Widely called the Sunshine State, Florida is regarded by lots of travelers from around the globe to be the ‘boating capital’ of the world. For boaters, a destination with lots of sun and water with lots of boats, and a paradise for a natural setting, as in the case of Florida, can only pass as the choicest place for boating.

Therefore, it is no surprise that every year, thousands of recreational, commercial, and pleasure boaters visit the Florida Keys to sail, dive, fish, snorkel, and savor a wealth of activities on the water, including paddle board sports and kayaking.

The Florida Keys are coral reefs off the southern coast of the city. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) protects their surrounding waters, which stretch from Miami’s southwestward to include the Dry Tortugas. FKNMS boasts unique and spectacular resources like shipwrecks, coral reefs, fisheries, and seagrass beds that are a source of recreational and commercial activities like boating, diving, and fishing.

Bear in mind that boating in the Florida Keys can be difficult, especially for first-time boaters taking on shallow island waters. However, the areas have some of the world’s best boating scenes. Here are some of the best boating destinations in the Florida Keys:

Key Largo (Upper Keys)

One of the best places to boat in Florida is Key Largo. The upper Florida Keys begin south of Miami and extend into the lower corners of the state. The most popular attraction in this section of the Keys is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. 

 Key Largo is the northernmost island in the Florida Keys and the first island reached by North-South sailors. You will find resorts and rental homes here, as well as several marinas that welcome passing boaters. Marinas, such as Kings Kamp and Bluefin Rock Harbour, also serve as RV parks if you want to take a land cruise to Key Largo. 

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park remains one of the major highlights in Key Largo. There you can sign up for snorkeling and diving trips, board a glass-bottom boat, or rent a kayak or paddleboard (if you haven’t already). Another must-see in Key Largo is the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Here you’ll find the Eco-Discovery Center with interactive exhibits, including a model of Aquarius, the world’s only underwater oceanographic laboratory.

>>Also Read: 10 Best Boating Destinations In Miami

Tavernier (Upper Keys) 

The largest island in the Upper Keys is Tavernier. Hotels in Tavernier offer a cross-border option for Key Largo but are still close to most of the fun. If you want a night or two away from the boat, consider the scenic cottages at Island Bay Resort or the Coconut Palm Inn, which has a marina for guests. 

 If you are boating with friends or acquaintances, the Coconut Palm Inn can also help arrange events such as weddings, fishing competitions, and yoga retreats. Family reunions aren’t uncommon here as well, and corporate retreats and birthday parties.

>>Also Read: 10 Best Boating Destinations In Miami

Islamorada (Upper Keys) 

Islamorada is home to the legendary marina, Bud’ n’ Mary’s, which serves as the launch pad for different kinds of sport fishing. There are temporary moorings here, but they are limited, so please call to make a reservation before visiting. With or without a local guide or charter boat, once in, you will find some of the world’s best fishing for mahi-mahi, tarpon, shark, and swordfish. 

 After a day of boating, proceed to any of the modern restaurants and bars nearby. You will find an assortment of menus, including a children’s menu that will satisfy the whole family. Raw tuna nachos are also a delicacy only available at the water’s edge for many establishments. The restaurant will cook whatever you bring after you catch it yourself (grilled, seared, black-grilled, or whatever you prefer).

>>Also Read: Living on a Boat in Florida – Best Liveaboard Marinas, Costs, and Tips

Long Key (Middle Keys) 

The central part of the Florida Keys begins at Long Key and stretches further to the Seven Mile Bridge, which links Knights Key (Middle Keys) and Little Duck Key (Lower Keys). If you prefer to explore at a slower pace, this middle portion of the Florida Keys is often quieter than the hotspots of Key Largo and Key West. 

Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina is situated on a 28-acre property in Long Key with its own marina, RV parking, and hotel. It has a restaurant and beach bar and is close to Long Key State Park, famous for bird swimming and birdwatching. For a different experience, you can leave the boat to visit campgrounds nearby overlooking the water.

Duck Cay (Middle Quays) 

Duck Cay is home to Hawks Cay Resort and is so popular that the entire island is sometimes referred to as Hawks Key. The property has 6 on-site restaurants that deal in everything from surf and turf to ceviche. The property’s Oasis Cay Bar is famous for being an adults-only facility by the pool if you want to observe a me-time after taking the kids out for other activities.

The natural patterns you will find here are not only gorgeous, but they also form a great destination for boating. And regardless of your expertise, navigating Duck Cay would not be too demanding. Just make sure you have a well-thought itinerary.

>>Also Read: Best Boating Destinations in Florida

Sugarloaf Key (Lower Keys)

The lower Florida Keys span from Big Pine Key to its terminus in Key West. Key West is arguably the most famous island in the entire Florida Keys, with a myriad of attractions and boaters of all kinds weaving through the local streets. 

Sugarloaf Quay attracts many kayakers who love exploring the backwaters and all its mangroves. You will find guides and rentals at locations like Backcountry Sugarloaf Marina and Boat Rentals. The Sugarloaf Marina has a kayak launch as well as a boat launch.

Key West (Lower Keys) 

Key West is a paradise in its own right. It is the last stop towards Cuba, about 90 kilometers away. This place has been a haven for flamboyant personalities, including Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway. Several U.S. presidents have also holidayed here, especially Franklin D. Roosevelt, who took a special interest in the place.

Boaters usually go ashore to participate in the Duval Crawl, a DIY bar crawl along Duval Street in the center of town. There is the Sloppy Joe’s Bar, established in the 1930s. They serve drinks in the morning and host live music on most nights. Bull and Whistle Bar is full of wall paintings that tell the town’s history and offer coolies to keep your drinks chilled when on board. 

Visitors who visit Key West will want to snap a photo at the giant land “buoy” that marks the southernmost tip of the continental United States. 

 Next, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum on Whitehead Street opposite the lighthouse. Hemingway lived there in the 1930s. The legendary writer’s mansion has been a museum since the 1960s. Many officials believe the mansion is a more popular tourist attraction than the bars on Duval Street.

 Marinas are everywhere in Key West for most size boats. Try Galleon Marina if you want to anchor near the Sunset Tiki Bar or Key West Bight Marina, which accepts online reservations and offers an online 360-degree tour of the facility.

>>Also Read: Best and Cheapest Liveaboard Marinas in Florida

Best Boating Destinations in the Florida Keys – Summary

Only a few things are more genuinely pleasing than a Florida Keys boating or sailing itinerary to an avid boater. From Key Largo at the archipelago’s tip down to Key West at the end, the Keys have scintillating sceneries, fun-filled activities, and great year-round boating. These feature destinations are boaters’ paradises with pristine freshwater to catch the attention of anyone. There is a possibility that your boating expeditions take all your attention. However, try to explore on your own and see other attractions that these boating destinations have lined up for visitors. It’s Florida! You won’t regret it.