Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Crane Point Hammock, offers visitors a unique combination of tropical plants, wildlife and recreation. Home to two museums and a butterfly sanctuary, Crane Point Hammock is anything but ordinary. Wander the trails or take a guided tour of the nature center to learn about the local ecology including wetlands and mangroves. Bring your own gear or rent their kayak or canoe for an afternoon out on the water. Don't miss a visit to the seaside aquarium.

Curry Hammock State Park is a paradise for nature lovers and water enthusiasts. With over 1,500 acres of mangrove forests, tropical hammocks and beaches, Curry Hammock State Park offers the perfect backdrop for a day outdoors. Visitors can kayak or canoe along crystal clear waterways, take a dip in the lagoon or explore the shoreline full of starfish and crabs. The park's habitats are home to various wildlife including roseate spoonbills, pelicans, ospreys and painted buntings.

Sombrero Beach is an iconic beachknown for its beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters. Located near Marathon, this beautiful stretch of coastline is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sailing or kayaking. Visitors to the beach can also enjoy fishing off of one of the many jetties located along the shoreline. For animal lovers, there's a plethora of native wildlife that frequents the sands and shallows such as seabirds, dolphins and sea turtles.

Grassy Key is an idyllic paradise island situated between Key Largo and Marathon and is a perfect getaway for those looking for fun in the sun. The stunning turquoise waters of the nearby Atlantic ocean are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Nature trails provide miles of outdoor exploration full of local wildlife. Grassy Key is also famed for its seafood restaurants offering up the day's freshest catch!

Pigeon Key, is a 2.5-acre island in Monroe County boasting a rich and unique history. It originally served as the working headquarters for Flagler's Overseas Railroad project, a monumental undertaking that connected population centers on the mainland with those in the Florida Keys via a railway bridge. The island currently offers visitors an opportunity to explore its historic significance through guided tours, interactive museum displays and even overnight accommodations.

It connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. There are two bridges in this location. The modern bridge is open to vehicular traffic; the older one only to pedestrians and cyclists. The total length of the bridge is 35,862 ft (10,931 m) or 6.79 miles (10.93 km). The bridge carries the Florida Keys aqueduct, supplying water to points west, as well as fiber optic cables, providing telecommunications to and from the lower K