Lower Keys Information
The average temperature in January is 74 degrees, with the ocean's water temperature nearly the same. Temperatures in the daytime & nighttime differ only about 10 degrees.
There is no known record of frost, ice, sleet, or snow,
as the LOWEST recorded temperature is 43 degrees. Key West did, however, have hail in April, 2003.
Click here for our Lower Keys 10 day forecast.
DIRECTIONS:
After you leave Miami heading South on US Highway 1 (US1), or South on the Turnpike, 30 minutes later you are at the top of the Keys at mile marker 112 (Key Largo). The only road leading to the Florida Keys is US Highway 1. Each mile along the Highway is marked by "Mile Marker" signs. Mile Marker "zero" is found in Key West at the Monroe County Courthouse. Mile Marker numbers increase as they work their way up the Keys until US Highway 1 eventually passes through the Monroe County line north of Key Largo. Small green signs with white numbers mark each mile along US Highway 1.
Mile Marker (MM): |
Name of Key: |
Known for: |
| MM 40 |
Little Duck Key |
Veteran's Memorial Park |
| MM 39 |
Ohio Key |
Sunshine Key Camping Resort |
| MM 37 |
Bahia Honda |
Recently named the 2nd best beach in America |
| MM 34 |
W. Summerland Key |
National Boy & Girl Scout Camps |
| MM 33-29 |
Big Pine Key |
2nd largest Key, residential & commercial, home to the Key Deer, launching point for Looe Key reef and the Blue Hole |
| MM 28 |
Little Torch Key |
Residential & 3 small resorts |
| MM27 |
Ramrod Key |
Residential small resort |
| MM 26-24 |
Summerland Key |
Commercial & residential area with vacation rentals |
| MM 23-21 |
Cudjoe Key |
Mostly residential & vacation rentals, some commercial |
| MM 20-16 |
Sugarloaf Key |
Large resort & location of Bat Tower |
| MM 15-12 |
Saddlebunch Keys |
Beautiful scenic drive to Key West |
| MM 11-9 |
Big Coppitt Key |
Commercial and residential |
POPULATION: 16,416
AREA: 29,706 acres
ELEVATION: 5 feet
Geologists claim that the Lower Keys could be part of the original Appalachian ridge because of their physical characteristics. The islands have a deep foundation of fossil coral layered with oolite (egg-shaped limestone granules) and a northward alignment into the Gulf of Mexico. Some of our Islands, like Big Pine Key even feature fresh water.
The entire string of the Florida Keys is known for its tropical environment, but the cluster of islands called the Lower Keys, just above Key West, is most known for its natural setting and abundant wildlife. The Lower Keys are the least touched by man's "progress".
Click here to learn more about our rich history.
The Florida Keys consist of 42 bridges and over 300 small islands, all imaginatively named.
From the Saddle Bunch Keys to Duck Key to Ohio Key and even No Name Key,
you'll enjoy crossing over each bridge and seeing the Keys on both sides of US Highway 1,
in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
The maps on this page are supplied by Bell South in partnership with the 5 Florida Keys Chambers of Commerce. Bell South cares about our community and making it a better place for both our local population as well as our visitors! Thank you Bell South! |
