Key West Fantasy Fest

Key West Fantasy Fest Costume

Fantasy Fest is an annual event in Key West, held in the last week of October. Overall, the event is a wild, quirky, 10-day adult-themed costume party for grown-ups. The event has been held since 1979. Fantasy Fest is known for its eclectic spirit of creative expression, suggestive and risque costumes, body painting and adult … Read more

Nixon Sandbar

Nixon Sandbar on Key Biscayne, Florida

The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas.  On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon … Read more

Mosquito Bank (Key Largo)

Mosquito Bank Key Largo Sandbar

Mosquito Bank is located in the upper Keys near Key Largo. It is just offshore of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  The Mosquito Bank covers a relatively large area, and includes several sandbars and shallow areas. One part of the Mosquito Bank has a lighted navigational beacon. Note: Please be careful not to damage … Read more

Picnic Island (Florida Keys)

Aerial map showing Picnic Island, Florida Keys

Picnic Island is a small, undeveloped island and sandbar in the lower Florida Keys.  Location Picnic Island is located in the Newfound Harbor Channel, south of Little Torch Key and southeast of Ramrod Key. It is less than a mile northeast of the Little Palm Island Resort. Water around Picnic Island is shallow. Depths around … Read more

Marathon Sandbar

Grassy Key Sandbar in Marathon, Florida Keys

There are several popular sandbars in Marathon.  Each sandbar is unique and has its own vibe. The “feel” of the sandbars change dramatically based on other visitors who happen to be at the sandbar.  Like all sandbars in Florida, some of the more popular sandbars around Marathon become extremely crowded on weekends. Hundreds of boats … Read more

Islamorada Sandbars

islamorada sandbar, florida keys

The Islamorada sandbar is a shallow stretch of white sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  The Islamorada sandbar is an extremely popular place for boats to anchor and swim in the crystal clear water. Gatherings on the sandbar can be calm and relaxing, or wild parties, depending on the day and the … Read more

Boca Grande Key (Key West)

Boca grande key sandbar key west florida

Boca Grande is a small, uninhabited island in the Florida Keys.  Boca Grande Key is an extremely popular boating destination for people who live in Key West, and for visitors who visit the island with sandbar tours and captained boat charters. Note: Boca Grande Key should not be confused with the small residential community of … Read more

Content Keys

Aerial image of Content Keys in Florida Keys

The Content Keys are a group of small islands in the lower Florida Keys backcountry, near the Gulf of Mexico.  The entire region is famous for its beautiful clear water, abundant wildlife and fine, sugar-white sand. It is renowned for having some of the best sandbars in Florida. Note: The Content Keys are located in … Read more

Sandbars in Key West

sandbar in key west, florida

Sandbars in Key West are hidden gems. The sand is like white sugar. The water is crystal clear.  When you’re all alone on a sandbar there isn’t any noise, except for the sound of the water. They’re like private desert islands.  You can often see fun and exciting marine life on sandbars, including dolphins, sharks, … Read more

Nude Beaches in Key West

A woman on a topless nude beach in Key West, in the Florida Keys

Key West is a wild place. It’s a modern-day pirate town, known for crazy parties on Duval Street, quirkiness and adult-friendly entertainment. Key West celebrates individual freedom and permissive attitudes. Sometimes, it can feel like almost anything is allowed. With such a wild reputation, there must be nude beaches in Key West, right? Well, surprisingly, no!  … Read more

Sea Urchins

A man holds a sea urchin, taken from the sea.

Sea urchins are found in all of Florida’s coastal waters, including the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Sea urchins are echinoderms, and are part of the class Echinoidea. Habitat and Behavior Sea urchins are very versatile, and can be found in all of the world’s oceans. Sea urchins typically live on … Read more

Overseas Highway

7 Mile Bridge on the Overseas Highway to Key West and the Florida Keys

Florida’s Overseas Highway is a world-famous scenic highway. It consists of 42 bridges which connect the Florida Keys to the Florida mainland. It’s currently the only way to reach Key West via land. The only other ways to reach Key West are by high-speed ferry, or by flying into the Key West Airport (EYW). The … Read more

Seagrass

Seagrass beds in Florida

Seagrass is extremely important for the health of Florida’s marine ecosystems.  Seagrass are actually flowering plants which live underwater in marine and estuary waters. Seagrasses are found throughout Florida, and are most abundant in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades and in Florida Bay.  Seagrasses also thrive throughout the Florida Keys, and in the … Read more

Boating Impact on Florida Waterways

Florida Bay Seagrass Impact

Boaters can have serious, negative impacts on Florida’s waterways! As the population of south Florida and the Florida Keys grows, boater’s impact on the marine environment will become an increasingly serious problem to manage. Many boaters run aground every year and damage the fragile seagrass in Florida Bay and throughout Florida. Damage is especially intense … Read more

Mangroves in Florida

Mangroves in the Florida Keys are great places to kayak, especially through mangrove tunnels.

Mangroves are an essential part of Florida’s natural environment. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida has an estimated 469,000 acres of mangrove forests throughout the state. This is a very good thing because mangroves are essential to Florida’s environmental health, and to the survival of the state. Where are mangroves located in … Read more

Islamorada

Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada is a small village and group of islands in the Florida Keys. Islamorada is located in the upper Keys, and is roughly halfway between Miami and Key West. The village includes approximately 7 square miles of land area. The official boundaries extend from Channel Two Bridge near mile marker 72.5 to the Tavernier Creek … Read more