April 2023: As the Florida Keys & Key West prepare to mark the island chain's 200th anniversary on 3 July 1823, here's what's new:

New “Florida Keys 200” Keys Podcast for Bicentennial

A new “Florida Keys 200” podcast, a 30-episode series showcasing the continental United States' southernmost island chain from the early 1800s to the present, is slated to launch globally in March on more than 25 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Two episodes per week are scheduled, with the podcast's last episode to air Monday, 3 July, commemorating the Florida Territorial Legislature's establishment of Monroe County on this date in 1823. Produced by Armchair Productions, episodes feature some of the Keys' most fascinating personalities including historians, wildlife experts, colourful locals, environmentalists, entrepreneurs and adventurers.

Continental US Only Breadfruit Grove Launches Homegrown Vodka Reserve

The Lower Keys' Grimal Grove, billed as the first and only breadfruit grove in the continental United States, has launched Mutiny Island Vodka – Grimal Grove Reserve, the only spirit distilled from Keys breadfruit. It's crafted in partnership with St. Croix–based Mutiny Island Reserve Vodka and is available at stores in Key Largo, Islamorada, Summerland Key and Key West. Future plans include distilling the spirit in the Keys. Grimal Grove also offers 90-minute guided “fruit excursions” showcasing species of subtropical fruits, trees and plants. Visitors can sample breadfruit and other fruits, attend plant clinics and learn about 1950s-era hermit Adolf Grimal, a recluse who designed Old Grimal Estate on Big Pine Key.

World's Longest Rainbow Flag Celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Key West Business Guild is planning a 20th anniversary celebration to commemorate the island city's famed 1.25-mile-long sea-to-sea rainbow flag, billed as the world's longest rainbow flag, with events to take place during the Pride festivities set for 7-11 June 2023. The flag was sewn in Key West in 2003 by rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker to mark the 25th anniversary of his original banner's debut. To highlight Pride 2003, it was unfurled by several thousand volunteers along the entire length of the island's Duval Street, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, with its ends dipped simultaneously into the two bodies of water in a sea-to-sea demonstration of diversity and pride.

Pride of Key West Legacy Turns 70

In Key West, the city's glass-bottom boat legacy, Pride of Key West, operated by Fury Water Adventures, is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Pride of Key West is a 60-foot glass-bottom catamaran carrying passengers on narrated eco-excursions to view the continental United States' only coral barrier reef and various coral species, along with colourful marine life such as subtropical fish, rays and sea turtles. In operation since March 1997, the air-conditioned Pride is a modern-day successor of the glass-bottom vessels which have been introducing visitors to the Keys' ocean realm for seven decades.

Keys Accommodations

At Everglades National Park, the all-new 24-unit Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant is slated to officially open this autumn. The lodge is to offer 24 units with kitchenettes including studios and one- and two-bedroom suites fronting Florida Bay. The park's fully renovated pink Guy Bradley Visitor Centre — with interactive exhibits, a gift shop and expansive views overlooking Florida Bay — also is scheduled to open in the autumn. The park is the continental United States' third-largest national park at 2,400 square miles. It celebrated its 75th anniversary in December 2022 in Monroe County's Flamingo area, a 50-minute drive from the park's entrance in Homestead, Florida.

In Islamorada, the 12-acre Sun Outdoors Islamorada is scheduled to open in May. The resort features 82 full hookup RV sites with amenities including pergolas, outdoor kitchens, patio furniture, three marinas, pool, kayak and watersport offerings, clubhouse, organised events, private waterfront cabanas, camp store, workout centre, Tiki hut and complimentary Wi-Fi and private holiday homes. Sun Outdoors also operates the Sun Outdoors Key Largo and Sun Outdoors Marathon properties.

On Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort offers a new scuba partnership through Marathon-based Better Than Most Scuba, offering snorkelling, SDI and PADI dive certification, lobstering and spearfishing courses and excursions for resort guests. With its Coast Guard–certified vessel Diane Marie — stocked with water, fresh fruit and reef-safe sunscreen — the scuba operator takes a maximum 15 divers on each trip. The 60-acre Middle Keys resort has 177 guest rooms, 250 two- and three-bedroom villas and 20,000 square feet of oceanfront meeting and event space.

Two new Florida Keys “Aqua Lodges” with waterfront two-bedroom, one-bathroom tiny house–style accommodations have been added in Marathon. An additional 38 Aqua Lodges are available for overnight stays at marinas in Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West. Each 350-square-foot lodge has a full kitchen, flat screen TV and air conditioning and accommodates up to four adults and two children.

In Key West, Mellow Ventures Backcountry Outfitters plans to unveil a catamaran cottage for overnight accommodations this spring. The new “Outpost,” a fully restored former cigar-maker's cottage that accommodates overnight parties of up to six, is built on 50-foot catamaran hulls. All-inclusive, customised Backcountry Eco Vacations include on-the-water stays, experiences and healthy meals, and feature three tiers: the Eco Outpost with a Tiki boat dockside, Eco Sailing with a dockside catamaran and Eco Adventure with overnight trips from the Dry Tortugas to Everglades National Park. Its Mellow Café & Gastropub on North Roosevelt Boulevard has expanded outdoor seating for up to 60. It serves vegan fare, artisan tacos, exotic meats and craft beer.

For more information on the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.co.uk

Media Information Only

Sam Kirton, PR Account Director at the Florida Keys & Key West UK Press Office: sam.kirton@kbc-pr.com

Rachael Mathewson, PR Account Executive at the Florida Keys & Key West UK Press Office: rachael.mathewson@kbc-pr.com

Images can be accessed here.