Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Reviews

Good times! wonderful weather, beautiful attractions. a lot of things to see and a lot of things to do!

We were on a boat and visited Elliot Key and Boca Chita. You can camp on either though they are primative. You can also get there by boat from the park headquarters on the mainland. I think it is worth the trip .

What a great place to sea kayak!!! It's a beautiful pristine wilderness to enjoy with crystal clear water. Shark nursery in the mangroves. Great place for picnicking on many of the islands. Several concessionaires in the area, but Capt. Markus is the best. Great way to spend a day enjoying the natural environment.

We just happened upon this wonderful facility while we were looking for the Fort Zachary State Park. It is a free attraction and is well worth the time to go through this . The short film about the Keys' waterways is beautiful and full of information. The displays about the plants and the animals, as well as the large aquariums with the coral and the fish are wonderful . Neat 3D show of fish and reef. Make sure that you plan to spend a bit of time here as opposed to just running through the exhibits. Very helpful staff and interesting shop as well.

A simply must visit if you are in the keys. After all, it has had many famous people fall in love with it. Ernest Hemingway, Harry Truman and Jimmy Buffet to name a couple. Great little shops, many many wonderful restaurants and an island dedicated to marine life and tales from the past Parking can be a problem, but look for many little private parking lots which run normally $10 for the day, but other than full high season, right around the corner you will find one for $5 Duvall Street is the "main" street of the city, with such attractions as Sloppy Joe's and other notable drinking establishments that Papa Hemingway made famous. A great days outing with plenty to see and lots of fresh air to enjoy.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is actually a 2,800 square nautical mile area surrounding the Florida Keys and reaching in to the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Bay. It was established as a sanctuary in 1990. It includes the Florida Reef which is the only coral reef in North America and is the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Mesoamerican Reef in the Caribbean are larger. It is a great place for scuba diving and snorkeling and while you are in the water, there is no end to what you might see.

Note that this review covers the small museum located on Key West and not the entire protected areas.

A fairly small museum, the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center provides several exhibits showcasing the wildlife of the region, from the various botanical, hydrological, and weather conditions. Sure, it isn't exactly high on entertainment, but there are a couple of diversions including walking in a research submarine and also a 3-D glass exhibit. Best of all, it's free and is a nice pit stop on the way to or from the Fort Zachary Taylor area.

This is among the best diving America has to offer, in my opinion. Living coral formations, the abundance of marine life and species, excellent visibility (40-60 ft), water temp (75-82), fabulous dive shops with knowledgeable staff. A dive or snorkel at this reef should be on everyone's bucket list, in my opinion.

The Keys are a long strip that goes south from Miami. Key West is at the end of the road, and is th Southernmost point of the US. It is worth the trip, as you will find a vibrant fun town, that likes to party and watch the awesome sunsets.
I recommend the Grand Hotel. This is a tiny hotel off the beaten track. First class service and accomodation.
I was very disappointed by Ley Largo.
IslaMorada is worth a stop, about halfway down the Keys. The Islamorada Fish company is a brilliant waterside restaurant. They feed the sharks in the evening just off the end of the dock.

We stumbled upon this little gem by accident. Once inside we absolutely had a 'whale' of a time! The staff engaged with my children giving them activities to do. There were education films to watch, things to read, things to do and loads to learn. The staff were very helpful with questions and answered well. A lovely way to learn about the sea, and our part in the upkeep of it.

Sail in to your favorite island in the afternoon, and watch the sunset with your friends while sipping on your favorite drink of choice. Wait for the tide to drop and get marooned at a sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico for a true experience with yourself. Fall asleep to the sounds of small crashing waves and the sight of the stars with a stomach full of freshly grilled seafood. Wake up to the sound of the birds in the morning, and take a walk around your own deserted island. Any sandbar in the tropics is one of the best places to connect with yourself, were time stands still and worries sway away with the breeze and are drowned by the surf..... A true Corona moment.

Disclaimer: Review intended for experienced boaters. There are sandbars were coral rock lies exposed and will punch a hole through your hull in a heartbeat.

I love boating in this area. We always see many sea turtles and, if lucky, manatee. I keep snorkel, mask and fins in the boat so I can jump in to swim with the turtles - keeping my distance. Such a serene place with stunning views underwater.