Javascript is not enabled.

Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.

Skip to content
Content starts here
CLOSE ×
Search
Leaving AARP.org Website

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

An Eco-Friendly Travel Guide to the Florida Keys

Fun, memorable, sustainable things to do on a vacation in and around Key West

spinner image Two divers restoring coral for the Coral Restoration Foundation™
Coral Restoration Foundation™

| Stretching south off the U.S. mainland from Miami, the Florida Keys are a beautiful chain of islands spread over 125 miles, from Key to Key West. Like so many coastal areas, the keys’ fragile ecosystem is threatened by overt water pollution, climate change and development, but there are ecologically friendly ways to experience the islands’ wildlife and tropical beauty. These are a few:

Nature appreciation

See sea turtles on the mend. Viewing sea turtles in the wild is captivating, but the animals’ proximity to humans has meant they've been injured by boats, fishing-line tangles and other dangers. That's where the Turtle Hospital in Marathon steps in. Open to the public and a popular stop for both visitors and locals, the hospital rehabilitates injured sea turtles with the intention of release back into the wild. For those that don't recover enough to be released safely, the hospital works with accredited zoos and aquariums to find forever homes. The public is welcome to come out and watch rehabilitated sea turtles return to the sea; you can find the dates of upcoming turtle releases on the hospital's Facebook page.

Details: The Turtle Hospital's Education Center, 2396 Overseas Highway; open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with guided educational programs on the half-hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; reservations are recommended (book online or call 305-743-2552); $30 for adults, $15 for children 4 to 12.

Support bird rescue efforts. The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center (missionwildbird.com) in Tavernier, between Islamorada and Key Largo, is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wild birds back to their native homes. Birds that can released back to the wild make their permanent home at the onsite Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary. The natural refuge houses more than 90 nonreleasable birds, representing nearly 40 different species.

Details: 93600 Overseas Highway; 305-852-4486; open every day from sunrise to sunset; admission is free, though a donation of $10 per person is appreciated.

spinner image divers at Corapolooza event for the Coral Restoration Foundation™
Coral Restoration Foundation™

Volunteering

Clean up the waters. When Hurricane Irma hit the Keys in the fall of 2017, debris from land found its way to the water and remains tangled in the mangroves along the shore or submerged below the water's surface. The mission of the nonprofit Conch Republic Marine Army is to remove as much of the detritus as possible using kayaks, canoes and manual labor. To date, the organization and its volunteers have removed 408,060 pounds of it so far; that’s 204.03 tons! But there is still a lot of work to do — an estimated 2 million pounds still need to be removed throughout the Florida Keys.

Conch Republic Marine Army hosts a cleanup each Saturday morning leaving from Big Pine Key. The cleanup is free to attend, and lunch is provided; additional information about what to wear and bring is available on the website.

Details: Reservations required; email brian@conchrepublicmarinearmy.com.

Save the coral reefs. The world's coral reefs are in danger, including those in the Florida Keys. According to the Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo, “the Florida Reef Tract has lost almost 97 percent of its once-dominant staghorn and elkhorn coral” since the 1970s, leaving these species critically endangered. As an answer to this crisis, the foundation is working to restore coral reefs on a large scale by growing corals in offshore Coral Tree Nurseries and then outplanting them for continued growth. Since 2007, the foundation has planted more than 130,000 staghorn and elkhorn corals back into the Florida Reef Tract. But their work is far from finished — and you may be able to help. Snorkelers and certified SCUBA divers are invited to participate in the foundation's dive and snorkel programs to help outplant coral, or monitor Coral Tree Nurseries. Divers can also obtain a PADI Coral Restoration Certification.

Details: 5 Seagate Blvd., Key Largo; 305-453-7030; see the foundation’s website for qualifications, dates and pricing. 

Water sports

View sealife on an eco-friendly craft. Snorkelers can venture out to sea with Honest Eco Tours aboard its custom-designed Squid in Key West. Squid is one of the first electric-powered passenger boats in the U.S., specially designed to access protected, calm and clear snorkeling spots. The company's four-hour Dolphin Watch includes a guided snorkel with use of snorkeling equipment.

Details: The tour departs from 231 Margaret St. at Key West Historic Seaport, twice daily; $109 per adult, $89 per child. Book online (honesteco.org) or call 786-933-9280.

For more on sustainable travel in the Florida Keys, download the Florida Keys & Key West Travel App, which features a section on sustainability to encourage low-impact exploration.

Susan B. Barnes is a Florida-based freelance journalist with a passion for travel and the environment.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 25, 2020. It's been updated to reflect new information. 

AARP Travel Center

Or Call: 1-800-675-4318

Enter a valid departing date

Enter a valid returning date

Age of children:

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Enter a valid departing date

Age of children:

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Enter a valid departing date

Age of children:

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Flight 2

Enter a valid departing date

Flight 3

Enter a valid departing date

Flight 4

Enter a valid departing date

Flight 5

Enter a valid departing date

+ Add Another Flight

Enter a valid checking in date

Enter a valid checking out date


Occupants of Room 1:



Occupants of Room 2:



Occupants of Room 3:



Occupants of Room 4:



Occupants of Room 5:



Occupants of Room 6:



Occupants of Room 7:



Occupants of Room 8:


Enter a valid departing date

Enter a valid returning date

Age of children:

Occupants of Room 1:

Age of children:


Occupants of Room 2:

Age of children:


Occupants of Room 3:

Age of children:


Occupants of Room 4:

Age of children:


Occupants of Room 5:

Age of children:

Age of children:

Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats:

Enter a valid start date

Please select a Pick Up Time from the list

Enter a valid drop off date

Please select Drop Off Time from the list

Select a valid to location

Select a month

Enter a valid from date

Enter a valid to date