Page 8 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Winter 2021-2022

Warm Up In
THE FLORIDA KEYS
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
The annual migration is underway
also known as the Conch Republic, is fun and
Park in Key Largo, and off Key West, dive — birds have made their way south,
educational. Learn why Key West is known as
around Sand Key, Nine Foot Stake and Joe’s following generations-old flight
the Conch Republic! From Key West, ride over
Tug, not to mention diving to see centuries- paths to find their sunspots. Snowbirds are
the causeway to Stock Island to check out the
old shipwrecks along the way.
no different as they leave behind winter’s
colourful marinas and art studios, then later
If you’d rather stay on dry land, visit the cold snap in search of daily doses of vitamin
recharge at one of the waterfront restaurants
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in D by way of the bright sun in Florida.
and bars. You’ll want to keep quiet on a
Marathon for a peek under the sea via a You can’t travel further south in the con-
bicycle ride around Big Pine Key in the Lower
757-cubic-metre interconnected saltwater tinental U.S. than the Florida Keys, which
Keys ... you may just be able to catch a glimpse
aquarium, and be sure to check out the His- boasts warmer winter temperatures than the
of the elusive key deer!
tory of Diving Museum in Islamorada.
rest of the Sunshine State. The temperatures
This winter, you’re welcome to come around the 195-kilometre island chain,
DIVE IN
just as you are and warm up in the Florida which begins just south of Miami and
Some of Florida’s best snorkelling and scuba
Keys.DS
stretches to Key West, average 20°C in winter,
diving is in the Florida Keys, thanks to the
with water temps averaging 23°C.
Florida Reef! The only living coral barrier
TRAVEL PLANNER
So now’s a terrific time to visit the Florida
reef in the continental U.S. and the third- Keys, don’t you think?
largest coral barrier reef in the world, it
For the latest protocols on health and safety in the Florida Keys, please
GO FOR A RIDE
Slow travel is a terrific way to experience the Florida Keys, and one of the best ways to travel slowly is by bicycle. Not only will your pace be one at which you can really take in the sights and sounds of the Keys, but you’ll feel the warm sunshine, too.
A guided ride around historic Key West,
stretches from south of Miami, west to the Dry Tortugas. One big standout feature that makes snorkelling and diving in the Keys incredible is the shallow ocean. Depths rarely reach more than six metres out to the barrier reef, which means the sunlight reaches into the water to illuminate brighter and more vibrant colours. Stellar sites include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State
visit fla-keys.com.
LEFT: Enjoy dockside dining in the Keys. RIGHT: For land adventure, head out on the sandy bike trails around the Florida Keys. Courtesy of The Monroe County Tourist Development Council, The Florida Keys & Key West.
8 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2021/2022