The Florida Keys are home to a national treasure: the only living coral reef in the continental United States. This year, Mote Marine Laboratory is inviting locals and visitors alike to step out of the daily grind and into the blue at Ocean Fest, a high-energy, family-friendly celebration of our marine environment.
Definition of a "Buoy" - "an anchored FLOAT serving as a navigational mark, to indicate reefs or other hazards or for mooring". The southernmost buoy's claim to fame is being one of the most photographed and visited attractions in the United States. The buoy is an impressive 12' tall, 7' wide and made out of approximately 4 tons of solid concrete!
The current marker actually didn't exist until 1983 when it was commissioned and installed by the City of Key West and painted by local artist Danny Acosta.
Key West is plenty colorful above the water. Slip on a mask, though, and the island reveals an entirely different personality.
Below the surface, sea fans sway, tiny fish dart through the rocks and every shadow makes you wonder what might swim into view next. You do not need a scuba certification or a collection of complicated gear. You do need to be comfortable in the water, pay attention to conditions and choose an outing that matches your experience.
That outing can be as simple as wading in from a Key West beach or as adventurous as taking a boat toward an offshore reef. The fun starts with deciding what kind of day sounds like you.
A successful family vacation does not require every traveler to want the same thing. One child may be happiest spotting dolphins, another may want a beach, a teenager may crave independence and a grandparent may prefer a comfortable museum or scenic ride. Southwest Florida and Key West make it possible to combine those interests without turning every day into a long drive.
The best plan is not a packed checklist. It is a flexible mix of outdoor time, hands-on learning, local history, good food and room to slow down. Use these ideas to build a vacation that works for toddlers, school-age children, teens, parents and grandparents—and leaves everyone with stories to bring home.
Florida makes it easy to plan a romantic getaway around the way you like to travel. You can watch the sunset from a quiet island beach, explore historic streets hand in hand, enjoy dinner by the water or turn the journey itself into part of the experience.
Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, planning a long weekend or simply making time for each other, these five Florida couples vacation spots offer memorable ways to reconnect.
Sanibel Island, located in Southwest Florida, off Fort Myers, has been crowned by experts as the best U.S. shelling spot, as well as one of the best in the world (according to Coastal Living). Collecting Sanibel seashells is a favorite pastime for beachgoers from around the world. Because of the abundance of seashells found on Sanibel and Captiva, they have rightfully earned the reputation as the "Shell Islands".
A brick fortress, a rocky beach, tropical fish, shady picnic tables and one seriously good sunset spot—all in the same park? That is Fort Zachary Taylor.
Tucked away near Old Town and the Truman Annex, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is the kind of place where a quick visit can easily turn into most of the day. One minute you are wandering through Civil War-era passageways. The next, you are pulling on a snorkel mask, watching birds along the shoreline or settling into the shade with something cold to drink.
It is also an easy adventure for travelers arriving from Fort Myers Beach aboard Key West Express. The park is about 1.8 miles from the ferry terminal, so you can get there by taxi, rideshare or bicycle—or make the roughly 35-minute walk part of the experience.
Take a quick look at the Key West Express Fort Zachary Taylor guide, check the latest details on the official Florida State Parks page, and get ready for a day that can be as active—or as wonderfully lazy—as you want.
There are so many fun, exciting, and historical things to do in Key West, that even despite challenging times, tourism has stable growth!
If you're searching for the best day trip from Fort Myers Beach, you're spoiled for choice. Southwest Florida offers beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and waterfront towns, but one destination delivers an experience unlike any other—Key West.
Located at the end of the Florida Keys, Key West offers a tropical island experience that's surprisingly easy to reach aboard the Key West Express from Fort Myers Beach. Colorful streets, historic landmarks, tropical scenery, fresh seafood, and a laid-back island atmosphere make it one of Florida's most unforgettable destinations. Better yet, you don't have to spend the day driving to get there.
Turn a Familiar Florida Drive Into an Unforgettable Adventure
A Florida road trip does not have to be a race from one hotel to the next. The most memorable itineraries mix scenery, wildlife, waterfront stops and different ways of traveling. That is what makes a road-and-ferry trip so appealing: you can explore at your own pace, park the car in Fort Myers Beach and finish the journey to Key West across the Gulf.
This flexible route works for couples, families, friends and solo travelers. Begin wherever your Florida plans take you, add one or two natural stops on the way to Southwest Florida, and then let Key West Express turn the final leg into part of the vacation. Instead of spending another long stretch behind the wheel, you can move between climate-controlled seating and open-air decks while the island gets closer.
