Stretching out into the ocean south of Vice City is a series of small islands - GTA 6's unmistakable version of the Florida Keys. Trailer footage shows bridges linking them together, low-rise beach towns, and what appears to be a Key West-inspired terminal town at the southern tip. This page discusses what the area includes, how expansive it is, and what gameplay we can expect from it.
See also our Leonida map guide and GTA 6 map locations catalogue for broader regional context.
Where the Keys sit on the map
Running south-south-west from Vice City, the chain mimics the geographical placement of the real Florida Keys. Trailer 2 features an aerial shot where we see the bridge leading from Vice City to the first major island in the chain, with parts of the chain disappearing into the distance. Exact length is difficult to determine due to cinematic angles, but the chain appears large - connecting together several islands instead of just a couple.
This region falls under Leonida, but doesn't feel particularly connected to the rest of the state. Rockstar will probably emphasise that - expect missions in this area to play very differently from those in Vice City or the wetlands.
The Key West analogue
Trailer footage suggests the other end of the chain will be home to a party-town destination modelled after Key West, complete with low-rise pastel-coloured buildings, dive bars, marinas and some sort of Hemingway-style waterfront strip. Real-life Key West is a very specific cultural destination, so Rockstar will have some obvious targets to aim at - look for a heavily satirised version.
This will likely be one of the more memorable secondary locations in the game. Rockstar likes to stuff easter eggs and other side content into their most distinctive towns, and this Key West analogue certainly is one.
Bridges as gameplay set pieces
The bridges between the Keys are giant landmarks on the map, and will almost certainly be major mission set pieces. Trailer footage hints at a chase taking place on one of them. We'll probably see at least one signature mission taking place on the bridges, using them as a claustrophobic, high-tension environment, like GTA 5 did with the freeway and the Vinewood sign.
Limited space is a known design element. Rockstar capitalises on geographic constraint to heighten drama: lengthy bridges, tight tunnels, mountain passes. The Keys bridges are tailor-made for this.
Fishing, boating & coastal gameplay
The Keys are a maritime region - boats, fishing, dive sites and offshore activities should anchor the gameplay loop here. We see several boat types in the trailer, from small fishing skiffs to large sport-fishing vessels, and even something resembling a charter operation. Boat traversal will feel more significant in this region than anywhere else on the map.
Underwater content will probably be clustered around the Keys as well. The actual Florida Keys are home to massive reef systems and shipwreck dive sites; anticipate Rockstar borrowing from both for placement of collectibles and side content.
How the Keys connect to the rest of Leonida
Primary access is via the bridge from Vice City. Footage from the trailers suggests a coastal highway connecting the chain end to end. Boats and small planes are alternate methods of travel - expect at least one airfield within the chain for short-hop plane rides to and from Vice City.
Custom map mods that expand upon the Keys will probably come when the GTA 6 modding toolchain is further developed. There are some obvious opportunities for custom MLO additions (extra dive shops, boat docks, RP venues) - keep an eye on GTA 6 map downloads for availability.