Monroe County Tourist Development Council’s most recent Smith Travel Research report shows Florida Keys Tourism is doing just fine. The Florida Keys continued with Florida’s best average daily rate. during the first quarter of 2017, at $315. The report on Florida Keys Tourism, with data from January through March 2017, provides a look at the average … Read more
As you would expect Seafood Rules in the Florida Keys restaurants. But you can’t eat seafood for every meal…or can you? Most serve up cuisine reflecting the tropical Caribbean flavors. Tropical fruits and veggies, fresh seafood, and tropical drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic (you must try Mrs. Mac’s Key Lime Freeze). In season you can enjoy … Read more
The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago located off the southern coast of Florida, forming the southernmost portion of the continental United States. They begin at the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, … Read more
Florida Keys Saltwater Fishing According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commision (FWC), Florida is recognized as the “Fishing Capital of the World” based on the number of freshwater and saltwater anglers, amount of time spent fishing, economic impact, diversity of recreational species, international fishing records set here and tourists who use our resources. The … Read more
I have been in love with the Florida Keys most of my life. Having been born and raised in South Florida, the natural beauty of the area has captivated me since early childhood. The fortune of growing up in a boating family instilled me with an unending need to experience nature to it’s fullest. The … Read more
As with most crocodilians, the Florida Keys American Crocodile courtship and mating are stimulated by increasing ambient water and air temperatures. Reproductive behaviors peak when body temperatures reach levels necessary to sustain hormonal activity and gametogenesis. In South Florida, temperatures sufficient to allow initiation of American Crocodile courtship behavior are reached by late February through … Read more
Not all reefs are created equal, a distinction that fish seem to recognize but until now scientists largely overlooked. In a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, researchers found that if managed properly, Caribbean reefs could support from 60 to 90 percent more sharks, rays and other large predators than now inhabiting them. They … Read more
Weddings in the breezy, balmy Florida Keys can be romantically barefoot or more dressy and elegant affairs. And while a sun-drenched beach wedding might be the first thing that comes to mind, the Keys offer far more unusual sites for couples who want their ceremony’s venue to be as memorable as their love. Listed here … Read more
With its azure blue waters, swaying palm trees, year-round warm temps and bright blue skies, Kid Friendly Florida Keys makes for the perfect tropical escape. Two state parks, a national park, and a national marine sanctuary offer plenty of opportunities to explore and learn. Plus it’s easy to reach, at just a little over an hour’s … Read more
Hardly a weekend goes by in the Florida Keys & Key West without a special event or festival taking place. Providing entertainment and enjoyment for visitors virtually throughout the year, the Festivals and Events celebrate everything from the Keys’ colorful history, artistic culture and quirky ambiance to underwater wonders, outdoor adventure and tasty cuisine. While … Read more
YELLOW STINGRAY Urobatis jamaicensis Also know as Yellow Spotted Stingray. They inhabit shallow inshore waters, where they are typically found foraging in sandy or muddy flats near coral reefs or rocky formations. They utilize sandy flats and areas of sea grass in order to forage for small crustaceans and mollusks, while also using the deep sand and sea … Read more
A Wonderful Bird Is The Pelican A wonderful bird is the pelican His bill can hold more than his belican He can take in his beak Food enough for a week But I’m damned if I see how the helican by Dixon Lanier Merritt Did you know that a pelican’s pouch can hold up to … Read more
The lone resident American Crocodile at Fort Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas, has been there for almost two decades, according to National Park Service rangers. There were fewer than 200 when the American Crocodile was listed as endangered on the federal Endangered Species List in the 1970s. Now it is estimated there may … Read more
The normally red-hot Florida Keys spiny lobster fishery in South Florida seems to be cooling off this season, or at least Asian buyers seem to becoming more shrewd about the lucrative market. Spiny lobster is the Florida Keys’ most profitable commercial fishery, generating more than $50 million a year directly to the local economy. “Prices … Read more
There are many fishing regulations taking effect January 1. Below are some that affect Florida Keys Fishing from the FWC. Seasonal grouper closure starts Jan. 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest starting Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. … Read more
Fishing in the Florida Keys, with green and blue waters enveloping Islamorada, signaling sandbars, flats and channels. All of the Florida Keys are a playground for sport fish and anglers alike. Driving south down U.S. 1 in Florida, it’s easy to become hypnotized by the green and blue waters surrounding top fishing destinations such as … Read more
From Caribbean-like aquamarine waters to a friendly, island life attitude, the Florida Keys never fail to surprise first-time visitors. We love the food, rum, nightlife and sunsets, but were also charmed by the abundance of wildlife and the beaches (who says there’s no beaches in the Keys?). The Keys manage to deliver the tropical vacations … Read more
If you are already, or soon to be, overcome by cold, snow and ice, it’s time to finalize those plans for your migration to the Florida Keys. Here are some questions to see how the Winter Weather Forecast affects your plans. How much Winter weather does it take to convince you to head South? When … Read more
One of my favorite activities is fish watching on the beautiful coral reefs of the Florida Keys. To me, parrotfish (algae grazers) are the most entertaining fish species to observe. It’s fun watching them zoom around, using their pectoral fins for propulsion. There are 13 different types of parrotfish found in the Keys. Each one … Read more
While many folks associate cactus with the sand and heat of a desert in the western part of the United States, South Florida and the Florida Keys are home to six species of native cacti. In this week’s edition of Nature’s Corner, we will introduce you to two native Florida Keys cacti: the barbed-wire cactus … Read more