Florida Keys Vacation With Family
Visiting Key West is always a fun time, but it’s even more rewarding when you have family with you. The laid-back and tropical vibes draw in the entire family. My family, being from Miami, never had an interest in visiting Key West, but now that they’ve been here they actually like it. You can capture these moments on vacation with your family by going to the right places while sightseeing or exploring the area.
The Florida Keys are a unique island chain stretching from the southern tip of mainland Florida to the northern coast of Cuba. They pass through two separate keys, hence their name. The keys form part of an archipelago that is one of the most heavily visited regions in the country. The distinctive island chain boasts hundreds of miles of sandy beach and crystal clear waters, but also encompassed within its boundaries are a number of natural National Monuments and historical landmarks, as well as exotic wildlife. There are many resorts in Florida, but the one I would absolutely recommend is Parrot Key. Not only was it great for my family, but because it’s located far enough from downtown, it was also a little quieter. This is particularly important for vacations for families with small children — there are other parks, rides and amusements nearby.
Florida Keys Vacation With Family
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world descend on this unique series of islands for vacations. These vacationers are treated to great weather, calm clear waters for snorkeling and diving, as well as some fantastic restaurants and different types of lodging.
The Florida Keys could, for many reasons, be called the “family Keys.” Stretching for 180 miles all the way from Miami to Key West and separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean, this long, skinny string of over 800 tropical islands large and small is a superb destination for those seeking a memorable family vacation.
Why? Well, not only are the Keys chock-full of things to do, they also happen to have plenty of great family-friendly hotels and resorts to stay at, too.
The very best Florida Keys resorts for families typically offer a long list of activities on-site and in the vicinity. You’ll have access to countless exciting adventures, including everything from diving and snorkeling, kayaking, Jet Ski rentals, and exciting dolphin encounters. Add to this the many great beaches – both public and privately owned resort beaches – and that endless sunshine, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a great time for parents and kids alike.
To help you find the best places to stay during your family vacation be sure to review our list of the top Florida Keys resorts for families.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa, Marathon
Topping our list of the best family resorts in the Florida Keys is the 4-star Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa in Marathon. It’s also one of the newest luxury resorts in the Florida Keys, opening its doors to its first visitors in 2019.
The resort boasts a mile of waterfront and is set amid 24 acres of pristine tropical scenery on the Gulf side of the Keys, occupying much of Knights Key island. While easy to get to, it’s also just far enough from the busy Overseas Highway to ensure plenty of tranquility.
The resort consists of 199 rooms and suites, each with bright, contemporary décor, quality furnishings, and sea views. And you’re guaranteed a great night’s sleep thanks to top-of-the-line mattresses and bedding, as well, of course, as the peace and quiet.
A great choice of accommodation for families are the spacious two- and three-bedroom suites. Sleeping up to six guests, the large two-bedroom units come with two full bathrooms, while the even bigger three-bedroom units come with a third full bathroom plus a kitchen. For those who need even more space to spread out, there’s (an even larger five-bedroom affair that can be booked.
Excellent on-site amenities are also guaranteed to keep youngsters happy. Highlights include a choice of five outdoor swimming pools, one of which measures a whopping 4,500 square feet. There are plenty of great dining options, too. These include special kids’ menus, build-your-own pizzas fresh from the pizza oven, and a handy marketplace selling fast food and snacks.
There’s also plenty of fun to be had on the private sandy beach, including complimentary use of fun kayaks. A private pier is located on-site, and loaner bikes are also available for guests wanting to explore the surrounding are. Also worth mentioning are the resort’s full-service spa, the large and well-equipped fitness center, and conference facilities.
Address: 1 Knights Key Boulevard MM 47, Marathon, Florida
Accommodation: Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
2. Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key
Located on the island of Duck Key midway down the Keys between Marathon and Islamorada, the luxurious 4-star Hawks Cay Resort offers no-end of reasons for families to want to vacation here.
A big draw for the many larger families that stop in are the very roomy accommodations. Able to sleep up to eight guests, these larger multi-bedroom units come with kitchens featuring modern appliances, living and dining rooms, and upscale bathrooms. For those traveling with one or two kids, some of the equally attractive smaller units come with pullout couches.
There’s certainly plenty of fun for kids outside, too. Highlights include water activities centered around a pirate-themed splash pad and a large family swimming pool (one of five on the property). There’s also a fun childrens’ playground, and a variety of supervised activities are also available for kids to enjoy (and give parents a break). Bookable in advance, these fun programs cater to specific age categories from toddlers up.
The real star attraction, though, is the resort’s large saltwater lagoon. Here, guests can partake in a thrilling dolphin encounter experience. This fun activity even allows kids to get up close to these amazing creatures, a perfectly safe experience that’s always under the watchful eye of staff. Also worth mentioning is the on-site marina, which offers a variety of watercraft rentals. There’s also a teen lounge and games room, a basketball court, and fishing and snorkeling adventures.
A variety of eateries, shopping experiences, fishing charters, and boat rentals are all located nearby for those wanting to venture off the property.
Address: Hawks Cay Blvd. at MM 61, Duck Key, Florida