Big Pine Key
Known for its long stretches of white sand, fresh seafood and wildlife refuge, Big Pine Key is the perfect destination for those wanting a chilled-out Florida experience just a few hours by car from Miami.
The iconic Overseas Highway, part of U.S. Route 1, runs straight through Big Pine Key and is lined with bars, restaurants and shopping centers. Meet up with locals in one of the many charming bars in downtown or head to the harbor to try some local seafood.
Boating and fishing are the main activities on Big Pine Key and there are fresh hauls of grouper, mackerel and sea trout coming in throughout the day. Rent a boat or join a charter tour to test your own angling skills.
See the local marine life by scuba diving or snorkeling along the reefs. Organized boat tours with dive guides on board can take you out to the offshore dive sites. If you are just snorkeling, rent a kayak to reach the farthest reefs or wade in straight from the shore and swim out.
Meet a cute species of deer, found only in the Florida Keys, at the National Key Deer Refuge. The creatures are no bigger than the average dog and are used to being around people.
The easiest way to reach Big Pine Key is by following the scenic highway that connects the Keys. Once you’re on Big Pine, explore on foot or rent a bicycle.
Big Pine Key is one of Florida’s larger Keys, but this sleepy coastal community has escaped most of the tourist development typical of many other Florida Keys.
Big Pine Key’s approximately 5,000 residents clearly relish the laid-back lifestyle that comes with tropical locations.