphins. At first glance it might sound really fun, but think about the welfare of the dolphins. Do they really want to be kept in captivity and have tourists touching them everyday? Are the pools they’re kept in big enough? Do the companies look after the dolphins’ welfare? What is your money going towards?
If you definitely want to go swimming with dolphins and you’re convinced it’s ethical, then go ahead and enjoy it. But just do your research and think about it carefully.
Have dinner at The Fish House, Key Largo
When you’re in the Florida Keys, make sure you try some of the amazing fresh seafood. One of my favourite restaurants was The Fish House in Key Largo. There’s so much fresh fish on the menu, including mahi-mahi. There’s also a good choose of sauces and sides as well.
Enjoy your hotel pool and the beach
The sunny weather in the Florida Keys is perfect for spending an afternoon relaxing at your hotel pool or on the beach. It’s wonderful to have a break from the hectic pace of life and just relax in the sun. Take a good book and enjoy.
Watch the sunset from the beach
Another of the top things to do in the Florida Keys is to watch the sunset from the beach. There are some lovely beaches in the Keys, and some hotels have private beaches for you to enjoy.
A sunset at the end of a busy day is just amazing, and a great chance to reflect on the amazing activities of the day. I love watching the colours change in the sky as the sun dips. Watching the sunset over the sea is the perfect ending to your trip to the Florida Keys.
Enjoy the top things to do in the Florida Keys! Check out this great travel vlog from Jet Lagged and Loving It about the Florida Keys for great footage of snorkelling and the famous Florida Keys iguanas!
Remember to check out this great guide to Florida (affiliate) to get planning for your trip. If you’ve got some more time in Florida, make sure you check out Miami and spend some time in the Everglades as well. Or if you’d like some more beautiful USA coastal scenery, why not head over to California to explore Big Sur or Santa Barbara.
