The Lower Keys represent a break from bustling vacation spots, a trove of nature preserves. On land, visitors can see the endangered Key deer of Big Pine Key roaming freely. On water, kayakers and paddleboarders can observe the mangrove clusters and flats that shelter innumerable species of birds and wildlife up close. In addition, the Florida Keys are an important part of many bird species’ spring and fall migration route and the area is a prime observation post. These make Lower Keys vacation rentals ideal locations to take in the wonder of nature.
Many say that the Lower Keys is the best place to do “nothing”. The area’s waterways and beaches are the perfect getaway from the hectic pace of life. The Lower Keys landmarks such as Bahia Honda State Park frequently make lists of the most pristine, beautiful spots in America.
Of course, the Lower Keys vacation rentals mean you’re close enough to Key West to easily take advantage of all the southernmost city has to offer.
The Lower Keys are primarily an area of residential neighborhoods with single family homes. There are very few condos and townhouses.
They include the area from Bay Point and Bluewater to Big Pine Key. Other islands within the Lower Keys are Sugarloaf Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key, The Torches (Big, Middle and Little), Ramrod Key and No Name Key.
Travel Times
Big Pine Key to Ft. Lauderdale International Airport: 3.5 hours
Big Pine Key to Miami International Airport: 3.25 hours
Big Pine Key to Key Largo: 1.5 hours
Big Pine Key to Islamorada: 1.25 hours
Big Pine Key to Marathon: 35 minutes
Big Pine Key to Key West: 40 minutes
Weather
The average temperature in Big Pine Key ranges between 78 and 90 degrees in August, the warmest month; and 62 and 75 degrees in January, the coolest month.
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The Lower Keys Fun Packed And Entertaining Activities
Use our handy Yelp! feed to see all the restaurants, shopping, diving, fishing, arts & entertainment, beaches, bike rentals, boating, parks, rafting/kayaking, coffee/tea, tours, and nightlife in the area. Choose your area below.
Big Pine Key Sugarloaf Key to Ramrod Key
BEACHES
- Bahia Honda State Park is one of Florida’s southernmost state parks, known for beautiful beaches, magnificent sunsets, and excellent snorkeling. Dr. Beach named Bahia Honda as America’s Best Beach in 1992. More recently, it’s selected as a Trip Advisor 2024 Traveler’s Choice. Visitors can picnic on the beach and take a swim, or simply relax and enjoy the balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch at the boat ramp. The park’s concession rents kayaks and snorkeling gear and offers boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions. Bahia Honda is an excellent place to see wading birds and shorebirds. The nature center can introduce nature lovers to the island’s unique plants and animals. Full-facility campsites and vacation cabins are available. It’s located between Big Pine Key and Marathon. 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone (305) 872-2353.
- Boca Chica Beach on Geiger Key is primarily a locals’ spot. It’s adjacent to the Naval Air Station and one can frequently watch Navy pilots taking off on training flights and landing there. It’s also a great spot for bird watching, and nature walks along the shore. Dogs must be on a leash. The beach, itself, is not necessarily a swimming destination as there’s no removal of seaweed or beach grooming. The nearby restaurant at Geiger Key Marina is also a local favorite and a very scenic spot.
FISHING
- See additional fishing resources at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website
- For charter suggestions, check Sugarloaf Key / Ramrod Key Yelp or Big Pin Key Yelp
- Good introductory information at Florida-Keys-Fishing.org
- Florida Keys news and forums at FloridaSportsman.com
DIVING AND SNORKELING
- In addition to Looe Key, there’s the wreck of the Adolphus Busch Sr., a 210-foot wreck that was intentionally sunk in 1998. The former island freighter was purchased by the local dive community with the generous assistance of Adolphus Busch IV, and sunk perfectly upright and intact in just 100 feet of water some seven miles southwest of Big Pine Key. It seems each day more and more marine life calls this fascinating wreck “home.” In fact, it’s common to see 400-pound Goliath Groupers in the vicinity.
- A list of Lower Keys dive and snorkel spots can be found on the Florida Key’s official tourism website
- See Sugarloaf Key / Ramrod Key Yelp or Big Pin Key Yelp for dive charter reviews
BOATING
- For information about mooring buoys, marinas, boat ramps, paddling trails, safety and courtesy see the site maintained by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- See additional boating resources at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website.
- For up-to-date weather forecasts visit NOAA’s official marine forecast site
- For tide information, visit TidesChart.com. Scroll down the page to get tides information for specific Lower Keys locations.
Looe Key and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary located about five nautical miles offshore of Big Pine Key. The groove and spur reef at Looe Key, roughly 200 yards wide and 800 yards long is generally “U” shaped, and is comprised of both patch and outside reefs. It became a National Marine Sanctuary in 1981, with restrictions on spearfishing, tropical fish and shell collecting and wire fish traps. Looe Key is an excellent scuba and snorkeling site for people of all skill levels. Water clarity is mostly excellent and sea conditions are generally moderate. The reef is home to over 150 species of fish including yellowtail, angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, and moray eel. The lucky diver can also see several shark and ray species. After 7000 years of coral growth, about fifty species are present, many named for the shapes of their namesakes on land, including staghorn, elkhorn, star, brain, and fire corals.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge established in 1938 as a haven for great white herons, migratory birds, and other wildlife. Located in the lower Florida Keys, it consists of almost 200,000 acres of open water and islands that are north of the primary Keys from Marathon to Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The islands account for approximately 7,600 acres and are primarily mangroves with some of the larger islands containing pine rockland and tropical hardwood hammock habitats. This vast wilderness area, known locally as the “backcountry,” provides critical nesting, feeding, and resting areas for more than 250 species of birds. Accessible only by boat. Popular picnicking destinations with locals include and . Visitor information is available in the shopping center at 28950 Watson Blvd., Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone (305) 872-0774.
National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys. The refuge is located in the lower Florida Keys and currently consists of approximately 9,200 acres of land that includes pine rockland forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh wetlands, and mangrove forests. These natural communities are critical habitat for hundreds of endemic and migratory species, such as Key deer, lower Keys marsh rabbit, and silver rice rat. Visitor information is available in the shopping center at 28950 Watson Blvd., Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone (305) 872-3675.
Blue Hole on Big Pine Key is part of the Key Deer Nature Preserve. It offers a relatively easy and short hike along trails surrounding a mostly freshwater limestone sinkhole that’s home to a variety of wildlife: Key Deer, alligators, turtles, iguanas, and a variety of birds (including wading birds), snakes and fish. There’s also an observation platform with informational displays.
See additional resources on local attractions in the Lower Keys at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website.
HISTORICAL WEBSITES:
- KeysHistory.org’s Specific Islands and Places for Big Pine Key, No Name Key, and Sugarloaf Key
- The Flagler Railroad and the Lower Keys
FOR KIDS:
- See activities for children at the official tourism site.
FOR DOGS:
GOLF/TENNIS:
There are no golf courses within the Lower Keys geography. The Key West Golf Course, however, is less than a half-hour drive from any point in the Lower Keys. There is also a golf course and Har-Tru tennis courts at the Florida Keys Country Club in Marathon, about a half-hour from the Big Pine Key area.
- There are lighted public tennis courts at Baypoint behind Baby’s Coffee.
- Two newly refurbished tennis courts are available at the Sugarloaf Lodge for a modest fee.
- There are three clay courts on Upper Sugarloaf Key on Bad George Road. Contact Paul McNulty for information at (305) 923-6496.
- Big Pine Key Community Park features tennis courts in additional to other amenities.
- For restaurant reviews and suggestions, see Sugarloaf Key / Ramrod Key Yelp or Big Pine Key Yelp
Staff Picks For Dining
- See Sugarloaf Key / Ramrod Key Yelp or Big Pine Key Yelp
- A directory of shops from the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce
- Lower Keys shops from the Florida Keys official tourism site
- For a list of live music venues, visit KeysScene.com
- See customer reviews for entertainment from Sugarloaf Key / Ramrod Key Yelp or Big Pin Key Yelp
Staff picks For live music: