We limited ourselves to islands reachable by road, boat, seaplane, or a short flight from South Florida. That produces a more commercial list than limiting it only to Biscayne Bay—and allows a smart mix of easy day trips, Keys weekends, and nearby Bahamas escapes. Bimini is only about 50 miles from Florida, while Key Largo is roughly 60 miles south of Miami.
Best choice by mood
- No-car, simplest day out: Key Biscayne.
- Boat-trip escape close to the city: Boca Chita Key.
- Camping and quiet nature: Elliott Key.
- Snorkelling or a first Keys trip: Key Largo.
- Fishing and a grown-up weekend: Islamorada.
- A family-friendly Keys base: Marathon.
- Food, nightlife and the full Florida Keys experience: Key West.
- Closest Bahamas getaway: Bimini.
- Wildest, least-developed option: North Andros.
- Most memorable one-day adventure: Dry Tortugas.
| Island | Area | Best for | Typical access from Miami | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Biscayne | Miami-Dade, Florida | An easy beach-and-nature day | Drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway | The closest genuine island escape: beaches, Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, cycling and waterfront dining. |
| Boca Chita Key | Biscayne National Park | A boat day, swimming and a picnic | Private boat or guided park excursion | A small, scenic island with a historic lighthouse, clear shallows and a pleasantly removed feel despite being close to Miami. |
| Elliott Key | Biscayne National Park | Camping, kayaking and quiet nature | Boat or guided park excursion | Biscayne National Park’s largest island has shoreline campsites, trails and mangrove-fringed water—an excellent choice for a low-development escape. |
| Key Largo | Upper Florida Keys | Snorkelling, diving and a relaxed overnight | About 60 miles south by car | The first major Key is an easy base for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, fishing and water activities. |
| Islamorada | Upper Florida Keys | Sport fishing, boating and couples’ weekends | About two hours by car | The Village of Islands offers a more polished, slower Keys experience with fishing charters, sandbars and sunset restaurants. |
| Marathon | Middle Florida Keys | Families, beaches and a quieter Keys stay | Roughly 2½ hours by car | A practical base for Sombrero Beach, the Turtle Hospital, snorkelling trips and a lower-key atmosphere than Key West. |
| Key West | Lower Florida Keys | Nightlife, history and a classic long weekend | Drive the Overseas Highway or fly | The most complete Florida Keys break: architecture, museums, food, bars, watersports and the famous sunset ritual at Mallory Square. |
| Bimini | Bahamas | A fast international-style island reset | About 50 miles offshore; ferry from Fort Lauderdale or short flight | The nearest Bahamian island group to South Florida, with clear water, fishing, diving and a casual Out Islands mood. |
| North Andros | Bahamas | Bonefishing, blue holes and real remoteness | Short flight via Nassau or charter arrangements | Wild, sparsely developed and nature-first, with mangroves, blue holes, flats fishing and far fewer resort crowds than Nassau. |
| Dry Tortugas | Florida Keys | A once-in-a-lifetime day trip | Ferry or seaplane from Key West | Seven small islands surrounding Fort Jefferson offer bright water, snorkelling, birdlife and an extraordinary sense of distance. |