Self-Guided Audio Tour in Florida Keys

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi-day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below

The Bahia Honda State Park is rightly considered the best beach in the Florida Keys and ranks in the top 10 of all beaches in the USA. On a nice warm day, this is absolutely a recommended stop for a cooling swim or even just to get some sand and water between your toes.

One of the Key's nicest beaches on the Lower Matecumbe Key. There's 300 feet of newly replaced boardwalk that provides access to different areas of the beach where the water is almost always, warm, clear, and calm. Even a worthwhile stop for a photo if you don't feel like swimming.

Located in the heart of Old Town Key West, lies the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. America's iconic author called Key West his home for 10 years. Tour inside the house and gardens to learn more about his books, 4 wives, and children and see the 40 polydactyl cats that are descendants of his famous white six-toed cat, Snow White.

The tiny endangered Key Deer are now found exclusively in the Florida Keys. They are good swimmers, perhaps allowing them to survive hurricanes like Irma. Today, vehicle collisions are the number one threat, so you'll see slow driving zones to help protect them, especially around Big Pine Key.

You might be surprised to learn the vibrant town of Key West was once the largest city in all of Florida. Being only 90 miles from Cuba and on major shipping routes from South America, Key West is a unique fusion of American, Cuban and Latino cultures. The architecture is beautifully stylish. The streets are lively and there are quite a few recommended places to visit on this compact island.

Why should Parks just preserve what is on land? The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first in the US to be designated as an undersea park. It covers about 70 nautical square miles with terrain ranging from mangrove swamps to shallow-water coral and deep-sea reefs, ideal for scuba diving. Visitors to the park can snorkel with multitudes of fish while exploring the Christ of the Deep Statue and even the remnants of an old Spanish shipwreck.

The tiny 5 acre Pigeon Key played a pivotal role for railroad workers building the final stages of the Florida East Coast Railway's Overseas Railway project, which would connect passengers from New York to Key West, and even continue by boat to Havana, without ever leaving the carriage. The Old Seven Mile Bridge passed right through the island which served as worker's homes and camp. After taking a battering after Hurricane Irma, bridge reconstruction continues for those hoping to walk to Pigeon Key once again. Access currently is by short ferry boat ride starting from the visitor center in Marathon, and is an added bonus.

Seven Mile Bridge is the longest of the bridges on the Overseas Highway. You will truly feel like you are floating over the water. It's a great, interesting photo stop, especially from the Marathon side. We will catch views of the historically significant Pigeon Key from the bridge as we drive by.

Recently re-opened for walking, biking, and fishing

The world's first dedicated Turtle Hospital was created on Marathon, by converting an old motel. Turtles who have been rescued from boat collisions, plastic bags and more are brought to the hospital to be treated and in most cases, ultimately released back into the ocean.

The longest of the Florida Keys and the first Key we will arrive on when leaving the USA mainland. 3 of the most popular stops on Key Largo are the Caribbean Club, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the African Queen. Two of these locations have had Hollywood inspiration. Divers and even snorkelers will find many interesting features to explore in the clear, warm waters.