Where better to start the new year than in Florida’s sun-kissed cays, where a wealth of adventures await, from kayaking to sunset cruises
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It’s hard to imagine a better antidote to a typical British winter than a trip through The Florida Keys. Many visitors to this fun-filled, sun-soaked archipelago fly from Miami straight to the quirky cultural hub of Key West – but they’re missing out by bypassing the many treasures of the other Keys.
The road in between is packed with highlights, from beaches and mangroves to up-close encounters with enchanting animals, making a trip here one that should be lingered over and savoured.
The drive itself is a pinch-yourself experience. The 110-mile stretch of US Route 1 that links many of the islands, known as the Overseas Highway, soars over the dappled blue-and-green water of the Florida Straits, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico – and there are ample opportunities to jump right in, soaking up the sun, fun and natural beauty along the route from Key Largo through Islamorada, Marathon and the Lower Keys to Key West.
Start in Key Largo, the largest island of the chain and the closest to Miami. At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you can kayak through mangroves or snorkel or scuba-dive among the reefs. Ethereal underwater scenes include Christ of the Abyss, a nine-foot-tall bronze statue submerged here in 1965.
Sleep right by the water with a cottage-style suite at Kona Kai, where lush botanic gardens meander down to a private sandy beach and pier. There’s a freshwater pool, hot tub and kayaks for guests’ use.
The village of Islamorada sprawls across six islands, and packs in the attractions without the crowds. You’ll find art galleries and boutiques in Morada Way Arts District, which is also home to the Keys’ first microbrewery, Florida Keys Brewing. The brews are as bold and bright as the décor, with colour running through the taproom and a glorious, palm-filled beer garden.
If you want to stay in the area, Amara Cay epitomises the archipelago’s irresistible blend of quirky and chic. Generous rooms have dark wooden floors, plush, cloud-like beds and balconies gazing towards palm-fringed waterfront.
Further southwest, Marathon provides refuge to some of the Key’s most charming residents: dolphins and turtles. The Dolphin Research Center is home to rescued dolphins that can’t be released into the wild and are cared for in large seawater pools. You can book a meet-and-greet with the dolphins, which are never forced to perform (but seem to enjoy showing off their moves). A short drive away, the Turtle Hospital cares for injured and rehabilitating olive ridley and leatherback turtles until they can be released into the wild. Tours of the facilities run every half hour, ending with an opportunity to feed some of the permanent residents.
Stay at Faro Blanco Resort, a Curio by Hilton property set on a marina with its own lighthouse, before continuing to Big Pine Key, famed for its limpid waters, colourful reefs and sandy state parks.
The Lower Keys are home to two national wildlife refuges, including Bahia Honda State Park, which deserves at least half a day to explore, though you could easily spend far longer at this little slice of paradise. It is home to palm trees and Bahia Honda Bridge, a remnant of Henry Flagler’s Over-Sea Railroad that juts over the water. Enjoy backcountry kayaking trails and boat trips to secluded sand bars. And don’t miss a hike or bike ride around National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, the only place where this tiny species of white-tailed deer, endemic to The Keys, can be found.
Walkable Key West is famously laid-back but lively, with open-sided bars lining Duval Street and beyond. Here, it’s any excuse for a celebration, including the daily spectacle of the sun going down. Locals and visitors gather each evening for the Sunset Celebration in Mallory Square, with live music and gift stalls creating a fiesta spirit.
Get even closer with Danger Charters’ Wind & Wine Sunset Sail. Schooners cruise out to sea while staff serve sundowners and canapés as passengers toast the end of another day in paradise.
Stay a little off main drag (but still close to the action) at Chelsea House, made up of three historic properties with wrap-around porches, an outdoor pool and elegant rooms complete with four-poster beds.
From here, you could hop on a flight to Miami – though you may well be tempted to hit the road and do it all over again.
Visit fla-keys.co.uk to plan your holiday to the Florida Keys
