Tourist Attractions in Key West - Florida

Florida is a great peninsula widens over 400 miles south from the North America’s eastern seacoast. You can find thousands of small islands and coastal reefs in South and west Florida, which is widen for another 200 miles in a curved archipelago under the southern tip. It helps a lot to prevent Florida between South Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and acts as a natural barricade. These islands are called as Florida Keys. Most of the islands are slightly above from the seabed and covered with mangrove swamps. Total beaches scattered with shells, and it is possible to see few palm trees. Some islands are big enough to maintain flourishing villages.

The main attractions are scuba diving and snorkeling beside sports and fishing in the keys. You can find boats in all types and sizes all over keys. There is a facility to rent a boat and take excursions for snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving and island sightseeing. It is possible to go for a fishing excursion for just $25 per person for half-day trip and $100 per person for full day in deep-sea fishing on a small boat.

Key West, the southern most city of USA, was the part time resident of a prominent American writer, Ernest Hemmingway.  At present the charming old city has become a popular tourist attraction with its unique Caribbean flavor. The chief attraction is to gather at Mallory Square dock to watch the sunset. You can also enjoy the street entertainments while watching the sunset below the horizon.

It is not difficult to get accommodation in the keys. There are many motels, hotels and holiday resorts. The commercial camping is Big Pine Key, situated 75 miles south of Miami. You can get large selection of restaurants and accommodation at the Key West.

Key Largo, the first island in south of Miami and the largest key, contains John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park. You can visit the park from morning 8 am till sunset every day. The admission fee is nominal such as $3.75 per vehicle and 50 cents per passenger. It is advisable to visit the park with diving mask. You can purchase the diving masks from the shopping centers down the road. It is really amazing that you can see vibrantly colored fish swimming around you. You can really enjoy the swimming in the crystal clear water. The major part of the coral reef is few miles east of the island. It is possible to go for a 2.5-hour tour in glass bottom boats for just $13. If you are more adventuresome, you can take a snorkeling tour of the reef for about $24.

Late summer and early fall are the hurricane season. You should be very careful during that period, and it is advisable to pay attention to the weather warnings. There is only one path to Key West and return back to the mainland. It is horrible to stay on the island during hurricane. There are frequent warnings about the hurricane by the National Weather Service.