Key Largo and the Florida Keys

Between the Everglades National Park to its west and a barrier reef to its east, Key Largo is a well known diving and fishing destination, though its location also offers good conditions for kayaking and birdwatching. Key Largo is flat and sunny, more like the Caribbean than the rest of Miami, and is connected to mainland Miami by two long road bridges, one being US Highway 1. The Florida Keys include 1700 subtropical islands and islets, which are the limestone remains of a vast ancient coral reef, the last sections of which survive under the surface. In addition to North America’s only living barrier reef, divers in the Florida Keys have access to numerous artificial reefs created by intentionally sinking large ships off the coast. 157 kilometres from the coast of Cuba, Key West is one of the largest and most built up of the Florida Key Islands and was home to Ernest Hemingway who was a regular at Sloppy Joe's Bar on the main street. Big Pine Key is home to the rare Key Deer and the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. Islamorada is good for sport fishing, and has several shallow reefs suitable for snorkelling.