|
|
|
|
|
|
Coral Keys Driving Tour 2 days 234 miles
City: Miami
Add to Trip
|
Map: Miami
|
The Coral Keys is well liked for it’s underwater activities. From Key Largo to Key West, nature lovers take part of the marvelous and stunning ambiance of this Western hemisphere.
For this driving tour, we will start out from Miami, going south on I-95 and passing downtown Homestead. Turn left on Card Sound Road, then cross the toll bridge to Key Largo. As you drive, you will notice every ¼ mile, a mile marker. On route, the first marker you will notice is MM-105. This is North Key Largo and part of the Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. When you travel further south to MM-103, you will find yourself at the Key Largo Undersea Park, where you may catch some fine scuba diving and snorkeling tours. Next location, MM-102.5 is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and is highly recommended. This locality is a great place to explore lots of shipwrecks, different varieties of coral and an aquarium featuring 650 species of tropical fish. There are nature trails, a wonderful sandy beach and boat rentals to provide you with a lovely afternoon.
Your next stop will be at MM-100, which is The African Queen/Dolphins Plus at the Holiday Inn Resort. The first attraction is the original vessel (The African Queen) used in the making of the Bogart-Hepburn film. The second, the Thayer IV, used in the movie, On Golden Pond, starring Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn.
On to MM-93 through 91, is the old town of Tavernier. This is where one can find some of the oldest buildings in the Keys.
Next mile marker is 84.5 in Islamorada, for a visit to The Theater of the Sea on Windley Key. Here you can watch the famous performing dolphins and ride in glass bottom boats to view the beautiful reefs. Islamorada is a 16-mile stretch and is famous for fishing.
Heading down to MM-65, brings you to Marathon and the Middle Keys, where you will find more dolphins. At the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, MM-59 is where you can swim with them. What an amazing experience! As you continue to MM-50, you can tour the Museum of Natural History and discover how important this piece of the Keys really is. When you reach MM-47, this will be the start of The Seven Mile Bridge and the world’s largest fishing pier.
As you continue further toward MM-40, this is the start of the lower Keys. At MM-37, the Bahia Honda State Recreation Area you will find the finest beach in the Keys. Traveling further to MM-27.5 to the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary will place you at the very best spot for snorkeling, diving, and viewing the most beautiful coral and sea urchins.
Write Your Own Review
|
|
|
|
|
|
 From Tom Bannister - June 27,2006
It was absolutely stunning tropical scenery all the way. We did not participate in many of the attractions because just "being there" was plenty enough of an attraction. It was December and 75-80 degrees, sunny and gorgeous. We like seafood. There are lots of seafood restaurants along the way. We sat outside and soaked up the atmosphere. Lots of history too.
Email: tombannister@florida.com
|
|
|
