The Florida Keys are synonymous with sparkling turquoise waters, towering palm trees, striking sunrises and sunsets, and picturesque white sand beaches. A popular year-round vacation destination in the Sunshine State, the Florida Keys also attract visitors with world-class sport fishing and diving opportunities.
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Siesta Key Beach, Siesta KeyRegarded as one of the best places to visit in Florida, Siesta Key is a paradisiac island in the Gulf of Mexico. The island's main beach is a coveted destination thanks to its dreamy white sand and shallow, crystal-clear water that is ideal for a refreshing swim.
You can also swim and enjoy other water sports like windsurfing and snorkeling as well as kayaking and paddleboarding in the clear, clean water inhabited by tropical fish.
The water is very clear. There's a long stretch of beaches by the airport. Most of the Key West activity takes place on and around Duval Street, which ends at the ocean. Water varies with time of year and mother nature but clarity of water is best at the Fort Zack state park.
Why is the Florida Keys water so blue? The light blue line south and east of the islands is a living coral reef system—among the largest in the world. Deeper water beyond the edge of the Florida platform appears dark blue. Many of the Florida Keys fall within the boundaries of national parks.
Runoff and spills have periodically resulted in high levels of fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria in the Florida Keys, resulting in swimming advisories for nearshore waters and beaches.
If you're looking for the quintessential Florida Keys experience - Key Largo is your best bet. If you're looking for eclectic entertainment, spirited bars, and parties that roll all night long - Key West is certainly for you.
If South Florida is ground zero for sea-level rise globally, then the Florida Keys are ground zero for sea-level rise in South Florida. The stunning stretch of islands, rich with history and a destination for locals and tourists is slowly disappearing.
The Weddell Sea has been claimed by scientists to have the clearest waters of any ocean in the world. Described by a historian as “the most wretched and dismal region on earth”, due to the flash freezes that caught Shackleton's ship, its clarity is only belied by the sheer depth of the ocean below.
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit, but the weather is as hot as it gets, and hurricanes are a constant threat from June 1 to November 30, with most storms popping up from mid-August to mid-October.