Reefs, sea turtles and a remote fort in the Florida Keys
Florida Keys, FL
If you were considering Disney World, this is a different kind of trip.
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens and couples
- How long
- 7 or 10 days
- Getting there
- Fly
- Seasons
- Winter, Spring
Why it works
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary includes the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States.
- The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is a working veterinary hospital for sea turtles, and its guided programs end with guests feeding the permanent residents.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, is reached only by boat or seaplane and is home to Fort Jefferson.
Watch out for
- There are no roads to Dry Tortugas, visitors must travel by ferry, seaplane, private boat or permitted charter, and services in the park are limited.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Sources
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary includes the only coral barrier reef in the continental United States. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is a working veterinary hospital for sea turtles, and its guided programs end with guests feeding the permanent residents. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-13)
- Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, is reached only by boat or seaplane and is home to Fort Jefferson. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- There are no roads to Dry Tortugas, visitors must travel by ferry, seaplane, private boat or permitted charter, and services in the park are limited. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. source (checked 2026-11-13)