Florida Keys Scenic Highway
Visitor Services

You can visit shipwreck museums at MM 102.6, MM 86 and in Key West—MM 00-3. You may also choose to take the Indian Key Historical and Lignum Vitae Botanical Tour conducted by park rangers,...[more]

Service	Description	Service	Description
	Fees There are no fees to travel the Florida Keys Scenic Byway.		Accessibility There are five Chamber of Commerce Information Centers, with multi-lingual service representatives, located along the corridor... [more]
	Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities Responding to citizen concerns, Clean Florida Keys, Inc. acted to save the Old Keys Railroad Bridges. Members served on the... [more]		Food There are places to buy food along this byway.
	Gasoline Gasoline is available.		Information Florida’s Turnpike maintains a travelers’ informational kiosk at its Snapper Creek service plaza north of the scenic highway. Open... [more]
	Lodging There is overnight lodging along this byway.		Phone Public phones are available along this byway.
	Restrooms There are toilet facilities along this byway.		Retail There are places to shop along this byway.

NOTE: The America's Byways® website is federally funded and cannot promote commercial businesses. This data may not be complete or up to date. The National Scenic Byways Program is not responsible for the quality of your travel experience. See the right column on the Byway Overview page for local contact information.

Special Considerations

Traffic Safety on the Highway

The three components to adequate safety along the scenic highway are speed limits, lighting and informational signage. The FKSH is a two-lane roadway that widens to four lanes in higher density areas. Because the scenic highway is linear and mostly two lanes, speeds are lower, less than 50 miles per hour (mph), and speed signs are clearly marked and limits enforced. This slower speed contributes to traffic safety. Major intersections are well-lighted. FDOT monitors safety along US 1 and has recently made roadway improvements that enhance traffic calming.

Wild Animal Habitats

Florida has some of the greatest beaches in the world allowing greater opportunities for contact with aquatic wildlife. Please pay close attention to the areas you recreate in and follow these safety precautions.

Jellyfish

Watch for: Bluebottles (Portuguese man-of-war) are related to jellyfish. They are blue, transparent, gas-filled floats around 7 cm long with dark-blue tentacles of up to 10 meters in length. They drift on the surface of warm water, are blown by the wind and washed ashore.

DO NOT TOUCH any jellyfish-like animal that has been washed onto the beach as venom can still be discharged from the stinging cells. In case of an emergency only swim in areas patrolled by life-savers.

Be alert to anyone swimming in the same area that is stung, and then leave the water to avoid being stung.

TREATMENT:

DO NOT try to pull off tentacle pieces still sticking to the skin as they may sting again.

Pour vinegar onto any tentacle pieces still sticking to the skin, wipe or brush them off later. Commercial sting & bite products may ease the pain. If reaction is severe take the victim to a doctor.

Manatees

Passive observation (observing from a distance) is the best way to protect manatees and all wildlife. If you see manatees while swimming, diving or boating, please follow these suggestions:

• Do not enter designated manatee sanctuaries for any reason.
• Look, but don’t touch -- observe manatees from the surface of the water and at a distance.
• Avoid excessive noise and splashing.
• Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees -- the sound of scuba gear may cause them to leave the area .
• Don’t feed manatees or give them water.

You actually have the most to gain by remaining at a distance. By quietly observing manatees, you will get a rare opportunity to see the natural behavior of these unique animals.

Sharks

• Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to attack a solitary individual.
• Do not wander too far from shore --- this isolates an individual and additionally places one far away from assistance.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active and have a competitive sensory advantage.
• Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating --- a shark's olfactory ability is acute.
• Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Avoid waters with known effluents or sewage and those being used by sport or commercial fisherman, especially if there are signs of baitfishes or feeding activity. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such action.
• Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks --- both often eat the same food items.
• Use extra caution when waters are murky and avoid uneven tanning and bright colored clothing --- sharks see contrast particularly well.
• Refrain from excess splashing and do not allow pets in the water because of their erratic movements.
• Exercise caution when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs --- these are favorite hangouts for sharks.
• Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and evacuate (calmly) the water if sharks are seen while there. And, of course, do not harass a shark if you see one!

Red Tide

A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis (K. brevis). This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish and even purple in color. Or, the water can remain its normal color.

Swimming in a red tide is safe for most people. However, in some people, red tide can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense -- if you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria.

People experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing and tearing) when the red tide organism (K. brevis) is present along a coast and winds blow its toxic aerosol onshore.

CAUTION: People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema or asthma) are advised to avoid red tide areas. Generally, symptoms are temporary and disappear within hours (once exposure is discontinued).

Restrictions

There are no seasonal closings of the Florida Keys Scenic Highway. During hurricane season, which lasts from June until November, bridges are sometimes closed when there are excessive winds. However, tourists and residents are given ample warning via radio, television and newsprint to evacuate, if necessary.

Seasons

Best Time to Drive

All year round, and especially in autumn for and optimal experience of scenic vistas and recreational opportunities.

High Season

Tourist season in the Florida Keys extends from December through May; however, March has been documented with the highest rate of traffic on the Florida Keys Scenic Highway.

Winter

Winters in the Keys are warm and dry.

Road Conditions

To find up to date information about the road conditions along Florida Keys Scenic Highway, please visit the FHWA listing of web sites for more information.

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