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SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION TOUR

Sea Turtle Conservation Tour

10:15 am | 12:45 pm | 3:15 pm

The Key West Aquarium is home to several sea turtles that would not be able to survive in the wild. These sea turtles now act as ambassadors for their species, educating people about the threats sea turtles face and what can be done to help. We hope that by sharing the stories of our sea turtles, our guests will be inspired to act toward conserving the wild sea turtle population.

 The Sea Turtles in our Care at the Key West Aquarium

Spike , the loggerhead sea turtle.

Spike was found stranded in a Key Largo marina in 1999 when she was just a juvenile. She was only about 4.5 inches long and had damage from an unknown predator to three of her flippers and a break in her beak. She was treated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon for three months but was deemed non-releasable due to the extent of her injuries and came to live with us at the Key West Aquarium. Loggerhead sea turtles inhabit the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They are federally listed as threatened in the United States and as endangered in other parts of their range. Adults typically weigh more than 300 pounds and measure 2.5-3.5 feet long. The largest loggerhead ever recorded was 1,200 pounds and 7 feet long. Their life span is unknown but estimated to be greater than 70 years.

Lola , the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Lola was first found as a hatchling on a beach in Texas, having suffered predatory bites on her front right flipper. She was rehabilitated for 11 months at the Animal Rehabilitation Keep in Port Aransas, Texas, and released back to the wild. Unfortunately, Lola became entangled in fishing line and wound up back on the beach the next day. The line was so tight on her right front flipper that it had to be amputated. Lola now has a prosthetic flipper that she can swim with during the day. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is listed as critically endangered. This species inhabits the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. They nest on only a small number of beaches, with only three beaches in Tamaulipas, Mexico, hosting 95% of Kemp’s ridley nests. They are the smallest of the sea turtles, averaging 30 inches in length and weighing up to 100 pounds. Their average life span is unknown but thought to exceed 30 years. The greatest threats to this species are entanglement in fishing gear or marine debris and direct harvest of the turtles and their eggs.

Rocky , the Green Sea Turtle

Rocky was struck by a boat early in his life. This caused the loss of his front right flipper and damage to his shell. Rocky was rehabilitated at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, but his injuries left him with air permanently trapped in his shell, a condition called floater syndrome. Rocky has a float and a weight attached to his shell to even out his buoyancy, allowing him to swim and lie flat when he chooses. Green sea turtles are an endangered species that inhabit the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans. Adults typically weigh 250-400 pounds, measure 3-4 feet and can live for more than 70 years.

Hector , the Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Hawksbill sea turtles were prized for their beautiful shells and harvested to near extinction. Hector narrowly escaped this fate with the advent of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, coming to live at the Key West Aquarium when the turtle kraals in Downtown Key West were closed. He is one of the oldest residents of the aquarium and could live to be 100 years old. Hawksbill sea turtles are named for the distinctive shape of their beaks, which allows them to forage in crevices on the reef. Adults typically weigh 100-200 pounds and measure 2-3.5 feet long.

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Key West Turtles - Where To See Them & When Is Nesting Season

The highlight of any visit to Key West is the chance to look for a sea turtle. Plenty of snorkelers will report seeing a green sea turtle swimming beside them. In a marine environment that is filled with living coral and colorful tropical fish, a sea turtle sighting is the greatest memory you’ll take home with you.

Traveling to Key West during nesting season offers an entirely new experience to hopefully witness a sea turtle burrowing in the sand to make her turtle nests.

A tour we think you'll love

Whether you visit during nesting season, hatching season, or any other time of year, there are places where you can witness a sea turtle in action.

Let’s look at some ways you can see a sea turtle on your trip to Key West.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Florida Keys

A female sea turtle will reach the age of sexual maturity at 20-30 years old and return to the same beach where she was hatched. Many of those turtles have not been back to that beach since they hatched, but they will still follow their instinct during nesting season to lay their eggs on the same beach.

Nesting season begins in spring and continues into early summer. After hatching, the baby turtles will forge their own path from the turtle nests to the sea, but many will not survive their first year.

The sea turtle nesting season is from March 1 to October 31 on the Atlantic Ocean side and May 1 to October 31 on the Gulf of Mexico side. The female sea turtle arrives on the beach late at night and digs a nesting hole in the sand and the eggs will incubate for two months before they hatch.

Sea Turtle Hatching Season In Key West

If you want to watch the baby turtles emerge from their nest and waddle out to sea, then plan to visit Key West from late summer through fall. Of course, mother nature has no exact date, but plan your Key West trip for August through October for your best chance to watch the baby sea turtles.

While many tourists plan their trip during early nesting season, savvy travelers know that hatching season, when the baby sea turtle emerges from the nest, is the best time to be there.

Search For Key West Turtles At Night – Night Kayak Tour

You’ll never forget the first time you see a sea turtle swimming beside you. Their beautiful shell gently glides through the waters a truly amazing sight.

Hit the water in a glass-bottomed kayak at night in search of the marine life that is native to Key West. The experienced team at Night Kayak Key West uses custom-built kayaks with LED lights that illuminate the water. The guides have years of experience navigating these waters and will take you to the best spots for wildlife viewing.

Through the kayak’s glass bottom window, you’ll see colorful tropical fish and possibly nurse sharks, octopus, jellyfish, or a sea turtle swimming in the crystal clear water. Nighttime is when the nocturnal marine life comes out to play, and having the chance to see them is a magical experience. Paddling a glass bottom kayak with LED lights is unique, and Night Kayak Key West is the only company in the area that offers them.

To book your amazing Night Kayak Tour , give us a call or go online today. We look forward to taking you out for your best experience in Key West.

Key West Sea Turtles – Endangered Species

There are seven sea turtle species, and five of those species live in the Florida Keys. All five are currently considered vulnerable or endangered and are given legal protection in the US under the Endangered Species Act.

Those five species and their current status according to the Endangered Species Act are:

Leatherback sea turtle – vulnerable

Green sea turtle – endangered

Hawksbill sea turtle – critically endangered sea turtles

Loggerhead sea turtle – vulnerable

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle – critically endangered

Learn about sea turtle conservation with a visit to the Key West Aquarium. The aquarium has a program to rescue injured sea turtles, rehabilitate them, and release them back into their natural habitat when possible. The aquarium is a great place to watch a sea turtle up close and observe their hard shell and rubbery skin. Visitors can see four sea turtles in residence who have been rehabilitated but cannot be released.

Best Places To Find Sea Turtles In The Florida Keys

A sea turtle will spend all their time in the water. It’s possible to see them swimming anywhere you go in the warm, clear waters of the Florida Keys. You can find a sea turtle while snorkeling near shore or by taking a snorkel excursion by boat.

During nesting season, the following beaches have sea turtles visit every year to build their nest:

Smathers Beach on Key West

Bahia State Park in the middle keys

Coco Plum Beach at Marathon Key

Sombrero beach at Marathon Key

Sunset Park at Marathon Key

Long Key State Park on Long Key

Islamorada in the upper keys, between mile markers 72 and 83,

The most prolific site for Key West turtles is the Dry Tortugas National Park. Sea Turtles are frequently seen swimming around all seven islands within the Dry Tortugas.

Visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Visit the Dry Tortugas National Park for your best chance at seeing majestic sea turtles swimming in the ocean or even nesting on the beach. This remote national park is approximately 70 miles west of Key West.

The Dry Tortugas are accessed only by boat or seaplane. Travelers from Key West can charter a private boat or take the Dry Tortugas Yankee Freedom ferry. The journey is 2.25 hours from the Key West ferry terminal to historic Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. You just might see a sea turtle along the way.

The Tortugas offers some of the best snorkeling in North America. The clear blue water is shallow and calm enough for even beginning snorkelers. Visitors can see living coral, an abundance of colorful tropical fish, starfish, sea sponges, anemones, lobsters, and sea turtles.

Key West Sea Turtle Nesting Season – Things to Know

Visiting Key West during sea turtle nesting season is a special time of year. To sit back from a distance and quietly watch the sea turtle nesting activity is a magical experience you’ll never forget. You need to know a few things before approaching a beach with an active turtle nesting site.

With the number of sea turtles dangerously low, it is important to observe the rules set out by the US Fish and Wild Life Service to protect this endangered species. Here are the rules to be aware of when visiting Florida during turtle nesting months and also outside of nesting season.

Never approach a sea turtle on the beach. Turtles spend all their life in the water and will only be on the beach for sea turtle nesting. Feeding or touching sea turtles in any way is illegal and punishable with fines or jail time.

Do not take flash pictures of sea turtles. Lights and noise can stop the sea turtle nesting process.

Do not shine a flashlight on a sea turtle. This can hinder their ability to find their way back into the ocean.

Keep the beaches and the water pollution free. If you see trash, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Even if it isn’t your trash, we can all do our part to protect the sea turtles.

A sea turtle is a wild animal. Always be respectful of their habitat.

The same rules will apply during the hatching season from August through October or anytime you observe a sea turtle.

Sea Turtles Found

If you find a sick, injured, or dead sea turtle, do not approach it. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888 404 3922 to report the location of the sea turtle.

Visit The Turtle Hospital In Marathon, FL

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon offers the only sea turtle hotel in the Florida Keys. The drive from Key West to Marathon is about 1.25 hours, and worth the drive to visit this fantastic non-profit facility.

The goals of the Sea Turtle Hospital are to:

Rehabilitate injured sea turtles and release them into their natural habitat.

Educate the public about sea turtles.

Assist in sea turtle research.

Work toward greater environmental legislation to protect sea turtles.

Visitors are taken on a tour of the facility, where you can see the rehab tanks with loggerhead turtles, green turtles, leatherback sea turtles, and hawksbill sea turtles. There are also five permanent resident sea turtles that have been deemed non-releasable by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The tours last 70-90 minutes. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online. Admission is $30.00 for adults, $15.00 for children aged 4-12, and free for children under 4.

Key West Is A Magical Destination For Sea Turtles Lovers

The best way to look for a sea turtle in the wild is with the help of a knowledgeable guide. Local guides know the best spots to find a green sea turtle, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill or leatherback sea turtle.

You can avoid the crowds during the nesting season by going out at night with an experienced guide with Night Kayak Key West . They’ve been leading night kayak tours for many years and know the best places to go in the hopes of seeing an allusive green sea turtle and other fantastic marine life.

To book your amazing Night Kayak Tour , call or go online today. We look forward to taking you out for your best experience in Key West.

Night Kayak Guided Tour

Get a single or double glass-bottom kayak illuminated with lights and follow our tour guide on this one of a kind, unforgettable and simply magical adventure.

This slow paced, immersive, and very relaxing experience will allow you to see some cool, active at night marine life as you are gliding through crystal clear waters of Key West.

Guests will experience going through narrow mangrove tunnels at night, floating around shallow and calm waters as the tour guide will look for interesting critters for everyone to see.

Key West Sandbar Trip

Key West sandbars are our local well kept secret. This is where we take our families to hang out and relax on our days off. This is the perk of our island lifestyle. Now we want to share this experience with you.

Turquoise shallow waters, epic picture worthy sights all around you that look like a postcard - that is what you're signing up for!

The Turtle Hospital. Rescue, Rehab, Release.

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Hours of Operation:

Education Center and Gift Shop is open daily from 9 am – 6 pm

Educational Programs run daily at 9 am, 9:30 am, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm,  2 pm, 2:30 pm, 3 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4 pm

Because we are a working hospital, you must be part of one of our Guided Educational programs in order to visit with our turtles.

Guests are invited to take a guided educational tour of the hospital facilities and the sea turtle rehabilitation area. This educational experience lasts approximately 70- 90 minutes and provides a presentation on sea turtles as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area. At the end of each program guests are invited to feed the permanent residents.

Reservations are highly recommended . To make a reservation, either call us at (305)743-2552 or click below:

Adult: $35.00

Children (4-12 years old): $17.50

Children under 4: Free

Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult

Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited!

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Key West Turtle Museum

Learn more about the unique maritime history of Key West through a visit to the Key West Turtle  Museum.

  Museum Hours OPENING December 14th 10a Thursday, Friday & Saturday  10a - 4pm .  

Open Seasonally

No admission fee, group tours available.

[email protected]

Visit Us 

On facebook, mel fisher museum.

The Key West Turtle Museum is operated by the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum , a fully accredited nonprofit museum and research facility.  Donations made to the Mel Fisher Museum are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Key West Turtle Museum

200 Margaret Street

Key West FL

  FREE ADMISSION .  

• Key West Wildlife and Marine Life
• Sea Turtles

Key West Sea Turtles

Beneath the aqua blue waters in beautiful Key West, Florida live some of the most amazing animals on the plant. Loggerhead turtles are considered a link to prehistoric times and are regal in their appearance and grace while swimming. Green turtles, who get their name from their green body fat, can also be seen gliding through the waters in Southern Florida. A Key West snorkel may allow you to come across a Leatherback sea turtle around the coral reef and you will have encountered the largest species of sea turtle in the area. The Hawksbill and Kemp's ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtle and because they are nearly extinct are rarely seen by sea turtle enthusiasts on their underwater adventures.

Key West snorkeling offers an exceptional opportunity to view the majestic sea turtles in their natural habitat. Although, if you are planning to try to get up close to one of these creatures, you will probably be disappointed. Many of the sea turtles can cruise through the ocean waters at 25 miles per hour and will quickly out run even the best swimmers. Although you will be able to see them in the distance and you enjoy the graceful movements of these stunning swimmers.

Five out the seven species of sea turtle can be found while snorkeling. Since many of these animals are on the endangered list, catching a glimpse of a Loggerhead or Hawksbill sea turtle will be an amazing experience. Once you have recognized the beauty of these astonishing animals, you will be convinced to do your part to help protect this exquisite underwater friend.

For reservations book online or contact us at (866) 576-9151 for more information

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The Guide to Key West Sea Turtles

Imagine soaring through the turquoise waters surrounding Key West accompanied by the majestic sea turtles that call them home. Whether you’re peering beneath the surface with a snorkel or taking in the breeze from the deck of a state-of-the-art catamaran, Key West is known for its undeniable natural beauty and wildlife — including sea turtles! The stoic sea creatures are mesmerizing to watch as they glide effortlessly from the Atlantic Ocean into the Gulf of Mexico. Ancient guardians of the reef, sea turtles have been around since the time of dinosaurs. With five of the seven sea turtle species calling the Florida Keys home, Key West tours stands out as an exceptional turtle sighting destination.

Fun Facts About Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles.

While they live the vast majority of their lives in saltwater, sea turtles can hold their breath for up to two hours when resting. In fact, the only time sea turtles come on land is during nesting season. Female sea turtles will walk ashore during nesting season to lay up to 100 eggs at a time. Nesting season spans from March to October. 

Baby Sea Turtles Are About Three Inches Long When They Hatch 

Between 50 and 60 days after their eggs are laid, baby sea turtles hatch adorably small. They exercise their instincts fresh out of their eggs with a sprint toward the ocean to begin their lives of saltwater dwelling. The sight of hundreds of baby Key West sea turtles storming the shores in an instinctual, precious stampede is something to cherish forever. 

Sea Turtles Feed on Jellyfish 

A sea turtle’s diet varies from species to species, with most of them enjoying the occasional jellyfish. This makes ocean pollution especially dangerous for Key West sea turtles, as they often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Things like bags, cups and soda rings discarded in the ocean pose threats to the sea turtles, and can prove fatal if ingested. When in Key West, be sure to do your part to help Key West sea turtles.

Sea Turtles Have Long Life Spans 

Loggerheads, one of the more common Key West sea turtles, are known to live up to 70 years. They can also grow to be much larger than people assume, some weighing up to 1,000 pounds! The best indicator of a sea turtle’s age is its size. 

Different Types of Key West Sea Turtles

In total, there are seven different species of sea turtles. The Key West sea turtle population is mainly comprised of five of the seven — loggerheads, green sea turtles, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley and leatherback — each displaying unique characteristics that add to their overall intrigue. These fascinating creatures of the sea have made Key West one of the best turtle-watching destinations in the United States. 

Loggerheads 

Scientific name Caretta caretta, the loggerhead sea turtle is named for its notably large head. These Key West sea turtles are typically 2.5 to 3.5 feet long in size and weigh anywhere from 155 to 375 pounds. Loggerheads have exceptionally strong jaws, which play a large role in their mainly carnivorous diet. These turtles feed mostly on shellfish that live on the ocean floor, such as horseshoe crabs, clams and mussels. They have no problem crushing the shellfish with their strong jaws. Female loggerheads are known to lay three to six nests over the season, each nest containing anywhere between 100 and 126 eggs. Today, the loggerhead faces a number of threats to survival, such as loss of nesting habitats, pollution and human disturbances that create disorientation among hatchlings making their way to the ocean at birth. Loggerheads are classified as a threatened species of sea turtle, likely to become endangered.

Green Sea Turtles

Scientific name Chelonia mydas, green sea turtles are named for the green color of the fat under their shells. These Key West sea turtles are distinguishable from other species by the single pair of scales in front of their eyes, whereas other species have two pairs. The green sea turtle ranges from 3 to 4 feet in length and can weigh anywhere between 240 and 420 pounds. The diet of the green sea turtle changes over the course of its life, beginning in omnivorous territory. However, as these turtles mature, their diet shifts to strictly herbivorous, and they are the only turtles to do so. Their finely serrated jaws assist them in tearing vegetation such as seagrass and algae. Female green sea turtles lay three to five nests every two years, each nest containing an average of 115 eggs. Today, incidental catch by commercial shrimp boats have proven to be one of the greatest threats to the survival of these Key West sea turtles. They are classified as threatened and likely to become endangered. 

Hawksbill Sea Turtles

Scientific name Eretmochelys imbricata, the hawksbill sea turtle gets its name from its narrow head and hawk-like beak. This anatomical feature allows the hawksbill to feed from crevices in coral reefs. The hawksbill’s diet consists of sponges, anemones, squid and shrimp. This Key west sea turtle can range from 2.5 to 3 feet in length and weigh between 101 and 154 pounds. Female hawksbills nest in intervals of two to four years and build three to six nests per season. Each nest has an average of 160 eggs. Hawksbill turtles can usually be found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries and lagoons, making them the perfect Key West sea turtle. These beautiful creatures are classified as endangered, and are constantly threatened by harvesting of their prized shell. 

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles

Scientific name Lepidochelys kempil , Kemp’s ridley are named after scientist Richard Kemp, who is credited with the discovery of the species. Relatively small compared to other Key West sea turtles, Kemp’s ridley measure around 2 feet in length and weigh between 70 and 108 pounds. These Key West sea turtles are known to nest more frequently than other species of turtles, making the trip to shore every one to three years on average. Kemp’s ridley partake in mass synchronized nestings called arribadas and nest two to three times a season. These nests contain an average of 110 eggs each. With powerful jaws, Kemp’s ridley feed on crabs, clams, mussels and shrimp, as well as fish, sea urchins and jellyfish. This gracious turtle is listed as endangered and faces major threats from human activity, including hunting and collection of eggs. 

Leatherback Sea Turtles 

Scientific name Dermochelys coriacea , the leatherback is the largest sea turtle and the largest living reptile in the entire world! These sea turtles can grow to be 8 feet in length and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are the only sea turtle that lacks a hard, outer shell and is most known for its leathery black or brown skin. These characteristics are what gave the leatherback sea turtle its name! Leatherback sea turtles feed mostly on soft-bodied animals, such as jellyfish, consuming nearly their own body weight in prey every day. The female leatherbacks are known to lay 5 to 7 nests over the season with around 100 billiard ball sized eggs in each. These eggs take about 2 months to hatch where they will then make their way to the sea! Only around 6 percent of hatchlings survive their first year. The leatherback sea turtle is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. 

The Best Ways to See Sea Turtles in Key West

Snorkeling with fury water adventures.

Fury offers a wide array of snorkeling packages that put you in the best position to become acquainted with Key West sea turtles. Watch those stoic beauties soar through the water with grace while exploring the wonders of the reef. Make your way beneath them to get a view like no other, and see how long you can keep up with the majestic Key West sea turtles. Start your day bright and early with Fury’s Morning Reef Snorkel, or give yourself the best chance of meeting a sea turtle with Fury’s Double Dip Snorkel trip, taking you to two unforgettable reef locations. Have the day of your dreams on Fury’s Rum & Reggae Snorkel Sunset Combo! Whatever you decide, Fury has the hookup with spectacular Key West sea turtles.

Fury’s Glass Bottom Boat

This one-of-a-kind experience brings you up close and personal with the magnificent Key West sea turtles as they swim graciously along the reef — without having to leave the comfort of the enclosed, air-conditioned viewing area. Perfect for families and those who want to stay dry, Fury’s Glass Bottom Boat is the best way to see North America’s only living reef without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. While on the boat, be sure to keep your focus on the surface, looking for bubbles or a splash, which indicates a loggerhead is about to take a deep dive! There is all this and more to see with Fury’s Glass Bottom Boat. 

Fury Can Take You There!

However you hope to achieve your encounter with the magnificent sea turtles of Key West, know that Fury is your best option to get you there! Whether deciding to embark on any number of the reef snorkeling trips they offer, all setting out on state-of-the-art catamarans, or jumping aboard the one-of-a-kind Glass Bottom Boat, there is no better way than with Fury. Trust the largest and most luxurious fleet of catamarans in the Florida Keys to bring you to the best open-water action out there!

Where are the best places to view sea turtles?

The best place to spot Key West sea turtles would be offshore, around the coral reef.

Are there sea turtles in Key West?

There sure are! Five of the seven different species of sea turtle can be found in the waters surrounding Key West.

Are sea turtles endangered?

Many species of sea turtle are classified as either threatened or endangered.

What is the best way to see sea turtles?

The best ways to spot a Key West sea turtle would be snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat, both made available by your friends at Fury.

When do sea turtles come on land?

Sea turtles only come on land during the nesting season, from March to October.

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Cruise in spacious comfort to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the Yankee Freedom , a high-speed ocean-going catamaran specifically designed for carrying passengers safely across the 70 miles of open water from Key West to the Park. The Yankee Freedom is 110’ long and 30.6’ wide, a broad and stable vessel certified to carry 250 passengers; however, to maximize the comfort of each guest, we limit each tour at 175 passengers. Our veteran captain and friendly crew will take you on a day trip to one of the most unique and spectacular national parks in the United States: The Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson . Almost 70 miles west of Key West, nestled among coral reefs , and white sandy beaches, lie seven remote islands called the Dry Tortugas. Unforgettable adventures await you on this most memorable Key West tour. En route to Dry Tortugas National Park our onboard naturalist will give you an orientation about the area and the national park’s surroundings. During your voyage, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, have an opportunity to see turtles and dolphins, and listen to pirate legends. You can travel inside the upper or lower air-conditioned cabins or outside on one of our observation decks. The bow, or front, deck is tiered so you can get a full vista photo rather than the back of some stranger’s head! The Yankee Freedom features comfortable padded sling seats that allow room for movement and easy access to the tables. There are four heads (bathrooms) and three fresh water rinses (with warm water!) that allow you to desalinize and change into dry clothing for the return to Key West. Bars on both decks stock a full compliment of beverages and the galley is open all day for extra snacks, souvenirs and essentials. The bars and the galley are both limited to cash or credit card sales. Rest assured, our award-winning crew will be there to make your adventure fun, comfortable and safe.

The following are items we recommend you bring if you are planning on spending just the day at the Dry Tortugas.

• Bathing suit
• Sunglasses and hat
• Beach Towel
• Change of clothing (during your journey back to Key West, you are welcome to use Yankee Freedom ‘s three fresh water rinses before the return trip home).
• Cash – The Park operates a small gift shop selling books, postcards, T-shirts and other items. The Yankee Freedom serves a large assortment of sodas, snacks, candy, beer, wine, tropical drinks, T-shirts, cameras, Dramamine ™, etc. You may use cash or credit cards for purchases.
• Sturdy pair of walking shoes
• You may bring your own snorkeling gear if you wish.
• National Park Pass

• Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch. View Menu
• Complimentary snorkeling equipment
• No hidden fees – ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson
• Fully narrated 45 minute tour of the fort.
• Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun
• Enjoy a picnic in the afternoon

The galley on board the Yankee Freedom is a virtual oasis when visiting the Dry Tortugas. Not only do we stock regular and diet soft drinks, but a wide variety of refreshing fruit juices as well. For the adult guest, there is a fully stocked cash bar that is open on the return trip. Popular brands of beer, wine and liquors are highlighted with a tasty array of delicious frozen drinks including Rum Runners, Pina Coladas, Strawberry Daiquiris and frozen Margaritas.

For those interested in a snack, we have fresh popped popcorn, an assortment of chips and candy bars. If you need more than a snack, our galley serves pizza, burgers, hot dogs and soft pretzels. An ice cream bar makes the perfect dessert.

Terrific souvenirs are also available in the galley that include the official Yankee Freedom caps and t-shirts. We also stock suntan lotion, playing cards, and disposable cameras (regular and underwater.)

Upon boarding at 7:30 am from Key West, you will enjoy a breakfast snack.

En route to Dry Tortugas National Park our onboard guide will give you an orientation about the area and the national park’s surroundings. During your voyage to one of America’s most remote National Parks, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, and frequent turtle and dolphin sightings.

You can travel inside one of our comfortable air-conditioned cabins or outside on one of the observation decks. The Yankee Freedom also features comfortable cushioned seats, four restrooms, three fresh water rinse showers (with warm water,) a full galley serving snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, mixed drinks (on return trip only), film, and souvenirs. You will reach the National Park boundaries within 2 hours 10 minutes after leaving Key West harbor.

Once at Dry Tortugas National Park, you will disembark at Fort Jefferson and have the option of joining a 45-minute guided tour. Based on the number of guests who sign up for the tour, it is often offered at two different times in order to accommodate other activities while at the fort. You will enjoy a complimentary box lunch aboard the Yankee Freedom in our air-conditioned salons.

Visitors can take advantage of the swimming, snorkeling , beach walking, exploring, birding , and the flora and fauna of this pristine island.

After reboarding in mid-afternoon we will depart, arriving back in Key West at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Click Here to Make a Day Trip Reservation!

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Alerts in effect, explore a 19th century fort and snorkel crystal clear water with incredible marine life.

Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.

Located on Garden Key is historic Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts in the United States.

Plan your camping trip to Garden Key

Top 10 list to #PlanLikeaParkRanger for a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park.

Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Tours to the park on a seaplane

Take a high-speed catamaran for day and camping trips.

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to history and natural wonders above and below the water's’ surface.

Bring your own boat to Dry Tortugas National Park and get the most out of the opportunities to explore this remarkable national treasure.

With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this is by swimming.

Last updated: June 30, 2021

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7 Best Places To See Wild Sea Turtles In Florida

September 29, 2020 //  by  Florida Trippers

If you have any interest at all in marine life, this list of the best places to see sea turtles in Florida is for you! Think of it as your comprehensive Florida sea turtles guide.

We will go over the different types of Florida sea turtles, as well as when and where they can be found in the wild! Some of these spots may surprise you.

If you really want to see the Florida turtles, plan a trip to Florida during sea turtle nesting season. More sea turtles nest in Florida than anywhere else in the country!

Speaking of sea turtle nesting season, Sea turtles are creatures of habit so Florida turtles will stay Florida turtles. They often return to nest just feet away from where they were the previous year, meaning you can see these cute guys hanging out in Florida year after year!

Florida sea turtles can be big or small, brown or green, but they are all absolutely adorable. Sea turtles in Florida are beautiful creatures that you should not forget when planning your next Florida vacation.

Sea turtles in Florida come in many different varieties. Keep reading to find out what they are, and how you can spot each of these Florida turtles!

What Kind Of Sea Turtles Live In Florida

Florida sea turtles are not just one species. There are a total of seven different types of sea turtle in the world, or six depending on who you ask.

There is actually a scientific debate about whether to include the seventh species in the sea turtle classification. Who knew sea turtles could cause such controversy?!

The reason for this disagreement is that six of the seven species of sea turtle all fall into the family Cheloniidae. They have plated shells that all look relatively similar.

The seventh species of sea turtle belongs to the Dermochelyidae family, and has a shell that is one single piece. These sea turtles are the easiest to identify because they just look so different from the others.

The highly debated seventh turtle species is known as the leatherback, and is actually one of our Florida sea turtles. For that reason we will be including the leatherback on this list, no matter what the scientists say!

Five of the seven total species of sea turtles can be found in Florida. These Florida sea turtles include the loggerhead, green turtle, kemp’s ridley, hawksbill, and the aforementioned leatherback.

Although the leatherback is the most distinctive of these Florida turtles, each species has unique characteristics.

You can spot a loggerhead by its large, square head and medium size (for a turtle), up to 275 pounds. These Florida turtles have a brown shell and yellow belly, and are the most common sea turtles in Florida.

The green turtle is larger than the loggerhead (up to 350 pounds), and has a small head for its body. These Florida turtles are known for being, you guessed it, green!

Florida is extremely lucky that the kemp’s ridley sea turtle calls it home, as this is the rarest and most endangered sea turtle in the world. These turtles are quite small, an adult turtle only weighing 85-100 pounds.

Hawksbill turtles have an amber colored shell with darker markings, and are also quite small (100-200 pounds). If it has a skinny head and raptor-like jaw, that’s how you know it’s a hawksbill.

Leatherbacks are by far the largest Florida sea turtles, weighing up to 2,000 pounds! You can spot them by the seven vertical ridges they have on their backs and obviosly, their one-piece shell.

Now that you know how to spot the differences between species of Florida sea turtles, read on to find out when and where you can see each of them in action!

Best Time Of Year To See Sea Turtles In Florida

Sea turtles are a transient animal, meaning they migrate to different waters depending on the season. Florida turtles are no exception.

The best time of year to see wild sea turtles in Florida is during the summer, during sea turtle nesting season. Sea turtle nesting season lasts from roughly May to September.

The turtles generally nest at night, so be prepared for a late night walk on the beach!

Almost 90 percent of all sea turtle nesting in the United States occurs in Florida between the months of May and October. Watching sea turtles nest in such great numbers is really an unforgettable experience.

If you think about it, Florida is the only place in the country where you can see that many sea turtles at once. And all in the wild!

What Month Do Sea Turtles Hatch In Florida

Sea turtle eggs hatch about 50-60 days after they are laid so in theory they will begin to hatch around the 19th of June, with the last eggs of the season hatching around mid December. Colder temperatures will lengthen the incubation period, while warmer ones will shorten it.

It’s also interesting to note that colder temperatures produce more male sea turtles and warmer temperatures produce more females, so the sea turtles in Florida tend to be largely female!

Sea turtles tend to hatch at night between 9 pm and 5 am (pretty much the same time of day the eggs are laid), so you have yet another reason for that late night beach stroll!

Can You Touch Sea Turtles In Florida

You absolutely should NOT touch a sea turtle, especially a baby one. There can be legal repercussions, but it is also extremely harmful to the turtle itself (hence the legal repercussions).

Sea turtles are protected under both Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act and under the US Endangered Species Act of 1973. It is illegal to touch sea turtles as well as their nests and eggs.

Six out of seven species of sea turtle are on the endangered species list, including all of the sea turtles in Florida. Humans pose the largest threat to their population, so it is important to follow a few rules when observing sea turtles.

Endangered species laws don’t just prevent touching the turtles. They also prohibit the trade, selling, and ownership of sea turtles.

The most important thing prohibited by these laws however is light.

Sea turtles hatching in Florida use the light of the moon to find their way to the ocean. Any artificial light will lead them in the wrong direction, leaving them vulnerable to predators, as well as to dying of hunger or dehydration.

This means no flash photography, no bright cellphones, and no flashlights.

If you’re worried about being able to see the turtles in the dark without any light, turtle-safe flashlights are a thing! This way you can still get a good view of the sea turtles without putting them in danger.

This information is not to dissuade you, but rather to make sure your visit with the sea turtles hatching in Florida is safe for you and for them. Keep your hands to yourself and your flash off, and go enjoy the turtles!

7 Best Places To See Sea Turtles In Florida

Melbourne beach.

Melbourne Beach is one of the most important places for sea turtles hatching in Florida. Many of the following locations offer educational tours so that everyone knows how to observe the sea turtles without disturbing their nests.

Having an educated guide also means you are sure to see turtles and nests on your adventure. It’s a much more reliable way to find them than going alone!

If any of the following Melbourne beach locations pique your interest, you can find more information about their tours and services at the links provided!

Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge is a 20.5 mile stretch of Florida’s coastline spanning from Melbourne beach to Wabasso. More loggerhead sea turtles come here for sea turtle nesting season than any other place in the Western Hemisphere.

You can also see leatherback and green turtles nesting here. Due to the protections the Wildlife Refuge has put in place, these two species of sea turtle have been nesting there in increasing numbers the past few years!

Sea Turtle Preservation Society

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society is located just north of Melbourne Beach in Indialantic, Florida. Conveniently, it is also just north of the aforementioned Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge.

The Sea Turtle Preservation Society actually offers sea turtle walks to the Wildlife Refuge. Although there is no absolute guarantee that you will see the turtles on these walks, they have a very high success rate.

This success rate is largely due to the efforts of both The Archie Carr Wildlife Rescue and the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. Because of their work to preserve the sea turtles’ habitats, there are now a lot more turtles to see than there were a few years ago.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park is another great Melbourne Beach location to spot sea turtles. The most abundant species here is the loggerhead, with green turtles a close second, as well as the occasional leatherback nest.

There is also the rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nest. The last reported sighting was in 2018, but you might just be the lucky traveler who spots the unlikely Kemp’s ridley nest!

Just like Melbourne Beach, Vero Beach is located on Florida’s east coast. Vero Beach is less than an hour south of Melbourne, so you can easily visit both if you take a Florida road trip .

This stretch of Florida’s coastline is commonly referred to as the “treasure coast”. And although you may not find any buried treasure, this guide will definitely help you to find some sea turtles!

Coastal Connections

Coastal Connections offers a plethora of ways you can encounter wild sea turtles in Vero Beach. They also have an “adopt-a-nest” option.

Adopting a sea turtle may not be the best way to view their nests in real time, but it comes with a whole bunch of cool perks. You will get an official adoption certificate, as well as information about your nest once it hatches.

This information includes how many turtles were hatched from the nest, how many made it safely to the water, as well as whether they were male or female. You may also receive some special gifts from Coastal Connections, and your nest will have the opportunity to be featured on a Turtle Dig!

Turtle Digs are probably the most foolproof way to view wild sea turtle nests in Vero Beach. You will have the opportunity to learn a little bit about sea turtle biology and conservation efforts just steps away from where the nests are hatching!

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort offers a Sea Turtle Night Walk! This experience is probably your best option when it comes to being certain you will see the turtles.

This is because while you listen to a presentation on sea turtles, official monitoring scouts will go out and look for nests. The scouts then return and take you directly to the nests they have spotted just minutes earlier!

You will also be given night vision goggles to better observe the turtles, and an earpiece to listen to an expert narrate the tour as you look at the nests. You do not have to stay at the resort to enjoy this turtle walk, and anyone over the age of 8 is welcome!

Florida Keys

As you might have guessed, the Florida Keys are prime real-estate when it comes to sea turtles. You can find five out of seven species of sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys are gorgeous any time of year, but if you plan your visit during nesting season it’s sure to be a particularly unforgettable stay. Check out the following locations to find the best places to spot sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, and is only accessible by boat or plane. This may sound like a hassle, but it is one of the best places to see sea turtles in the Florida Keys and totally worth it!

The Dry Tortugas are also some of the most beautiful islands in Florida , and your boat or plane ride will really give you the chance to see that.

As the name suggests, Dry Tortugas was named for its large turtle population! In 1513, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon saw so many sea turtles nesting on these islands that he called them “Las Tortugas”.

Loggerhead, Hawksbill, and Green sea turtles all nest here. And even when it’s not nesting season for the sea turtles in the Florida Keys, you might spot some swimming in the surrounding waters!

Key West Reef

Another great way to find sea turtles in Key West is to go snorkeling! And at Key West Reef, otherwise known as “ The Great Florida Reef “, you can do just that.

This coral reef is actually the only living coral barrier reef in the United States. It is also the third largest reef in the world!

Adult sea turtles migrate to and from this reef year round, so no need to wait for nesting season here. That is, unless you really want to see the baby turtles hatch (they’re so dang cute who could blame you?!).

This will be an unforgettable adventure whether you encounter wild turtles or not. It’s also a great place to use your underwater camera.

Coral reefs are extremely beautiful and colorful. They also accommodate so many different species of marine life that they’re sometimes called “rainforests of the sea”.

There are many snorkeling tours you can choose from, or you can just stay in a nearby Airbnb and go turtle hunting on your own!

Sea turtles in Florida are truly a sight to behold, especially in the wild. This is even more true during their nesting season.

If you’re planning a trip any time between March and October, you do not want to miss the natural wonder that is sea turtle nesting season. And now, you have all the information you need to make the most of your turtle watching.

We’ve gone over the different species of sea turtles, where and when they nest, as well as tips and tricks for spotting them on some of Florida’s prettiest beaches . Now go forth and make some turtle friends!

We sincerely hope you learned something from this article, whether it be how to distinguish each sea turtle species, how to best protect sea turtles in Florida, or most importantly, where you’re going to go on your Florida sea turtles vacation!

Did You Find This Post Helpful?

If so, we would love to keep in touch! We enjoy seeing photos and comments about your experiences in Florida! You can follow us on Instagram and we will repost your photos on our feed and comment too! Just tag us at @floridatrippers and hashtag #floridatrippers. We can’t wait to see your travels!

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8 ways to see wildlife in the florida keys.

By Kate O'Neal

For my family, visiting the  Florida Keys has always been about the wildlife. Few places in the U.S. offer such easy access to such a range of unusual and fascinating creatures.

Some are rare and endangered like the petite Key deer, which number less than 1,000. Some are so common as to be considered nuisances like the colorful and feisty chickens that strut the streets of Key West.

Animal lovers (and most kids) will enjoy them all. It's easy to organize your drive down the Overseas Highway into your own personal Florida Keys Animal Lovers' Tour . Some of the stops are free or cost only $1 or $2. Here are eight places to help you expericne the wildlife in the Keys .

Swim with the Fish Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , Key Largo

The wildlife is underwater here, probably the most popular snorkeling spot in the continental U.S. Snorkeling trips head to the reefs daily. If you want to stay dry, take the glass-bottom boat tours. (Make sure it's a calm day if you are prone to seasickness.)

If you want to see a few fish, but not spend money or time for a boat trip, Pennekamp offers very good snorkeling from its manmade Cannon Beach . The park placed remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck about 100 feet off the beach. Fish congregate under and around the sea-life encrusted cannons and anchor. Snorkelers see a variety of creatures, including large barracuda and tarpon.

Want to stay firmly on land? See the visitor center's 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park U.S. 1 Mile Marker 102.5, Key Largo 305-451-1202 Admission: $8 per vehicle, with a limit of eight people per vehicle.

Befriend the Birds Florida Keys Wild Bird Center , Tavernier

Get close to a wide variety of birds native to the Florida Keys at this rescue and rehab center. Marked with only a basic sign, the center doesn't look like much from the Florida Keys Scenic Highway . Its charm is in its informal, volunteer vibe. The shady mangrove forest is sectioned off via wire caging to create enclosures for injured birds. Awkward brown pelicans hop with just a stub where a wing or leg should be. Great egrets, cormorants and varieties of owls and hawks draw attention.

But birds wander outside the cages, too. Pelicans, herons and egrets hang around hoping to snatch food, sometimes blocking the walkway. A volunteer busy feeding the birds told us: "We have no problem with birds breaking out. Our problem is preventing birds from breaking in."

The path leads down to the waterfront for a lovely view of Florida Bay and its active bird life.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center 93600 Overseas Hwy MM 93.6, Tavernier 305-852-4486 Admission: Free, but donations are welcome.

Wild-bird rescue center in Marathon: Crane Point Museum and Nature Center 5550 Overseas Highway, Marathon Admission: $12.50 for adults, $8.50 for children 5-13, and children 4 and under free.

Feed the Tarpon Robbie's Marina , Islamorada

Robbie's big draw involves the chance to see 50 to 100 enormous tarpon swimming around the dock in clear water only a few feet deep. Pay $1 to go out on the dock. It's another $3 for a bucket of fish to toss to them. It may be the best entertainment in the Keys for the price.

These aren't the usual fish that gather when you throw bread crusts into the water. Tarpon grow to be 5 to 8 feet long and weigh 80 to 150 pounds. These great saltwater game fish are prized for their fight (but not as food). Visitors stand in awe of the tarpon convention that happens daily.

The powerful, silver fish flash in the sunlight as they lunge for the snacks dropped by visitors. Some even try to hand-feed the fish, providing entertainment for those content to keep a distance.

Warm water makes the tarpon more active, so winter visitors may see more subdued tarpon action.

Robbie's Marina

77522 B. Overseas Highway, Islamorada 305-664-9814 Admission: $1 to go onto the dock, $3 for a bucket of fish.

Get Splashed by a Dolphin Dolphin Research Center , Marathon

The Keys offer many different ways to experience dolphins. Theater of the Sea in Islamorada offers entertaining shows, and several tour boats in Key West offer wild-dolphin-viewing trips .

The Dolphin Research Center , a nonprofit facility, focuses on education. Trainers hold informative sessions as visitors stand on the dock around open-water tanks. At a small group session, a staff member demonstrates how they train younger dolphins. While visitors ask questions and watch, the dolphins swim in front of them.

The facility, built along the waterfront with beautiful views of Florida Bay, allows visitors to linger. Tour and information sessions take an hour or two, but many visitors stay for several hours, watching dolphins and talking with the friendly, well-informed staff.

Guests can also pay for additional programs where they can interact with the dolphins, and these are entertaining to watch as well. The Dolphin Research Center offers a half-dozen interactive options. An extra $25 allows you to shake a flipper and touch a dolphin. If you spend $104, you can take a dip with a dolphin. For $650, you get an all-day "Trainer for a Day" program.

Dolphin Research Center 58901 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-289-1121 Admission: $20 for adults, $15 for children 4 to 12, and children 3 and under free. A coupon for $3 off is available on the center's website.

Support a Sea Turtle The Turtle Hospital , Marathon

Seeing a sea turtle in the wild while in the Keys is uncommon, but you can get within arm's reach of several varieties that frequent the Keys. You can even toss them some food at the nonprofit Turtle Hospital .

The admission price paid to tour the Turtle Hospital, housed in a former motel on the Overseas Highway , supports its program of rescuing and rehabilitating about 100 injured sea turtles a year. A 90-minute educational tour occurs several times a day. In 2011, 40,000 people took the tour.

The visit begins with an educational presentation that focuses on the types of sea turtles and the challenges they face in Florida. While younger kids may squirm, presenters keep it interesting by passing around objects (sponges, a favorite turtle food, for example). They also tell stories about the individual turtles rescued by the hospital.

Visitors meet some of those turtles, such as Bubble Butt, the first and longest permanent resident of the facility. Bubble Butt was rescued March 25, 1989, after being struck by a boat off Long Key . The boat strike deformed the shell, leaving a large "bubble" on his rear. It made it impossible for him to dive.

As many as a dozen or more different types of sea turtles fill individual plastic tanks while being treated. Visitors gather around each tank and the guide tells each turtle's history.

Nearby, permanent residents and turtles almost strong enough to be released swim in an old saltwater swimming pool, which has been converted into a large turtle aquarium. Visitors line the pool's edge, hear each turtle's story and receive a handful of catfish chow to throw to the waiting turtles.

The Turtle Hospital 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-743-2552 Admission: $25 for adults; $7.50 for children 4 to 12. Reservations are recommended.

Glimpse a Key Deer National Key Deer Refuge , Big Pine Key

Driving through Big Pine Key brings warnings to slow down for Key deer, but seeing the deer isn't easy because there are so few.

In 1957, there were only 27 Key deer left. The National Key Deer Refuge and its preservation efforts enabled the population to rebound to an estimated 800. Bucks stand from 28 to 32 inches at the shoulder. They weigh an average of 80 pounds. Does stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds.

So, how do you see Key deer? Some might appear by the side of the road on the Overseas Highway. The visitor center for the National Key Deer Refuge, located in a nearby shopping center, offers maps and information to help you explore.

Refuge lands include an old quarry filled with freshwater called the Blue Hole. There's an observation platform and two short trails that lead to recommended spots to watch for deer. On a recent trip, we walked and bicycled through No Name Key , an island that is part of the refuge, during early evening and saw many Key deer. Timing is everything.

On No Name Key, we spotted several deer grazing along the side of the road, including toy-like fawns. The diminutive size of this sub-species of white-tailed deer charmed us. We've seen bigger dogs, and like dogs, they are friendly. The deer live in such proximity to people they feel no fear; however, people can be a danger to the deer. Last year, cars killed 150 Key deer, a new record. Most died on U.S. 1. Strict speed limits are in place in the refuge. It is also against the law to feed Key deer.

To get to No Name Key , turn right (if you're driving south) at the one major intersection/traffic light in Big Pine Key. There are two roads heading east. One, Wilder Road, is clearly labeled No Name Key. Follow it (and the signs) to Watson Boulevard, which eventually crosses a scenic bridge to No Name Key.

National Key Deer Refuge 175 Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key Admission: Free Tip: Use insect repellent before going to No Name Key at dusk.

Crow at a Chicken Key West

You don't have to work hard to spot the Key West chickens – they crow and strut everywhere. The colorful roosters, mother hens and lines of tiny chicks weave in and out of traffic and through outdoor cafes all over town.

There have always been chickens in Key West. Backyard chickens gained their freedom when people stopped the laborious process of turning live chickens into Sunday dinner decades ago. Roosters went free when cock-fighting became illegal.

When the chicken population grew large in 2004, Key West hired a chicken catcher to reduce the number. His work became controversial because people cherished the chickens. When he quit that same year, the city discontinued the post.

The chickens may have fans, but they also have detractors. "They crow at all hours," explained Debbie Britten, a volunteer at the Key West Wildlife Center. "They're like some of the people down here – they don't know when to quit."

To get rid of nuisance chickens, residents can borrow a trap from the wildlife center and bring the captured fowl there. The chickens are trucked to organic farms in Central Florida, where they are prized for their eggs and for their help with pest control. (They eat bugs.)

One sign of how many chickens roam Key West : The wildlife center relocated close to 1,500 last year, Britten said – and they're still everywhere.

Key West Wildlife Center 1801 White Street, Key West 305-292-1008 Admission: free

Behold the Butterfly Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy

This is the most peaceful place in crazy, clamorous Key West .

Located on Duval Street within a block of the Southernmost Point in the United States, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy immerses you in a tropical garden where butterflies float overhead and flashy finches dart past waterfalls and koi-filled ponds.

The conservatory asks visitors to turn off their cell phones, so you hear few sounds except chirping birds and the soft, chime-like background music.

The 5,000-square-foot conservatory features a plexiglass structure designed as a Victorian greenhouse. It provides butterfly-shaped benches where visitors can sit and contemplate while an occasional butterfly floats by or lands on your shoulder.

The conservancy, which is kept at a constant 85 degrees, is home to 50 to 60 butterfly species from around the world and 20 exotic bird species. Butterflies come from farms, not from the wild.

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservancy 1316 Duval Street, Key West 800-839-4647 Admission: $12 for adults, $8.50 for children 4 to 12 years, and children under 4 are free. Look for maps and brochures widely available with $2 off coupons.

Florida Keys

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Your Guide to a Florida Keys Road Trip: Key Largo to Key West

Posted: March 12, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

Your road trip guide to the Florida Keys

One of the best state road trips in America has to be the sun-kissed drive from Key Largo to Key West in the Florida Keys. This road, known as the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, takes you through a 125-mile island chain that begins just south of Miami. It hopscotches over 42 bridges and five islands, and has turquoise waters stretching in every direction into the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico.

So if you're looking for the perfect Atlantic Coast road trip or cheap beach vacation , look no further than this road trip guide from Key Largo to Key West. And if you'd rather travel from Key West to Key Largo, rest easy—the route works either way. There are shuttles that run from Key Largo to Key West, but keep in mind, you'd be missing out on all the fun in between.

By the way, once you embark on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, you'll notice that many sites along the way use mile markers (MM) in their address. We use those mile marker points in this story to help you navigate the drive.

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Mile marker: 108–90

The first of the Florida Keys you'll hit after driving about an hour south from Miami en route from Key Largo to Key West is, well, Key Largo. Often referred to as the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo includes one must-see stop: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), the first underwater preserve in the United States.

Experienced and novice snorkelers and SCUBA divers will be enthralled by the teeming marine life that lives just below the water's surface, like parrot fish, barracudas and sea turtles. More experienced divers enjoy exploring the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef where pretty fish can thrive.

Back on dry land, travelers can wander nearly six miles of trails at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, home to more than 80 species of plants and animals. You can also peruse the work of local artists at myriad galleries.

Best beach: Cannon Beach, found within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, has shallow waters that are perfect for wading. You may even spot cannons and anchors on the beach that remain from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.

Where to eat: Dig into the catch of the day at The Fish House, Key Largo Conch House or Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar, some of the best traditional restaurants in the area. If you'd rather turf than surf, check out Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill.

Where to stay: If you can't get enough of the underwater world, stay at Jules' Undersea Lodge , the world's first underwater hotel. If you'd rather keep dry, try the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo .

Mile marker: 90–63

Next up en route from Key Largo to Key West is the fisherman's paradise known as Islamorada. Considered the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, it's where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly-fishing got their start. Countless seasoned boat captains are ready for hire to take you out to catch the wahoo, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna that swim in these waters.

There's an even quirkier way to interact with fish here: hand-feeding the tarpon off the docks of Robbie's Marina (MM 77.5). Since 1976, countless Keys visitors have stopped to feed them, and more than 100 kinds of fish gather at the docks for their daily snacks. Feeding the fishies there is so popular, it's been named the No. 1 activity in all the Florida Keys.

Islamorada is also a terrific spot to kitesurf, stand-up paddleboard, go for a hike or take a bicycle ride. Stop by the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, where injured or displaced birdies now make their homes. Or visit the History of Diving Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of diving helmets.

Best beach: Anne's Beach is popular with families (and dogs) because of its shallow waters and lack of waves. Take a walk along the boardwalk or enjoy a picnic at one of the covered tables.

Where to eat: For a quintessential casual Florida Keys meal, go to the Hungry Tarpon. If you want more elegant fare, make reservations at Chef Michael's for creatively inspired local dishes.

Where to stay: When it's time to lay your head for the night, check in to one of the new oceanfront suites at Cheeca Lodge & Spa , or your own cottage at The Moorings Village & Spa .

Mile marker: 63–40

Marathon is the island chain's top boating destination—and for good reason. The area boasts nearly 2,400 boat slips and plenty of facilities to accommodate sailors passing through. But you don't need your own boat to enjoy Marathon and its waters.

For a truly different experience, hop on over to Cruisin' Tikis and have a floating tiki bar adventure. Sunset, mangrove and harbor cruises are all available, as is a swim-stop cruise for a chance to jump into the water.

While you're here, you should also visit Pigeon Key, an island that is accessible by boat, trolley or walking the 2.2-mile Old Seven Mile Bridge. It has a museum to explore, either on a guided tour or on your own. The Bridge is open for walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading and, of course, watching the killer sunrises and sunsets.

Best beach: Sombrero Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys—not to mention one of the best beaches in Florida . And it's not just popular with humans; sea turtles nest here between April and October.

Where to eat: For any meal, stop by Castaway, which has been serving guests for more than 70 years. Or make a night of it at Hide Away Café, which has an extensive wine list.

Where to stay: The Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club is set on the waterfront and gives you a taste of marina life. Lime Tree Bay Resort on Long Key has spacious townhomes for rent.

The Lower Keys

Mile marker: 40–4

After crossing the Old Seven Mile Bridge out of Marathon, you'll find yourself in the Lower Keys, where natural habitats and wildlife refuges thrive. It's no wonder this part of the Florida Keys is known as the Natural Keys. You might even want to consider taking an electric vehicle on this road trip so you don't disturb the animals.

Your best chance to spot a native Key deer, a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer that somehow made its way south, may be in the National Key Deer Refuge, comprised of 9,200 acres stretching from Bahia Honda Key to Sugarloaf Key on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. More than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species can be found within the refuge. Take a quiet walk at dusk or dawn for your best chance to glimpse a Key deer, or join a ranger-led tour to learn more about the area.

Aside from all the eco-friendly fun, Stock Island is well worth a stop. Their maritime history goes back generations, and the marina is filled with shrimping and fishing boats. Artists have been flocking to Stock Island, too, and share their works in galleries dotted across the small island.

Best beach: The shallow, clear water and white sand at Calusa Beach make it a locals' favorite. The beach is a perfect spot for snorkeling too.

Where to eat: In addition to the freshest of seafood, Big Pine Rooster serves up ribs and a special-recipe meatloaf. Or sip like the locals at No Name Pub, located on Big Pine Key.

Where to stay: Consider the waterfront Sugarloaf Lodge , stay in an Airstream at Big Pine Key Resort  or pop a tent on one of the reserved campsites at Bahia Honda State Park.

Mile marker: 4–0

You've made it to the end! Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West is known for its nightly sunset celebrations, party atmosphere and laissez-faire vibe, but it's really so much more.

If you're a writer or bookworm, you'll certainly want to make plans to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where you should keep an eye out for the famous six-toed cats. Then wander through Key West's Bahama Village, a 12-block area of historic homes and restaurants.

Consider a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, where you'll find some hidden gems . The island, accessible by boat or seaplane, is popular for snorkeling and feeling like you're on your own private island, not to mention touring the Civil War–era fort.

Best beach: Fort Zachary Taylor Beach—or Fort Zach, as locals call it—predates the Civil War and boasts the island's very best sandy stretch.

Where to eat: No visit to Key West is complete without a meal at Blue Heaven, where you can dine with wandering roosters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or snag a spot on the tiny balcony at Santiago's Bodega for tapas and flowing wine.

Where to stay: The boutique Gardens Hotel , the adults-only Kimpton Hotels Ridley House  or the new Capitana Key West , to name a few. Wherever you stay, you're sure to find your place in Key West, and it's likely you'll follow so many others' lead and start planning your return visit before you even leave.

Art and history in the Florida Keys

Road-tripping from Key Largo to Key West, it's easy to appreciate all the natural beauty. That said, the Keys aren't just a terrific destination for eco-travelers, but artists and history buffs too.

It's easy for artists to find inspiration throughout the Florida Keys. Fortunately for road-trippers, there are many spots to stop and admire their work. One of the largest artists' communities in the Florida Keys is Stock Island in the Lower Keys, just about three miles from the commercial area of Key West. What was once a shrimping boat marina is now a blend of fishermen and painters, sculptors and other artisans who have created an energetic and supportive community.

For history buffs, in addition to Pigeon Key in Marathon and the Civil War–era Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park, other must-stops in Key West include the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Planning your Florida Keys road trip

Now that you're inspired to hit the road, it's time to start planning. After budgeting for a road trip , your next step is to decide whether you will travel south from Key Largo to Key West, or north from Key West to Key Largo. Or maybe you'll opt for a roundtrip.

If you're starting off in Key Largo, it's important to note that the Florida Keys Overseas Highway begins at the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. So if you're flying to Florida, Miami International Airport (MIA) is the way to go. If you begin in Key West, the airport (EYW) is on the island.

If you're already driving one of the best road trip cars to get to Florida, you're all set. But if you need a loaner, choose one of the best cars to rent for a road trip . Consider packing these road trip essentials and download some of the best podcasts for road trips to make the miles fly by.

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Money blog: Loud budgeting - the taboo-busting money hack you can do without giving up daily coffee

Created accidentally by a comedian, "loud budgeting" is breaking down the taboo of speaking about money. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money features, and leave a comment, and we'll be back with rolling personal finance and consumer news on Monday.

Saturday 11 May 2024 20:15, UK

Weekend Money

• 'Loud budgeting': The money-saving trend that has nothing to do with giving up your daily coffee
• What is most in-demand period property?
• £12m tea advert, downsizing, £320 tasting menus and job interview mistakes: What readers have said this week
• Free childcare applications about to open for new age band
• Where has huge week for UK economy left us?

Best of the week

• How to avoid a holiday data roaming charge (while still using the internet)
• Mortgage rates up again this week - here are the best deals on the market
• My daughter discovered undeclared £600 management fee after buying her flat - can we complain?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Money saving trends are constantly popping up on social media - but one in particular has been gaining huge amounts of attention.

Created accidentally by a comedian, loud budgeting is breaking down the taboo of speaking about money.

The idea is based on being firmer/more vocal about your financial boundaries in social situations and setting out what you are happy to spend your money on, instead of "Keeping up with the Joneses". 

On TikTok alone, videos published under the hashtag #loudbudgeting have garnered more than 30 million views - and that figure is continuing to climb. 

We spoke to Lukas Battle - the 26-year-old who unintentionally created the trend as part of a comedy sketch. 

Based in New York, he came up with the term in a skit about the "quiet luxury" hype, which had spread online in 2023 inspired by shows like Succession. 

The term was used for humble bragging about your wealth with expensive items that were subtle in their design - for example, Gwyneth Paltrow's  £3,900 moss green wool coat from The Row, which she wore during her ski resort trial...

"I was never a big fan of the quiet luxury trend, so I just kind of switched the words and wrote 'loud budgeting is in'. I'm tired of spending money and I don't want to pretend to be rich," Lukas said. 

"That's how it started and then the TikTok comments were just obsessed with that original idea." 

This was the first time he mentioned it...

Lukas explained that it wasn't about "being poor" but about not being afraid of sharing your financial limits and "what's profitable for you personally". 

"It's not 'skip a coffee a day and you'll become a millionaire'."

While talking money has been seen as rude or taboo, he said it's something his generation is more comfortable doing. 

"I've seen more debate around the topic and I think people are really intrigued and attracted by the idea," he said. 

"It's just focusing your spending and time on things you enjoy and cutting out the things you might feel pressured to spend your money on."  

He has incorporated loud budgeting into his own life, telling his friends "it's free to go outside" and opting for cheaper dinner alternatives.

"Having the terminology and knowing it's a trend helps people understand it and there's no awkward conversation around it," he said. 

The trend has been a big hit with so-called American "finfluencers", or "financial influencers", but people in the UK have started practising it as well. 

Mia Westrap has taken up loud budgeting by embarking on a no-buy year and sharing her finances with her 11.3k TikTok followers. 

Earning roughly £2,100 a month, she spends around £1,200 on essentials, like rent, petrol and car insurance, but limits what else she can purchase. 

Clothes, fizzy drinks, beauty treatments, makeup, dinners out and train tickets are just some things on her "red list". 

The 26-year-old PHD student first came across the idea back in 2017, but decided to take up the challenge this year after realising she was living "pay check to pay check". 

She said her "biggest fear" in the beginning was that her friends wouldn't understand what she was doing, but she found loud budgeting helped. 

"I'm still trying my best to just go along with what everyone wants to do but I just won't spend money while we do it and my friends don't mind that, we don't make a big deal out of it," she said. 

So far, she has been able to save £1,700, and she said talking openly about her money has been "really helpful". 

"There's no way I could have got this far if I wasn't baring my soul to the internet about the money I have spent. It has been a really motivating factor."

Financial expert John Webb said loud budgeting has the ability to help many "feel empowered" and create a "more realistic" relationship with money.

"This is helping to normalise having open and honest conversations about finances," the consumer affair manager at Experien said. 

"It can also reduce the anxiety some might have by keeping their financial worries to themselves." 

However, he warned it's important to be cautious and to take the reality of life into consideration. 

"It could cause troubles within friendship groups if they're not on the same page as you or have different financial goals," he said.

"This challenge isn't meant to stop you from having fun, but it is designed to help people become more conscious and intentional when it comes to money, and reduce the stigma around talking about it." 

Rightmove's keyword tool shows Victorian-era houses are the most commonly searched period properties, with people drawn to their ornate designs and features.

Georgian and Edwardian-style are second and third respectively, followed by Tudor properties. Regency ranked in fifth place.

Rightmove property expert Tim Bannister said: "Home hunters continue to be captivated by the character and charm of properties that we see in period dramas.

"Victorian homes remain particularly popular, characterised by their historic charm, solid construction, and spacious interiors. You'll often find Victorian houses in some of the most desirable locations which include convenient access to schools and transport links."

Throughout the week Money blog readers have shared their thoughts on the stories we've been covering, with the most correspondence coming in on...

• A hotly contested debate on the best brand of tea
• Downsizing homes
• The cost of Michelin-starred food

Job interview mistakes

On Wednesday we reported on a new £12m ad from PG Tips in response to it falling behind rivals such as Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley....

We had lots of comments like this...

How on earth was the PG Tips advert so expensive? I prefer Tetley tea, PG Tips is never strong enough flavour for me. Shellyleppard

The reason for the sales drop with PG Tips could be because they increased the price and reduced the quantity of bags from 240 to 180 - it's obvious. Royston

And then this question which we've tried to answer below...

Why have PG Tips changed from Pyramid shape tea bags, to a square? Sam

Last year PG Tips said it was changing to a square bag that left more room for leaves to infuse, as the bags wouldn't fold over themselves.

We reported on data showing how downsizing could save you money for retirement - more than £400,000, in some regions, by swapping four beds for two.

Some of our readers shared their experiences...

We are downsizing and moving South so it's costing us £100k extra for a smaller place, all money from retirement fund. AlanNorth

Interesting read about downsizing for retirement. We recently did this to have the means to retire early at 52. However, we bought a house in the south of France for the price of a flat in our town in West Sussex. Now living the dream! OliSarah

How much should we pay for food?

Executive chef at London's two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi, Jeremy Chan, raised eyebrows when he suggested to the Money blog that Britons don't pay enough for restaurant food.

Ikoyi, the 35th best restaurant in the world, charges £320 for its tasting menu. 

"I don't think people pay enough money for food, I think we charge too little, [but] we want to always be accessible to as many people as possible, we're always trying our best to do that," he said, in a piece about his restaurant's tie up with Uber Eats... 

We had this in... 

Are they serious? That is two weeks' worth of food shopping for me, if the rich can afford this "tasting menu" then they need to be taxed even more by the government, it's just crazy! Steve T

If the rate of pay is proportionate to the vastly overpriced costs of the double Michelin star menu, I would gladly peel quail eggs for four-hour stints over continuing to be abused as a UK supply teacher. AndrewWard

Does this two-star Michelin star chef live in the real world? Who gives a toss if he stands and peels his quails eggs for four hours, and he can get the best turbot from the fishmonger fresh on a daily basis? It doesn't justify the outrageous price he is charging for his tasting menu. Topaztraveller

Chefs do make me laugh, a steak is just a steak, they don't make the meat! They just cook it like the rest of us, but we eat out because we can't be bothered cooking! StevieGrah

Finally, many of you reacted to this feature on common mistakes in job interviews...

Those 10 biggest mistakes people make in interviews is the dumbest thing I've ever read. They expect all that and they'll be offering a £25k a year job. Why wouldn't I want to know about benefits and basic sick pay? And also a limp handshake? How's that relevant to how you work? Jre90

Others brought their own tips...

Whenever I go for an interview I stick to three points: 1. Be yourself 2. Own the interview 3. Wear the clothes that match the job you are applying Kevin James Blakey

From Sunday, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old in England will be able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

This will then be granted from September. 

Check if you're eligible  here  - or read on for our explainer on free childcare across the UK.

Three and four year olds

In England, all parents of children aged three and four in England can claim 15 hours of free childcare per week, for 1,140 hours (38 weeks) a year, at an approved provider.

This is a universal offer open to all.

It can be extended to 30 hours where both parents (or the sole parent) are in work, earn the weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage, and have an income of less than £100,000 per year.

Two year olds

Previously, only parents in receipt of certain benefits were eligible for 15 hours of free childcare.

But, as of last month, this was extended to working parents.

This is not a universal offer, however.

A working parent must earn more than £8,670 but less than £100,000 per year. For couples, the rule applies to both parents.

Nine months old

In September, this same 15-hour offer will be extended to working parents of children aged from nine months. From 12 May, those whose children will be at least nine months old on 31 August can apply to received the 15 hours of care from September.

From September 2025

The final change to the childcare offer in England will be rolled out in September 2025, when eligible working parents of all children under the age of five will be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week.

In some areas of Wales, the Flying Start early years programme offers 12.5 hours of free childcare for 39 weeks, for eligible children aged two to three. The scheme is based on your postcode area, though it is currently being expanded.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education of 10 hours per week in approved settings during term time under the Welsh government's childcare offer.

Some children of this age are entitled to up to 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare over 48 weeks of the year. The hours can be split - but at least 10 need to be used on early education.

To qualify for this, each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year, be employed and earn at least the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage, or be enrolled on an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length.

All three and four-year-olds living in Scotland are entitled to at least 1,140 hours per year of free childcare, with no work or earnings requirements for parents. 

This is usually taken as 30 hours per week over term time (38 weeks), though each provider will have their own approach.

Some households can claim free childcare for two-year-olds. To be eligible you have to be claiming certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, or have a child that is in the care of their local council or living with you under a guardianship order or kinship care order.

Northern Ireland

There is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland. Some other limited support is available.

Working parents can access support from UK-wide schemes such as tax credits, Universal Credit, childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare.

Aside from this, all parents of children aged three or four can apply for at least 12.5 hours a week of funded pre-school education during term time. But over 90% of three-year-olds have a funded pre-school place - and of course this is different to childcare.

What other help could I be eligible for?

Tax-free childcare  - Working parents in the UK can claim up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with childcare costs. 

If the child is disabled, the amount goes up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year).

To claim the benefit, parents will need to open a tax-free childcare account online. For every 80p paid into the account, the government will top it up by 20p.

The scheme is available until the September after the child turns 11.

Universal credit  - Working families on universal credit can claim back up to 85% of their monthly childcare costs, as long as the care is paid for upfront. The most you can claim per month is £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children.

Tax credits -  People claiming working tax credit can get up to 70% of what they pay for childcare if their costs are no more than £175 per week for one child or £300 per work for multiple children.

Two big economic moments dominated the news agenda in Money this week - interest rates and GDP.

As expected, the Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25% on Wednesday - but a shift in language was instructive about what may happen next.

Bank governor Andrew Bailey opened the door to a summer cut to 5%, telling reporters that an easing of rates at the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting on 20 June was neither ruled out nor a fait accompli.

More surprisingly, he suggested that rate cuts, when they start, could go deeper "than currently priced into market rates".

He refused to be drawn on what that path might look like - but markets had thought rates could bottom out at 4.5% or 4.75% this year, and potentially 3.5% or 4% next.

"To make sure that inflation stays around the 2% target - that inflation will neither be too high nor too low - it's likely that we will need to cut Bank rate over the coming quarters and make monetary policy somewhat less restrictive over the forecast period," Mr Bailey said.

You can read economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Bank's decision here ...

On Friday we discovered the UK is no longer in recession.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics said.

This followed two consecutive quarters of the economy shrinking.

The data was more positive than anticipated.

"Britain is not just out of recession," wrote Conway. "It is out of recession with a bang."

The UK has seen its fastest growth since the tailend of the pandemic - and Conway picked out three other reasons for optimism.

1/ An economic growth rate of 0.6% is near enough to what economists used to call "trend growth". It's the kind of number that signifies the economy growing at more or less "normal" rates.

2/ 0.6% means the UK is, alongside Canada, the fastest-growing economy in the G7 (we've yet to hear from Japan, but economists expect its economy to contract in the first quarter).

3/ Third, it's not just gross domestic product that's up. So too is gross domestic product per head - the number you get when you divide our national income by every person in the country. After seven years without any growth, GDP per head rose by 0.4% in the first quarter.

GDP per head is a more accurate yardstick for the "feelgood factor", said Conway - perhaps meaning people will finally start to feel better off.

For more on where Friday's figures leaves us, listen to an Ian King Business Podcast special...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money .

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

If you've missed any of the features we've been running in Money this year, or want to check back on something you've previously seen in the blog, this archive of our most popular articles may help...

Loaves of bread have been recalled from shelves in Japan after they were found to contain the remains of a rat.

Production of the bread in Tokyo has been halted after parts of a "small animal" were found by at least two people.

Pasco Shikishima Corp, which produces the bread, said 104,000 packages have been recalled as it apologised and promised compensation.

A company representative told Sky News's US partner network, NBC News, that a "small black rat" was found in the bread. No customers were reported to have fallen ill as a result of ingesting the contaminated bread.

"We deeply apologise for the serious inconvenience and trouble this has caused to our customers, suppliers, and other concerned parties," the spokesman said.

Pasco added in a separate statement that "we will do our utmost to strengthen our quality controls so that this will never happen again. We ask for your understanding and your co-operation."

Japanese media reports said at least two people who bought the bread in the Gunma prefecture, north-west of Tokyo, complained to the company about finding a rodent in the bread.

Record levels of shoplifting appear to be declining as fewer shopkeepers reported thefts last year, new figures show. 

A survey by the Office for National Statistics shows 26% of retailers experienced customer theft in 2023, down from a record high of 28% in 2022.

This comes despite a number of reports suggesting shoplifting is becoming more frequent. 

A  separate ONS finding , which used police crime data, showed reports of shoplifting were at their highest level in 20 years in 2023, with law enforcements logging 430,000 instances of the crime.

Let's get you up to speed on the biggest business news of the past 24 hours. 

A privately owned used-car platform is circling Cazoo Group, its stricken US-listed rival, which is on the brink of administration.

Sky News has learnt that Motors.co.uk is a leading contender to acquire Cazoo's marketplace operation, which would include its brand and intellectual property assets.

The process to auction the used-car platform's constituent parts comes after it spent tens of millions of pounds on sponsorship deals in football, snooker and darts in a rapid attempt to gain market share.

The owner of British Airways has reported a sharp rise in profits amid soaring demand for trips and a fall in the cost of fuel.

International Airlines Group said its operating profit for the first three months of the year was €68m (£58.5m) - above expectations and up from €9m (£7.7m) during the same period in 2023.

The company, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, said earnings had soared thanks to strong demand, particularly over the Easter holidays.

The prospect of a strike across Tata Steel's UK operations has gained further traction after a key union secured support for industrial action.

Community, which has more than 3,000 members, said 85% voted in favour of fighting the India-owned company's plans for up to 2,800 job losses, the majority of them at the country's biggest steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales.

Tata confirmed last month it was to press ahead with the closure of the blast furnaces at the plant, replacing them with electric arc furnaces to reduce emissions and costs.

In doing so, the company rejected an alternative plan put forward by the Community, GMB and Unite unions that, they said, would raise productivity and protect jobs across the supply chain.

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PHOTOS: Taylor Swift kicks off European leg of Eras Tour, adds 'The Tortured Poets Department' songs

Maria Sherman

Associated Press

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Taylor Swift performs at the Paris Le Defense Arena as a part of her Eras Tour concert in Paris, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

In her first Eras Tour concert since the release of “The Tortured Poets Department,” Taylor Swift shook up her setlist.

At Thursday night's show at the La Défense Arena in Paris, fans were treated to the inclusion of new songs from the record-breaking album released in April.

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According to fan videos and news outlets, Swift performed “But Daddy I Love Him,” “So High School,” “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me,” “Down Bad,” “Fortnight,” “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart,” all from the new release, dressed in black and white to match her 11th studio album’s visuals.

The billion-dollar Eras Tour is meant to be a career retrospective, with Swift performing more than 40 tracks reflecting 17 years of recorded music. “The Tortured Poets Department” was her first brand-new release since the tour's start.

The Paris show included several new costumes, and some edits to make room for the new material. Her “Folklore” and “Evermore” sections were woven into one, Billboard reported.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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South Africa to play T20Is in West Indies before World Cup

South africa are set to tour the west indies ahead of the t20 world cup 2024. sa will play 3 t20i matches in the caribbean islands to prepare for the tournament..

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• South Africa are set to tour West Indies in May
• SA will play 3 T20Is ahead of the T20 World Cup
• Several top SA players are currently playing in IPL

South Africa cricket team are set to play West Indies in a 3-match T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. This will be of great help to the South African side to understand the conditions in the tournament, which are expected to be very different from their home surfaces. On Saturday, May 11, the West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) announced the home fixtures for the year 2024.

South Africa are set to tour the country twice, first when they play three T20Is in May in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup and then in August for 2 Tests and 3 ODI matches in August. Apart from South Africa, England and Bangladesh are also touring West Indies. While England play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is, Bangladesh will play all three formats of the game.

T20 World Cup 2024: Full Schedule

"We are delighted to announce our West Indies Men's Home Series for the remainder of the year that will welcome South Africa, England and Bangladesh to eight of our host countries in the West Indies, including Saint Vincent for the first time since 2012," said CWI Chief Executive, Johnny Grave.

"With significant improvements being made to the National Stadium in Grenada and Windsor Park in Dominica we were unable to host International cricket there this year, but we are already looking forward to returning to both venues in 2025.

TERROR THREAT TO T20 WORLD CUP 2024

Earlier, West Indies, co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, received a terror threat from North Pakistan, sources confirmed IndiaToday.in on Monday 6, May. However, West Indies (CWI), informed the public that all safety precautions have been taken. According to a reliable source familiar with the situation, the Caribbean islands have been alerted to potential terror risks originating from North Pakistan. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the US from June 1 to 29.