The Florida Keys has formally announced it will reopen to general tourism on Sunday, October 1.
Restoration efforts are still continuing after the Category 4 Hurricane Irma, however most immediate infrastructure repairs are almost complete, and almost all power and water have been restored from Key Largo through Marathon and throughout Stock Island and Key West.
"We know we have a long way to go before the Keys fully recover but because tourism is our top economic engine and many of our residents’ livelihoods depend on it, we also know that we need to begin asking visitors to return," said Monroe County mayor George Neugent.
Although an official reopening date has been set, visitors should still call ahead to confirm hotels and attractions are open, officials said.
Key West cruise port and Key West and Marathon airports have resumed operations.
Key Largo’s Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, Fantasy Fest and Marathon’s Stone Crab Eating Contest are all scheduled to take place as planned during October.
Bridges on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway have passed inspections although motorists are advised to stay off minor roads in the Lower Keys and parts of Marathon as restoration work may still be taking place.
