She noted that a trip to the Florida Keys rivals even the most popular island destinations.

A panoply of water activities including catamaran excursions make it easy to stay put.

Adults only, all-inclusive, and all just 63 miles from Miami International Airport.

Condos in Little Torch Key, Florida Keys, Florida, USA.

Credit:Allard Schager/Getty Images

Islamorada

The Moorings Village:This former coconut plantation re-emerged in the 1960s as a small resort.

Five pools, exceptional dining, and an open-air bar with a killer sunset view complete the fantasy.

The feel here is serene and sophisticated, but without airs.

Window view from Bungalows Key Largo

Courtesy of Bungalows Key Largo

Join a snorkeling or scuba tour or rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe.

The tours are excellent and well worth booking in advance.

And now these miniature Key deer are protected, having been saved from the brink of extinction.

Scenes from the Florida Keys: a woman walks across a courtyard at the Isla Bella Beach Resort resort

Rose Marie Cromwell

Key West Pro Guides:Ready to live that sportfishing dream?

The “Frozen” Key Lime Pie on the dessert menu is renowned.

The Lobster Reuben and Key lime pie are famous (and rightly so), so bring your appetite.

Little Palm Island

Taylor Volkens; Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Feel like an insider?

Mitchell calls South of the Seven one of the Keys off-the-beaten-path hidden gems.

Most touristsvisit between late Decemberand May.

Parrot Key Hotel & Villas

Courtesy of Parrot Key Hotel & Villas

Its worth checking all three airports when pricing out your flights.

The Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon is one of the longest segmented bridges in the world.

Traffic and hard-to-find parking are two very real factors to consider.

A green sea turtle swims amid the Florida Keys coral reef tract near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

Frazier Nivens/Florida Keys News Bureau

If you could avoid renting a car, you should.

Bus:TheGreyhound Keys Shuttleconnects various stations in Miami with the Keys all the way down to Key West.

On Key West, theDuvall Loop isa free bus service with 18 stops in Old Town.

A Key deer searches for food in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key

Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Taxis:Local cab companies generally service their island area inquire locally for taxis.

Ridesharing:Uber and Lyft both operate in the Florida Keys.

Panoramic sunrise landscape view of the small Islands Sunset Key and Wisteria Island of the Island of Key West, Florida Keys.

NANCY PAUWELS/Getty Images

Tuna Avocado nachos at Key Largo Conch House

Courtesy of Key Largo Conch House

Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar

Courtesy of Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar

South of the Seven’s Gumbo

Courtesy of South of the Seven

Blue Heaven Restaurant Entrance in Key West, Florida

Getty Images

Colorful Higgs Memorial Beach Park Pier Key West Florida

bpperry/Getty Images

Sunrise on Smathers Beach

aiisha5/Getty Images