Get away from the stress of everyday life with an oceanfront vacation in the Big Pine Key area. With clear, crystal blue water and white sandy beaches, this peaceful Florida community has a warm climate that matches the Caribbean. Bring the family and spend your days seeing exotic wildlife, splashing around in the water, catching fish, and snorkeling. The Big Pine Key area also offers a wide range of dining options, giving you access to fresh seafood from local farmer’s markets or fine dining establishments. Continue on to learn about the 11 best places to look for a Big Pine Key vacation rental for your next getaway.
1. Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
Located about 30 miles north of Key West, Big Pine Key offers access to water activities including fishing, boating, scuba diving, and snorkeling. If your family loves animals, head to the National Key Deer Rescue to see the Key deer, which are wild deer that are around the same size as a large dog. Work on your tan while listening to the peaceful sounds of the ocean when you visit the beach at Bahia Honda State Park.
2. Ramrod Key, Florida Keys
A small island located in the Lower Keys, Ramrod Key features the Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center, one of the more popular diving centers in the Lower and Middle Keys. Create lifelong memories by taking the family for diving lessons, or rent a kayak and journey down one of the designated paddling routes.
3. Summerland Key, Florida Keys
Leave your vacation rental in the morning and venture to the water for a half or full day of offshore fishing at Living the Dream Florida. These guided fishing tours take you out on the reef or back country, depending on the length of your tour, giving you the chance to catch mahi-mahi, sailfish, and wahoo. After a full day of fun, glance up at night for a beautiful view of stars, comets, and constellations, thanks to the minimal artificial lighting and ideal location.
4. Little Torch Key, Florida Keys
Little Torch Key is named after the Sea Torchwood tree, a native tree found on the island. If you’re a diver, Little Torch Key is a great jumping-off point for Looe Key Reef, and the area is also an excellent choice for families who want to be near Key West but prefer a tranquil home base. Many vacation rentals include built-in docks, so you can step outside and go exploring through the mangroves.
5. Cudjoe Key, Florida
Sandwiched between Big Pine Key and Sugarloaf Key, this small island is home to about 1,700 people, which means you can enjoy peace and quiet while admiring the beach from your vacation rental. This island lets you experience everything from calm wildlife viewing to thrilling snorkeling and diving trips. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a canoe or kayak and travel through the winding water channels located near multiple outlying islands.
6. Key Largo, Upper Florida Keys
The island of Key Largo has over 12,000 residents and is approximately an hour away from Miami, making it a popular tourist destination. You and the family can choose from many types of vacation rentals, including the only underwater hotel in the United States, where guests are required to scuba dive to get to their rooms. Walk around and view the nature at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or get acquainted with the dolphins at Dolphin Plus or Dolphin Cove.
7. Sugarloaf Key, Lower Florida Keys
Visit Sugarloaf Key, one of the smaller Florida Keys islands, to experience serene ambiance. Wake up at your vacation rental with the gentle sun on your face, then head outside and catch some rays to give your day a sunny start. Renting kayaks is popular on this island, as many stunning backcountry areas of the Florida Keys are only accessible by small watercraft. You and your family may catch glimpses of rare wildlife, such as the Lower Keys striped mud turtle, the Schaus swallowtail butterfly, and the Lower Keys marsh rabbit.
8. Saddlebunch Keys, Florida
Only 7 miles from Key West, Saddlebunch Keys is an unforgettable waterfront vacation destination. If you want to socialize with the locals, the Sugarloaf Lodge Tiki Bar is only a short distance away, and you can spend an evening sipping on a beer or frozen boat drink while enjoying live music and pub-style trivia. Spend some time outdoors camping at Bluewater Key, a gorgeous RV park with multiple docks for your boat. Bring your furry friend along for the trip and let him explore the public dog walking area. This luxury RV park features tiki huts with outdoor seating, so you can have a front-row seat to the evening sunset.
9. Geiger Key, Florida Keys
Get away from the hustle and bustle of Key West with a vacation rental in Geiger Key, a secluded area that offers modern amenities, boat slips, and spectacular ocean views. The Geiger Key Marina and RV Campground is a favorite of Lower Keys natives, offering deep sea fishing in addition to kayak and paddle board rentals that allow you to explore local mangroves and shallow water spaces.
10. Key Colony Beach, Florida
Located north of Key West, Key Colony Beach features a variety of oceanfront condo vacation rentals that place you within walking distance of the beach. Bring the family to the public park and play a kids-versus-parents game of tennis or basketball. Later, relax by playing a few holes of golf at the beautiful nine-hole golf course. If you’re free around 4 p.m., stop by Captain Hooks and watch the fish feeding, or head to the Dolphin Research Center to see larger marine life.
11. Key West, Florida Keys
Key West is the largest island in the Florida Keys, and it offers something for people of all ages to enjoy. Enjoy a cozy cottage vacation rental, or choose a modern condo that puts you near the action. Take the whole family to HiggÂ’s Beach, featuring a lively playground and picnic tables, or get your adrenaline pumping by windsurfing, jet skiing, or parasailing at Smathers Beach.