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The Florida Keys are a cluster of islands that begin at the southeastern tip of Florida and extend westward to the island of Key West. Lying just south of Miami and accessible by the Overseas Highway, there are four sections to the keys, Upper Keys, Middle Keys, Lowers Keys, and Outlying islands, with the first three being the ones most commonly visited. Whether you are searching for warm weather, oceanfront views, or some of the most breathtaking natural beauty that Florida has to offer, the Keys are bound to drag you away from the mainland for an exciting excursion filled with numerous water activities.

The Upper Keys consists of four communities, Key Largo, Tavernier, Plantation Key, and Islamorada, with Key Largo being one of the best places to stop for tourist recreation. One of the largest islands in the string, this self-proclaimed “Diving Capital of the World” has the continent’s only living barrier reef on its east side, meaning you will find breathtaking coral formations and an abundance of marine life. While sport fishing is an entertaining prospect for visitors, those who love the outdoors should take advantage of the islands proximity to the everglades for eco-tours and kayaking adventures through the marshland.

Islamorada is located south of Key Largo and is actually a village that encompasses the islands of Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Plantation Key, and Windley Key in the Florida Keys. While these islands are perfect for relaxing near the aqua blue water or browsing the unique shops and galleries, the area is most commonly known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” If you planned on making your way offshore during your Keys vacation for the catch of a lifetime, then this is the perfect place to try for tuna, tarpon, sailfish, and bonefish.

Located in the Middle Keys and sitting on numerous islands including Key Vaca, Grassy Key, Fat Deer Key, and Boot Key, Marathon is considered “The Heart of the Florida Keys.” While fishing out of Boot Key Harbor is always popular here, some of the waters have been set aside for eco-tourism pursuits such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Visitors can make their way to the protected Sombrero Reef to catch sight of one of the most beautiful sections of the living coral barrier reef and a wide variety of tropical fish such as grunts, angelfish, porkfish, and goatfish.

When you want to escape from the crowds and take in the quiet serenity of this area, make your way to the Lower Keys. The Looe Key coral reef is great for snorkelers and divers while the Key Deer region is perfect for those who want to get back to nature and take a relaxing bicycle ride through the area. If you are in search of some of the most gorgeous white sandy beaches in the Keys, Bahia Honda Key has a state park that will take your breath away. For those who need to scratch their shopping itch, Big Pine Key is the main shopping hub and also has easy access to the solitude of the National Key Deer Refuge.

At the end of the Lower Keys lies the crown jewel of the area, Key West. Stroll the historic, tree-lined streets for views of the gingerbread mansions; rent a jet ski or boat for an afternoon of fun and excitement; head over to the nearby Key West Golf Club for a day on the links; or set out for a diving or fishing adventure in the crystal blue waters that surround the island. You can do it all in Key West, and at the end of the day, gather around for the Sunset Celebration on Mallory Dock to participate in the spontaneous party.

The islands of the Keys have their own distinctive qualities and you certainly will not want to miss out on the adventure that awaits in the different areas. To experience all these majestic islands have to offer, look into Florida Keys vacation rentals that allow easy access to all the attractions you want to visit and are ideally situated near the white sand beaches and sparkling blue waters of the area. You can soak in the beauty from the comfort of your home away from home as you realize what it truly means to have a relaxing and enjoyable vacation near the water.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Florida Keys vacation rentals for your next trip to Southern Florida.

Tags: fl, florida, florida keys, keys, tourism, tourist, travel, trip, vacationfl, florida, florida keys, keys, tourism, tourist, travel, trip, vacation

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Cocoa Beach, located on the central east coast of Florida, is a playground that is full of water activities, historical attractions, and amazing restaurants. You can participate in any of numerous activities while visiting the land of sun and sand, but the beach and the water are bound to be the biggest attractions for any city that lies near the Atlantic Ocean. Make your way to Cocoa Beach for an exciting vacation with the family, and you will never want to leave the great times that abound in this area.

While its name would suggest a great amount of sand in this area, the shoreline of Cocoa Beach is only six miles long and approximately one mile wide. This means that if you want to throw down your towel and catch some sun, you need to get there early for one of the prime sunning spots in the summer. However, one of the main reasons individuals come to the beach is for the sights rather than the sun. This small beach offers some of the best surfing on the East Coast and you can catch talented individuals showing off their skills throughout the day. So stake out your place on the beach early and settle in for an entertaining day near the water and under the sun.

Fishing is one of the most popular activities in Cocoa Beach, but it is not the type you are probably expecting. When most individuals head to the coast, they imagine deep sea fishing on a charter boat along with the seasickness that comes along with heading out into the ocean. Here, however, you can avoid getting wet or nauseous by heading to Cocoa Beach Pier. There are rods and reels available for rent as you spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the festivities around the pier and the excitement of reeling one in. After a long day in the sun, make your way to the Mai Tiki Bar for a cocktail to cap off your productive day.

If you prefer to head out onto the water to explore the unspoiled wilderness areas of Florida and to catch some giant redfish, spotted sea trout, snook, tarpon, or black drum, then this area can accommodate your needs. There are hundreds of square miles of waterways around Cocoa Beach, including Port Canaveral, the Indian River Lagoon, and Banana River Lagoon, each offering breathtaking views and ample opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime. Make your way out into these waters with a company like Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Charters, and you will certainly enjoy a quality trip and an outdoor adventure to remember.

Although the shore is a great place to catch sight of dolphins frolicking about, you can get a better view of the abundant wildlife and marine life that occupy this area on a boat tour. Hop aboard a charter with an experienced captain who can provide detailed narratives about the inhabitants of the area for an exciting excursion that is fun for the whole family. You can experience up close encounters with alligators, manatees, porpoises, and wild birds from within the safety of the catamaran for an adventure that is beyond your everyday zoo.

History is a large part of the area and since Cocoa Beach is such a popular surfing destination, it is no wonder that one can find the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum here. Any surfer in your family will enjoy the interactive exhibits that detail the history of the sport with old surfboards, photos, and magazines. For more mainstream history, make your way to nearby Cape Canaveral for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. See the actual launch pads that were used for America’s journeys into space, view the components of an upcoming mission, the International Space Station, or flash back to the moon landing at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. A great ending to any day is one of the IMAX space films so head up there for an informative and interesting day.

Whether you are coming for the beautiful water or to scour the mammoth Ron Jon Surf Shop, you will need accommodations that allow you to experience all the fun and excitement of Cocoa Beach. For your next trip, look into Cocoa Beach FL vacations rentals to find the one that has all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation by the water. You can find a wide selection of oceanfront homes that make it easy to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and breathtaking views of this Florida vacation paradise.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Cocoa Beach FL vacation rentals for your next trip to Florida’s Central Atlantic Coast.

Tags: beach, cocoa beach, fl, florida, travel, trip, vacationbeach, cocoa beach, fl, florida, travel, trip, vacation

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Sitting majestically along the coast of the Florida Panhandle, Destin is part of one of the most gorgeous stretches of beaches in the world. A relative newcomer among the popular vacation destinations of the Emerald Coast, this city is fast becoming one of the best places to go for sun, sand, and relaxation along the Gulf of Mexico. Make your way to Destin, Florida for your next vacation, and the multitude of golf courses, the beautiful beaches, and the abundance of water activities will keep you coming back year after year.

As a part of the Emerald Coast, Destin is blessed with the same attributes as the other cities that line the southwestern corner of the Florida Panhandle. The beaches have sugar white sand, whose color is caused by the Appalachian quartz that arrives at the coast from the mountains, that is perfect for a stroll along the water or for simply throwing down a towel and catching some sun. The most distinct feature, however, is the sparkling emerald-green water, which creates the area’s namesake hue from the sugar white sand that lies beneath the crystal blue water. Whether you want to build a sandcastle, play in the water, or work on your suntan, the beaches of Destin can accommodate your needs and look amazing doing it.

One of the best places in Destin to swim and simply enjoy an all-around exciting day is Henderson Beach State Park. Located off the Emerald Coast Parkway, this park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and lays claim to over 6,000 feet of shoreline. While swimming is the most popular activity on the beautiful beach, visitors can also enjoy a nice picnic lunch in the afternoon or cast out a line on one of the docks. If you want to break up your day and experience more than the water, there are nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing is not an uncommon activity as dolphins regularly emerge from the waters this area.

Since you are visiting some of the most breathtaking waters in the world, why not take advantage of the numerous water adventures and sports at your disposal. Snorkeling is a popular inshore option since the exceptional water quality makes it easy to catch sight of vibrant yellow angelfish, manta rays, and loggerhead sea turtles. If you want to venture offshore, rent a wave runner for some action-packed excitement on the water and to view the impeccable shoreline of Destin. For those looking for a more calm experience, rent a kayak and create your own adventure by paddling into the open waters and exploring different nooks and crannies.

The Destin area is home to some of the finest year round courses in the country, meaning the hardest part any golf enthusiast’s vacation will be deciding which courses to play. While there are over ten courses in the area, there are two that stick out as both visually stunning and worth your best effort. The Emerald Bay Golf Club, designed by Bob Cupp, borders the Choctawhatchee Bay on the back nine and has a unique design that provides for an unrivaled experience. The Sandestin Raven Golf Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and presents a difficult test of golf through marshes, wetlands, and pine trees. There are dramatic changes of color throughout the course and players will face a variety of shot options that will undoubtedly lead to an exciting round.

While enjoying the beach and the emerald-green water of the Gulf of Mexico is probably your top priority, you will need accommodations that make it easy to spend your time soaking up the sun on the sugar white sands. For easy access to the beach and everything this amazing city has to offer, look into Destin vacation rentals for your next trip to the Florida Panhandle. You will find a wide selection of waterfront homes that have all the amenities you need for a relaxing, water-filled vacation away from the stresses of everyday life. Begin your search for the perfect home or condo rental today, and learn what a difference it makes to have all the comfort of home at your fingertips during vacation.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Destin vacation rentals for your next trip to Florida’s Emerald Coast.

Tags: destin, destin florida, fl, florida, travel, trip, vacationdestin, destin florida, fl, florida, travel, trip, vacation

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