A Florida Keys Honeymoon for an Idyllic Adventure

A Florida Keys honeymoon offers romance, oceanfront views, the feel of the Caribbean and vast adventure. At this amazing US honeymoon destination, newlyweds have all types of options, whether they select a luxury resort in Key Largo or a gentle, small-town experience on Islamorada.

A honeymoon in Florida Keys is perfect for couples who want to spend time on the water. Home to adorable dolphins, colorful coral reefs, local artists and fun nightlife options, this amazing beach destination offers all kinds of attractions. Plus, the incredible natural beauty of the string of tropical islands makes a Florida Keys honeymoon ideal for a romantic getaway.

Florida Keys Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Florida Keys
• Florida Keys Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Places to Visit on a Florida Keys Honeymoon
• Best Florida Keys Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Florida Keys Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Florida Keys Honeymoon

Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky | Shutterstock

Best Time to Honeymoon in Florida Keys

Peak tourist season in the Florida Keys is from mid-December to April, and August tends to be slow regarding tourists, but it's also hotter than usual. April to June and November to mid-December are ideal for a combination of lesser crowds and low chances of a hurricane.

Best weather: March to May.
Festival highlights: Key West's Fantasy Fest in October offers a ten-day extravagant parade and party atmosphere. The Key West Lobsterfest in August celebrates the start of the lobster season with a delicious seafood feast. For a more relaxed vibe, the Islamorada Seafood Festival in January offers fresh catches and local flavors in a festive setting.

Florida Keys Honeymoon Planning Tips

Couples will enjoy the convenience of staying in the US (without the hassle of currency exchanges or the challenges of language barriers). A Florida Keys honeymoon offers a variety of resorts and quaint hotels. There's also plenty of natural adventure and outdoor activities for couples, making it simple to plan day trips. Considering all of the popular attractions and hideaways, honeymooners can take advantage of all-inclusive resort deals and adorable B&Bs.

When planning a honeymoon in the Florida Keys, consider booking accommodations and activities well in advance, especially if you're visiting during peak season or planning to participate in a popular festival. Look for resorts that offer honeymoon packages, including special experiences like sunset cruises, private dinners or spa treatments designed for couples.

Entry requirements: US citizens won't need their passport, but be sure to bring ID.
Language: English.
Location: The Florida Keys are located off the southern coast of Florida, extending from Key Largo down to Key West.
Currency: USD.
Flight time to Destination: From New York City, direct flights to Key West are around 3 hours.
Getting around: Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the Florida Keys, as it allows flexibility to travel between the islands along the scenic Overseas Highway. Bicycles and scooters are popular in Key West for shorter distances, and there are shuttle services between the keys.

Pro tip: Consult a honeymoon planning expert on The Knot Marketplace for Florida Keys honeymoon expertise, reviews, testimonials and more.

Places to Visit on a Florida Keys Honeymoon

Photo: Zhukova Valentyna | Shutterstock

Key Largo

Key Largo is an island and city about 70 miles southwest of Miami. It's home to several national parks and the Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder (DPMMR), where you can go swimming with these friendly aquatic animals. There's also a plethora of other activities, including grabbing a slice at the Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, taking the African Queen canal cruise and snorkeling, scuba diving, and other watersports. There are also adorable boutique hotels, seaside cottages and larger luxury resorts on the island.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a village comprised of six islands between Miami and Key West. It's known for its small-town ambiance with activities like fishing and enjoying fresh seafood. There's also lush greenery and deep blue waters. Quiet beaches run along the islands, should you prefer the pristine nature of the local spot.

Marathon

Southwest of Islamorada is Marathon, a city of 13 islands where you can walk the Seven Mile Bridge. Other activities include swimming with dolphins, diving into coral reefs, and taking in its breathtaking collections of beaches.

Key West

Key West, the famed "Southernmost Point" of the US, has some of the clearest waters in the Gulf of Mexico. You can take in the breathtaking sunset at Mallory Square, visit Dry Tortugas National Park, and explore Ernest Hemingway's mansion. Key West is also home to Old Town's Duval Street, a famed strip with local pubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops.

Best Florida Keys Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

From luxury resorts to charming beachside cottages, a romantic honeymoon in Florida Keys has a lot to offer. Key West and Islamorada are popular for their high-end resorts with all-inclusive options, while quieter islands like Marathon or Big Pine Key provide more secluded retreats. Here are a few of our top recommendations.

Photo: Vladone | Getty

The Mermaid & The Alligator

This Victorian home is perfect for a Key West honeymoon. The Mermaid & The Alligator provides a tranquil B&B experience in Old Town, Key West, right across from the Hemingway mansion. Offerings include on-call couple's massages, a heated pool, verandas to relax in, and romance packages with champagne and chocolate. The concierge will help you with all that a Key West honeymoon has to offer.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Ocean Key Resort & Spa

This Key West honeymoon resort on Duval Street offers some of the best ocean views, along with a colorful and balanced aesthetic. There's a large dock for romantically lit oceanfront dining, beachfront rooms with soaring seascapes and a luxurious spa. Honeymooners can enjoy a romance deal, which involves an oceanfront room, spa treatments and dining credits.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Little Palm Island on Little Torch Key is a private island resort. It's accessible via seaplane and doesn't offer televisions or telephones in its rooms. You'll feel like Hollywood royalty as you stroll through Little Palm's lush tropical gardens or dine beachside under tiki torches. Honeymooners will enjoy evening cocktails on deep green mid-century couches under banana leaves. The property's idyllic spa includes a romance package with a couple's massage, and there's also plenty of adventure.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for even more Florida Keys honeymoon accommodations, consider staying at a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

Florida Keys Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

From water sports to island hopping, there are plenty of romantic things to do on a Florida Keys honeymoon. Here are a few ideas to get your itinerary started.

Photo: Bob Krist | Getty

State and National Parks, Key Largo

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park rests amid the tranquil waters of Key Largo. It boasts 70 square miles of mangrove swamps and coral reefs, the latter of which you can see through a glass-bottomed boat. Key Largo also offers the largest subtropical forest in the US with Everglades National Park. The Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge is another park for those who want to live on the wild side.

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key

Bahia Honda State Park has some of the most renowned beaches in Key West. There's also plenty of flora and fauna to discover locally, including marine birds, tropical fish, dolphins and sea turtles. You can go fishing, kayaking, and camping; stargazing is another popular activity. The trail to the historic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, which was built for trains in the early 1900s, is another attraction.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West

This 100-square-mile wonder boasts waters prime for snorkeling and scuba diving. Dry Tortugas National Park includes campsites, hiking, and bird watching. Couples can enjoy its beautiful beaches and even take a history lesson. It's home to a Civil War fort that once imprisoned Dr. Samuel Mudd, who assisted John Wilkes Booth after the Lincoln assassination.

Old Town, Key West

The old town is home to Duval Street, which you can tour through on a trolley or join a pub crawl for some extra fun. Notable destinations on Duval Street include Kermit's Key West Key Lime Pie Shoppe, which serves Food Networks' favorite key lime pie, and Turtle Kraals, where you can catch a turtle race in between courses on an oceanfront dining deck. There are also notable art galleries, including the marine-life works of Savlen and the modern Effusion, and some great nightclubs and local bars.
Old Town Key West's Mallory Square throws the nightly sunset festival, where street performers walk on stilts, breathe fire and play instruments, as sailboats float across the horizon to join in the celebration.

Southernmost Point, Key West

Key West's Southernmost Point is celebrated by an anchored buoy marked with the tagline "90 miles to Cuba." It's a great stop for taking pictures for those back home. There's also a butterfly conservatory, some great Cuban cafes and art galleries nearby.

Pro tip: Add Florida Keys honeymoon experiences to your gift registry to let your family and friends pitch in on the fun. Make sure to post honeymoon photos to your wedding website so your guests can see what you're up to!

What to Pack for a Florida Keys Honeymoon

Photo: Stephan Frink | Getty

In addition to reef-safe sunscreen, your packing checklist should include water shoes and walking shoes, a light sweater or windbreaker, aspirin for any motion sickness, and long sleeves and pants to prevent sunburn. Depending on your stay, the Florida Keys is a dressier spot for evening dinners, so bring the pretty sundresses and espadrilles in your honeymoon luggage, too.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.