Page 324 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

322  FL ORID A

z Biscayne National
Park
9700 SW 328th St, Convoy Point.
£ Miami. @ Tel (305) 230-7275.
Open daily. Closed Dec 25. 7 limited.
 Boat Tours: Tel (305) 230-1100.
∑ nps.gov/bisc
Dense mangrove swamp
protects the shoreline of
Biscayne National Park, which
incorporates the northernmost
islands of the Florida Keys.
Its waters hold the park’s Bahia Honda’s beautiful beach, the finest in the Florida Keys
greatest draw – a living coral
reef with myriad forms and The largest island in the Upper blue-water fish. Fishing boats,
over 200 types of tropical fish. Keys is Key Largo, named “long based here, offer half-day
The barrier islands are island” by Spanish explorers. trips, even if visitors are not
unoccupied, so the coral here One of its highlights is the expert anglers.
is healthier and the water even African Queen, the boat used in Long Key Bridge marks the
clearer than in the more popular the eponymous 1951 film, beginning of the Middle Keys.
parks farther south. Activities which makes short pleasure The Dolphin Research Center,
include glass-bottomed boat trips. The island’s greatest a nonprofit concern on
tours, snorkel ing, and diving – draws, however, Grassy Key, conducts
all arranged by the visitor center. are the diving the delightful “Dolphin
and snorkeling Encounter,” where
opportunities just one can swim with
x The Keys offshore in the John these endearing
@ Miami. Pennekamp Coral marine mammals.
Reef State Park. The It is also a rest home for
Running southwest off the tip park has a visitor center, sick and injured dolphins.
of the Florida peninsula are the swimming areas, and The heavily developed
Keys, a chain of fossilized coral woodland trails, but Gold ornament from Marathon Key is the
islands bordered by North it is best known for its a treasure ship main center of the
America’s only coral reef. Visitors fabulous underwater Middle Keys. Its
flock to the resorts here to reaches, which provide a primary appeal lies in fertile
enjoy several activities ranging glimpse of the extraordinary fishing grounds, and enthu-
from fishing to snorkeling. forms of coral reef life. siasts can choose from a
From the 1500s, the Keys lured Islamorada, south of Key range of angling techniques,
a succession of settlers, pirates, Largo, declares itself as the including spear-fishing and
and “wreckers.” Its development, “Sport Fishing Capital of the line-fishing. Crane Point
however, took off in the early World.” Encompassing seven Hammock has 64 acres
1900s, when rail baron Henry islands, it is known for its (26 ha) of tropical forest and
Flagler (see p286) constructed the outstanding big game fishing. mangroves, and several trails,
Overseas Railroad across the The Whale Harbor Marina on while the Crane Point Museum
Keys. It has since been replaced Upper Matecumbe Key and Nature Center explains
by the magnificent Overseas bristles with impressive deep- the islands’ history, geology,
High way, which ends at Key West. sea charter craft, used to catch and ecology.
The Lower Keys are more
rugged and less developed
Fishing in the Florida Keys
than the Upper and Middle
Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West are the Keys. The vegetation is more
area’s major fishing centers, and small marinas wooded and supports a
throughout the region offer boats for rent. different flora and fauna.
There are options to suit most budgets The most striking change,
and abilities, and one can book places on however, is in the slow and
fishing party boats or hire guides. Deep-sea languid pace of life.
fishing, an exhilarating option, appeals to After crossing the Seven
the Hemingway spirit of the angler, while Mile Bridge, visitors can head
backcountry fishing calls for stealth and
Deep-sea fishing from a cunning. The numerous bait and tackle shops for the Bahia Honda State Park,
sports boat rent out gear and sell licenses. which has the finest beach in
the Keys. Brilliant white sand
is backed by tropical forest,
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp326–8 and pp329–31

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm