Florida Keys are a great way to enjoy a Florida Vacation. The Florida Keys are a chain of 1,700 islands extending southwest from the southern tip of the Florida pennisula, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico to the north.

This island chain is 202 miles (325 km) in length, stretching to within 90 miles (145 km) of Cuba. As the only coral reef system off the North American continent and the third largest barrier reef in the world (behind Australia and Belize), the Florida Reef Tract is located on the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys.

Some are large, like Big Pine Key, and some are so tiny you hardly notice them at all as you drive over the Overseas Highway, or US 1. Some of the keys are dominated by resorts that own the whole island, or most of it. Take Duck Key, for example, which is pretty much owned by Hawk’s Cay resort. The entrance to the island is surrounded by a large gateway, with the words Hawk’s Cay written in stone. Some Florida Keys have much of their land protected for wildlife refuges, such as Big Pine. Big Pine Key is home to Key Deer, which are protected and who live in a fenced-off area to keep them safe from the highway

Besides the fabulous Florida beaches you have to choose from, there’s so much to do while on vacation. You can easily find Florida beaches that are great for walking, swimming and beachcombing. Salt-water fishing right off the beach is a fun way to have a chance to enjoy very fresh seafood. Of course, local restaurants will await you if your sea bounty comes up short that day. There’s a wide variety of water sports such as fishing, sailing, jetskiing, parasailing, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking and more to be found in the larger Florida beach towns. Surfing in Florida can be extremely fun, as you can find waves for amateur and experienced surfers alike. Conquering large waves makes ones adrenaline rush like crazy.