Want to “visit” the Florida Keys & Key West to check out the weather, water and island events before physically traveling here? Or “revisit” the Keys afterward to spark subtropical memories? Both are easy to do — thanks to nearly 40 webcams positioned at various places from Key Largo to Key West.

Want to check out Keys water conditions before coming down for a fishing or diving excursion? Do it via webcam! (Photo by Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau)

For example, you can watch the tall ships and fishing boats ply Key West Harbor from the Ocean Key Resort cam … experience a renowned Lower Keys state park and beach from the Bahia Honda cam … hang out with Key West’s beloved six-toed cats thanks to a “litter” of cams at the Hemingway Home … “feed” the resident tarpon at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada … watch the orange sun seemingly sink into the ocean from Keys beaches and favorite sunset sites … and much, much more.

But the webcams aren’t the only way to get your “Keys fix” — there’s also Florida Keys TravelVision.

Discover the Key deer's remarkable return from near-extinction, documented in a fascinating video of the week segment.

Located on the home page of the island chain’s official website, Florida Keys TravelVision presents fun and informative “video of the week” features on offbeat attractions, environmental wonders, festivals and special events, and activities ranging from stand-up paddleboarding to making the perfect Key lime pie (which is not as tough as you might think!).

If you miss a “video of the week” segment, don’t despair — after their home-page debut, each one is moved into an easily-accessed video archive, where it can be viewed and re-viewed any time (especially helpful when you’re making that aforementioned Key lime pie).

And if you’d rather “visit” the Keys on YouTube, you’re in luck. Each “video of the week” feature also stars on the Keys’ own YouTube video channel — and they’re also uploaded to other popular video sites, so there’s no telling where you might find them.

The Key West "six-toed cat cam" video offers several reasons why the offbeat island is a "purr-fect" haven for felines and other species.

Segments showcase all regions of the Keys and a variety of attractions ranging from eco-tourism activities to cuisine, festivals, water sports and the Keys’ rich creative community.

Past topics have included a quirky “six-toed cat” fantasy (whether you’re a cat lover or not, you MUST watch this — no excuses), the sinking of the Vandenberg as an artificial reef, experiencing snuba and Dragon Boat racing in Marathon waters, the incredible environmental success story at the Lower Keys’ National Key Deer Refuge, dolphins playing football (not the ones you might expect!), Islamorada artist Stacie Krupa, and a scuba-diving Santa in Key Largo who “submerged” himself in the holiday season.

Of course, the best way to visit the Keys is up close and in person, so you can experience the magical islands’ appeal for yourself. But when that’s not an option, the webcams and Keys TravelVision are truly the next best thing to being here.