The Florida Keys are islands surrounded by coral reefs. And while there are reportedly hundreds of them, the most famous include Key Largo and Key West (where Hemingway’s house still stands).

But your trip here should not be focused on land – though there is plenty of solid ground to enjoy – the secret of The Keys is you must gain access to its waters.

For in the ocean around you is nearly 350 miles of living coral, which form America’s one and only coral barrier reef.

My advice: find a place to stay that has access to the water or has access to a boat and enjoy the beauty of the reef and the stunning Caribbean tropical fish around it.

In the Keys, paradise is underwater, only a 20-minute boat ride away.

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Bruce Warrington on Unsplash