Nature and Wildlife

There are countless reasons to come to Key West, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s an all-season destination, rich in history, pristine, chock full of friendly locals and situated on the tip of the southern United States with panoramic views of the ocean for as far as the eyes can see. One may not think of Key West as a mecca for nature lovers, but from the beautiful butterfly conservatory, to the various dolphin encounter excursions, to bird watching in the Dry Tortugas, coming to Key West without your beloved camera and a great set of binoculars is just plain silly. Diving enthusiasts from around the world flock to the waters of Key West to explore its underwater paradise. The waters here are home to third largest natural reef in the world, and the largest in the Continental United States. Dive in, spend some time wandering myriad shipwrecks along the coast, and don’t forget your underwater camera, because down here, everything looks straight out of the pages of National Geographic. Make sure to spend time in Dry Tortugas National Park, a treasure trove of islands bursting with exotic bird species, turtle species and surrounded by colorful coral reefs, perfect for first time divers and snorkelers. Whether you’re sipping a margarita on the shores of Key West, or whipping around the Gulf of Mexico, on the lookout for wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, your nature palate will be sated.