Of these, some of the most popular to dive are the Norwegian SS Benwood shipwreck from 1942 and the British Hannah M. Bell wreck from 1911. While there may be fewer historical sites in Key Largo vs. Key West, there is a thriving artist community here. There is quite a bit of pre-Colonial history here. As the southernmost spot in the U.S., the Florida Keys' subtropical climate makes this coral cay archipelago an incredible year-round destination. Of course, you dont have to choose just one! We have stayed on the larger Keys including both Largo an Marathon. The best Florida Keys island to visit will depend much on the type of vacation you wish to have. The Intracoastal, an inland navigable waterway, stretches along Florida's coasts and consists of canals, rivers, inlets, bays and sounds. For the history buffs among you, youll find the Florida Keys to be a real treat. There are also several food trucks nearby to grab lunch or a snack. Two slices of tropical paradise await warm-weather chasers in Southern Florida seeking a well-deserved vacation but which should you choose?! The harbor at Kona Kai provides a calm water break, perfect for exploring by paddle board or kayak both of which the hotel provides for free! Who will love Central Florida? Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. How to get there: Fly to Key West International Airport (EYW), or fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and then rent a car and drive. Major destinations: Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park. The road distance is 50.3 miles. What to see: The beaches across the Panhandle share the same beautiful sugar-soft sand so whether you visit Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Panama City's St. Andrews State Park or Navarre Beach, you'll enjoy swimmable beaches -- many with excellent spots for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking. It is the largest island of the Florida Keys and is more spread out. I always appreciate the help I get on Trip Adviser. It gives you not only a whole range of exclusive travel content and cashback on all your flights, hotels, etc., but also access to 24/7 support from a team of experts who are on hand to make your trip the most memorable yet. There arent really any cheap options that Im aware of for what youre describing. If you've never visited this part of the country, you might not know just how big -- and diverse -- the state is. If youre looking for somewhere to enjoy the water and take it easy, Key Largo is going to be the island for you. Operated by Miami Additionally, youll find trolley services such as the Conch Train that will deliver you to all the main attractions. If you've seen photos of the underwater Christ of the Abyss Statue, you've seen this state park. Further south, in Marathon, history fans can see the Old Seven Mile Bridge, a section of Henry Flaglers original Overseas Railroadits also a prime spot for fishing or taking photos against a gorgeous backdrop. Related: 8 great hotels to book in the Florida Keys on points. If you want to go to Largo, it's about a 1.5 hour drive north. Who will love the Lee Island Coast? Wearing a face mask on public transport in Key Largo is recommended. People from around the globe are drawn to Florida and its weather -- which is beautiful pretty much year-round. ISO boat to spread ashes @ sea, then snorkel Christ of Abyss. If you don't mind a bit of drive, you can also fly to St. PeteClearwater International Airport (PIE) or Tampa International Airport (TPA). This is the part of Florida that has it all -- incredible restaurants, sizzling nightlife, a vibrant art scene, luxury shopping, miles and miles of gold-sand beaches, wildlife reserves and more. Shelling is also a competitive sport here, where you can find specimens like the junonia, murex, conch, whelk, olive and cone. However, it has slightly less diversity than Key Largo due to lesser protection from fishing. However, dont let that put you off! Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. If beaches are important then Marathon is the best pick. It has Sombrero beach, one of the best in the Keys (which isn't saying much!) and is also Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Being in the middle Keys, Key West is about an hour drive south with beautiful vistas and great places for a bite to eat. The Hurricane Monument at Mile Marker 82 in Islamorada is constructed of keystone from the quarry. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. ), Related: What to do on Florida's Space Coast when you need a break from the theme parks, What to see: Kennedy Space Center is a must-visit destination, even if you aren't a space nut. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Then explore the island's 13 miles of beaches, including Main Beach with several covered pavilions and a playground or Peters Point Beachfront Park where you can swim, hunt for shark teeth or go fishing. What you will find are some of the most amazing shelling beaches plus the J.N. Exceptions may apply, for full details: Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC). To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. As it is more developed, it has significantly more to choose from, ranging from low-key pub grub to 5-star indulgence. Related: How to choose the right hotel for your Universal Orlando vacation. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Major destinations: Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-80490023', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sombrero Beach. You can find gourmet restaurants here or a hidden fishing spot. Indeed, Florida has many faces. Key Largo fits all your other activities well, just not the In fact, Key Largo is known as the dive capital of the world and is truly and underwater playground. Should I Visit Key West or Marathon? Both will fit the bill.as will Islamorada. Find all the transport options for your trip from Marathon to Key Largo right here. Which is Better for The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Red Tide and/or algae bloom - seeing this on the beaches? You dont need to pack much more than a swimsuit, flip-flops and a taste for adventure. In this guide comparing Key Largo vs Key West, we explain what makes each section of the Florida Keys special, as well as all considerations to think about when choosing which is right for your vacation. Fantastic place and you need to spend at least a night to be at the nightly sunset gathering on the Quay. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Key Largo? Wabasso Beach Park is a good swimming beach while lifeguarded Golden Sands Beach Park has tons of amenities from changing facilities, showers and restrooms to a picnic area with grills. To help you pick the right region of Florida for your next trip, read on for TPG's guide to what makes each part of Florida special. We definitely want to make a day trip to Key West while we are there, as well. I don't know your accomodations, but if you rent a vacation home or condo (especially in Key Colony Beach MM 53.5) mostly all have access to the private Cabana Club which has a beautiful pool and private beach. Kona Kai Resortis an experience unto itself. What to see: Plenty of people from Georgia, as well as Florida's Panhandle and points south, drive to the First Coast to enjoy its beaches, state parks and historical sites. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. | Contact Us. Perhaps one of the biggest factors in deciding between Key West vs. Key Largo is the atmosphere and overall feel of being there. Keep your eyes on the water and you may see graceful West Indian manatees, river otters or bottlenose dolphins. I don't know your accomodations, but if you rent a vacation home or condo (especially in Key Colony Beach MM 53.5) mostly all have access to the private Cabana Club which has a beautiful pool and private beach. Chesapeake Beach Resort on Islamorada The sandy strip is a perfect perch for sunning, snorkeling in the gentle surf and fishing in the shallow water during the parks hours between 7:30 a.m. and dusk. $189 CLEAR Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. All of Key West can easily be explored by bike, and the downtown is very walkable. The Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is a Florida State Park, located in the center of Key Largo in the Florida Keys, on County Road 905, one-quarter mile north of its intersection with the Overseas Highway (US 1). Those that want to relax on a laid-back island should choose Key Largo. WebKey Largo really has virtually no beaches apart from a couple at private hotels and man made ones at John Pennekamp state park. With that said, there are a few beaches in Key West and Key Largo that offer some vacation time with your toes in the sand. Lol. and is also close to Bahia Honda State Park, which has beautiful beaches if you get lucky that there's not much seagrass washed up. Being in the middle Keys, Key West is about an hour drive south with beautiful vistas and great places for a bite to eat. (Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order that has temporarily halted embarkation from ports like Canaveral through at least July 2020. Panama City is a four-season paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Related: 10 things no one tells you about Tampa. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-80288515', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Florida? Or, enjoy a concert put on by the 100-member Sarasota Orchestra. Major destinations: Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Mayport and Ponte Vedra. If there are any questions we have not answered, revisions we need to make, or other suggestions for improvement, please let us know in the comments below. Finally, check out Cocoa Beach -- one of the most popular beaches in the area where you can surf, parasail and rent a Jet Ski. In 1564, the French established Fort Caroline in modern-day Jacksonville and St. Augustine, the oldest continually inhabited European settlement was initiated by the Spanish in 1565. It's like asking if peppermint or wintergreen is better! Both will fit the bill.as will Islamorada. I suggest you read the hotel reviews for the If you are looking for beaches, the Keys are not the place. However, Marathon is closest to a couple of the nicest beaches in the Keys. You can do Both will fit the bill.as will Islamorada. In the Florida Keys and Key West, theres a lot to love. 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