FLORIDA KEYS — The Florida Keys & Key West offer a variety of new and enhanced accommodation options, activities and experiences to tempt visitors ranging from adventurers to relaxation seekers. Explore the highlights here.

Keys Experiences

Marathon's newest sightseeing venture, Overseas Aero Tours, provides a unique opportunity to see the Florida Keys from a vintage WWII biplane. During the company's biplane rides for two, passengers can view the historic and contemporary bridges connecting the islands of the Florida Keys and spot marine life such as fish, sharks, rays and dolphins in the clear shallow waters below. 

Highlights include a bird's eye view of Marathon, Pigeon Key, Sombrero Lighthouse and the historic Seven Mile Bridge. Rides combine history and nature in a memorable, fascinating adventure for Keys visitors.

Overseas Aero Tours is a family-run endeavor. Pilots are Captain Brad Neat, who began Keys seaplane tours in 1993, and former Continental Airlines pilot Captain Evan Doumis. Both pilots are certified flight instructors and can provide flight training for those interested. 

Excursion prices start at $110 for two people and range from eight-to-10-minute tours to 60-minute flights. Overseas Aero Tours' biplane is located at the Florida Keys/Marathon International Airport, mile marker (MM) 52.2 gulfside.

For information, visit www.overseasaerotours.com and for reservations call 305-304-0015.

Pedestrians can stroll with Keys author and historian Brad Bertelli during his Historic Upper Keys Walking Tours, small-group explorations of the region's important locales and bygone days.    

The Historic Downtown Tavernier Tour spotlights neighborhoods developed by pineapple farmers and workers on Henry Flagler's Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad. During the hour-long strolls, Bertelli shares stories about people and incidents that shaped the downtown Tavernier community. Cost is $16 per person.

The 40-minute Islamorada Hurricane Tour provides an intriguing look into the island's history, its monument dedicated to the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, a storm that shaped the lives of the community, and buildings that still stand today. Priced at $10 per person, the tour also is available at night, under the light of the full moon, once monthly through December.

Walking tour hours typically are 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Saturdays, as well as Sundays by appointment. Participants must confirm in advance. For meet-up locations and tour details, visit http://historicupperkeyswalkingtours.com/.

Kids and grownups alike can build intricate, eye-catching sandcastles on the beach in Key West — and craft sand sculptures of all kinds — thanks to a partnership between a historic waterfront resort and an award-winning company specializing in sand artistry. Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort at 1500 Reynolds St. on the Atlantic Ocean, and Sand-Isle Professional Sand Sculpting have teamed up to offer 2.5-hour beachside workshops for people of all ages eager to play in the sand.

Up to six guests can enjoy the master class with Sand-Isle's Mariannevan den Broek, who has crafted massive sand sculptures to commemorate holidays, special events, proposals and more since her career began in the Netherlands almost 15 years ago.

Participants create their own sand sculpture from scratch during the workshop, which must be booked in advance through the Casa Marina's concierge or through www.sandisle.com/lessons. Cost is $49 for adults and $42 for children age 6-11, with a minimum of two people required per workshop.

For more information on the Casa Marina Resort, and to book reservations, visit www.casamarinaresort.com.  

Nostalgic visitors can enjoy a growing museum-type exhibit, Made in America No More, featured inside the Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Keys' ReStore, the organization's non-profit retail outlet that sells quality secondhand home goods and boutique clothing.

Located on Big Pine Key next to the Big Pine Flea Market, the exhibit has become a popular stop for visitors interested in seeing memorabilia from the 19th and 20th centuries. The display includes original-material items such as a Penncrest Caravelle 10 typewriter, gold-rimmed Norman Rockwell dinner plates and a Rochester Stamping Co.'s teakettle from 1888.

Thomas Greenwood, the ReStore's general manager and a former museum curator, said the exhibit attracts people from virtually all demographics and grows and evolves as objects are discovered in donations.

During summer months, the Habitat ReStore is open to the public at 30320 Overseas Highway (MM 30.5) every day except Wednesday. For information, visit http://restore.habitatlowerkeys.org. 

Keys Accommodations

Renovations are underway to convert Islamorada's popular 139-unit Islander Resort to a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort, with plans including both the existing oceanside and bayside properties. Ownership and management are to remain unchanged at the property renowned for its casual Keys ambiance, as is the historic slanted sign at its entrance at MM 82.

During the coming year, enhancements and renovations are scheduled for guestroom interiors, the lobby, public spaces and facilities. A Guy Harvey Outfitter is planned to assist guests with adventure experiences.

Rebranding efforts also include converting the resort's pool bar and grill into Guy's Beachside Grill and renovating former meeting rooms into the Trophy Room, a social lounge area for guests and small special events.

The property's recently completed conference center is to be renamed the Florida Keys Discovery Center and Theater, dedicated to showcasing the history, environmental and marine conservation efforts of the Keys in a series of state-of-the-art exhibits.

The center's first exhibit, expected to run through mid-October, is called “Preserving Eden” and features ecology-based storyboards and outdoor photography of acclaimed Florida and Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher.

The Guy Harvey Outpost brand showcases destinations dedicated to marine research and conservation, while providing families with vacation experiences that celebrate the outdoor lifestyle in a waterfront setting.

For information, visit www.islanderfloridakeys.com.   

Ramrod Key's Looe Key Reef Resort and Dive Center, located at MM 27.5, has completed extensive enhancements that provide the 35-year-old property contemporary amenities for scuba divers and snorkelers. 

Looe Key Reef's visibility, shallow depth and abundant sea life make it one of the Keys' leading locations for snorkeling. Under new ownership, the property is a professional dive and snorkel center with a full-service dive shop, charter boat, scuba classes and a pool.

Guestrooms are equipped with cable television, air conditioning, microwaves and coffee makers. In addition to in-room amenities, the resort's tiki bar provides free Wi-Fi and serves fresh seafood and burgers along with a comprehensive drink menu.    

For information and reservations, visit www.diveflakeys.com.

Deer Run Bed and Breakfast on Big Pine Key has been awarded platinum status in the GreenLeaders program spearheaded by TripAdvisor.com, one of the world's leading travel advice websites. Platinum status is the highest achievable under the program, which identifies hotels and B&Bs that are committed to green practices including recycling, water efficiency and alternative energy.

Located on a secluded Atlantic Ocean beach, close to two protected wildlife preserves in the pristine Lower Florida Keys, Deer Run is operated to reflect its innkeepers' earth-friendly mindset.

At breakfast, guests at the small Caribbean-style inn savor freshly prepared vegetarian offerings. Home-baked breads and fruits are predominantly organic and sourced locally, and the kitchen serves only organic fair trade coffee and tea.

Guestrooms feature organic cotton towels, cruelty-free eco-friendly products are used throughout the inn and water is collected in rain barrels for irrigation. In addition, all proceeds from the inn's honor bar are donated to Florida Keys animal charities.

Deer Run also is a certified member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, created to recognize the state's environmentally conscious lodging facilities, and appeared on Islands Magazine's 2009 Blue List that celebrates leaders in sustainable travel.

Deer Run is located at 1997 Long Beach Road on Big Pine Key. For more information and reservations, visit www.deerrunfloridabb.com or call (305) 872-2015.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, an award-winning luxury private island resort in the Lower Florida Keys, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a luxury guest package Aug. 30 through Sept. 3, 2013. The package includes seaplane transfers from any South Florida airport, four nights in the resort's Island Grand Suites, a private yacht tour around the Lower Keys, a 1988 bottle of Petrus Pommeral champagne and much more. Prices start at $25,000 per couple.

Located three miles off Little Torch Key in the Atlantic Ocean, the 5.5-acre property is accessible only by boat or seaplane.

Each of its 15 spacious thatched-roof bungalows offers ocean views and plush interiors. The property also includes a private pool, library and luxury boutique. In addition, its signature spa, SpaTerre, incorporates the style and traditions of eastern and western cultures with exclusive body treatments.

Little Palm Island's Dining Room delights guests with French and Pan-Latin cuisine and an extensive wine and cocktail selection.

The property also is a sought-after destination for luxury seafarers, with dock slips able to accommodate vessels up to 120 feet in length. In addition, the marina offers 575 feet of dock space bordering a protected lagoon for smaller boats.

For information and reservations, visit www.littlepalmisland.com.

Key West's Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, recently introduced a “Tweencation”Relation Trip package geared toward “tweens” and their parents available until Dec. 15, 2014. The three-night package is designed to help parents and their children age(s) 9-12 bond through dedicated activities that appeal to both adults and pre-teens.

Guests can choose from two Tweencation options: “Spaaah” Total Wellbeing that includes a series of mini wellness treatments, a culinary demo and other activities, or Wet & Wild Adventure for pure action lovers. The latter includes parasailing, charter fishing and kayaking sessions. Both trips feature a local volunteer experience.

Sunset Key Guest Cottages is located on Sunset Key, a secluded 27-acre island off Key West. Cottages are designed to encourage total relaxation, with pastel-colored wood finishes, authentic Victorian-style tin roofs and the latest in-room amenities. Daily maid and turndown service is provided alongside 24-hour launch transportation between Sunset Key and Key West.

“Tweencation” packages start at $3,000 for accommodations in a two-bedroom cottage, including all taxes, gratuities and ground transportation to off-site activities. For information and reservations, visit www.westinsunsetkeycottages.com.

Keys Environment

Members of Recyclebank®, a company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions such as recycling, now can cash in their points for value-added travel incentives from the Florida Keys.

Participating Keys tourism businesses include lodging, attractions, dive operators and more.

Recyclebank is a free, growing online community of more than four million members. They are mainstream consumers who actively engage in simple, everyday green actions. Members earn points online for performing actions including recycling at home, pledging to use less water and energy or taking a fun, easy quiz about sustainability.

Recyclebank members can learn about the Florida Keys as a vacation destination, and their natural resources and conservation efforts, at specially created pages including www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/details/learn-about-the-florida-keys-natural-resources-7905 and www.recyclebank.com/partner/the-florida-keys---key-west-com.

The unique eco-engagement platform is free to join, open to all U.S. residents, and is easy to access via a unique username and password or an existing Facebook account. To join, visit www.recyclebank.com.

Fall coral restoration workshops are available for citizen scientists interested in joining the efforts of Key Largo's Coral Restoration Foundation, dedicated to creating offshore nurseries and restoration programs for threatened coral species.

Participants go on afternoon, two-tank working dives to the coral nursery to clean and prepare corals for planting and an orientation dive at one of the restoration sites.

Amy Slate's Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo is offering specially priced stay-and-dive packages for coral restoration programs Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 12-15 and Oct. 24-27. All CRF program fees are included. Dates are subject to change, based on availability.

The CRF Educational Center is located next to the Pilot House Marina & Restaurant at 5 Seagate Blvd., where divers meet for lectures and informational seminars while participating in dive programs as volunteers.

For more information about the nonprofit conservation organization and its volunteer and Adopt-a-Coral opportunities, visit www.coralrestoration.org.

To join a coral restoration program, call 800-426-6729 or visit www.amoray.com. 

Key West's Fury Water Adventures is donating a portion of its ticket sales to MOTE Marine Laboratory to help the nonprofit restore the Florida Keys' coral reefs. MOTE is a marine research and science organization that currently is working on coral reef restoration programs in the Keys.

MOTE has created coral farms and nurseries where surviving indigenous Caribbean corals are fragmented and replicated, creating new corals to be re-planted on existing reefs where they once thrived. 

Fury Water Adventures has been providing a variety of water sports and excursions to guests for more than 20 years, with a fleet of boats and three waterfront locations in Key West. Offerings include the daylong Ultimate Adventure, morning and afternoon snorkel excursions, sunset cruises with live music, parasailing, glass bottom boat trips and more.

For information and reservations, visit www.furykeywest.com.

Keys Travel

The Islamorada Visitors Center has opened at a newly constructed 2,100-square-foot facility located at the front of Founders Park, MM 87.

The venue replaces the former Islamorada Chamber of Commerce's visitor center located at MM 83.2. Walk-in hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For information, visit www.islamoradachamber.com or call 800-FAB-KEYS or 305-664-4503.

Through Dec. 15, 2013, visitors to Key West can receive special values on museum and attraction admissions, excursions, water sports adventures, beverages and even accommodations by purchasing a Key West Vacation Pass from the Key West Attractions Association.

The $49 pass offers values on tickets for historic and museum attractions, sailing and snorkeling excursions, eco-tours, visits to nature facilities and more. Participating businesses and organizations include the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, Conch Tour Train and Old Town Trolley, Schooner Adirondack, Key West Eco Tour, and Harry S. Truman Little White House.

Passes must be purchased online before arriving in Key West. Some blackout dates apply, as does a $6 shipping and handling fee. For more information and to purchase passes, visit www.keywestattractions.org.

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)

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