Ideas for traveling to the Florida Keys with kids!
When picturing the Florida Keys, tropical palm trees, bright blue water, seafood restaurants, and funky nightlife comes to mind. It is a great place for a vacation where you can let your worries melt away into the sand. And it is also the perfect place for families to visit!
There are tons of places to encounter ocean animals and sea life, spots to fish and kayak, unique shops and viewpoints, and some of the best snorkeling in the U.S. Read on for the top things to do in the Florida Keys for families!
What makes the Florida Keys a great place for a family vacation?
The Florida Keys have the only living barrier coral reef system in the continental U.S., which makes it the perfect destination for kids who enjoy snorkeling. The Keys are also a premier fishing destination, and being surrounded by water creates an environment perfect for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet-skiing. A lot of the sand that makes up the Keys was shipped from the Caribbean so the beaches are breathtaking. There is something for every member of the family to enjoy in the Keys.
The best things to do for families in the Florida Keys
The Keys are divided into upper, middle, and lower keys. Driving from Key Largo in the upper keys to the end of the keys in Key West can take over 2 hours, so it is recommended that you stay close to the parts of the keys that you really want to explore. We have grouped the best things to do by location to make it easier to plan your trip to the Florida Keys!
Upper Keys
Snorkel in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located on Key Largo, which marks the very beginning of the Keys and is the largest section. The park offers snorkeling tours, boat rentals, kayaking, fishing areas, glass bottom boat tours, and two sandy beach areas for swimming. The main attraction however is the gorgeous coral reef.
Part of the Florida Reef, the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental U.S. and the third largest in the world, the park encompasses the densest section of reefs and has the highest water clarity- great for snorkeling!
One popular area to snorkel in the park is the Christ of the Deep, a 4,000 pound 9-foot tall bronze statue sunk in 1965 to promote growth of coral… but not too deep to need scuba equipment to see. To snorkel out to the coral reef and various sunken ships you will need to take a boat, there are charters both in and outside of the park.
Tip: Arrive early on a weekend or holiday, there are often long lines of cars waiting to get in this very popular park!
Swim with dolphins at the Theater of the Sea
For swimming with dolphins and sharks, sea lion shows, and sea turtle and tropical bird encounters, head to Theater of the Sea on Islamorada. Most of the animals here are rescues, and the theater offers educational shows and up-close animal interactions daily. There is also a grill serving hamburgers and seafood, a beach and snorkeling area, snack shop with ice cream, and a gift shop.
Note: Islamorada is not one key but is made up of five islands. This area is a main hub of activity and is one of the best keys in the Florida Keys for families to stay.
Feed the tarpon at Robbie's
Robbie’s on Islamorada is so much more than just a quick stop: it is a true destination. The Hungry Tarpon restaurant serves up cold cocktails and hot steamy seafood, making the perfect spot for lunch after a morning of snorkeling, fishing, or boating. In fact, many charters start at Robbie’s, and there are also jet-ski, boat, and kayak rentals as well as glass-bottom boat tours and parasailing adventures.
The main draw for kids is feeding the giant tarpon that frequent this spot. For just a few bucks, families are given a bucket of fish food and are led out onto the docks where hungry tarpon await. Some jump feet out of the water for a bite so keep your camera ready!
Robbie’s also showcases an open air market with shops sporting anything from beach gear and clothing, jewelry, and local art to gifts and souvenirs for anyone on your list. There is a small man-made “beach” area with another lively bar, and musicians play throughout the day. Robbie’s is a true experience and one of the top things to do when visiting Key West with kids!
See dozens of bird species at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
Located on Tavernier Key, the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary offers care and refuge to over 90 non-releasable birds that have been previously injured. Entrance is free for self-guided tours along the family-friendly boardwalk to view the exotic birds, but donations are accepted. And twice daily you can watch the staff feed the resident brown pelicans!
Get everything you didn't know you needed for fishing at Bass Pro Shop
Also on Islamorada, this Bass Pro Shop has anything and everything you need for successful fishing in the Florida Keys. This particular Bass Pro is connected to the Bayside Marina, procuring back-country and offshore fishing charters. It even has a restaurant, the Islamorada Fish Company, with oceanfront seating and fresh seafood. It is a great place to bring kids on a rainy afternoon.
Note: Islamorada is considered to be the sport-fishing capital of the world. If you have time, book a fishing charter to see what they are boasting about. You may even catch dinner!
Listen to live music and enjoy dinner on the water
Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant on Key Largo is great for families because there are things for the kids to do when they grow tired of sitting during dinner. Listening to live music, playing in the sand, watching the tarpon swim under the docks, or even dancing are options! With tons of outside seating available even the most restless kids won’t get bored.
Middle Keys
See sea turtles up close at the Turtle Hospital
The Florida Keys have more sea turtles nests than anywhere in the U.S. The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is a non-profit haven for sick or injured sea turtles. The hospital typically treats about 45 turtles at a time, and has successfully treated and released over 750 sea turtles.
Visitors can take a guided educational tour of the hospital facilities and the sea turtle rehabilitation area, lasting 70-90 minutes. At the end of each program you can help feed some of the resident turtles!
Note: Marathon is a city in the Florida Keys made up of 13 small islands.
Meet a dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center
The Dolphin Research Center is a non-profit education facility near Marathon offering presentations and interactive programs with the animals. There are family dolphin encounters, kids can be a researcher for a day, and you can even paint with dolphins.
Dolphins aren’t the only sea creatures to see. Sea lions, tropical birds, otters, and other marine mammals found in distress are also rehabilitated at the center. You can spend a few hours or even an entire day here exploring all they have to offer!
Bonus stop: Visit a Florida Keys brewery
Both the Florida Keys Brewing Company and the Islamorada Beer Company Brewery & Distillery are great places to grab a craft beer and relax. The great part is they are family-friendly as well! Both are listed as one of the top 10 things to do on Islamorada.
The Islamorada Beer Company has food trucks and a kid- and dog-friendly beer garden outside, with live music, cornhole boards and life-size Jenga. This is a great option for kids to spend a few hours while you enjoy tasty microbrews or a craft cocktail flight!
Lower Keys
Have a beach day at Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda Key is the first stop after driving over the Seven Mile Bridge. Bahia Honda State Park has the largest natural sand beach in the Florida Keys, with three beach areas for swimming/ snorkeling and paddling. It is a great place to pack a picnic and spend the day relaxing on the sand.
There are also places to camp, bike ride, fish, and picnic. The gift shop has a food concession area, kayak rentals, and snorkel boat tours.
In the 1900’s Henry Flagler built the Overseas Railroad to bring visitors down to the lower Florida Keys, which later became a highway. Once the current Overseas Highway was constructed, the previous road became a place for people to exercise and a great fishing spot. You can see a good portion of the old railway from the park, and even walk on it a bit for a great view of Bahia Honda State Park!
Paddleboard and kayak on Sugarloaf Key
There are hundreds of launch points for paddleboards and kayaks throughout the Keys. The Sugarloaf Marina has reasonable prices and is a great starting point to explore the lower keys.
Sugarloaf Key is located right above Key West but without all of the crowds. Here you can access several kayak trails through mangrove tunnels and see dolphins, manatees, tropical fish, horseshoe crabs, and maybe even a shark! The marina also has boat and kayak rentals, fishing charters, and eco tours of the area.
We bring our inflatable paddleboards on any trip where we might find some water to paddle on. Our iRocker boards are lightweight, inflate and deflate in minutes, and have their own carrying bags. And just by adding a clip-on kayak seat, we can transform them into kayaks if we have a longer paddle planned!
Shop and Dine in Key West
Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous U.S., and a must-see is the iconic MM 0 landmark. Walking down the lively Duval Street you will find boutique stores, art galleries, kitschy gift shops, live music, unique bars, “Old Florida” Victorian homes, ice cream shops, and so much good food. During the day it is a great place for families to stroll, shop, and grab a bite to eat. And don’t miss the sunset celebration every night at Mallory Square!
Note: Lines can get long at the “Southernmost Point”, especially near sunset. Also at night Duval Street can get a little loud and rowdy, probably better suited for older kids.
How to Get to the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a chain off islands of the coast of southern Florida, beginning 15 miles south of Miami and ending in the Dry Tortugas. The closest international airports are in Key West and in Miami. The easiest way to see the most of the Keys is to fly into Miami and make a road trip down to Key West and back via a rental car.
There are over 800 keys, or small islands, that make up the Florida Keys. The Keys stretch over 180 miles with 42 bridges, the longest one being the famous Seven Mile Bridge. The islands pass along the Strait of Florida, which divides the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and Florida Bay.
Driving in the Keys can be slightly different as they go by a mile marker system. The 113-mile long Overseas Highway runs from Key Largo to Key West, and most addresses are listed as mile markers. They begin at MM 126 and end at MM 0 in Key West. Since you are on a chain of islands, they differentiate with BS for the bay side of Overseas Highway and OS for the ocean side.
The Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys
Southern Florida is a subtropical climate, with an average high of 82° F and an average low of 73° F. In summer (the rainy season) it gets super hot and humid. The roads and shops can be crowded, and don’t forget you are in hurricane alley during hurricane season (June through late October).
The best time to visit the Keys is in fall and spring. It is still warm enough to swim and do all the outdoor activities, there is a slight breeze at night that helps keep the mosquitoes away, and -besides during Spring Break- you will find a more relaxed vibe. The winter months are great for outdoor weather, but can bring winds that will make the water rough and choppy. This is not ideal snorkeling or boating weather!
Other Great Stops for Families Near the Florida Keys
Visit the Dry Tortugas on Garden Key
If you are staying in or near Key West, try to plan a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. This park blew us out of the water- literally! 99% of the park is actually underwater, with the healthiest coral reefs we have seen so far.
The Dry Tortugas Ferry takes you 70 miles off the coast of Key West to Garden Key and is a perfect day trip to spend with your kids. We had the perfect day when we visited and want to go back and camp next time. Be sure to buy tickets well ahead of time, the ferry does sell out many months in advance!
Spend a few days in the Everglades National Park
It takes less than one hour to get from Key Largo to the Ernest F. Coe entrance of Everglades National Park. We visited the Everglades, the Florida Keys, and Biscayne National Park on an amazing road trip this past March. The Everglades are a completely different side of the “Real Florida” and are a must-see if you have time. The park is massive, so plan at least 3 days to see all of the main sights!
Tips for a family vacation to the Florida Keys
- Bring a waterproof camera such as a GoPro, there is so much marine life to see and capture in photos.
- If you will be paddling with your phone, use this waterproof phone case for protection.
- Wear sunscreen, pack it with you, and remember to reapply. The sun is super strong down in south Florida. We love this one because it is reef friendly and zinc based- no more chemicals! And don’t forget your lips, they need protection too.
- UPF clothing is super functional on fishing charters. Most likely you will spend all day in the sun and you need to protect your skin!
- These sunglasses are lightweight and polarized, I have them in several colors.
- In the late summer the mosquitoes can be awful, so bring good bug spray. Also citronella candles or tiki torches are helpful if you are camping.
- A great item to travel with is a portable GPS navigation, we bring ours on every road trip. This one is affordable and easy to pack!
- We brought our own snorkel gear because it is fitted just how we like it, but if you don’t have any most snorkel trips can provide daily rentals.
- Don’t forget to drink your water! This is our favorite travel mug, keeping drinks cold for hours.
- If you are planning on spending even a few hours at one of the beaches, you should bring some sort of shade. This canopy sets up in under a minute and has been great for traveling!
- Allow extra time when driving through the Keys on the Overseas Highway. Holiday weekends can bring traffic, there are a lot of stop lights when going through the towns in the larger keys, and in some places the speed limit goes down to 35MPH.
Be sure to follow along on our adventures by signing up for emails below. If you liked this post, check out some of our favorite parks in Florida:
Safe travels!
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase using my link to Amazon.com.
3 thoughts on “The Best Things to Do in the Florida Keys for Families”