If you’re planning on taking a trip to Florida, or more specifically Key West, then there is a good chance you want to do some island hopping. The area has plenty of great island and you can use boat rentals from Boat.me to make your way across the watery expanse. If you want to rent a boat in Key West you will obviously need to go to the best source and get the highest quality boat possible, but it all starts with making sure that you know your way around the water, and most importantly, that you know about these great islands that you can visit while you’re exploring the waters of the Florida Keys.
The Key Islands you Must Visit When you Rent a Boat
Some of these island destinations are pretty obvious, but it stands to reason there may be some you don’t know about. Let’s start with the most well-known island in the area: Key Largo.
Key Largo
When you look at boats for rent for the purpose of seeing the islands, Key Largo needs to be at the top of your list for obvious reasons. It’s beautiful, first of all, and secondly, it’s easy to get to. It holds good proximity to the mainland and is actually connected to the rest of the Florida Keys via Highway 1. As a side note, Key Largo is actually home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which encompasses 70 nautical miles of the Atlantic. Additionally, it hosts the only living coral reef in the continental United States along with the underwater statue of Jesus Christ which makes it a very popular spot for all kinds of activities which include:
- Kayaking
- Camping
- Scuba Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Snorkeling
Don’t forget to check out the restaurants in the area for an edible experience you won’t forget before you head back out onto the water.
Islamorada
If you’re already at Key Largo, why not take your boat half an hour south and visit Islamorada? Rather than being just one island it’s a chain, about twenty miles long. This small group of island is a great fishing spot, and is in fact referred to as the ‘Sports Fishing Capital of the World’. If you’re looking for adventure on the sea, this is definitely a place you’re going to want to visit. Not only will you have a chance to get some great fishing in, you’ll be able to take some snorkeling trips and even visit several nearby state parks which include:
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
- Indian Key Historic State Park
Once again, don’t forget to check out the food opportunities including the M.E.A.T Eatery and Taproom. There are lots of sights, sounds, and tastes to take in when you visit this island.
Marathon
This island was a former fishing village which was founded by New Englanders in the early 1800’s, and it’s definitely a spot that you will want to visit. If you’re into sea life, then you’re definitely going to want to take a look at the Turtle Hospital which serves as a small non-profit for the care of injured sea turtles. In addition to that, don’t forget to visit the Dolphin Research Center – if you’ve ever wanted to swim with the dolphins, now is your chance. You can access this one by boat, or via the 7 mile bridge which connects the Knight’s Key to the Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys.
Bahia Honda Key
At the West End of the Seven Mile Bridge you’ll find a small island that was once a camp for workers building the overseas railways, though today it is home to the Bahia Honda State Park. It features a public beach and more than 500 acres of land to explore. If you tire of the land, don’t’ forget to check out the off-shore island. There are plenty of great opportunities for all kinds of activities, so make sure you stop by and enjoy the scenery – it’s here waiting for you!
Rent a boat for one day or multiple days and enjoy all that these islands have to offer ; you’re bound to have a great time!
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