Captain Frank Betz, a native of Tampa, Florida, began fishing the Florida Straits in 2005 while working as a captain for the Boy Scouts of America at the Sea Base Camp on Summerland Key — and quickly fell in love with the Florida Keys’ fishery.
He shares his passion for fishing the deep blue waters of the Keys as the owner-guide of Folklure Fishing Charters, founded in 2017 with trips out of Summerland Key, Big Pine Key and Key West.
Frank became a Blue Star operator in 2019 — one of the first in the program. Established by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Blue Star program recognizes operators committed to promoting responsible and sustainable fishing, diving and snorkeling practices.
Folklure Fishing Charters offers four-, six- and eight-hour offshore, reef and wreck fishing charters aboard the 27-foot Leviathan, an Onslow Bay 27 Offshore Edition vessel with two 350hp Mercury Verado engines. The name “Leviathan” is a Biblical reference, noted in theology and in mythology as a sea serpent.
Frank is also the director of the annual Florida Keys PBA (Police Benevolent Association) Dolphin Tournament, benefiting the Autism Society of the Keys; the Love Fund Inc., an organization that assists families of officers killed or injured in the line of duty; and the Cub Scouts. The 2024 tournament is scheduled June 28-30 with a $15,000 prize pool.
Frank’s fish-tagging work with clients assists the Dolphinfish Research Program, which identifies migration routes, documents natural behavior of dolphin fish and stimulates additional research on the species.
The captain also enjoys educating clients about stone crab, spiny lobster, yellowtail snapper, sea turtles, frigates and pelicans, and indigenous birds and wildlife of the Keys.
A motto of Folklure Fishing Charters is “Big fish … bigger stories!” And Frank, who lives with his family on Big Pine Key, can definitely tell stories.
Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?
Frank Betz: I came here in 2005 to work at Sea Base on Summerland Key.
KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?
FB: The ocean is my passion — and fishing, boating, the wildlife and the beauty of it all.
KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?
FB: How can one not be inspired by our natural world? It’s beautiful and amazing.
KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?
FB: Whenever I can help while on a trip, we remove debris that could cause harm to the sea life. I also enjoy educating my clients about the wonderful animals who share their home with us.
KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?
FB: I am involved in fish-tagging programs to help provide accurate data so we can help create a sustainable fishery. I have also helped with debris removal from the ocean.
KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?
FB: Every day I get to head out on the water re-energizes my love and passion for the ocean and the need to make it pristine.
KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?
FB: Through education, I hope more people will be more mindful when out on the water and refrain from littering, and respect the fisheries and follow the regulations so we have a good fishery for generations to come.
KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?
FB: The message I hope people get from my actions is “respect nature.” It is beautiful and giving. We should return the favor by only taking what is needed and keeping her pristine.
KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?
FB: Fishing is my passion. A bent rod and a screaming reel, while surrounded by such beauty, is magical.
Florida Keys fun fact: Once upon a time, during an action-packed confrontation between Arnold Schwarzenegger and a pack of dastardly villains, missile strikes blew up the Keys’ Old Seven Mile Bridge.
Okay, that statement isn’t STRICTLY factual, but it’s based on fact — one of many facts about the Keys that are offbeat, slightly improbable and add an engagingly weird vibe to the colorful island chain.
So what’s the real story? Well, in the early 1990s, before he became California’s governor, Arnold starred in a film called “True Lies” that was shot partially in the Keys.
The plot, featuring a spy whose personal and professional lives collided in a madcap caper, involved a sequence of helicopter stunts and an explosion on the iconic Middle Keys bridge.
Needless to say, it wasn’t the real bridge — but the narrow expanse of roadway unrolling above blue water sure looked like the real thing.
Throughout the Keys, you’ll hear stories that sound as unlikely as the saga of Arnold and the exploding bridge. Some are flat-out tall tales, but a surprising number are true. For example …
FUN FACT ONE: Key Largo is the site of the world’s only underwater hotel. It’s called Jules’ Undersea Lodge, and dive enthusiasts can spend the night there (with amenities including pizza delivery) among the marine life of the Keys. Imagine waking up to see vividly colored fish peering into your bedroom window, trying to catch a glimpse of the strange human creatures unexpectedly sharing their habitat.
FUN FACT TWO: Speaking of unusual things beneath the sea, every year the Lower Keys stage what is probably the world’s only Underwater Music Festival. Created to encourage coral reef protection and eco-conscious diving, the quirky annual concert draws divers, snorkelers, curious fish and even characters costumed as mermaids and other denizens of the deep. It’s held at the acclaimed Looe Key Reef, with water-themed music broadcast by a local radio station and piped undersea by special speakers.
FUN FACT THREE: Moving from oceanic to land-based elements, many visitors to Key West are surprised to find roosters and chickens running wild in the historic Old Town neighborhood. The free-range fowl are supposedly the descendents of chickens kept for food and roosters bred for cockfights before the practice was outlawed. Today, at Key West’s funky Blue Heaven (a renowned eatery whose fans included the late singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett) “breakfast with the roosters” is served in an outdoor courtyard where resident hens and chicks wander freely.
FUN FACT FOUR: In the Middle Keys (yes, the area where Arnold had his adventure on the bridge), dolphins instead of chickens take center stage — for their math skills! That’s because Dolphin Research Center, a renowned research and educational facility that’s home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, spearheaded a groundbreaking study some 20 years ago that showed dolphins have the mathematical ability to compare quantities — and can understand the numerical concept of “less.” Today, dolphin cognition studies continue at the respected center.
FUN FACT FIVE: Islamorada may not have mathematical dolphins, but each December it’s the site of another unusual phenomenon: snow. Now, bear in mind that weather forecasters have never officially recorded snow in the Keys. But during each year’s Florida Keys Holiday Fest, a 30-ton mountain of the white stuff mysteriously appears for young attendees to play on (and even make snowballs!). It’s an eagerly anticipated delight in Islamorada’s subtropical December temps.
Want additional Florida Keys fun facts to startle and amaze your friends? Trust me, there are plenty more. So make plans for a visit soon — and enjoy discovering them while exploring the wonderfully wacky island chain for yourself.
Maybe chart-topping rock stars aren’t abandoning their guitars to play the conch (pronounced “konk”) shell. But that doesn’t matter — because the “pucker pros” performing on fluted, pink-lined shells were treated like rock stars at Key West’s 61st annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest.
Locally nicknamed the “conch honk,” the quirky challenge was held March 9 in the lovely gardens of the Oldest House Museum. As it’s done for six decades, the fun-filled event saluted the Florida Keys’ seafaring heritage and centuries-old use of the “conch horn” for signaling and communication.
It’s not easy to be a consistently good conch shell blower, and many people can only produce blasts or feeble squawks. But that certainly wasn’t the case for Peter Drake and Brian Cardis, who tied for first place in the competitive men’s division — after both demonstrated their “pucker power” by playing distinctive song excerpts on their trusty shells.
Of course, they’ve both had a good bit of practice.
Brian, a pediatric cardiologist from Macon, Georgia, played part of Elton John’s hit “Crocodile Rock,” alternating between large and miniature shells while wearing glittery glasses like those favored by England’s musical superstar.
“I tried to pick a song that was fun and a crowd pleaser, and one that would fall in line with the limited amount of notes that you can play on a conch shell,” explained Brian, who also won the men’s division in 2023.
Peter, a mental health counselor from North Stonington, Connecticut, chose the traditional tune “Amazing Grace” — a tune he said he often played at sunset on his sailboat.
He first entered the contest as a teen about 50 years ago, and offered some tips for aspiring “conch honkers.”
“I would give the advice of start slowly, learn that bass note that the conch shell has within it, and just play it nice and clear — as clear as they can,” Peter said.
He obviously knows what he’s talking about, since his rendition of “Amazing Grace” was sincere, clear and flawless.
The tradition of blowing the conch shell in the Keys began hundreds of years ago. In the 1800s, when the local economy was largely based on salvaging shipwreck cargoes, sailors attracted attention by blowing piercing blasts on the shell.
Brian and Peter weren’t the only notable entrants in the 2024 contest. Some four dozen kids and adults competed, including two heart-meltingly cute little girls with long hair and determined expressions. One woman, Christiane “Sunny” Neubauer, came all the way from Germany.
Contest judges evaluated the participating men, women, kids and groups on the quality, duration, loudness and novelty of the sounds they made (and some sounds were so novel that they were downright embarrassing).
Other “conch honkers,” however, gave remarkable performances — like Florida Keys duo Joseph Cosme and Eddie Strunk, who took top honors in the group division after playing a lively improvisational duet. And Key West’s Clinton Curry served up a brilliant excerpt from composer Aram Khachaturian’s “Sabre Dance” — a complicated melody on ANY instrument.
As well as an offbeat musical instrument, the conch shell is an enduring symbol of the Florida Keys. The slightly tough meat of the hardy mollusk is the prime ingredient in conch chowder, conch fritters and other traditional dishes. Native residents proudly proclaim their own tough, hardy nature by calling themselves “conchs” and their home the Conch Republic.
The “conch honk” was presented by Key West’s Old Island Restoration Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of the island. Clearly, the contest plays a major role in carrying out the foundation’s mission — much to the delight of the “rock stars” who gathered to toot their own horns this year at the Oldest House.
Fred the Tree — the Florida Keys’ beloved, thriving and resolute “celebri-tree” that grows improbably on the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge — is soon to debut as a movie star.
Fred the Tree is featured at the beginning of the new remake of “Road House” when actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays main character Elwood, arrives in the Florida Keys on a Greyhound bus. Elwood is portrayed as a former UFC middleweight fighter hired to clean up a roadhouse in the island chain.
The original 1989 action cult classic starred Patrick Swayze as Dalton, hired as a bouncer in a honkytonk bar, who protects a small town in rural Missouri from a corrupt businessman.
The world premiere of the “Road House” remake is set for March 8 at the South by Southwest film conference in Austin, Texas, as the event’s opening-night movie. It’s scheduled to begin streaming March 21 in the U.S. on Prime Video by Amazon MGM Studios. (Most of the movie, however, is actually filmed in the Dominican Republic.)
The Keys’ iconic Fred is a salt-sprayed Casuarina, or Australian pine tree. He’s growing out of the roadbed of the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge, completed in the early 1900s as part of the famed Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.
Now eroded and no longer used, the span parallels the newer bridge between Marathon and the Lower Keys that’s traveled by drivers today.
Fred’s name is an acronym reputedly made up years ago, with the letters F-R-E-D culled from “For Real Enjoyment Driving,” according to Keys residents who help tend to Fred.
Cited by name in the “Road House” remake script as “a lonely tree sitting out in the middle of a bridge,” Fred is considered a metaphor for main character Elwood’s solitary personality.
Now standing some 50 feet tall, Fred may have originally sprouted from the droppings of a passing bird. Despite the salt-sprayed, sun-seared old bridge’s lack of tree-friendly soil, he continues to thrive against all odds — just as many of the Keys’ fiercely independent and determined residents do.
He even has a smaller 20-foot-tall companion, named “Randi” by locals to honor a Fred friend who died of cancer.
Fred has an avid fan base and his own Facebook page with 34,000 followers, maintained by a Keys resident — plus a clothing line (!) at Bayshore Clothing in Marathon. According to local lore, the venerable tree has even been blessed by the Pope.
Access to Fred’s section of the bridge called “Old 7” is prohibited due to safety concerns. However, since December 2008, a merry band of some 35 local “elves” has somehow made it onto the dilapidated span during the holiday season to raise a giant star and decorate Fred with lights and artistic ornaments — and surround him with two large white angels and a Menorah brought from Key West.
The elves, who remain anonymous, unofficially notify authorities ahead of the annual decorating festivities. Once the holiday season is over, they quietly remove the lights and ornaments.
As well as being decorated for the festive season, Fred has been memorialized in a children’s book by author and illustrator Leigh Guest. The book chronicles the tale of “the old tree who is loved by all, but is left to face life’s most challenging events alone.”
Fred is also the subject of joyful new song by Lower Keys musician Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band.
Livingston, who recently released a CD titled “House Down by the Sea,” describes Fred as “our symbol of hope and determination.”
Penned and performed by Livingston, the song features a catchy refrain: “Fred the Tree, Fred the Tree. Lives on a bridge, above the sea. Against all odds, he grows and grows. How he does it, nobody knows.”
Today Fred remains stalwart, growing ever taller as he sways and nods to those discovering or returning to the Florida Keys — a living symbol of the resilient subtropical island chain.
Dan Dawson, co-owner with wife Mollie of Key Largo’s Horizon Divers, certified by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as an environmentally responsible Blue Star operator, discovered his life’s passion at an early age.
Dan’s father constructed shopping malls in several states and helped build part of Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Dan worked with his dad’s building business in Denver, Colorado.
But earning his dive certification at age 21 in the Keys changed the trajectory of his life. He began taking vacations to go diving, got his captain’s license in Stuart, Florida, and moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to captain sailing boats and dive.
Today Dan is one of just a handful of Keys divers specializing in JJ-CCR, a rugged and highly technical rebreather developed for highly experienced divers that recycles diver breathing gas in a closed system. The rebreather makes underwater diving silent and nearly bubble-free.
Dan is also acclaimed for leading the 2022 rescue of Harris, a 175-pound pregnant sea turtle — the second largest on record that’s been rescued. Harris, who had a weighted fishing lure snagged between her neck and a fin, was rehabilitated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon and later released.
Dan is an avid underwater photographer and has served as a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary advisory council member.
He and Mollie met in middle school and have been married for 25 years. They have three children: Madeline, who is earning her doctorate in physical therapy; Gavin, a student at Florida State University; and Haylie, a junior in high school.
The Dawsons take pride in providing individual customized service to Horizon Divers’ clients. And in line with Horizon’s Blue Star certification, they are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact.
Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?
Dan Dawson: The first time I was in the Keys was on a family vacation in 1994. That was also when I learned how to dive. My wife and I purchased Horizon Divers in March 2005.
KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?
DD: Being in the water almost every day and enjoying the outdoors. Diving, snorkeling, kayaking or boating with my family.
KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?
DD: Growing up in Colorado and enjoying the mountains gave me a respect for the outdoors as a child. Moving to the Keys and seeing how people react to the beauty of the water and the reefs is refreshing, which keeps me involved as much as I can to help protect this wonderful place we call home. Also I want my kids — and, one day, grandkids — to be able to enjoy the Keys as well.
KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?
DD: I keep the shop and myself very involved with many events to help promote a healthy environment and to protect our reefs and wrecks.
KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?
DD: Horizon Divers does multiple reef and wreck cleanups every year to clean up the trash out on the water. We are also very involved with Reef Environmental Education Foundation and Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo throughout the year.
KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?
DD: Seeing our young adults and kids learn about our environment and how to protect it for the future.
KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?
DD: That we have some of the most beautiful reefs and wrecks in the world, but they need our help to protect them.
KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?
DD: Diving is my passion and I love to be underwater and take pictures of our wildlife.
There are fish of legends and legends of fish in the Florida Keys. Guest blogger Allison Delashmit, executive director of the Lower Keys Guides Association, presents a story about both.
Roughly 18 years ago, a new permit tournament was born in Key West: the March Merkin. An event that’s hard to fish and hard to win, with the longest-running waitlist of any permit tournament in the world, the March Merkin is a fly-fishing challenge held every year in March with inconsistent (if not downright challenging) weather.
The fish of interest, Trachinotus falcatus or permit, is often elusive but always thrilling to catch — and can be found on and around the shallow-water flats of the Florida Keys. Permit are big, smart fish that have been highly coveted by fly fisherman coming to the Keys for decades.
Some say that catching a permit on fly in the Keys is the crème de la crème for dedicated permit fishermen; most anglers and guides say it’s the hardest fish to catch consistently in the entire island chain.
Basically, all the stars have to align with the weather, the cast, the fly and the fight to conclude with a joyful, successful release.
The March Merkin is unique for many reasons. Tournament co-founders Jon Ain and Dave Horn wanted to hold a permit tournament in March every year because it’s the unofficial start of the backcountry fishing season.
In addition, the timing of the tournament coincides with pre-spawning behavior of the fish, creating an active eating pattern for them as they prepare to move to their breeding grounds.
The food of choice for permit is small swimming crabs, which calls for a special crab-like fly or lure dubbed the “merkin.” This fly was designed by two legends, Del Brown (an angler credited with catching and releasing the largest amount of permit on fly ever recorded) and Steve Huff (regarded by many as the best shallow-water fishing guide alive).
The fly has a wide body tied with stiff brownish-tan yarn, with tan-and-white colored rooster feathers to resemble claws, rubber legs and heavy eyes placed toward the front of the hook — giving it a quick realistic dive to the bottom at a steep angle upon landing in the water.
Prior to its invention, eager fisherman used flies that resembled shrimp or smaller fish. However, the merkin fly quickly became established as the best fly for permit, as well as being attractive to other fish like bonefish.
The name of the fly — and subsequently the tournament — is also legendary. The name “merkin” originated in the 1450s as the name of pubic wigs made from yarn and worn by prostitutes after they shaved their private parts for hygiene. (Yes, really!)
Some say the tournament could have been named after co-founder Ain’s beloved dog, Merkin. While organizers admit they’ll never know for sure, the wry wit of the legends that created the original fly and the tournament suggests the true answer …
Ain, who has been posthumously referred to as the Permit Whisperer, was also a conservationist. A few years after the tournament started, he became concerned about the health of the fishery — especially after noticing permit appear on the menu in various local restaurants.
At that time, there was no legislative protection for the commercial harvest of the species. That’s when March Merkin directors decided to donate tournament proceeds to Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Their support kicked off Project Permit, a decade-long research initiative to help identify and resolve threats to the permit fishery in the Keys.
One of the longest-running permit tournaments in the world, the March Merkin continues to benefit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Although the tournament always has a full roster of participants, people can still become involved. The annual online silent auction, open to the public, is the biggest way to contribute to the current and future science and conservation of the iconic permit fishery.
Auction items up for bid include premium charter days with some of the best guides in the Florida Keys, rods and reels, original art and more.
The 2024 March Merkin online auction starts at 6 p.m. Monday, March 11, and runs until 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14. To register to bid, visit marchmerkin.com. Do it now, bid generously, and help support a very important conservation effort.
An unnerving practice is eroding the joy and discovery of visiting new places (or returning to old favorites). It’s known as “business travel,” and it has become so pervasive that more and more work-obsessed souls feel guilty if they take a trip purely for pleasure.
Frankly, that’s a miserable state of affairs. Traveling should be an escape from “real-world” business pressures, and an unstructured interval to remember that personal priorities are WAY more self-defining than professional ones.
If you’re one of those people who can’t let go of your business-first mindset, please consider these three “transitional” guidelines to ease your guilt during a pleasure trip to Key West. (The guidelines’ seemingly businesslike approach might seem familiar, but beware — the suggestions are sneakily designed to induce enjoyment.)
How to Dress for Success: Even bank presidents rarely wear suits and ties in Key West — this is a city where dressing up means unearthing your “formal flip-flops” from the back of the closet.
Bring shorts or sundresses, a swimsuit to wear when snorkeling the coral reef that parallels the Florida Keys, and a sweater or light jacket for those breezy evenings.
Ladies, do not even consider packing pantyhose. Rumor has it that such barbaric articles of clothing are confiscated at the city limits.
Where to Conduct a ‘Power Lunch’: In Key West, the power to relax is prized above all — and a prime site for relaxation-seeking seafood lovers is the Hogfish Bar & Grill, a hard-to-find hideaway on neighboring Stock Island.
Most diners at the funky locals’ watering hole prefer to sit outdoors at weathered picnic tables, overlooking picturesque houseboats and sailboats moored at the adjacent docks.
The restaurant’s signature dish is hogfish, a diver–caught fish with a light yet flavorful taste, but all kinds of Keys seafood is served including a world-class smoked-fish dip. For directions (because the Hogfish really IS hard to find), click here.
Top Networking Spots: Networking in Key West often means connecting with an expert fishing guide or low-key literary legend instead of a corporate contact. Highly recommended for such pursuits is the Afterdeck Bar at Louie’s Backyard, an upscale open-air spot on the Atlantic Ocean where local personalities and visiting celebrities gather to share tall tales and cocktails.
Tucked into a quiet neighborhood, Louie’s itself is a gourmet restaurant in a restored historic home — ideal for an unforgettable dinner. For details and reservation info, click here.
Probably the most important “business traveler” in Key West history was former President Harry S. Truman, who spent approximately six months of his 1945-1952 administration at a sprawling residence dubbed the Little White House.
Truman used his sojourns on the island to review and revise policies, hold significant meetings and make important decisions away from the pressures of Washington D.C. Setting an example for future visitors, he also relaxed in Key West — abandoning his customary presidential attire for casual garb, and spending plenty of time at his treasured piano and poker table.
Today the Little White House is meticulously restored and open for tours as Florida’s only presidential museum. When you explore it, you’ll find the piano and poker table placed as prominently as they were in Truman’s day.
Of course, if you absolutely HAVE to select a spot for an important business meeting, Key West should top your list of prospective locales. Business travelers will find 21st-century technology and services in the island city, paired with a chance for some downtime to escape those “real-world” stresses.
The combination is so conducive to successful gatherings that, some 20 years ago, the U.S. State Department chose the island as the setting for landmark peace talks between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two warring leaders, who hadn’t met face-to-face in years, ended up sharing a tall-ship cruise at sunset.
Now THAT’S business travel … with a Key West twist.
From special animal encounters to meeting sea turtles in their very own hospital, the Florida Keys & Key West offer an array of family-friendly activities to captivate the young and young at heart. For example …
Bird lovers can visit the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary run by the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center at MM 93.6 in Tavernier. While the nonprofit conservation center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured and displaced native wild birds, the sanctuary shelters more than 60 ill, injured or orphaned wild birds that cannot be released — and are all housed in a natural setting.
Islamorada’s lush tropical oasis, Theater of the Sea at MM 84.5, features a variety of fish and marine life, native birds, colorful and personable parrots, sea turtles, crocodiles and exotic plants. Established in 1946, Theater of the Sea is the second oldest mammal facility in the world. Visitors can swim with bottlenose dolphins, stingrays and sea lions; enjoy wild animal exhibits and view parrot, dolphin and sea lion shows at this attraction.
Feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina, MM 77.5 in Islamorada, could be considered the most cost-effective attraction in the Keys. Visitors pay just $2.50 for all-day dock access and $5 for a pail of baitfish to hand-feed the large tarpon, popular gamefish that hang around on an almost year-round basis. Robbie’s also offers paddleboards and kayaks for rent, snorkeling and snuba excursions, eco-tours, private fishing charters (including special “family fishing” experiences) and a party fishing boat for comfortably priced angling off Islamorada — known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World.
Dolphin Research Center at MM 59 on Grassy Key is an education and research facility where families can see dolphins and sea lions in action in a variety of fun-filled sessions. DRC also offers great interactive programs for all ages, including painting with a dolphin and a family dolphin splash — or even being a trainer for a day. Kids love the water recreation “sprayground” where they can splash through water that shoots from marine and island-themed figures while dolphin, whale, and manatee sounds play.
Feeding the fish is not permitted in the open waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary — but at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, a unique spot at mile marker 53 in Marathon, families can swim with and feed the fishes while learning about the region’s marine habitats. Visitors can safely feed sharks and other predators through small holes in a thick acrylic barrier. Another highlight is interacting with debarbed stingrays. Additional interactive experiences, such as an immersive coral reef encounter, are available as well.
Opened in 1986 at mile marker 48.5, the Turtle Hospital treats injured sea turtles and, whenever possible, returns them to their ocean home. During daily educational tours, visitors of all ages can “meet” the resident rescued sea turtles and learn about the hospital’s healing programs for loggerhead, green, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley turtles. The Turtle Hospital was the planet’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital for these fascinating creatures — and even has special “turtle ambulances” to transport patients.
Kids of all ages can try spotting Key deer, an endangered species that lives only in the Lower Keys. These shy, appealing creatures are about the size of a large dog and can be found grazing all around Big Pine Key, especially during early morning hours and around dusk. To learn more about Key deer and other native species, head for the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center, located at 30587 Overseas Highway on Big Pine Key (please check the website for hours of operation).
Families in the southernmost city should visit the Key West Aquarium at 1 Whitehead St. Opened in the mid-1930s, the aquarium was one of the first family-friendly attractions in the Keys. Today it’s home to grouper, moray eels, barracuda, tropical fish, tarpon, sharks, parrotfish and more. A touch tank featuring small sea creatures is especially interesting to young children. Tours, public presentations and feedings take place throughout the day.
Next door to the aquarium stands the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum, where history comes to life with re-creations of the shipwreck salvage and wrecking era through live actors, film and artifacts from the wreck of the Isaac Allerton, which sank off the Keys in 1856. The business of salvaging goods from ships wrecked on Florida Keys reefs made Key West the richest U.S. city per capita in the mid-1800s. Guests can explore the museum while learning about the unique industry, and can even climb the facility’s 65-foot lookout tower.
The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, 1316 Duval St., is the only butterfly facility in the country that also houses pink flamingos. In the soaring 5,000-square-foot glass-domed tropical butterfly habitat, families can walk among hundreds of living butterflies from 50 to 60 species — and view tiny exotic birds and flamingos Rhett and Scarlett — in a lush rainforest-like setting. Flamingo fans can “flamingle” with Rhett and Scarlett during pre-booked evening encounters.
Want to discover more family-friendly activities in the Florida Keys? No problem — just click here.
Michelle Nicole Lowe, one of the Florida Keys’ best-known artists, paints colorfully whimsical and expressive wide-eyed marine life, wild birds and multi-hued flora and fauna.
Through her artwork, she promotes conservation of the Keys’ natural life — sea turtles, tarpon, herons, indigenous creatures, subtropical florals, mangrove hammocks and more.
While Michelle can be found most days painting at her Islamorada bayside gallery, she’s also creating an in-home studio for her watercolors, oils and colored pencil renderings. Future plans include displaying her works at The Hale Gallery in Islamorada.
She’s expanding her artistic product offerings with T-shirts for the Upper Keys’ Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, hats with depictions of tarpon and turtles, and Tervis tumblers.
A University of Florida graduate with a degree in finance, Michelle worked in corporate finance for two years in Washington, D.C., after college. The fifth-generation Keys resident also studied painting in Florence, Italy, for a year.
“I love a lot of color; color and patterns,” she said, describing her works as “replications of God’s creations.”
Michelle spends much of her free time paddleboarding, fishing and snorkeling with husband Captain Camp Walker, a fly-fishing guide based at Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar’s marina in Islamorada, and their two boys. The boys are sixth-generation Keys residents: William, 6, who recently sold his own painting, and Davis, 4. She also homeschools them.
“We teach as many friends and visitors as we can about our ecosystem and how it’s all connected,” Michelle said.
Keys Voices: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?
Michelle Nicole Lowe: As a young girl, my family trailered our boat on the old narrow bridges down to Key West regularly. We stayed at Garrison Bight for the weekend. My dad’s family is from Key West, and he had a remarkable memory of each fishing, snorkeling, sand dollar, lobster spot off of Key West. He’d pull up to a sandy spot in the middle of nowhere and say, “Jump in! There are tons of sand dollars right here!” And there were. We were lucky kids!
KV: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you?
MNL: Our precious environment and wildlife, and the kindness of the people here. Here in Islamorada, I appreciate the kindness and goodness of our community.
KV: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world?
MNL: I do a lot of snorkeling with my two sons. I want them to enjoy each tiny part of our environment I got to enjoy as a child, and I want their children to see it too! I’m thankful we have so many organizations growing and planting coral.
KV: How does that passion influence your work or profession?
MNL: Inspiration from the Keys’ amazing marine life. The colors and patterns and personalities of each creature make me want to paint them!
KV: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle?
MNL: Working with local organizations to spread knowledge, learn and help through cleanups. I’ve used my artwork to raise money for Mote Marine Lab and Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. I’m thankful for the Turtle Hospital and the Wild Bird Center. We’ve brought them pelicans, an osprey, songbirds and a bald eagle injured in the mangroves.
KV: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?
MNL: To preserve our ecosystem so that my children and their children, and their children, too, can enjoy it the same way I have. We have amazing wildlife here. On a short paddle off Islamorada, we see manatees, snapper, dolphin, magnificent frigatebirds, pelicans, ospreys.
KV: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish?
MNL: ALL of us can make an impact. I’m doing a small part to spread the word.
KV: What message do you want your actions and example to communicate to people you encounter?
MNL: Leave nature how you found it. Visit an organization to see what they’re doing and how you can help. There are so many: Mote Marine in Key Largo, Islamorada and Summerland Key; Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, with a beautiful sanctuary in Tavernier (a perfect place for artists to see wild birds up close); Florida Bay Forever in Islamorada; Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Rescue in Key Largo; and the Turtle Hospital. You can also learn from rangers at all our beautiful state parks.
KV: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?
MNL: All of it! I frequently get to paddle or fish in the Everglades with my family. Snorkeling is my favorite.
If you’re making plans to explore the Florida Keys, there’s a new way to do it — a way that’s fun, fascinating and focused on nature. You can now discover the island chain’s eco-attractions and environmental offerings by using the free Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail pass.
In a nutshell, it’s a mobile-exclusive digital pass that lets you check in at area businesses and earn points while exploring the rich natural world and wildlife of the Keys — the appealing and intriguing southernmost island chain in the continental United States.
The Eco-Experience Trail pass includes nearly 50 geo-tagged, bookable activities that encourage you to experience and connect with the Keys’ environment and sustainability initiatives.
It was created by the island chain’s tourism council along with technology company Bandwango.
So how does it work? First, access the pass at fla-keys.com/experience and activate it. After that simple step, you can begin exploring parks and nature tours, wildlife centers and refuges, coral restoration opportunities, eco-adventures and much more from Key Largo to Key West.
The pass also features fishing, diving and snorkeling tours in the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary that surrounds the Keys — many conducted by sanctuary-certified Blue Star operators who are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable recreation practices that reduce environmental impact.
Upon checking in at a location on the pass, you’ll receive points based on the level of the experience. Once a specific number of points is earned, you can exchange them for Keys-focused prizes.
Plus some participating businesses provide value-added offerings or incentives.
So what kind of adventures are spotlighted on the Eco-Experience Trail pass? Read on for a small sampling of those you’ll find.
ONE: Discover one of the United States’ largest tracts of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock at the 2,683-acre Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. It’s home to 84 protected animal and plant species and features over 6 miles of trails — making it a prime place to hike.
TWO: Go catch-and-release fishing in the tranquil, shallow flats off the Upper Keys with Captain Barry Hoffman of Florida Keys Flats Fishing, a Blue Star–certified operator. Search for species like bonefish, tarpon, snook and redfish while spotting local birds and exploring mangrove estuaries and the unique the Keys backcountry.
THREE: Cycle, walk, run, rollerblade, view a variety of marine life and watch sunrises and sunsets along a restored 2.2-mile section of the famed Old Seven Mile Bridge that parallels the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Nicknamed “Old Seven,” the oft-photographed Middle Keys span is sometimes described as a linear park, and also serves as the gateway to historic Pigeon Key.
FOUR: Tour Big Pine Key’s Grimal Grove, a 2-acre fruit farm billed as the first and only breadfruit grove in the continental United States. Take a 90-minute guided “fruit hunting” excursion to learn about (and taste!) exotic subtropical and tropical fruits. You might even get to press your own sugar cane.
FIVE: Observe dolphins in the wild with Honest Eco Sustainable Nature Tours. Climb aboard SQUID, Key West’s first electric-powered charter boat, for an eco-friendly four-hour dolphin watching and snorkeling tour. Departing from the Key West Historic Seaport, it’s biologist guided and absolutely unforgettable.
“The Eco-Experience Trail pass is an easy-to-use, mobile-based ‘passport’ that introduces visitors to the best of the Florida Keys’ natural attractions,” said Rita Irwin, chair of the tourism council. “Once they connect with the island chain’s environment, they can make eco-conscious choices that help protect it.”
And who wouldn’t want to protect and preserve the region’s one-of-a-kind natural world? So check out the pass today, and start planning your “eco-experience” escape to the Keys.