George Boyle
The Florida Keys are a popular honeymoon destination for couples, offering romance, oceanfront views, a year-round subtropical climate, and adventure. The 125-mile-long chain of islands is divided into five main regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon/Middle Keys, Big Pine and the Lower Keys, and Key West. Key Largo is known for its lush greenery and abundant wildlife, while Islamorada offers prime sport fishing and a vibrant dining scene. Marathon provides a tropical family getaway with dolphin swims, snorkelling, and boating. For a more secluded retreat, couples can visit quieter islands like Big Pine Key, while Key West, the Southernmost Point of the US, offers clear waters, breathtaking sunsets, and a lively nightlife scene.
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Resorts and quaint hotels
The Florida Keys offer a variety of resorts and quaint hotels for honeymooners, with options ranging from luxury resorts to gentle, small-town experiences. Here are some recommendations for resorts and quaint hotels in the Florida Keys for your honeymoon:
Resorts
- Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West: This resort boasts a poolside bar, a terrace, and enticing amenities tailored for adventure seekers, including cycling and motor boating. It also offers rejuvenating spa treatments such as body scrubs.
- Largo Resort in Key Largo: This private resort offers a paradisiacal haven with lush greenery, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking Gulf of Mexico vistas.
- The Caribbean Resort in Islamorada: This resort seamlessly combines panoramic ocean views, Caribbean-style charm, and world-renowned fishing and diving experiences.
- Luxury resorts in Key West: Key West offers a range of luxury resorts with all-inclusive options, providing the perfect blend of romance, oceanfront views, and adventure.
- Island Bay Resort: This secluded and romantic location is praised for its helpful staff and gorgeous surroundings.
Quaint Hotels
- Casa Morada in the Florida Keys: This privately owned hotel offers a tranquil setting with a blend of upmarket elegance and Caribbean-inspired calm. It has sixteen beautifully designed suites.
- Coconut Palm Inn: This hidden gem has won the 2022 Travelers' Choice Award for ten consecutive years.
- H2O Suites Hotel in Key West: This adults-only oasis is located close to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and South Beach. It features a poolside bar and a rooftop terrace.
- Santa Maria Suites in Key West: Located just steps from the beach, ocean, and vibrant Duval Street, this charming resort invites couples to unwind and indulge in luxury.
- The Mermaid & The Alligator in Key West: This tranquil B&B is situated in Old Town, across from Ernest Hemingway's mansion. It offers a unique Victorian experience.
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Outdoor activities
The Florida Keys is a great destination for a honeymoon, with its warm and tropical climate, natural beauty, and abundance of outdoor activities. Here are some ideas for outdoor activities to enjoy during your honeymoon:
Water Activities
The Florida Keys is known for its turquoise waters and white sands, offering a range of water activities for couples. You can go scuba diving, snorkelling, or swimming in places like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the US, or Dry Tortugas National Park, which features a 19th-century fort. The Keys are also home to friendly dolphins, and you can take boat tours to see them or even swim with them at the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder in Key Largo. Other water activities include sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Offshore island picnics via chartered boat or seaplane are also a popular option for couples seeking privacy and nature.
Beaches
The Florida Keys boasts several beaches where you can relax and enjoy the sun. Fort Zachary Taylor, located on the western end of Key West, is known for its perfect beach sunsets. The area also offers secluded beach getaways for couples seeking privacy.
Cycling and Walking
Exploring the Florida Keys by bicycle is a great way to experience the natural beauty and historic sites of the area. You can rent complimentary bicycles at resorts like the Amoray Dive Resort or explore the historic core of Key West on a bike tour. Walking tours are also available, and you can stroll through places like Mallory Square, Higgs Beach, or the Key West Lighthouse.
National and State Parks
In addition to its beaches and water activities, the Florida Keys is home to several national and state parks. Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles west of Key West, offers incredible snorkelling and diving opportunities. Fort Jefferson, located within the park, is a popular destination accessible by seaplane or ferry. The Florida Keys also boasts lush greenery and deep blue waters, providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities.
Sunset Cruises
Sunset cruises are a romantic way to experience the beauty of the Florida Keys. You can book a private cruise or join a group tour to watch the stunning sunsets while enjoying champagne or a romantic dinner on the water.
The Florida Keys offers a range of outdoor activities for couples, from water sports and beach relaxation to cycling, walking tours, and exploring national and state parks. With its natural beauty and year-round warm climate, the Florida Keys is an ideal destination for a romantic and adventurous honeymoon.
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Food and drink
The Florida Keys are known for their fresh seafood, so it's no surprise that fish features heavily on the menus of local restaurants. In Key West, honeymooners can enjoy fish tacos and key lime pie, washed down with rum at the likes of Kaya Island Eats and Banana Cafe. For a fine-dining experience, Latitudes offers open-air, waterfront dining, but be sure to reserve a table in advance. Azur is another great option for innovative Mediterranean cuisine.
If you're looking for a romantic dinner with a unique twist, Little Palm Island will provide you with a memorable experience as you'll need to take a boat to get there. For a more relaxed vibe, the Islamorada Seafood Festival in January offers fresh catches and local flavours. Islamorada is also known as the sport-fishing capital of the world, so you can even catch your own dinner and have it cooked for you at Robbie's Marina.
For a taste of local beers, head to Waterfront Brewery in Key West, or try one of the two breweries in Tavernier-Islamorada. Florida Keys Brewing Co. offers a unique experience with its Painting the Keys session, where you can try your hand at painting a Floridian landscape while sipping on brews infused with local flavours. If you're a fan of rum punches, head to Hogsbreath Saloon, and for a food truck experience, the Pescado food truck comes highly recommended.
For a quintessential Keys experience, start your day with a delicious breakfast at Alexander's Guesthouse, where you can enjoy fresh juices, homemade muffins, and a rotating selection of egg casserole, French toast, or quiche, depending on the day. If you're staying in Key Largo, Harriettes is another great option for muffins and breakfast.
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Transport
The Florida Keys are located off the southern coast of Florida, extending from Key Largo to Key West. There are a few options for transportation to and within the Florida Keys.
Flying
Direct flights to Key West from New York City are around 3 hours. The closest airports are Key West Airport, Miami Airport, and Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle services are available from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West Airports, as well as within the Florida Keys. These include the Key West Shuttle, which offers rides up and down the Keys and stops throughout the middle and upper Florida Keys. The Florida Keys Express Shuttle and Limousines offer daily executive transportation services to and from Miami Airport, with stops anywhere along the Keys.
Car Rental
Renting a car is a convenient way to explore the Florida Keys, providing flexibility to travel between the islands along the scenic Overseas Highway. Driving is a good option for those looking to explore multiple locations during their stay.
Bicycle and Scooter
For shorter distances within Key West, bicycles and scooters are popular options.
Boat
For those looking to visit multiple islands, boat tours are also available, and some resorts offer sunset cruises as part of their honeymoon packages.
Taxi
Taxis are also available within the Florida Keys, with some companies offering transportation between islands, such as from Marathon to Key West.
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Weather
The Florida Keys are known for their Caribbean-like weather, with the southernmost tip of the USA, Key West, having a "Bohemian" personality and feel unlike anywhere else in America. The best weather in the Florida Keys is from March to May, but it is a year-round destination with warm weather.
The Florida Keys are located off the southern coast of Florida, extending from Key Largo down to Key West. Key Largo is an island and city about 70 miles southwest of Miami. It is home to national parks, including the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR), where you can swim with dolphins. Key Largo is also a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. The Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is another natural attraction, with lush flora and lively fauna.
Key West, the famed "Southernmost Point" of the US, has some of the clearest waters in the Gulf of Mexico. It is known for its breathtaking sunsets at Mallory Square, and for attractions such as Dry Tortugas National Park and Ernest Hemingway's mansion. Old Town's Duval Street is a famed strip with local pubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. Key West is also home to a range of accommodation, from luxury resorts to charming beachside cottages and romantic B&Bs.
The island community of Marathon in the Florida Keys is a tropical getaway for families. It maintains a retro, nautical atmosphere with family-friendly festivals and attractions. Activities include swimming with dolphins, snorkelling, and boating. Fishing is ideal off the pristine Sombrero Beach. There are seafood festivals throughout the year, and plenty of local restaurants serving fresh catches.
Little Palm Island, about 28 miles from Key West, is another option for a secluded, romantic honeymoon experience.
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Frequently asked questions
For a luxurious honeymoon in the Florida Keys, newlyweds can choose from a variety of high-end resorts with all-inclusive options. The Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West, the Coconut Palm Inn, and the Playa Largo Resort & Spa in Key Largo are all popular choices.
The Florida Keys offer a range of romantic activities for couples, including sunset cruises, private dinners, and couple's spa treatments. Couples can also enjoy snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For a more secluded experience, offshore island picnics via chartered boat or seaplane are popular.
Honeymooners can enjoy romantic dinners at Little Palm Island, which can only be accessed by boat, or Latitudes Restaurant in Key West. Harriette's in Key Largo is also recommended for its great muffins and breakfast options.
The best weather in the Florida Keys is typically from March to May. However, it is important to consider that rates for accommodations and activities tend to be higher in winter and spring.
