April showers bring May flowers but here in Key West, April sunshine brings more sunshine. We know it doesn’t rhyme, but we’re excited for the upcoming spring and summer months. 

April is also Earth Month, a time for us to celebrate the sea creatures, nature, outdoor activities, and more in and around Key West. 

As the weather warms up, more and more people are diving into the water where you’re bound to see local fish and more under the water. 

There are also plenty of places to visit on dry land.

Let’s check out some of the best places to spot the creatures & critters of Key West during Earth Month.

Underwater

Snorkel & discover…

You don’t have to be an experienced diver to enjoy the underwater zoo that Key West has to offer. 

With plenty of local snorkeling businesses around, you can easily grab a mask and dive into the water.

Key West has a living coral reef that is about seven miles offshore. You can see over 100 species of coral and over 500 species of fish during your adventure. You’ll also run into crabs, lobsters, rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and more. 

Here are some sea creatures you should be watching out for:

• The Parrotfish. This colorful fish looks like it rolled around in glitter to start its day.

• Loggerhead sea turtles. The most common sea turtles on Key West, these turtles can grow up to over 100 inches in length!

• Hogfish. These fish get their names from, you guessed it, looking like hogs.

• Bottlenose dolphins. Quite common around Key West, these dolphins are quite playful and love to leap around boat wakes.

• Queen Conch - we get our nickname, the Conch Republic, because of these gorgeous giant sea-snails!

• Manatees - aka, Sea Cows (but don’t call them that to their face…) ;)

• Coral reefs - The Florida Keys’ coral reef is the only coral barrier reef. Not only can you see the reef, but all the animals that call it home.

Prefer dry activities? Not to worry… there are plenty of land-dwelling creatures & critters to spot.

On Land

We’ve got butterflies…

Once you’ve dried off, it’s time to head to some natural landmarks in the area.

You need to be sure and check out the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. Consistently rated as one of the top things to do in Key West, you’ll see more than just butterflies here.

You’ll also see plenty of pink flamingos around the conservatory. Want to get a sneak preview? Check out their live webcam. 

National Key Deer Refuge

Continuing on your nature quest, think about going to the National Key Deer Refuge located on Big Pine Key. 

Here at the Florida Keys, we have our own species of deer, aptly named the Key deer. They look quite similar to white-tailed deer (think Bambi) but are much smaller.

The deer are the size of a big dog, weighing about 80 pounds on average. 

The deer refuge is also home to other species, such as marsh rabbits and silver rice rats. The refuge serves as critical habitat for endemic and migratory species. It has helped the Key deer population rebound from 27 in 1957 to almost 1000 today.

Eco-Tours in Key West

A big part of Earth Month is making sure we take care of our planet, protect the local species, and leave the world a better place for those that want to visit in the future.

Around Key West, there are plenty of eco-friendly activities to partake in. 

Besides snorkeling, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard and make your way around the water. If you want to combine your snorkeling with another activity, there are plenty of boats to channel your inner sailor before grabbing a snorkel.

Ready to Visit Key West?

We look forward to welcoming you to Key West. With the warm weather and plenty of outdoor activities, we’re welcoming guests from all around the country.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us today and get your free travel plan.