Key West-bound island hoppers aside, there are few visitors to the Lower Keys, and that’s the way I like it. Just get off the Overseas Highway and find your lost paradise. You can snorkel here.

Yet another recommendation thread: What are your thoughts on places to snorkel around the Florida Keys? I'm planning a weekend trip with my family and some friends to the Keys in a couple of months.

Divers and snorkelers can get more than a pretty view of tropical fish and reefs when they swim around the coral barrier reef off the shores of Looe Key on July 11. That’s when the Lower Keys ...