Started in 2016, Captains for Clean Water is a grassroots nonprofit organization that fights to restore much needed Florida water resources. Committed to uniting the outdoor industry, environmental groups, business community and concerned citizens for the fight for clean water.
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Key West is a tropical island located at the southernmost tip of Florida. It is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a casual laid-back atmosphere. When we think tropical AND island.... our minds immediately wander to sunshine, sand between our toes and fresh air.
There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Key West. Most restaurants offer some type of an outdoor spot, whether it be a patio, porch, pool or waterside dining. Outdoor concerts, countless festivals, swimming and sunbathing to fishing and biking. Here are just a few of the best outdoor activities in Key West.
Some Florida adventures begin where the pavement ends. Everglades City is one of them.
This small fishing town sits beside a seemingly endless puzzle of mangrove islands, twisting creeks and open bays. Step aboard a boat and the town quickly disappears behind you. Pelicans skim the water, dolphins may surface beside the wake and every narrow channel looks like it might lead somewhere completely new.
Everglades City and the Ten Thousand Islands are a natural addition to a Southwest Florida road trip—especially when the next chapter includes a Key West Express crossing from Fort Myers Beach. Give this wild corner of Florida its own day, and it may become one of the stories you tell most often after the trip.
Key West may have a reputation as a tropical paradise filled with world-class attractions, but you don't need a big vacation budget to experience everything that makes the island special. Some of the island's most memorable experiences are completely free—from watching the sun sink below the Gulf of Mexico to wandering colorful Old Town streets lined with historic homes, tropical gardens, and local art.
Whether you're visiting for a day or spending a week exploring, these free activities let you experience the authentic charm of Key West while saving your vacation budget for great food, watersports, or one of the island's many paid attractions.
No matter where you live or what you do, time seems to escape us. How many times have we referred to "time flying". Despite our best intentions, popular destinations and points of interest in our own backyard that are enjoyed by visitors are always on our "things to do and see list". One of the most common phrases we hear, at Key West Express is... " I've lived in Florida for XX number of years, but I've never been to Key West." Yes, we get it but, "Why NOT? What are you waiting for?" A staycation to Key West is just what the "ho-hum" doctor ordered.
Key West does not slow down when the sun disappears. The island simply changes moods. Sunset crowds gather along the waterfront, live music spills onto Old Town streets, historic buildings become the setting for ghost stories, and illuminated kayaks glide through dark mangrove creeks.
The best things to do in Key West at night include the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, sunset cruises, live music on Duval Street, drag shows, ghost tours, night kayaking, waterfront dining, theater performances and relaxed walks through Old Town. Most evening attractions are concentrated around Mallory Square, Duval Street and the Historic Seaport, making it easy to combine several experiences in one night.
Only ONCE A YEAR, an unusually exciting event happens in the warm waters of the Florida Keys. Which is home to the only living coral reef that exists in the Continental United States. This teeming backbone of marine life, runs the length of the 125 mile Florida Keys island chain and lies but a short boat ride only 5 miles offshore.
Make your plans for the biggest party of the summer! The 27th annual Key West LobsterFest is being held this year from August 8th until the 11th , 2024.
Did you know that the barrier reef off the coast of the Florida Keys, is the ONLY barrier reef in North America AND is the third largest one in the World? These reefs perform many necessary and environmentally critical functions. As the name implies, it acts as a barrier to the islands behind it, helping to reduce wave and storm action, coming in from the open ocean. It is also a wildlife habitat that is one of the most diverse, in all the world. The reef is home to those animals that never leave the waters here, both fish, plant life and the actual corals themselves. It also acts as a haven to those fish that migrate through these waters as well as a rookery for juvenile fish. Making this biodiverse ecosystem one that must be protected, not only for the enjoyment of all of us, but for our continued ecological life on the this big, blue marble.
