Martin Jill - Florida Keys: with Key West, Marathon & Key Largo

The Keys are all about being on and in the water. Diving in particular draws water sports enthusiasts to explore the clear waters, vibrant reefs, and sea life. Dive shops up and down Overseas Highway sell dive trips, instruction, and equipment. Fishing, too, is spectacular, bringing the rod-and-reel crowd in search of big game such as marlin, tarpon, and mahimahi as well as flats dwellers, most notably the easily spooked bonefish. On land, exploring Key West is the most popular pastime. Visitors do the Duval Crawl through the pubs and bars of Old Town. On its fringes, the island holds some of the Keys best beaches, although they are all man-made. For a more serious crowd, plenty of museums, galleries, and historic sites offer cultural stimulation.

Getting to the Islands: You can fly into Key West, but because flights are few, many prefer flying into Miami International Airport (MIA) and driving the 110-mile Overseas Highway (aka U.S. 1). Marathon has an airport, but its served only by charter flights. Theres also ferry service from Marco Island and Fort Myers Beach.

Hassle Factor: Medium to high, depending on how far you have to drive.

Nonstops: You can fly nonstop to Key West from Atlanta (Delta), Fort Lauderdale (United), Miami (American), Tampa (American, United), or Fort Myers (Cape Air).

On the Ground: There are both bus and shuttle services from the Miami airport to the Keys; the Lower Keys Shuttle runs between Key West and Marathon, offering cheap service and multiple stops.

Renting a Car: Its possible to get by without a car in Key West, but youll need one virtually everywhere else. Its usually cheaper to rent in either Fort Lauderdale or Miami if you are driving down from one of those airports. There are substantial drop-off charges if you rent in Key West but drop off your car in Miami.

The Keys offer accommodations for every type of vacationer, from fishing lodges to luxury hotels to the famed historic B&Bs of Key West.

Resorts: Name-brand destination resorts such as Westin and Marriott take care of guests every need with swimming pools, beaches, spas, restaurants, and concierges who will arrange tours and activities. Smaller resorts have a mom-and-pop feelsome every bit as luxurious as the big guys, others ultracasual.

B&Bs: Government incentives to turn headed-for-decrepit historic homes into lodgings have led to Key Wests abundance of guesthouses and B&Bs. They range from all-male gay properties and little bohemian enclaves to elegantly turned-out mansions with no luxury spared. Other Keys have a few more fine choices away from the Key West crowds and clamor.

Fishing Lodges: Its easy to find a fishing lodge in the Keys, outside of Key West. Some are simple and some more luxurious, with marina facilities on-site or close by.

Prices in the restaurant reviews are the average cost of a main course at dinner or, if dinner is not served, at lunch; taxes and service charges are generally included. Prices in the hotel reviews are the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season, excluding taxes, service charges, and meal plans (except at all-inclusives). Prices for rentals are the lowest per-night cost for a one-bedroom unit in high season.

Key Largo is great for diving and luxurious resorts and condo rentals; its proximity to the Everglades also makes it a destination for birders.

Islamorada is known for sportfishing (and at times celebrity spotting, particularly for those celebs who like game fishing).

Big Pine Key is great for fishing on a smaller scale or for kayaking.