Lower Florida Keys

The Lower Florida 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. 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 Big Pine Key activities make Lower Keys vacation rentals ideal locations to take in  the wonder of nature.

Many say that the Lower Florida Keys is the best place to do “nothing”. The area’s waterways and beaches are the perfect getaway from the hectic pace of life. 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 Florida 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 Florida 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

Uncover the perfect Florida Keys vacation rentals in Big Pine Key, where endless adventures await. From snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Looe Key to exploring the serene nature trails of the National Key Deer Refuge, there’s something for everyone. Relax in a cozy beachfront cottage or spacious waterfront home, and indulge in unforgettable Big Pine Key activities that will leave you with lifelong memories.

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.

To find and book the Lower Keys vacation rentals, click here.


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 KeySugarloaf Key & Ramrod Key

[awesome-weather location=”Big Pine Key FL” units=”F” size=”wide” override_title=”The Lower Keys” forecast_days=”7″ hide_stats=1 background=”” custom_bg_color=”#0084aa” inline_style=”width: 100%; margin: 10px 0 0 0; “]

Exciting Big Pine Key Activities: Embrace Adventure and Nature in the Heart of the Florida Keys!

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 was selected as a Trip Advisor 2014 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 are permitted on 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

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 Key West’s 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

Looe Key and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is 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 was 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.

The Perky Bat Tower, a true curiosity, is located on Sugarloaf Key. (The area got its name from sugarloaf pineapples, which were grown there in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.) In 1929, a real estate developer named Richter Clyde Perky envisioned a luxury resort, complete with a first-class hotel, restaurants, and a gambling casino on Sugarloaf Key. Unfortunately for him, Sugarloaf Key was well established as a breeding ground for voracious hordes of mosquitoes. Perky built a 35-foot-high, cypress-shingled Bat Tower, and filled it with odorous bat guano, which, theoretically, would attract the bats, which would devour the mosquitoes. Alas, the bats didn’t buy it. A colony installed in the tower apparently didn’t care for the accommodations or the odor, and promptly flew away with Perky’s investment money. The mosquitoes swarmed unabated and eventually the devastated Perky went bankrupt and died. (Some people have suggested the mosquitoes ate the bats.) Looking for all the world like a bladeless windmill awaiting Don Quixote, the tower still stands behind the Sugarloaf Lodge, next to the island’s small airport.”

See additional resources on local attractions in the Lower Keys at the Florida Keys’ official tourism website.

HISTORICAL WEBSITES:

FOR KIDS:

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.

Staff Picks For Dining

AMENITIES & RESOURCES

  • See our Business Directory for information on supermarkets, drugstores, healthcare, marine supplies, government, law enforcement, veterinarians, and other Keys resources you may want to visit during your stay.

Staff picks For live music:

Category: Seafood, Bars
1922 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
266 Reviews
Category: New American, Seafood
70 Reviews
Category: Bars, Seafood, American
62 Reviews
Category: Seafood, Tiki Bars
211 Reviews
Category: Seafood, American, Bars
506 Reviews
Category: Southern, Seafood, Pizza
102 Reviews
Category: Cuban, Breakfast & Brunch, Food Trucks
69 Reviews
Category: Cuban, Cafes
45 Reviews
Category: Sandwiches, Burgers, Pizza
13 Reviews
Category: Food Trucks, Breakfast & Brunch, Salad
37 Reviews
Category: Food Trucks, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
53 Reviews
Category: New American
25 Reviews
Category: Street Vendors, Fast Food
3 Reviews
Category: Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Fast Food
11 Reviews
Category: Food Trucks, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
1 Reviews
Category: Jewelry, Appraisal Services, Jewelry Repair
11 Reviews
Category: Appliances & Repair, Appliances, Kitchen & Bath
21 Reviews
Category: Landscaping, Nurseries & Gardening
8 Reviews
Category: Sporting Goods, RV Parks
5 Reviews
Category: Gardeners, Nurseries & Gardening, Christmas Trees
3 Reviews
Category: Personal Shopping, Couriers & Delivery Services
4 Reviews
Category: Mattresses, Furniture Stores
2 Reviews
Category: Art Galleries, Interior Design
1 Reviews
Category: Pop-up Shops, Music Venues
1 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Boat Charters, Snorkeling
145 Reviews
Category: Dive Shops, Scuba Diving
93 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Resorts, Scuba Diving
99 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Boat Charters
75 Reviews
Category: Free Diving, Fishing, Scuba Diving
28 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Dive Shops
66 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving
20 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Diving
57 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Outdoor Gear
21 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Boat Charters, Scuba Diving
5 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Beaches
17 Reviews
Category: Free Diving, Fishing, Scuba Diving
28 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Fishing
7 Reviews
Category: Snorkeling, Fishing, Boat Tours
6 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Fishing
8 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing
1 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Fishing
4 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Boat Charters
4 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Fishing
3 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing, Boat Tours
4 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Boat Charters
3 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Boat Charters
2 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Fishing, Snorkeling
1 Reviews
Category: Parks, Rafting/Kayaking, Fishing
4 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Boat Charters
2 Reviews
Category: Breakfast & Brunch, Caribbean, Music Venues
4820 Reviews
Category: Museums, Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Historical Tours
866 Reviews
Category: American, Bars, Music Venues
1388 Reviews
Category: Seafood, Music Venues, New American
355 Reviews
Category: Bars, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Music Venues
108 Reviews
Category: Bars, Music Venues
482 Reviews
Category: Jazz & Blues, Lounges, Music Venues
95 Reviews
Category: Cabaret
135 Reviews
Category: Venues & Event Spaces, Botanical Gardens, Community Service/Non-Profit
68 Reviews
Category: Dive Bars, Music Venues
420 Reviews
Category: Sports Bars, Music Venues, Cocktail Bars
25 Reviews
Category: Dive Bars, Music Venues
284 Reviews
Category: Museums, Venues & Event Spaces, Historical Tours
169 Reviews
Category: Cocktail Bars, Music Venues
83 Reviews
Category: American, Bars, Music Venues
625 Reviews
Category: Parks, Beaches, Rafting/Kayaking
386 Reviews
Category: Swimming Pools, Beaches, Playgrounds
195 Reviews
Category: Beaches
113 Reviews
Category: Fishing, Beaches, Rafting/Kayaking
18 Reviews
Category: Beaches
137 Reviews
Category: Scuba Diving, Beaches
17 Reviews
Category: Beaches
2 Reviews
Category: Boating, Beaches, Rafting/Kayaking
2 Reviews
Category: Beaches, Pets
25 Reviews
Category: Beaches
1 Reviews
Category: Snorkeling, Beaches
6 Reviews
Category: Boating, Beaches
1 Reviews
Category: Bed & Breakfast, Breakfast & Brunch, Bike Rentals
35 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Bikes, Bike Repair/Maintenance
229 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Bike Repair/Maintenance, Bikes
177 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Motorcycle Rental
43 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Scooter Rentals, Golf Cart Rentals
59 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Car Rental, Scooter Rentals
78 Reviews
Category: Bikes, Bike Rentals
45 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Motorcycle Rental
67 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Scooter Rentals
19 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Bikes, Bike Repair/Maintenance
14 Reviews
Category: Sporting Goods, Bike Sharing, Bike Rentals
25 Reviews
Category: Golf Cart Rentals, Bike Rentals, Scooter Rentals
36 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Rafting/Kayaking
11 Reviews
Category: Bikes, Bike Rentals, Bike Repair/Maintenance
18 Reviews
Category: Rafting/Kayaking, Outdoor Gear, Bike Rentals
23 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Scooter Rentals, Golf Cart Rentals
56 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Motorcycle Rental, Car Rental
125 Reviews
Category: Bike Rentals, Bike Repair/Maintenance
5 Reviews
Category: Boating, Rafting/Kayaking, Snorkeling
158 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Boating, Tours
51 Reviews
Category: Boating, Boat Tours
10 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing
1 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing, Boat Tours
4 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing, Boat Charters
1 Reviews
Category: Parks, Beaches, Rafting/Kayaking
386 Reviews
Category: Parks, Rafting/Kayaking, Fishing
4 Reviews
Category: Amateur Sports Teams, Local Flavor, Parks
2 Reviews
Category: Dog Parks
3 Reviews
Category: Parks
5 Reviews
Category: Boating, Rafting/Kayaking, Snorkeling
158 Reviews
Category: Snorkeling, Rafting/Kayaking, Boat Charters
11 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Rafting/Kayaking, Boat Charters
2 Reviews
Category: Parks, Rafting/Kayaking, Fishing
4 Reviews
Category: Snorkeling, Fishing, Rafting/Kayaking
3 Reviews
Category: Rafting/Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking
1 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
266 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
1355 Reviews
Category: Creperies, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
369 Reviews
Category: Donuts, Coffee & Tea, Cafes
474 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
390 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Juice Bars & Smoothies
259 Reviews
Category: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
337 Reviews
Category: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Cuban
65 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
63 Reviews
Category: Cuban, Mexican, Coffee & Tea
224 Reviews
Category: Cuban, Coffee & Tea
81 Reviews
Category: Bakeries, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea
114 Reviews
Category: Coffee Roasteries, Coffee & Tea
23 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Juice Bars & Smoothies
30 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Gift Shops, Juice Bars & Smoothies
125 Reviews
Category: Coffee & Tea, Rafting/Kayaking, Paddleboarding
178 Reviews
Category: Patisserie/Cake Shop, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
79 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Boating, Tours
51 Reviews
Category: Food Tours, Historical Tours
15 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Snorkeling, Fishing
7 Reviews
Category: Boating, Boat Tours
10 Reviews
Category: Tours, Snorkeling, Boat Charters
10 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Boat Charters
12 Reviews
Category: Snorkeling, Fishing, Boat Tours
6 Reviews
Category: Boating, Fishing, Boat Tours
4 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Rafting/Kayaking, Boat Charters
2 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Fishing, Snorkeling
1 Reviews
Category: Historical Tours, Walking Tours
2 Reviews
Category: Boat Charters, Boat Tours
3 Reviews
Category: Community Service/Non-Profit, Historical Tours
2 Reviews
Category: Jet Skis, Golf Cart Rentals, Boat Tours
1 Reviews
Category: Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Snorkeling
2 Reviews