Florida Islands

Hopping Florida Islands: A Guide to the Best Underrated Spots

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Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life? How about visiting Florida Islands? The Sunshine State is home to many small, underrated islands that are perfect for a relaxing vacation. These are a chain of islands located off the coast of Florida.

Florida is already a popular tourist destination, known for its white sand beaches and clear blue waters.  

Here you can find some of the best, underrated spots for island hopping!

If you’re looking for a vacation that’s a little off the beaten path, look no further than Florida!

From Key Largo to Sanibel Island, there’s something for everyone. This guide will highlight some of the best-underrated spots to go island hopping in Florida.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation, this island has something for everyone.

So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for some fun in the sun!

Where are Florida Islands?

Florida is among the most popular tourist destination in the United States. The Sunshine State’s allure is simple to understand, with its magnificent beaches, massive amusement parks, and intriguing towns.

Florida islands keys

While large towns like Orlando and Miami are popular tourist destinations, you’ll be missing out if you don’t also visit some of Florida’s greatest islands.

These are a few of the best islands to visit in Florida, ranging from off-the-beaten-path coastal isles to busy locations closer to Cuba than Miami.

Surprisingly, all are accessible through one or more bridges, which is a rare but excellent benefit for visitors arriving by automobile. The following islands surround Florida:

Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a barrier island off the coast of Miami, immediately south of Miami Beach. Despite its proximity to the hustle of Miami, it is mostly a peaceful residential neighborhood.

Gasparilla Island
Gasparilla Island is a tiny barrier island off the coast of Florida’s west coast. Despite its proximity to towns like Port Charlotte and Cape Coral, Gasparilla Island has a much more laid-back environment.

Key Largo
Key Largo is among the first places you’ll notice when you travel south from Miami and begin visiting the Florida Keys. Many travelers skip Key Largo on their way south since it is the first major destination in the Florida Keys. On the other hand, Key Largo is worth a lengthier stop.

Marco Island
You may travel to Marco Island by using a bridge that connects Naples to the mainland of Florida. Marco Island, located on the outskirts of the Everglades, is a popular stop for boat cruises in Southwest Florida.

Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is located on Florida’s western coast, in the seas of the Gulf of Mexico. The whole barrier island is a popular vacation location, and it is regarded as a peaceful, family-friendly place for visitors.

Florida Islands

What is the most exclusive island in Florida?

Florida’s Fisher Island, located just south of Miami, is the most exclusive community in the state. Due to the exclusivity of Fisher Island, it can only be reached by ferry or private boat.

Some of America’s wealthiest people call the private island home (or, in some circumstances, a second or third home). Several celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Mel Brooks, own properties on the island, which is home to several mansions, luxury apartment complexes, and even a hotel.

In 1919, Miami Beach entrepreneur Carl Fisher purchased the island and built a house. As reported by Forbes, the developer purchased the island from Dana A. Dorsey, who was Miami’s first black billionaire, and renamed it after himself.

Carl Fisher eventually surrendered the island for a boat owned by William K. Vanderbilt II, which he had admired for a long time.

The Vanderbilt Mansion was renovated and is now a focal feature of the Fisher Island Club, an upscale hotel on the island that caters to affluent guests.

How many private islands are there in Florida?

Wondering about private islands in Florida?

Where can you relax and enjoy full peace and tranquillity and stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Florida’s natural splendor in complete privacy?

Here are three of the most spectacular private tropical islands in Florida that you might be enjoying right now.

Crescent Island
This 4-acre private island property is situated across from Sanibel Island and is accessible by boat in 10 minutes.

The historic Florida-style property is a short distance from Boca Grande Pass and Ft. Myers Beach and some of Matlacha and Sanibel Island’s most elegant restaurants, art museums, and shops.

Seabird Key
Seabird Key is the stuff that eco-dreams are made of. You may rent a beautiful nautical-themed cottage house with old Florida-type porches and multi-level decks on this 10-acre luxury resort property, ideal for appreciating the unspoiled environment surrounding you.

East Sister Rock
East Sister Rock is a private island rental that many fantasize about, with a stunning view of Sombrero Beach from across the azure blue seas.

Florida Islands

Are there islands off Florida’s coast?

Yes, there are several islands off the Florida coast.

Some of the popular ones are:

Cayo Costa Island
Cayo Costa Island is a remote island on Florida’s Gulf coast that is readily navigable from Charlotte Harbour and Pine Island. But this island is a bit different from the others on our list because of the island’s primary attraction, Cayo Costa State Park.

Little Gasparilla
Little Gasparilla Island, located midway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, doesn’t have much to do besides sunbathing on the lovely white sand beach and dreaming you’re Tom Hanks and Wilson in Cast Away.

There are no businesses or stores on Little Gasparilla, save for a tiny gift shop. However, you may hire a golf cart and tour the island. You’ll have to bring everything you want to eat or drink.

Don Pedro
Don Pedro Island (also known as Palm Island), located off the shore of Florida’s Gulf Coast in southern Englewood, is yet another large island with a quiet State Park connected.

Most people come to Don Pedro Island State Park, situated between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island and is both of the mainland (land foundation) and part of the island itself.

What islands are included in the Florida Keys?

The following are some of the islands included in the Florida Keys:

Key West
This subtropical island community is Florida’s southernmost point, closer to Cuba than Miami, and seems like its own fascinating little universe as a consequence.

This is a vibrant paradise where Caribbean-style, multi-colored houses serve as beautiful B&Bs, free-roaming chickens peck about on the sidewalks, and nightly hot-pink sunsets are enjoyed in oceanfront Mallory Square.

Lower Keys
Tiny Stock Island has a distinct barefoot hippie vibe about it. It’s rustic and appealingly rickety, and veteran shrimpers and young artists mostly inhabit it. It’s the area where thatched pubs and shipyards coexist with food vendors and pop-ups.

Key Largo
The iconic Humphrey Bogart film noir Key Largo takes place fully above the waterline, but the best thrills of Florida’s longest key almost likely take place below it.

Key Largo, recognized as the “Diving Capital of the World,” is home to both the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the very first underwater park in the United States, and the Florida Keys Sanctuary, which has over 6,000 marine species.

Wrapping Up

Florida Islands are a beautiful and exciting place to visit. With so many different activities to choose from, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

From swimming and sunbathing to fishing and exploring, the Florida Islands have something to offer everyone.

Here you’ll find everything you need for the perfect island vacation.

Experience pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and all the sun you can handle!

Plus, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy whether you’re looking for adventure or just want to relax.

Come see why Florida Island is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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