Kick Back, Relax, and Enjoy!

When Jimmy Buffett sings about “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude” in the Florida Keys, he has things absolutely right. As the southernmost part of the continental United States, the Keys are casual, relaxed, and dedicated to preserving their laid-back nature.

Find a spot, grab your camera, and witness one of those truly special tropical moments in the Florida Keys the sunset.

No visit to the Keys would be complete without participating in the wonderful celebration that takes place every night — the sunset. Whether the festivities occur in the carnival-like atmosphere of Mallory Square in Key West or in the quiet beauty of the beach at Bahia Honda state park, few natural sights match that of a tropical sunset.
    No one knows for sure how the sunset celebrations began in the Keys.

No matter what type of accommodations you choose, you're assured of a delightful time in the Florida Keys.

Many are more than a century old. Others are brand new. No matter what type of accommodations you choose, you’re assured of a delightful time in the Florida Keys.

Consider experiencing the pleasures of one of the Key’s dozens of guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and historic inns. When you stay in one of these charming establishments, you’ll have a chance to capture the feeling of the old Florida Keys in its prime.

The Florida Keys offer visitors an underwater adventure richly laden with treasures. Living coral reefs harbor unsurpassed beauty -- all tied together in a delicate balance that must be preserved for future generations. The attractions include:

Coral reefs - The only living coral reef in the continental United States lies primarily within Biscayne National Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and continues to the Dry Tortugas.

The following listings highlight some of the most popular visitor spots in the Keys -- and some of the best-kept secrets.

From sun-drenched beaches with far-reaching expanses of fine white sand to thick hardwood hammocks evoking feelings of prehistoric eras, the Florida Keys are rich with nature’s bounty.  The following listings highlight some of the most popular visitor spots in the Keys -- and some of the best-kept secrets.

Gateway to the Keys
Biscayne National Park -- (305) 230-7275, Park HQ 9 miles east of Homestead on SW 328th St.

Today, much of the Florida Keys maintains an old world feeling.

Although the Florida Keys’ geologic history dates to millions of years ago - part of it rests on submerged foothills of the Appalachian Mountains its modern era is less than half a millennium old.

Discovered for the Western world by Ponce de Leon’s expedition in 1513, the Keys were named Los Martires the martyrs, because of their twisted, torturous strips of land surrounded by turquoise waters.

The greatest threats to nature in the Florida Keys often come from humans. Fortunately,
we also have the ability to come to the rescue in this fragile and historic environment.

Litter endangers thousands of creatures - from turtles who ingest plastic bags to birds that often ingest abandoned baited hooks. These wading birds also get entangled and severely cut by discarded fishing line and hooks.