Key West City Guide
The Best Day Trips from Key West: Islands, Reefs & Bridges
While Old Town holds endless charm, planning Key West day trips up the Florida Keys reef chain and out to surrounding archipelago islands of the Florida Keys and offshore national parks contains some of the most remarkable natural wonders in North America. Within a 45-to-90-minute drive or boat ride from Key West, you can explore the 19th-century brick battlements of Dry Tortugas National Park, relax on the pristine sands of Bahia Honda State Park, spot endangered miniature deer on Big Pine Key, or cross the engineering wonder of the Seven Mile Bridge. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Top 4 day trips, drive times, and ferry booking windows
Read on 10 September 2026: The four premier day trips from Key West are: (1) Dry Tortugas National Park (70 miles west by ferry, 10-hour day trip); (2) Bahia Honda State Park (MM 37, 45-minute drive for the Keys' best beach); (3) Big Pine Key (MM 30, 35-minute drive for wild Key deer); and (4) The Seven Mile Bridge & Pigeon Key (MM 47, 55-minute drive to walk the historic bridge).
Key takeaways
- Dry Tortugas is a sea voyage: 70 miles west into the Gulf via the Yankee Freedom III ferry (book 3-6 months ahead).
- Overseas Highway road trips: rent a car for 1-2 days to explore the Lower and Middle Keys along US-1.
- Bahia Honda has the finest beach: soft white sand, clear shallow water, and historic railroad bridge ruins at MM 37.
- Respect Key deer speed limits: 45 mph day / 35 mph night through Big Pine Key to protect endangered deer.
Compare distances, transport modes, and headline highlights for all six regional day trips:
| Destination | Distance / Transit | Transport | Highlight | Must-Know Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Tortugas | 70 miles west (2h 15m) | Ferry or Seaplane | Civil War fort & moat snorkeling | Must book ferry 3-6 months ahead |
| Bahia Honda State Park | 37 miles east (45 mins) | Rental car (US-1) | Sandspur Beach & bridge trail | $8 entry per car; arrive by 10:30 AM |
| Big Pine Key | 30 miles east (35 mins) | Rental car (US-1) | Endangered miniature Key deer | Strict 35 mph night speed limits |
| Seven Mile Bridge | 47 miles east (55 mins) | Rental car (US-1) | Walk restored 2.2-mile trestle | Paved pedestrian path to Pigeon Key |
| Marathon | 50 miles east (1 hour) | Rental car (US-1) | The Turtle Hospital & Sombrero Beach | Pre-book 90-minute hospital tours |
| Islamorada | 80 miles east (1h 45m) | Rental car (US-1) | Hand-feed tarpon at Robbie's | Stop on drive to/from Miami |
Explore boat charters and day trip transfers from Key West.
from $73.00
Key West: Double Dip 2-Stop Coral Reef Snorkeling Trip
Two distinct reef locations in one 3-hour outing. Visits the outer Florida Keys barrier reef where underwater visibility and coral formations far surpass any near-shore beach snorkeling.
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from $55.00
Key West: Morning Reef Snorkel with Breakfast & Mimosas
The best value catamaran snorkel trip in Key West. Morning departures take advantage of calmer seas and superior water clarity before midday winds pick up.
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from $74.00
Key West: Parasailing Flight Over the Island & Waters
Fly 300 feet over the boundary where the Gulf meets the Atlantic. Look down on stingrays gliding over the flats and spot the distinctive tin roofs and lighthouse of Old Town from the sky.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Day trip 1: Dry Tortugas National Park (by boat or plane)
Located 70 miles west of Key West in the open Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote and rewarding national parks in the federal system. Dominated by Fort Jefferson—a hexagonal 16-million-brick coastal fortress constructed between 1846 and 1875—the park offers crystal-clear snorkeling along the outer moat wall, powdery coral beaches, and world-class seabird rookeries on Bush Key.
Because no roads lead here, visitors arrive via the daily Yankee Freedom III ferry (a 10-hour day trip departing at 8:00 AM) or a 40-minute seaplane flight with Key West Seaplane Adventures. Ferry tickets must be reserved 3 to 6 months in advance.
Day trip 2: The Lower Keys road trip (Bahia Honda & Big Pine Key)
For a relaxed, self-guided road trip, rent a car in Key West for a day and head east along the Overseas Highway:
- Stop 1 (Mile Marker 30 - Big Pine Key): Explore the National Key Deer Refuge along Key Deer Boulevard and visit the Blue Hole observation deck to watch resident alligators and turtles in freshwater.
- Stop 2 (Mile Marker 37 - Bahia Honda State Park): Spend the afternoon swimming at Sandspur Beach, hiking the 0.4-mile trail to the severed top of the historic 1912 Flagler Railroad Bridge, and snorkeling offshore at Calusa Beach.
- Stop 3 (No Name Key): Enjoy an early tavern dinner at the eccentric No Name Pub, covered in $90,000 in signed dollar bills.
Day trip 3: The Middle Keys (Seven Mile Bridge & Turtle Hospital)
Venturing 50 miles northeast brings you to Marathon and the iconic Seven Mile Bridge:
- Walk the Old Seven Mile Bridge: Park at Mile Marker 47 in Marathon to walk or cycle the restored 2.2-mile historic railway trestle out to Pigeon Key.
- The Turtle Hospital (MM 48.5): Take a pre-booked 90-minute educational tour of this fully licensed veterinary clinic rehabilitating injured sea turtles.
- Sombrero Beach (MM 50): Cool off with an afternoon swim at Marathon's premier palm-fringed public beach.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Key West
Can you visit the Everglades on a day trip from Key West?
Technically yes, but it requires a very long day: Everglades National Park (Homestead or Flamingo entrance) is roughly 130 miles away, requiring 3 hours of driving each way. It is far better visited on your drive between Miami and Key West.
Do you need a rental car for day trips from Key West?
For highway day trips (Bahia Honda, Big Pine Key, Marathon, Islamorada), a rental car is required. For Dry Tortugas, you do not need a car as the ferry departs directly from Key West Ferry Terminal in Old Town.
How long does it take to drive from Key West to Bahia Honda?
The 37-mile drive along the Overseas Highway takes approximately 45 to 55 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
Is there public bus service from Key West to other Keys?
Monroe County Transit operates the Lower Keys Shuttle bus between Key West and Marathon (stopping at Big Pine Key and Bahia Honda), but departures are infrequent. A rental car provides far superior flexibility.
What is the best day of the week for an Overseas Highway road trip?
Tuesday through Thursday have the lightest highway traffic. Avoid driving northbound on Sunday afternoons when thousands of weekend visitors depart the Keys toward Miami.
Top day trips from Key West compared
Compare offshore islands, state parks, and wildlife sanctuaries accessible in a single day:
| Day Trip Destination | Distance / Time | Transit Mode | Top Activity | Advance Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 70 miles west (2.25 hrs) | Yankee Freedom Ferry / Seaplane | Tour Fort Jefferson & moat reef snorkeling | Essential (3-6 months ahead) |
| Bahia Honda State Park | 37 miles north (50 mins) | Rental car or regional bus | Calusa Beach & historic rail bridge trestle | Recommended park entry before 10 AM |
| National Key Deer Refuge | 30 miles north (40 mins) | Rental car | Spot miniature wild deer on Big Pine Key | No tickets needed; drive 35 mph speed limit |
| The Turtle Hospital (Marathon) | 50 miles north (1 hr 10 min) | Rental car | Guided sea turtle rescue rehabilitation tour | Recommended 1-2 weeks ahead in winter |
| Seven Mile Bridge & Pigeon Key | 45 miles north (1 hr) | Rental car + walking tram | Walk the historic railroad span over the ocean | Tram tickets available at Marathon visitor center |
Bahia Honda State Park: pristine beaches and rail bridge history
Located at Mile Marker 37 on Bahia Honda Key, Bahia Honda State Park protects over 500 acres of subtropical flora and two of the finest natural beaches in the Florida Keys. Unlike Key West engineered beaches, Calusa Beach and Sandspur Beach feature natural offshore seagrass beds and coral heads that host juvenile barracuda, stingrays, and hermit crabs.
The park defining visual monument is the Old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge, constructed between 1905 and 1912 as part of Henry Flagler Florida East Coast Overseas Railway. A paved walking trail ascends the western approach to an elevated lookout deck, providing a bird-eye panorama across Bahia Honda Channel and the emerald waters below.
The Seven Mile Bridge: marvel of the Florida Keys
Driving north from Key West brings you across the Seven Mile Bridge at Mile Marker 40, one of the longest segmental concrete box-girder bridges in the world. Parallel to the modern highway bridge sits Flagler original 1912 railway span. A 2.2-mile section of the historic bridge has been restored as a pedestrian and bicycle linear park leading out to Pigeon Key, a tiny historic five-acre island that housed over 400 railway construction workers in the early 1900s.
Reviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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