Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys

The Florida Keys & Key West, internationally known for their longstanding heritage of diversity, are a leading LGBTQ vacation destination. The southernmost U.S. island chain continues to appeal to LGBTQ visitors with ever-evolving “only in the Keys” experiences and communities renowned for their welcoming and accepting attitude.

WLRN, South Florida’s National Public Radio affiliate, and the Florida Keys & Key West tourism council have partnered to offer families free or reduced-price admission passes to nearly 20 Florida Keys attractions and museums Friday through Sunday, Aug. 26-28.

Mike Ward of Spokane, Washington, caught and released six permit to earn 900 points and the title of grand champion angler at the 2022 Del Brown Permit Tournament that ended July 13.

Many Florida Keys visitors and residents participate in the annual two-day spiny lobster sport season and the traditional lobster harvesting season, and Keys officials want everyone to have an enjoyable, safe and environmentally low-impact experience.

June through December 2022 Florida Keys Fishing Tournament Highlights

For Florida Keys leisure travelers and residents, both the two-day lobster sport season in July and the traditional lobster harvesting season that begins in early August are like annual holidays.

Divers interested in viewing the underwater phenomenon of coral spawning can join Florida Keys dive operators during select coral spawning charters — twilight trips to shallow reefs on or around the full moons in August and September to watch the reproductive action along the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef.

Team Lower Keys Tackle scored a 24.45-pound dolphin fish to take first place and a $7,500 cash prize in the 29th annual Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament that ended June 12.

The 29th annual Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament has been rescheduled to take place Friday through Sunday, June 10-12 — postponed a week because of inclement weather forecast for South Florida and the Florida Keys during the original June 3-5 dates.