Islands destinationThe Florida Keys, a necklace of islands in a turquoise settingAtlantic ocean - Gulf of Mexico

The Florida Keys consist of over a thousand islands and islets scattered across more than two hundred kilometers at the southern tip of Florida. They form a dotted arc extending from Florida like a comma, marking the division between the waters of the western Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
An aerial view of the Florida Keys at the southern tip of Florida
An aerial view of the Florida Keys at the southern tip of Florida © | Dreamstime.com
The islands of the Keys are the exposed remnants of an ancient coral reef, extending Florida into the sea, with Key West as the southernmost point of the United States, located just 90 miles from Cuba by sea !
Key Largo claims to be the world capital of scuba diving !
Key Largo, the world capital of scuba diving
The villas in Key Largo line the canals, providing direct boat access to the sea
The villas of Key Largo with their private docks
The Keys begin at the southeastern tip of Florida with Key Largo. With so many islands, they have been grouped into archipelagos based on their geographical location, from north to south:
  • The Upper Keys, the northernmost islands and the closest to the mainland
  • The Middle Keys
  • The Lower Keys, including Key West
Like the sensation of driving on water !
Like a game of leapfrog, the road takes you jumping from one island to another via a series of bridges, some of which are impressive engineering feats, like the Seven Mile Bridge. These bridges connect the islands and give you the sensation of driving on water !
The Overseas Highway 1 takes you from one island of the Florida Keys to another in a game of leapfrog !
The Overseas Highway 1, the link between the islands of the Florida Keys
With the Overseas Highway 1, you get the sensation of driving on water !
A sensation of driving on water
The remnants of the old railroad track, converted for road traffic after a devastating hurricane in 1935, can be seen all along the route ! Your view seems to split, with the two bridges appearing to merge as one on the horizon !
The old and new Seven Mile Bridges stand side by side as a reminder of the past !
The old and new Seven Mile Bridges
e Seven Mile Bridge is the longest of the bridges connecting the various islands of the Florida Keys !
The Seven Mile Bridge is the longest bridge in the Florida Keys
The first section of the old Seven Mile Bridge, with its blue metal deck, connects Knight Key to Pigeon Key
The old metal section of the Seven Mile Bridge
The second section of the old Seven Mile Bridge features concrete arches, specifically for the Pigeon Key Channel Viaduct
The old concrete section of the Seven Mile Bridge
Rest areas allow you to make a few stops and enjoy the panoramic views that unfold before you. You might even be surprised to spot iguanas basking in the sun ! Otherwise, it's also a popular starting point for fishing enthusiasts !
With Key West, you reach the end of the islands accessible by road. Cuba is only 90 miles away by sea. Beyond that, to reach the most remote islands to the west and the Dry Tortugas National Park, you will need to take either a boat or a seaplane.
Activities focused entirely on the sea
The Keys have naturally shifted towards tourism and offer a wide range of sea-oriented activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, sailing, or simply relaxing under the sun. Bordered to the east by a coral reef, Key Largo even claims to be the world’s diving capital !
Since the coastline of most of the islands is lined with mangroves, beaches are sometimes scarce on certain islands and are limited to those developed by hotels !
Paradise spots for sale !
The Florida Keys offer the wealthiest individuals the chance to own a little piece of paradise! In fact, some of these small tropical islands are available for purchase on the real estate market, with prices reaching several million dollars for the smallest ones, as well as for rent !
Did you know ?
  • Elliott Key is the northernmost island of the emerging part of the ancient coral reef, while Key Biscayne, despite its name and its location north of Miami, is not part of the Florida Keys: it is a barrier island formed from accumulated sand !
  • The mile markers are key landmarks for navigation along the Overseas Highway 1.
  • The Overseas Highway 1 includes no fewer than 42 bridges connecting Key West to Miami by road !
  • A must-try specialty of the Florida Keys: the key lime pie !
  • The Seven Mile Bridge has been the backdrop for numerous action movie scenes, such as in True Lies !
How to get there ?
After leaving Miami heading south and passing through Florida City, the last gas stations remind you to refuel before crossing the vast Everglades National Park. An endless stretch of road unfolds before you, with the first island of the Keys, Key Largo, as the only escape. Nature has reclaimed this protected space, with the mangroves being omnipresent. Finally, the sea appears on the horizon, and with it, the first bridges leading to Key Largo.
Now, you’re on Overseas Highway 1, and the mile markers, marked as MM on signs planted along the road, gradually count down toward Key West, the last island accessible by road ! The countdown of mile markers will end at Key West with MM0.
Key West is famous for its sunsets, which can be best admired from Mallory Square
Key West, known for its stunning sunsets
Key West is the southernmost point of the United States, just 90 miles from Cuba by sea !
Key West is the southernmost point of the United States
Florida Keys islands
Dry Tortugas islands
Dry Tortugas islands
Key Largo island
Key Largo island
Key West island
Key West island
The islands from gulf of Mexico
Cedar Key
Cedar Key
Sanibel island
Sanibel island
Explore new islands !
Cook islands
Cook islands
Cooper island
Cooper island
Frioul islands
Frioul islands
Hamilton island
Hamilton island
Ibo island
Ibo island
Ischia island
Ischia island
New-Zealand
New-Zealand
Sicily island
Sicily island

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