The Conch Connection

Beyond Key West’s colorful streets and lively waterfront lies a quieter world of mangrove islands, shallow turquoise water and wildlife moving through largely undisturbed habitat. Key West National Wildlife Refuge protects this remarkable backcountry landscape west of the island, offering nature lovers a chance to experience another side of the Florida Keys.

There are no roads leading into the refuge and no conventional visitor trails through it. Exploring means traveling by boat, kayak or permitted charter and respecting a landscape where wildlife—not sightseeing infrastructure—comes first.

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.

Sunrise through Sunset...before, after and in between...there is always something happening in Key West.  At dusk and after dark, here is a list of things to do in Key West at 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 27^th annual Key West LobsterFest is being held this year from August 8^th until the 11^th , 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.

Fishing in the the Florida Keys and Key West, whether it's bottom fishing for grouper, hitting the weed lines for mahi-mahi or dolphin, sinking a line deep into the Atlantic for a marlin, sailfish or swordfish is for the most part, unlike any other fishing you've ever done.  One type that does carry over is fly fishing.

Fabulous funky fun ONLY IN THE KEYS.   About 30 miles north of Key West is Looe Key, where they host the annual Underwater Music Festival. Yes, you read that right UNDERWATER...  Ok, granted that no one is really playing an actual instrument but, jamming to your favorite watery favorites with homemade replicas typically fish or shell based by design.