SCUBA April 2023 issue 134 | Page 56

TRAVELSPECIAL
Topside attractions
The Florida Keys are as beautiful above the waves as below , with clean , golden beaches and some captivating sanctuaries and attractions to explore . Not far from Key Largo , the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site , Everglades National Park ,
Dive boat at Banana Bay Resort
covers 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness , including wetlands , mangroves and the stunning Ten Thousand Islands nps . gov / ever On Big Pine Key , the lush National Key Deer Refuge fws . gov / refuge / national-key-deer protects the Keys ’ small , endemic species of deer , and more than 20 species of endangered plants and animals . Big Pine Kayak Adventures offers fascinating paddling ecotours of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge with naturalist guide , Captain Bill Keogh keyskayaktours . com
In Marathon , be sure to visit The Turtle Hospital to learn more about the rescue , rehabilitation and release of the region ’ s sick or injured turtles turtlehospital . org and take some time out in the party town of Key West to explore The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum hemingwayhome . com where the author penned some of his best-loved works , including For Whom the Bell Tolls , when he wasn ’ t downing Papa Dobles in the town ’ s now-iconic Sloppy Joe ’ s bar . Before you leave , head out on a Wind & Wine cruise with Danger Charters dangercharters . com to see your last sunset over the Keys .
Marathon Turtle Hospital
Key deer

Essentials

When to go : The Florida Keys enjoy a tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters , a wet season from May to October , and a hurricane season from June to November . Key West has an average high temperature of 28 ° C , and a low of 23 ° C , with water temperatures reaching a high of 31 ° C in August and a low of around 21 ° C in January .
Getting there : Airlines including Virgin Atlantic virginatlantic . com American Airlines aa . com and British Airways britishairways . com fly non-stop from the UK to Miami . Flights with Virgin Atlantic start from £ 357 return .
Eats and treats Miami : Nikki Beach Miami miami-beach . nikkibeach . com Key Largo : Sundowners sundownerskeylargo . com Islamorada : Ciao Hound ciaohound84 . com Marathon : Key Largo Conch House keylargoconchhouse . com Butterfly Café tranquilitybay . com Key West : Opal Key Resort & Marina ’ s Bistro 245 opalcollection . com Sloppy Joe ’ s sloppyjoes . com Old Town Tavern & Beer Garden oldtowntavernkw . com
Operators : Key Largo : Horizon Divers horizondivers . com Marathon : Captain Hook ’ s
captainhooks . com Big Pine Key : Big Pine Kayak Adventures keyskayaktours . com Key West : Sebago Watersports keywestsebago . com ; Honest Eco honesteco . org
Where to stay : Miami : Arlo Wynwood arlohotels . com / wynwood Key Largo : Bay Harbour & Coconut Bay bayharborkeylargo . com Islamorada : Postcard Inn Dive Resort & Marina holidayisle . com Marathon : Banana Bay Resort & Marina bananabay . com Key West : The Gardens Hotel gardenshotel . com
Tour operator : Specialist North America tour operator , America As You Like It , offers a 10-night Florida holiday from £ 2,359 per person , based on two sharing , including return flights from London Heathrow to Miami with Virgin Atlantic , 10 days fully inclusive car hire , two nights at the Arlo Wynwood in Miami , two nights at the Bay Harbour & Coconut Bay in Key Largo , two nights at the Postcard Inn Dive Resort & Marina in Islamorada , two nights at the Banana Bay Resort & Marina in Marathon and two nights at The Gardens Hotel in Key West . americaasyoulikeit . com / 020 8742 8299
Further information : Discover more snorkelling and scuba diving destinations in Florida at visitflorida . com and find out more about the Florida Keys at fla-keys . co . uk . Download the free Visit USA 2023 Travel Planner at visitusa . org . uk �
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