January 2023: As the Florida Keys embark on the 200th year of the establishment of Monroe County - the area that covers the five districts of the Keys - the destination continues to spotlight sustainability with its coral restoration initiatives, while resorts showcase their range of new offerings with added villas and stand-alone cottage-style units.

In 2023 heritage activities are planned to celebrate Monroe County's 200th anniversary on 3 July, focusing on the rich history and culture of the Keys and the island chain's place in Florida's history. Further details are due in the coming weeks.

Among what's new this year:

Keys Transportation

Key West International Airport has started construction on its 2.5-year, $100 million Concourse A terminal expansion, with completion targeted for summer 2025. The new second-level concourse is to feature about 50,000 square feet of space including an extensive contemporary departure area, additional baggage areas and an upgraded checkpoint supporting up to four security lanes. Seven passenger boarding jet bridges are to provide all-weather access linking the terminal and aircraft, while an extended passenger bridge is to connect the existing terminal building with the new concourse. For international travellers, services from Miami International Airport can easily connect to Key West.

Keys Accommodation

In Islamorada, Chesapeake Beach Resort is scheduled to open three new villas and a new boat ramp and dock by late January. This complements the eight new oceanfront villas that opened in the autumn. The resort also offers 60 rooms and suites each with its own kitchenette, access to two pools and a beach venue that is perfect for gatherings. Kayaks and fishing rods are available for hire.

A new nature resort in the Middle Keys on Crawl Key, Valhalla Island Resort, is under development. With more than 175 acres, it's billed as the largest resort property in the Florida Keys and “a new model for sustainability: committed to preserving the community and promoting the sport of fishing.” The property will include a 29-room lodge, with an additional 50 villas, cottages and homes in addition to eight types of stand-alone units varied in size from studios to houses as well as conservation areas, solar panels, a spa with retail space, a fitness facility and golf carts for guest transportation throughout the vehicle-free resort. State-of-the-art sustainable design techniques are to be used including on-site renewable energy via solar and geothermal power, rainwater harvesting and storage, and orienting buildings to enhance natural ventilation. Completion is targeted within the next two years.

Keys Parks

At Everglades National Park, the all-new 24-unit Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant is slated to open in early 2023. Under construction using enhanced and modified shipping containers, the lodge will offer 24 units with kitchenettes including studios and suites fronting Florida Bay. The park's fully renovated pink Guy Bradley Visitor Center with interactive exhibits, a gift shop and expansive views overlooking Florida Bay is also scheduled to open in spring. The park - which celebrated its 75th anniversary on 3 December - is the nation's largest subtropical wilderness and the continental United States' third-largest national park.

Keys Attractions

In Key Largo, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium's third land-based Keys coral nursery is now open for complimentary public tours, which take place at Reefhouse Resort & Marina on Fridays at 10 a.m. A separate Mote satellite land-based coral nursery is located at Bud 'N Mary's Marina in Islamorada, with public tours available Tuesdays at 2 p.m.  At the Elizabeth Moore International Centre for Coral Reef Research & Restoration on Summerland Key, Mote offers public tours Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Private tours are available on request.

In Marathon, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters has a new exhibit with a Cassiopeia, or moon jellyfish, habitat located between the coral and predator reef tank viewing windows. Guided in-water experiences include a Coral Reef encounter where guests can snorkel or dive with over 2,000 fish and feed sharks or other predators through a window, Stingray Cove where guests get into the water to interact with stingrays, and a Big Shark Bay encounter where participants pet and feed an adult nurse shark. A mangrove lagoon features 50 different species of local fish including tarpon, queen angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, goliath grouper and bonnethead sharks.

In Key West's Truman Waterfront Park, the redesigned Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center is now open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays. The facility offers contemporary new exhibits that highlight Florida Keys mangrove habitats and allow interaction with life-size mangrove branches. Visitors can “dive” into the Keys' coral reef with immersive digital interactives, audio and tactile objects, and also explore its maritime heritage. The freestanding main exhibit focuses on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, while other exhibits include a colourful light-filled aquarium showcasing coral restoration, the shipwrecks of the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail and an interactive paddleboard experience through the mangroves.