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The Keys are a very unique place to visit with lots of history.
The islands lie along the Florida Straits, dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. Key West is just 90 miles from Cuba.
The Keys were originally inhabited by Calusa and Tequesta Native Americans, and were later found and charted by Juan Ponce de León in 1513. De León named the islands Los Martires (“The Martyrs”), as they looked like suffering men from a distance.
For many years, Key West was the largest town in Florida, and it grew prosperous on wrecking revenues. The isolated outpost was well located for trade with Cuba and the Bahamas, and was on the main trade route from New Orleans.

The Keys were long accessible only by water. This changed with the completion of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway in the early 1910s. Flagler, a major developer of Florida’s Atlantic coast, extended his Florida East Coast Railway down to Key West with an ambitious series of over-sea railroad trestles. Three hurricanes disrupted the project in 1906, 1909, and 1910.
Long before the islands were a destination for tourists, they were home to captains, that ran salvage operations, sponge fishing and commercial fishing ventures as well pirates, rum-runners exiled refugees from other Caribbean islands, wealthy adventure seekers and artists and writers.
Most of the keys attractions center around this rich history. Below is a comprehensive directory of things to see and do. Enjoy!

Upper Keys

John Pennenkamp Coral Reef State Park
102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1560
www.floridastateparks.org/park/Pennekamp

The Glass Bottom Boat 
102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1560
www.floridastateparks.org/park/Pennekamp

The African Queen
((30) 451-8080
www.africanqueenflkeys.com

Dolphins Plus
31 Corrine Place, Key Largo
1-866-860-7946
www.dolphinsplus.com

Gulfstream Party Fishing Boat
1313 Ocean Bay Drive, Key Largo
(305) 451-9788

Round Up Party Fishing Charters
45 Garden Drive, Key Largo
(305) 304-4193

Sailors Choice Party Fishing Boat
99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 451-1802
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Key Largo Fishing Adventures
99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 942-9982

Quicksilver Snorkel Tours
Mile Marker 100, Key Largo
(305) 453-0110

Reef Roamer Snorkeling
99751 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
(305) 453-0110

Islamorada

Robbie’s Marina
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada
href=”http://www.robbies.com”>www.robbies.com