Page 38 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2022-2023

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
Inside
THE FLORIDA KEYS
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
T he annual migration is underway—birds have made their way south, following generations- old flight paths to find their sunspots. Snowbirds are no different as they leave behind winter’s cold snap in search of daily doses of vitamin D by way of the bright sun
in Florida.
You can’t travel farther south in the con-
tinental U.S. than the Florida Keys, which boasts warmer winter temperatures than the rest of the Sunshine State. The temper- atures around the 195-kilometre island chain, which begins just south of Miami and stretches to Key West, average 20 C in the winter time, with water temps aver- aging 23 C.
known as the Conch Republic! From Key West, ride over the causeway to Stock Island to check out the colourful marinas and art studios, then later recharge at one of the waterfront restaurants and bars. You’ll want
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 Park in Key Largo, and off Key West, dive around Sand Key, Nine Foot Stake and Joe’s Tug, not to mention diving to see centuries- old shipwrecks along the way.
If you’d rather stay on dry land, visit the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon for a peek under the sea via a 757-cubic-metre interconnected saltwater aquarium, and be sure to check out the His- tory of Diving Museum in Islamorada.
So now’s a terrific time to visit the Florida
to keep quiet on a bicycle ride around Big Keys, don’t you think?
Pine Key in the Lower Keys ... you may just catch a glimpse of the elusive key deer!
GO FOR A RIDE
Slow travel is a terrific way to experience the
DIVE IN
Florida Keys, and one of the best ways to
Some of Florida’s best snorkelling and scuba travel slowly is by bicycle. Not only will your
diving is in the Florida Keys, thanks to the pace be one at which you can really take in
Florida Reef! The only living coral barrier the sights and sounds of the Keys, but the
reef in the continental U.S. and the third- warm sunshine, too.
largest coral barrier reef in the world, it A guided ride around historic Key West is
stretches from south of Miami west to the
fun and educational. Learn why Key West is
Dry Tortugas. One big standout feature that
This winter, you’re welcome to come just as youareandwarmupintheFloridaKeys. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more travel information about the Florida Keys, please visit fla-keys.com
38 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2022/2023