Cudjoe Key vacation rentals

Flutter your eyelids as you travel down the Overseas Highway and you might just miss Cudjoe, an under-the-radar island perched between the more recognizable Sugarloaf and Big Pine Keys. At less than 6 square miles and with fewer than 2,000 residents, this island is shaped like an elephant’s head and serves mostly as a tranquil beach escape, with easy access to neighboring attractions. There’s Blue Hole, the region’s largest freshwater lake, which provides opportunities for spotting turtles, alligators, and exotic birds. There’s also diving and snorkeling at the nearby Looe Key National Marine Preserve, but the real fun here happens during the yearly Florida Keys Underwater Music Festival. Key West and its plentiful attractions are just a coconut’s toss — okay, 20 miles — to the southwest.

It’s pretty much always warm on Cudjoe Key, and between November and March it’s also sunny, which tends to attract a large number of visitors. Despite the risk of summer rain, June through October are also great months to visit for snorkeling and diving, though do keep in mind that hurricanes become increasingly likely in late summer and into early fall. Come in January or February and you’ll definitely want a light jacket for the evenings. The Underwater Music Festival, during which costumed divers pretend to play subaquatic instruments, usually takes place in July.

Key West

The eccentric crown jewel of Florida’s archipelago is worth a visit for its classic Caribbean-inspired homes and lively nightlife scene. Visit old stamping grounds popularized by famous writers and cruise over to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, where you can swim with some big fish.

Looe Key National Marine Preserve

More than 150 fish species, along with plenty of sharks and rays, are known to shimmy through these waters and along the abundant coral reef, making this preserve a solid snorkeling and diving spot. There’s also an artificial reef about three miles west, where a 210-foot sunken ship offers superb wreck diving.

Blue Hole

This former limestone quarry is now a freshwater lake replenished by rainfall and visited by a large variety of wild animals, including Key deer, alligators, turtles, and numerous species of birds. The lake is part of the National Key Deer Refuge, and worth a visit for a chance to spot the majestic and miniature endangered creatures.