What to do and see in Florida Keys, Florida Keys: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

Looe Key reef has been federally protected since 1981, first as a national marine sanctuary and now as an Existing Management Area* within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This area includes a Sanctuary Preservation Area* (SPA) that is a popular snorkelling and dive destination for new and experienced divers alike. A diversity of fish congregate here - parrots and surgeonfish on the north side; barracudas and jacks on top of the reef; grunts, butterflyfish, and angelfish on the reef crest. It is located approximately 5.5 nautical miles south of Ramrod Key and about eight nautical miles southwest of Bahia Honda State Park. *Special use regulations apply here.

Prowl this Florida rainforest and see the bird and plant life indigenous to the area.

Nature trails and fossilized coral reefs are the highlights of this park.

Take a walk back in time through our 63 acres of hardwood hammock. Crane Point Museum & Nature Center is a non-profit organization in Marathon, Florida in the heart of the Fabulous Florida Keys featuring a museum of natural history and beautiful nature trails throughout a 63-acre hardwood hammock. This nature reserve contains evidence of pre-Columbian civilization and was once the site of an Indian village. We are pet-friendly!

Two ships deliberately sunk in 1987 to provide artificial reefs for experienced divers.

This is the largest all-masonry fortification in the western hemisphere and served as a Civil War federal prison.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary supports one of the most diverse assemblages of marine life in North America. Although best known for its coral reefs, the shallow nearshore waters contain interconnecting marine habitats that include fringing mangroves, seagrass meadows, and more. Visitors to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary can enjoy diving, snorkeling, paddlesports, wildlife watching, boating, and fishing. Anglers can target inshore species such as tarpon, snook, redfish, barracuda, and hogfish; they can also target many offshore species including mahi mahi, marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo. Check out Blue Star Operators when booking your fishing or diving trip. These operators are partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary System, dedicated to sustainable recreation and tourism, and committed to educating visitors about the Florida Keys ecosystem.

Marine park that contains diverse fish and marine life that is a perfect spot for snorkelers and divers.

Fourteen square mile natural habitat of white tailed Key deer.

YES! OUR SANCTUARY IS OPEN! Masks and social distancing are required, but we are happy to see you! We are open every day of the year from Sunrise to Sunset. The Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is home to over one hundred non-releasable, permanent resident birds including hawks, owls, vultures, pelicans, gulls, songbirds, and more. Visitors are invited to learn about our birds and the fragile ecosystems of the Florida Keys. Admission is free, but donations to help the FKWBC to continue to fulfill our mission are gladly accepted. The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native and migratory wild birds that have been harmed or displaced, to provide or locate a humane shelter for those birds that cannot be released, and to educate the public toward the importance of coexistence with all wild bird species. The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center is a 501(C)(3) Charitable Organization.