Florida Keys

"Seldom have I experienced greater pleasures than when on the Florida Keys," said John James Audubon, the renowned wildlife artist, after visiting the Keys in the early 1800s. Little has changed since then.

The Florida Keys are abundant with beautiful and exotic wildlife. Swim amongst dolphins, land a marlin on a fishing charter or bicycle through Key Deer country. And this is the only place in North America where visitors can snorkel amid a living coral barrier reef. Of course, having the option to just lie back on the beach and do nothing at all is the biggest attraction of the Keys.

Old church in historic Key West

Historical Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States, was once the home of Spanish kings. Strolling the palm-lined streets of the city, admiring the wonderful Victorian gingerbread mansions, you'll want to linger at the numerous art galleries, museums and boutiques. Key West natives are faithful fans of old world architecture and breathtaking historical sites abound.

Key West  Photo © Visit Florida

Evening is a special time in Key West and every sunset is a cause for celebration. As the sun begins to sink in the West, tourists and residents alike flock to Mallory Dock to enjoy street artists, musicians and performers and legendary island cuisine at outdoor cafes. For a real taste of remote island life, head to the Lower Keys where you can dive down to the Looe Key coral reef, visit the backcountry for a fishing excursion or spend the day at family-friendly Veterans Memorial Park.

After some rest and relaxation, a trip to Big Pine Key, the shopping hub of the Lower Keys, will have you filling your luggage with lovely island-themed souvenirs. A breathtaking drive across the Seven Mile Bridge, once the longest bridge in the United States, will take you to Marathon, known as the heart of the Florida Keys. Bahamians settled the islands to plant tropical fruit farms in the 1800s, lending a rich history to the region. Marathon is a world-class fishing site and anglers populate the many offshore reefs, flats and bridges. Visitors stroll the quaint tropical city and lounge on well-kept Sombrero Beach, where the grains of sand are sculpted into unique shapes by native algae species. Surrounded by tropical plants and exotic wildlife, you will be convinced that life doesn't get any better.

True sport fisherman will head straight to Islamorada, where some of the best charter boat captains around lead excursions searching for sailfish, tuna and dolphin in the Atlantic and tarpon and bonefish in Florida Bay. Tight lines are a sure thing in this sport fishing paradise.

Those more comfortable on dry land will enjoy acrobatic dolphin shows, tarpon feeding from the shore and the charming shops and galleries featuring beautiful island-inspired artwork, stained glass masterpieces and hand woven hammocks. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park showcases a quarry formed of limestone, or fossilized coral. Visitors may walk along the eight-foot-high quarry walls to see cross-sections of the ancient coral and learn about the history of the quarry. It was mined to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, which he triumphantly rode into Key West in 1912.

Coral off Key Largo, Florida

Key Largo is the northernmost island in the Florida Keys and many Key Largo residents consider it the diving capital of the world. Coral Reef State Park, the United States' first undersea preserve, was created in 1960. Key Largo National Marine sanctuary was established in 1975 and today 2,800 square miles of unique preservation areas (where even hook and line fishing is prohibited) have evolved into some of the most glorious diving areas on the globe.

In addition to the magnificent sea life, divers revel in discovering the underwater Statue of Christ of the Abyss and a range of historical and purpose-made shipwrecks. Molasses Reef and The Elbow present exciting opportunities to commune with massive schools of vivid fish and to brave unlikely encounters with friendly moray eels and barracuda. Left to the pirates until 1822, when a U.S. Navy fleet chased the pirates away, the Florida Keys have a rich and colourful history. Explorers Ponce de Leon and Antonio de Herrera set sail for Florida in the early 1500s in search of the Fountain of Youth. While they didn't find the elusive fountain, they did find a place that fills all who visit with a renewing and energizing vitality.