7 Best Islands to Visit in the Florida Keys
With year-round sunshine, white sandy beaches, and clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the Caribbean, it’s no wonder The Florida Keys are one of the top vacation destinations in the US.
Composed of hundreds of islands stretching from Key Largo (just a short drive from Miami) to Key West, The Florida Keys are packed with gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, tropical vacation villas, famous landmarks, and, of course, lots of Key lime pie.
When planning a Florida Keys vacation, the only hard part is deciding which islands to visit. Don’t worry; we have you covered — here’s the ultimate breakdown of all the best islands in The Florida Keys to help you plan your perfect trip!
1. Key West
- Located in The Lower Keys at Mile Marker 0
- Best for beaches, nightlife, art, history, and culture
Starting at the furthest end, the final and most popular island in the Florida Keys, Key West, is a bustling blend of beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and free-spirited fun. It’s considered by many to be the best place to stay during your Keys vacation, offering all the best attractions with quick and easy access to visit nearby islands.
The island is also home to many famous landmarks, such as Fort Zachary Taylor, the Hemingway Home, and the Southernmost Point. It’s also the gateway to Dry Tortugas National Park, which is only accessible via ferry or seaplane from Key West.
Key West offers something for everyone — whether you want to relax on the beach, go bar hopping with some Ernest Hemingway look-alikes, dive into haunted history, attend one of the island’s famous festivals, or just immerse yourself in the quirky Key West culture of pirates, pubs, and free-roaming roosters.
2. Sunset Key
- Located in The Lower Keys via ferry from Key West
- Best for tranquility, romance, and relaxation
A private island paradise just off the coast of Key West, Sunset Key offers a peaceful retreat with gorgeous beaches and luxury amenities. It’s perfect for couples, honeymooners, or anyone looking for a quiet, relaxing tropical getaway.
Sunset Key is known for its luxurious vacation rentals with incredible ocean views, tropical landscaping, and private pools. The entire island feels like your own private resort!
While there’s no shortage of things to do on Sunset Key, including beaches, watersports, dining, and spa experiences, you can also easily access all the fun of Key West with just a short ferry ride to the mainland.
3. Big Pine Key
- Located in The Lower Keys at Mile Markers 29 to 33
- Best for hiking, wildlife, and outdoor recreation
Home to thousands of acres of unspoiled wilderness and a wide array of wildlife, Big Pine Key is a must-visit for nature lovers!
While you’ll still find beautiful beaches on Big Pine Key, the main attraction on this island is the over 8,000 acres of peaceful, protected lands that make up the National Key Deer Refuge. These forests, hardwood hammocks, and wetlands are vital habitats to numerous rare species, including its namesake, the Key deer, which are the smallest deer in the world and unique to The Florida Keys.
Big Pine Key is perfect for hiking, biking, bird-watching, paddling, and every visitor’s favorite pastime, spotting the tiny, adorable Key deer that roam the island. It’s only a short drive from Key West (about 40 minutes), making it a great spot to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in nature.
4. Bahia Honda Key
- Located in The Lower Keys at Mile Markers 36 to 37
- Best for beaches, watersports, and picnicking
While Bahia Honda Key is officially part of Big Pine Key, it is a separate island (about 15 minutes further east) and is home to one of the most beautiful state parks in Florida — Bahia Honda State Park.
Bahia Honda State Park is beloved for its beautiful beaches, abundant water recreation like boating, kayaking, and snorkeling, and scenic views of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. It’s also a great spot for an afternoon picnic.
Bahia Honda Key is just under an hour from Key West and makes for a great beach day outing.
5. Marathon
- Located in The Middle Keys at Mile Markers 47 to 60
- Best for beaches, wildlife attractions, and family-friendly fun
Marathon is just over an hour from Key West and is a favorite among families visiting the Keys. Midway through the Keys, you’ll find sandy beaches, lots of marine life, and plenty of kid-friendly attractions. Marathon is actually 13 individual islands, packed tightly together and connected through the Overseas Highway, so it’s easy to hop from one to another.
There are many kid-friendly things to do in Marathon, including:
- Crane Point Hammock Museum & Nature Trails
- Turtle Hospital
- Marathon Air Museum
- The Dolphin Research Center and Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters also offer incredible, up-close, and, in some cases, hands-on marine life encounters.
6. Islamorada
- Located in The Middle Keys at Mile Markers 72 and 90
- Best for fishing and boating
While there’s certainly no shortage of great fishing spots in The Florida Keys, Islamorada is known to have some of the best around. In fact, it’s known as “The Sportfishing Capital of the World” and often hosts world-renowned fishing tournaments.
Unique conditions, which include the underwater geography of the area, the way the Gulf Stream flows, and the biodiversity of marine life, create abundant fishing opportunities around Islamorada. Whether you want a laid-back day on the backcountry targeting tarpon or you’re looking to reel in a monster sailfish offshore, Islamorada is an angler’s paradise.
Islamorada is a little over an hour and a half from Key West and, in addition to fishing, has beautiful beaches, great seafood restaurants, and unique attractions like the History of Diving Museum, so it can make the perfect day trip destination.
7. Key Largo
- Located in The Upper Keys at Mile Markers 91 and 107
- Best for SCUBA diving and snorkeling
The very first Key in the island chain of The Florida Keys, Key Largo is home to crystal-clear waters, stunning coral reefs, and incredible marine life. It’s a top spot for snorkelers and SCUBA divers and is known as “The Diving Capital of the World.”
While most of the waters surrounding the Keys are part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and offer great snorkeling and diving, the waters off Key Largo are also home to the famous John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Here, you can take a variety of diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tours to see the coral reefs and catch a glimpse of the famous Christ of the Abyss underwater statue — a bucket list item for many!
While Key Largo is the furthest distance from Key West, taking a little over two hours to drive there, it’s well worth it if you plan on diving or snorkeling. It also makes a great pit stop if you’re driving from Miami to Key West, as many travelers do.
Which Island Will You Visit First?
Paradise awaits in The Florida Keys — all you have to decide is which islands you want to visit.
Still not sure? Let us help! Book your stay with Vacation Homes of Key West and enjoy fully furnished vacation homes with luxury amenities like private pools, hot tubs, ocean views, and much more.
Staying on Key West or Sunset Key offers the best of everything, with a relaxing home base to retreat to and easy access to island hop during the day, so you can see and experience it all.
