Top Things to do in Florida Keys
Top Hotels in Florida Keys
- 1. The Southernmost House
- 2. Havana Cabana at Key West
- 3. Margaritaville Beach House Key West
- 4. Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West
- 5. Southernmost Beach Resort
- 6. Isla Bella Beach Resort
- 7. Santa Maria Suites Hotel
- 8. Islander Resort
- 9. Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
- 10. The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West
Top 10 Ships in Florida Keys, Florida Keys
Stretching 126 miles south toward Cuba, the stunning Keys are a perfect escape. Highlights along the way include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the irrepressible Key West. Get up close with an amazing array of fish while snorkeling, diving or fishing in the warm turquoise waters. Creeks, coral and costumed spectacles are other lures along the way. Highway 1 is a spectacular ribbon tying together the islands and atolls of this paradise between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.
Restaurants in Florida Keys
1. Spiegel Grove
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Retired 510-foot naval ship intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef for underwater diving enthusiasts.
Reviewed By mickj345
Two dives with my daughter, totally awesome experience. If you dive, this is a must for your logbook.
2. Thunderbolt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
A majestic shipwreck sitting at the bottom of the ocean floor. A perfect destination for scuba divers.
3. The Alexander Wreck
4. USCG Duane
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
The 329-foot Coast Guard cutter Duane was sunk in 1987 to create an "artificial reef," which was specially prepared for advanced divers with clear, open hatchways and open rooms to explore.
Reviewed By WilliamR2899
We had good vis and enjoyed some swim throughs, nice fish, Barracuda and a large Bull Shark. Excellent wreck, loved the American Flag on it!
5. Benwood wreck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Selected as one of the dive sites on the Florida Keys' Shipwreck Trail, this merchant marine freighter was built in 1920 and sunk in 1942.
Reviewed By TravelerOana - New Jersey, United States
We dove it twice, day and night and it has lots of life on it. Besides fishes lots of turtles, a gigantic Goliath Grouper, Eels...
6. African Queen Canal Cruise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,013 reviews
In 2012 the iconic boat the African Queen was restored for her 100 year centennial celebration. In May 2012 she once again began plying the waters of Key Largo and currently offers canal and dinner cruises. We go out daily at 10am, 12am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. On Fridays and Saturdays at 6pm we offer a dinner cruise to the Pilot House Marina where passengers disembark and enjoy dinner in the restaurant before boarding the vessel once again to return to the Marina Del Mar. Dinner and lunch cruises are also available on request for groups of at least 4 people.
Reviewed By 141marciam - Davie, United States
As a huge fan of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn It was amazing to ride on the African Queen And hear the stories that our captain shared with us about the African Queen and the movie
7. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,167 reviews
327 Foot museum ship from WWII and Viet Nam. It is a National Historic Landmark. INGHAM served our country from 1936 to 1988 and in 1985 was the most decorated ship in United States Service as noted in a letter from President Ronald Reagan in the exhibit room. It is the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat (626) in WWII. It served as the Flagship for the seaside operation of General MacArthur's return to Corregidor in the Philippines. She served from 1936 to 1988. The ship is totally intact as if was on decommissioning day. Offering one of the best Sunset viewing venues in Key West on Friday and Saturday Evenings, serving wines and various Beers.
Reviewed By River55land
I've been traveling to Key West for decades and only learned about this maritime museum through TripAdvisor this trip. I've pretty much done everything there is to do in Key West and I was looking for something new when this popped up. The Ingham has been docked in Key West since 2009. A confession: I served on board the CGC Reliance as a radioman stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas for 18 months. As you might expect, there were some good and bad experiences. Throughout my 4 years in the Guard, I had heard about the Ingham. It was a thrill to tour such an historic ship. The ship, contrary to the photo on Trip Advisor which makes you think you have to take a boat to the ship, is moored at Truman Park, part of the Truman Annex. It's the star of the show. I was welcomed aboard a little before 10 am by a dedicated volunteer. When he found out I was a former CG, he broke off his briefing and said have at it. They provide you with a card that has all the "stops" with information on the card. Many of the stops are narrated. You pretty much get to see the entire ship. You can't go in some rooms but all are visible on the tour. My favorite was, of course, the radio room. When you tour this ship, it's like stepping into a time machine to WWII. Like any ship commissioned in 1936, it is showing its age and rust is a constant companion. Volunteers do all the work including chipping, scrapping, and painting. It's a donation entrance fee and they suggest $10. It'll be the best $10 you will spend. Part of the crew quarters and mess facilities are turned into a museum for WWII and Vietnam (Ingham participated in both). A ship this decorated (2 Presidential citations) has some interesting history: convoy duty where it sank a U-Boat, the Mediterranean during WWII, the Pacific Theater, also, WWII, and Vietnam. Be sure to wear shoes with good treads. They warn you of the steepness of the ladders (stairs for landlubbers) and there are quite a few on the tour. It's not really handicapped accessible but it would be pretty much impossible to do that. I would plan at least one hour for the tour. Getting there is a short walk from Whitehead Street. While in the vicinity, you should also visit Fort Zachary Taylor, another short walk from the ship.
8. USCG Bibb
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
A premier dive site in the Florida Keys, this Treasury-class Coast Guard cutter was sunk intentionally to create an artificial reef.
Reviewed By raed452
A USCG Cutter built in the 1930s. It is a great wreck dive. Lots to see. Great fish. Lots of cool places to look inside the hull through the passageways. But it is a deep dive and so it is important to watch that dive computer. Wreck is laying on her side. A dive light really helps bring out the colors of the critters!
9. San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve
For scuba divers, this is a chance to explore a Spanish ship sunk in 1733.
10. Avanti
This boat which sank in 1907 remains underwater near Loggerhead Key, Florida and is accessible to scuba divers.
