Marathon

Bicyclists are to navigate the entire Florida Keys island chain along scenic Overseas Highway and Heritage Trail routes during a 160-plus-mile Miami to Key West charity ride. 

Each November, food lovers are drawn to the delicious Florida Keys prior to the popular Thanksgiving weekend.

While the Florida Keys stone crab harvest runs from Oct. 15 to May 15, November’s annual Stone CrabClaw Eating Contest is an undisputed highlight of the seven-month season. The much-anticipated munch-a-thon is to draw amateur eaters and their fans Saturday, Nov. 9. 

The Florida Keys & Key West, with community efforts to sustain precious natural resources through the Connect & Protect initiative, continue to unveil ways to preserve the Keys’ environment and connect visitors who love the outdoors to the island chain’s unmatched beauty.

Through Oct. 13, visiting families can explore Florida Keys attractions, tours, watersports and other offerings with a value-added program that provides free admission for children age 12 or younger. Called Kids Free Florida Keys, the program was created by the Key West Attractions Association.

Increased efforts in volunteerism, often called “voluntourism,” contribute to the self-sufficiency and sustainability of tourist destinations like the Florida Keys, helping make the world a better place through environmental education. Advocacy groups and learning-based attractions in the Keys offer hands-on experiences that enable visitors to learn about impacts on Florida's reefs and the environment, and how the average person can help as a citizen scientist.

The hard corals of the Florida Keys reefs have spent eons developing a simple system to perpetuate the species, one of nature’s mysteries that works without human intervention or complete understanding.

As the Florida Keys ease into summer, a “Connect & Protect” initiative continues to encourage awareness of sustainable opportunities and memorable activities for visitors. Here are five points to boost your eco-awareness and inspire positive actions.