TRAVELSPECIAL
Florida Keys a snorkelling road trip
The Florida Keys offer superb snorkelling opportunities , as Lauren Jarvis discovers on a tour taking in some of the region ’ s natural wonders
For many visitors , a holiday in Florida means one thing : theme parks . But while almost 60 million visitors roll in to the rollercoaster capital of the world , Orlando , each year , the Sunshine State has a network of reefs and islands that offer a more natural experience . South of the bright lights and Art Deco delights of Miami , Florida reveals its flip-side , with
Driving the Overseas Highway in style sun-drenched islands , golden beaches and marine marvels in shallow water .
The coral islets of the Florida Keys offer opportunities to snorkel or dive the days away with dolphins , turtles and sharks , while laid-back beach communities will embrace you like a local after your first spectacular sunset and slice of Key Lime Pie .
This archipelago of over 1,700 islands
70 miles by seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park
Key West
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Big Pine Key
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Marathon stretches south west from the tip of mainland Florida , with the major isles linked by the 113-mile-long Overseas Highway , which stretches from Key Largo to the historical and cultural hub of Key West . Life here is inextricably linked to the ocean , the marinas buzzing with gleaming white boats and no shortage of dive centres .
Offshore lies the world ’ s third-largest barrier reef , seagrass beds and mangroves , protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary , which runs from south of Miami to the remote Dry Tortugas . And with more than 6,000 marine species out there , there are endless underwater wonders to discover .
Flamingo
Duck Key
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Florida
Everglades National Park
Layton
Key Largo
Tavernier
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Biscayne
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North Key Largo
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