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Families considering a Key West vacation often wonder if the island is a kid-friendly place. Given the city’s reputation for having a robust nightlife scene and a wide tolerance for creative expressions of individuality and eccentric characters of many types and stripes, it is perfectly natural for parents to have at least some minor reservations. […]

Key West has long been a top American destination for sailors. The generally pleasant and mild weather, a good selection of marinas and anchorages, and plenty of things to see and do both on- and off-shore make it an ideal destination or way point for cruising yachtsmen. Even in mid-winter, December through February, the temperature […]

The waters around Key West offer some of the best scuba diving in the world. The protected marine environment of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the wide range of bottom structures and water conditions, the only living coral reef systems in North America, and the very numerous wrecks and other man-made items that litter […]

When visiting the shores of Key West or other beach resort areas around the world, it is now common to look off shore and see a brightly-colored parachute that seems to hover above the water while moving slowly forward. If you look more closely, you will see a boat cruising along below and slightly in […]

The undersea world around Key West is one of the area’s prime attractions. And beneath the clear blue waters there is an alternate world full of amazing life forms that owes its existence to a feature that is unique to Florida: the only shallow coral reef formations found along a continental US coast line. The […]

Most visitors to Key West will probably have no idea that there is a designated nature preserve located on the south side of this tightly-packed urban island. But take a trip down to the south end of White Street where it hits the White Street Pier and Higgs Beach area, then go left along Atlantic […]

Key West is well-known as a fisherman’s paradise. The island is surrounded by such a variety of fishable water and bottom structure, inhabited by so many species of game fish, that one could spend a year fishing in Key West and go for a different style of fishing and different target species each day out. […]

Dolphins and their closely-related marine mammal cousins, whales and porpoises, descended from terrestrial mammals that began living in the water about 55 million years ago in the Eocene epoch. Now, about forty species of dolphin live in the shallower continental shelf waters of oceans worldwide. Adult dolphins vary in size from about 4 feet in […]

Standup Paddleboarding, or SUP, is one of the fastest growing water sports worldwide, and Key West is an ideal place to get an introduction to this fun, safe, and easy pastime. Although standing upright on a large surfboard and paddling canoe-style undoubtedly dates back to the ancient Hawaiian roots of surfing, in its modern incarnation […]

The waters around Key West offer visitors a chance to explore the only subtropical coral reef marine environment in the continental US, along with hundreds of square miles of shallow inshore clear-water flats, mangrove islands, channels, and passes to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Sea kayaks are an ideal way to get […]

There is something about sunset in tropical island locations that inspires people and stirs a greater appreciation for what is normally a simple daily event. Waikiki has the famous and elusive green flash that draws hundreds of tourists and their cameras to the Kalakaua Avenue beach walk each evening. Maui has Mt. Haleakala, the “House […]

Many people will argue that the clear blue waters surrounding Key West are the island’s prime attraction. And it is true that the marine environment around the Florida Keys is exceptionally rich and beautiful, even in comparison with other great island destinations like the Caribbean islands or Hawaii. This is largely because of the protection […]

There are so many exciting Things to Do in Key West that it can be difficult to narrow the choices to a reasonable number. However, if you are looking for real adventure in Key West, there is one activity that the island is legendary for that at same time remains a mystery to the vast […]

Even though they lie about 67 miles offshore to the west of Key West itself, the Dry Tortugas islands are one of Key West’s outstanding features, and I would say that they are a must-see for anyone who is interested in beautiful waters and historical sites. I will report on the incredible Fort Jefferson in […]

If you have never ridden a Jet Ski, I am here to tell you that this is an experience not to be missed, and that Key West is one of the best places to try it out. Most everyone has seen Jet Ski riders on TV and in the movies. The sport looks fast and […]

Key West is a place where you can live out your water sports fantasies. You know, the ones involving crystal clear blue water at the perfect temperature, shining white sand, and a warm sun in the cloudless sky? This type of scenario must be part of some sort of universal human yearning if you consider […]

Key West holds a lot of attractions – beautiful weather, White Sand Beaches, blue water, historical sights, and interesting people.  There are also multitudes of widely-varied restaurants and food styles on the island, and it would be fair to say that eating and drinking are as much of a Key West tourist activity as anything […]