By Regina Sass
Florida Keys Vacations
The Florida Keys are home to about 1,700 islands with a climate that's ideal for outdoor activities, both on land and water. The average temperature in the Keys is 80 degrees. The warmest month is August, which averages 84.8 degrees, and the coldest is January, with an average of 70 degrees. Yearly rainfall is about 45 inches.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The Florida Keys have the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Sunken ships along the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail also make excellent locations for snorkeling and scuba diving. Some ships were sunk centuries ago in combat or by accident, and others were sunk intentionally to form artificial reefs. These reefs are home to a wide variety of sea life, and the wrecks lie in anywhere from 20 to 130 feet of water.
Fishing
The Florida Keys have more variety of fishing than anywhere else in the world. Whether you prefer spin fishing or using conventional tackle, local fishing guides will have the supplies you need. You can go fly fishing for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, redfish, trout, black-fin tuna, shark, barracuda, bluefish, jacks or snappers in the back country or from a boat. Charter boats offer deep-sea fishing for dolphin, tuna, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, swordfish and others. Most of the charter fishing boats are moored in Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West.
www.fishingfloridakeys.com
Golf
Golf courses in the Florida Keys are open year-round. The busiest time is during the winter, since summer can be hot and humid. On Islamorada, the Cheeca Lodge has a nine-hole course. You can play if you are a guest at the lodge or if you are invited by a guest. Key Colony beach Golf & Tennis on Marathon is a public course, and on Key West there is the 18-hole Key West Golf Course.
www.discoveringfloridakeys.com/florida-keys-golf.php
Camping
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Florida Keys. It has everything you could ask for in a camping experience, including swimming and hiking trails. Florida Keys RV Park on Key Largo, Fiesta Key KOA Kampground on Islamorada and Long Key State Park Recreational Area are other popular choices for camping.
www.floridakeysbest.com/families/florida_keys_camping.htm
About the Author:
Regina Sass is based in the Adirondack Region of New York State. She has been a writer for 10 years writing for publications in the real estate and retail industries. Online experience includes writing,advertising and editing for an educational web site. Sass is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Photo Credits:
Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Park from Wikimedia Commons
