Florida Keys Island Guide

Florida Keys Island Guide Island-by-Island
Population, Attractions, Lifestyle & Real Estate Appeal

America's Island Chain

There is no road trip in America quite like US-1 through the Florida Keys. From the moment you cross the last traffic light before the bridges begin, the mainland dissolves behind you and something more elemental takes over: turquoise water stretching to both horizons, pelicans riding thermals above mangrove islands, and the reassuring knowledge that you are headed to the southernmost edge of the continental United States.
The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago unlike anywhere else on earth. Stretching roughly 120 miles from the southeastern tip of Miami-Dade County down to Key West and beyond to the remote Dry Tortugas, the chain encompasses approximately 1,700 islands of varying size. Of those, only around 43 are inhabited, all strung together by the legendary Overseas Highway — a 113-mile ribbon of asphalt, bridges, and seascape that Travel + Leisure has called one of the most scenic drives on the planet.
With a total population of approximately 82,874 (2020 U.S. Census), the Florida Keys punch far above their weight in cultural influence, ecological significance, and tourist draw. The archipelago sits atop the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, a fact that shapes everything from the local economy to land-use policy. The waters here are a marine sanctuary. The air smells of salt and jasmine. The sunsets are, without exaggeration, spectacular every single night.
This guide breaks down each major island — its population, personality, signature attractions, dining scene, and real estate appeal — so whether you are planning your first trip south or considering making one of these islands your permanent home, you will know exactly what awaits at each mile marker.
The Overseas Highway (US-1) runs from Florida City on the mainland all the way to Key West. Mile markers (MM) count down from MM 127 in Florida City to MM 0 in Key West, and locals use these numbers to give directions throughout the archipelago.

At a Glance: Florida Keys Island Summary

The table below provides a quick reference for the major inhabited islands and destinations in the Florida Keys chain.
Island
Population
Primary Appeal
Top Attraction
Key Largo
~12,447
Diving & Reefs
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Islamorada
~6,000
Sport Fishing & Luxury
World-class flats & offshore fishing
Marathon
~10,000
Families & Outdoors
Seven Mile Bridge & Turtle Hospital
Big Pine Key
~4,521
Nature & Wildlife
National Key Deer Refuge
Key West
~24,500
Culture, History & Nightlife
Mallory Square Sunset / Hemingway House
Dry Tortugas
Uninhabited
Remote National Park
Fort Jefferson & pristine snorkeling

Key Largo: The Diving Capital of the World

Mile Markers 106–90 | Upper Keys
Metric
Detail
Notes
Population
~12,447 (2020 Census)
Largest island by land area
Area
12 square miles
Including North Key Largo
Nearest City
Miami, ~60 miles north
~1 hour drive
Nickname
The Diving Capital
World-famous reef diving
Key Identifier
First island in the Keys
Gateway to the archipelago

Overview & Personality

Key Largo is both the largest island in the Florida Keys and the first one you reach coming from Miami, giving it the dual role of gateway and introduction. Its name comes from the Spanish Cayo Largo, meaning 'long key,' and long it is — approximately 30 miles from north to south. The southern portion is what most visitors know as 'Key Largo,' with a 2020 Census population of 12,447, while the quieter northern reaches are counted separately as North Key Largo (population ~1,431).
Key Largo has a distinctly adventurous, water-forward personality. While Key West lures visitors with nightlife and history, and Islamorada seduces with upscale fishing resorts, Key Largo is fundamentally about what lies beneath the surface. The coral reefs, the marine life, the wrecks — the ocean here is the main event. Above water, the island maintains a pleasantly unpretentious, old-Florida character. Family-run dive shops sit beside tiki bars. Dockside restaurants serve stone crab and yellowtail snapper pulled fresh from the waters that morning. Chain hotels appear alongside eccentric boutique properties that feel like they have not changed since 1975.

Top Attractions

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The undisputed centerpiece of Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater preserve in the United States. Established in 1963 and covering approximately 70 nautical square miles of ocean, Pennekamp protects a living section of the Florida Reef — the third-largest barrier reef on the planet. Glass-bottom boat tours glide over brain coral, elkhorn coral, and staghorn formations teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, and moray eels. The park's most photographed feature is the Christ of the Abyss statue, a nine-foot bronze figure submerged in 25 feet of water that has become an icon of the diving world.
Above the water line, Pennekamp offers mangrove trails, a beach, a visitor center with live reef aquariums, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. It remains one of Florida's most visited state parks year-round.
Jules' Undersea Lodge
For the truly adventurous, Jules' Undersea Lodge — located at the Key Largo Undersea Park near Mile Marker 103 — is the world's only hotel guests must scuba dive into. Situated in a man-made 30-foot-deep lagoon, the lodge accommodates guests overnight beneath the surface. Meals (including late-night pizza deliveries) are sent down by diving staff. It's an utterly unique experience that has attracted divers, honeymooners, and bucket-listers from around the globe. The lodge is currently undergoing a refresh that includes updated interiors while preserving its legendary character.
REEF Ocean Exploration Center
Opened in 2025, the REEF Ocean Exploration Center for Marine Conservation is Key Largo's newest major attraction. The $6 million, 4,000-square-foot two-story facility celebrates 30 years of global marine conservation work by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. It features an ocean exploration gallery, a science discovery classroom, and functions as an events and meetings venue. It adds a meaningful educational dimension to Key Largo's already formidable marine tourism offerings.
Diving & Snorkeling
Beyond Pennekamp, Key Largo hosts dozens of premier dive sites. The USCG Duane, an intentionally sunk 327-foot Coast Guard cutter resting at 120 feet, is one of the top wreck dives in the United States. The Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy landing ship also intentionally sunk as an artificial reef, regularly appears on lists of the world's best wreck dives. For snorkelers, Molasses Reef — marked by a lighthouse three miles offshore — is widely considered one of the finest shallow reef experiences in Florida.
Kayaking & Ecotourism
Key Largo's landside and backcountry offer extraordinary kayaking opportunities through mangrove tunnels, tidal creeks, and shallow flats. The adjacent Everglades National Park is accessible by boat and guided tours from Key Largo, making the island also a gateway to one of America's most extraordinary wilderness areas. The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, located just north in Tavernier, offers wildlife encounters and education for bird lovers.

Dining & Nightlife

Key Largo's restaurant scene leans heavily and happily toward fresh seafood and casual waterfront dining. Snappers Waterfront Restaurant is a longtime institution on the bay side, known for live music and excellent stone crab. The Fish House has been a local favorite for decades, renowned for its blackened mahimahi and Keys-style cooking. For something more adventurous, Sundowners on the bay delivers sunsets with your snapper. The island also has solid options for breakfast tacos, Cuban coffee, and the kind of dive bar where the bartender knows everyone's name.

Real Estate Appeal

Key Largo's real estate market appeals strongly to buyers seeking proximity to both Miami and the authentic Keys lifestyle. The one-hour drive to Miami makes it a viable primary residence for remote workers and retirees who want island living without full geographic isolation. Canal-front homes with private boat dockage are the most coveted properties, followed by bay-front and oceanfront estates. Prices have risen sharply since 2020, with waterfront single-family homes commonly ranging from $900,000 into the multi-millions. The vacation rental market is robust, particularly for properties with direct water access, making Key Largo attractive to investors as well as owner-occupants.

Islamorada: The Village of Islands

Mile Markers 90–73 | Upper Keys
Metric
Detail
Notes
Population
~6,000 residents
Incorporated village since 1997
Composition
4 main keys + 2 offshore islands
Plantation, Windley, Upper & Lower Matecumbe
Nickname
Sport Fishing Capital of the World
Globally recognized designation
Character
Upscale, outdoorsy, sophisticated
Boutique resorts & fine dining
Key Appeal
World-class flats & offshore fishing
Tarpon, bonefish, sailfish, mahi-mahi

Overview & Personality

Islamorada is technically a village — incorporated on November 4, 1997 — but calling it a village undersells the sophistication of what you find here. The name, derived from early Spanish explorers, is often translated as 'purple island,' a reference to the vivid sea shells that once lined its shores. The village encompasses four main keys (Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, and Lower Matecumbe Key) and two offshore islands (Lignumvitae Key and Indian Key), connected by roughly 24 miles of interior canals.
Islamorada occupies a rare position in the Keys hierarchy: it has the outdoor credibility of a serious fishing and diving destination while also offering the boutique luxury that attracts high-end resort travelers. Anglers fly in from across the United States specifically to fish its flats and offshore waters. At the same time, the Cheeca Lodge, the Moorings Village, and other upscale properties draw guests who want barefoot luxury rather than anything resembling roughing it.
The community was devastated by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 — one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded — which struck directly and claimed 423 lives, many of them World War I veterans working on the Overseas Highway. A marble monument near the highway at Upper Matecumbe Key still commemorates the dead. Today's Islamorada stands as a testament to resilience and reinvention.

Top Attractions

Sport Fishing
No activity defines Islamorada like fishing. The village sits at a convergence of extraordinary habitat: the Atlantic reef to the east, the Gulf to the west, and the shallow grass flats in between that serve as nursery habitat for tarpon, permit, and bonefish. Islamorada's charter fleet is among the largest and most experienced in Florida. Tarpon season runs from March through June and draws some of the most skilled fly fishermen in the world. Sailfishing peaks in winter. Mahi-mahi and kingfish bite in spring and summer. Offshore, the Gulf Stream passes just a few miles to the east, bringing blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna within striking distance of day-trip charters.
Indian Key Historic State Park
Accessible only by kayak or private boat, Indian Key is one of the most evocative historical sites in the Keys. This tiny island was briefly the county seat of Dade County in the 1830s and the home of wrecking entrepreneur Jacob Housman. In 1840, it was attacked and burned by Seminoles during the Second Seminole War. Today, visitors can explore the overgrown ruins of a once-thriving settlement, including the foundations of Housman's home, warehouses, and a hotel.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Also boat-access-only, Lignumvitae Key preserves one of the last remaining examples of original tropical hardwood hammock in the Keys. A canopy of lignumvitae, mastic, and strangler fig trees creates an atmosphere more reminiscent of the Caribbean than mainland Florida. Ranger-led tours explain the ecology and the history of the Matheson family, who once used the island as a private retreat.
Theater of the Sea & Marine Life
Theater of the Sea, located on Windley Key, has offered marine mammal encounters, dolphin swims, and sea lion shows since 1946, making it one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world. The attraction has evolved over the decades to emphasize conservation education alongside its interactive experiences. Just offshore, the Alligator Reef Lighthouse — built in 1873 — marks a spectacular shallow reef that is ideal for snorkeling and dive day trips.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
One of Islamorada's most underrated stops, this open-air geological museum preserves ancient coral reef formations that are now exposed as rock. The cutting walls created during Henry Flagler's railroad construction reveal fossilized coral and marine life from a time when this land was underwater. It's an unusual and genuinely fascinating natural history experience.

Dining & Culture

Islamorada has arguably the best restaurant scene in the Keys outside of Key West. Morada Bay Beach Cafe combines exceptional food with one of the most beautiful settings in Florida — candlelit tables in the sand at the water's edge. Lazy Days Restaurant is beloved by locals and visitors for its fresh-off-the-boat seafood. Robbie's of Islamorada is something of an institution: equal parts bait shop, tiki bar, kayak rental, and people-watching venue, with the added spectacle of massive tarpon that crowd the dock to be fed by hand.
Anne's Beach, at the southern end of Lower Matecumbe Key, is a free public beach with a stunning tidal flat and a wooden boardwalk through a mangrove wetland. It is consistently rated among the best beaches in the Keys for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

Real Estate Appeal

Islamorada represents the prestige tier of Keys real estate. Properties here tend to command a premium over comparable homes in Key Largo or Marathon, reflecting the village's reputation for luxury and its world-famous fishing. Ocean-front and bay-front estates routinely sell above $2 million, with trophy properties topping $5 million and beyond. Plantation Key Colony, Indian Waterways, and Upper Matecumbe Beach are among the most sought-after neighborhoods. The vacation rental market is strong year-round, fueled by a constant influx of anglers and resort travelers.

Marathon: The Heart of the Florida Keys

Mile Markers 60–47 | Middle Keys
Metric
Detail
Notes
Population
~10,000 residents
City incorporated 1999
Composition
13 small islands
Long Key to Vaca Key
Nickname
Heart of the Florida Keys
Geographic & cultural midpoint
Family Appeal
Highest in the Keys
Beaches, sea turtles, dolphins
Landmark
Seven Mile Bridge
One of the longest segmental bridges in the world
 

Overview & Personality

Marathon sits at the geographic center of the Florida Keys chain, and in many ways it serves as the emotional center as well. It is the most family-friendly destination in the archipelago — a place with a functioning downtown, a real grocery store, a hospital, and enough attractions to fill a week without ever feeling like you are being funneled toward tourist traps. Marathon was incorporated as a city in 1999 and encompasses 13 small islands anchored principally around Vaca Key.
The city earned its unusual name from the exhausting labor required to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad through this section of the Keys in the early 1900s. Workers called it 'a marathon of construction,' and the name stuck. Today Marathon feels appropriately hardworking — it is where a lot of the Keys' tradespeople, marine service workers, and fishing professionals actually live and raise families. It has the salt-of-the-earth authenticity that some of the more tourist-polished communities have traded away.

Top Attractions

Seven Mile Bridge
The Seven Mile Bridge is arguably the most dramatic feature of the entire Overseas Highway. Connecting Knight's Key to Little Duck Key, it spans 6.79 miles of open water with no land visible in any direction at its midpoint — a vertiginous experience that makes drivers feel they are driving straight into the sea. The original historic bridge, built for Flagler's railroad in 1912 and later converted to a road, now operates as the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and fishermen and offers extraordinary views of both the Atlantic and the Gulf. Sunrise and sunset from the midpoint of the old bridge are among the most photographed scenes in the Florida Keys.
The Turtle Hospital
Few attractions in the Keys generate as much genuine warmth as the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. Since 1986, this state-licensed veterinary hospital has rescued, rehabilitated, and released injured sea turtles — primarily loggerheads, greens, and Kemp's ridleys — that have been struck by boat propellers, ingested fishing hooks or monofilament, or developed fibropapillomatosis, a tumor-causing disease linked to water quality degradation. The hospital offers daily educational tours that take visitors behind the scenes to meet resident turtles and learn about ongoing conservation efforts. It is one of the most moving and meaningful ecotourism experiences in South Florida.
Sombrero Beach
Marathon's Sombrero Beach is the finest public beach in the Middle Keys and one of the best in the entire Florida Keys chain. Wide, white, and clean, with calm turquoise water protected by an offshore reef, it offers ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is free, has ample parking, picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, and a playground — making it a perfect family destination. The nearby Sombrero Reef, accessible by short boat ride, is one of the premier dive sites in the Keys.
Dolphin Research Center
Located on Grassy Key at the northern end of the Marathon area, the Dolphin Research Center is a non-profit marine mammal research and education facility. Unlike purely commercial dolphin swim programs, the DRC is actively engaged in scientific research on dolphin cognition, communication, and behavior. Visitors can observe dolphins from dockside, participate in structured interaction programs, or attend educational presentations. The facility's commitment to the welfare and enrichment of its resident dolphins is evident throughout.
Duck Key & Hawk's Cay Resort
Duck Key, accessible via a short causeway from the Overseas Highway, is home to Hawk's Cay Resort, one of the premier upscale resort destinations in the Florida Keys. With five pools, a full-service marina, multiple restaurants, a dive shop, and a dolphin interaction program, it functions almost as a self-contained island resort community. Duck Key real estate around the resort is among the most desirable in the Marathon area.

Dining & Lifestyle

Marathon's dining scene is honest and varied. The Keys Fisheries Market & Marina is an essential stop — a working commercial fish house where you can watch stone crab and lobster come off the boats, then eat them at outdoor picnic tables directly on the water. Hurricane is a local favorite with an enormous menu of Keys comfort food. Burdines Waterfront offers a relaxed marina setting and excellent grouper sandwiches. Key Colony Beach, a small incorporated city on Marathon's outskirts, has a charming golf-cart-friendly community and its own beachfront dining options. https://agentsgather.com/florida-keys-island-guide/