KEY LARGO VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA

Explore the rich botanical and archaeological wealth of the Keys at the privately owned 64-acre Crane Point Hammock. Here you will not only get to see the last virgin thatch palm hammock of North America, but also a rainforest exhibit and an archaeological treasure trove of pre-Columbian and prehistoric Bahamian artifacts. The park is also home to an impressive nature museum that gives you information on Key’s wildlife through interesting exhibits, displays and even a walk-through replica of a coral-reef cave and life-size dioramas. The park is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays from noon to 5 PM. The admission fee is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors above the age of 64, $4 for students and free for children under the age of 6.

This marine animal park entertains and educates at the same time. You will get an interesting insight into the marine life inhabiting the natural saltwater lagoons and tropical gardens including the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, alligators, marine invertebrates and birds of prey. The organizers of the park collect the injured animals and treat them in this park. The park also conducts interactive programs between the visitors and the animals such as dolphins, sea lions and stingrays.

The animal shows, particularly the parrot shows, are held almost at close and personal level. A nature trail leading into a mangrove area in the park, a flamingo pool and also a Lower Keys aviary section are the added attractions of the marine park. The Theater of the Sea remains open throughout the year. The visiting hours are between 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m and the entry is by tickets.

Located along side the Bay, this wild bird center provides general, emergency, rehabilitation and recuperative services to the injured and the sick wild birds besides minimizing the environmental hazards that cause inconvenience and injuries to them.  You will find the visit a perfectly enlightening experience for you will get to learn about the wild bird life and its contribution to maintain ecological balance. Bring along your camera to shoot the large variety of big beautiful birds that include red tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, owls, egrets, pelicans, pigeons, herons, falcons and many more interesting species. The admission is free.

The Park enjoys the distinction of being the last remaining subtropical wilderness in the continental United States. This unique wildlife sanctuary is home to an incredible diversity of mammals, birds and fish. The park is open year-round, but the peak-visiting season is from mid-December through mid-April. During the summer season, from May through October, afternoon thunderstorms turn the saw grass prairie a brilliant green. Viewing wildlife in this park is a rewarding experience. Endangered species are relatively common here.

The best time to view the birds including egrets, herons, wood storks and other water birds is during the early morning and late afternoon. You can also check out the guided hiking, canoeing and swamp tromps offered by the park rangers. You can also take self-guided boat tours through inland channels or in Coot, Ponce de León, and Whitewater or Oyster bays. The park has been designated as the Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage site and also a wetland of international significance.

You can opt for a guided boat tour of the Hemingway Pass, which, according to the National Geographic is ‘the prettiest area in the Everglades’. The tour features a million and a half year old reef that is divided into two equal parts. You can ‘shoot’ fantastic views of the manatee and the dolphins playing in the vibrant waters of the Bay and also view a variety of birds flying in the Everglades National Park, Florida Bay and the Mangrove Jungle.