“Down in the Florida Keys, there’s a place called… “

It’s not the “Kokomo” of Beach Boys fame, but Key West will be hopping during spring break 1998.

Sun-kissed beaches, rowdy restaurants and bars and luxurious hotels swarming with college students from across the United States make the “small-town” Florida Keys the place to be.

Key West, the southernmost point in the lower 48, is sure to be a welcome change from the blustery March weather in Iowa.

It boasts 80-degree temperatures and more than 30 separate beaches with varying clothing requirements — public, private or clothing optional — according to the “Spring Break Key West” Web site.

Also along the coast of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico is the only natural coral reef in North America, with a plethora of shops offering masks, snorkels and good advice on how to see the underwater sights.

If you’re into more active pursuits, parasail, waterbike, raft and kayak and jet ski rentals are also available, according to the site.

One local expert, identified as “Webmaster Chris” on the “Key West Paradise” Web site, suggested a romantic outing on Smathers Beach.

“What most people don’t know is how wonderful the sunrises are. Get up early one morning, go to Smathers Beach, sit and watch the sunrise as morning breaks across the ocean with a calm and quiet unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” he writes.

But according to the “Spring Break Key West” site, “When the sun goes down is when the party REALLY starts!”

With 15 bars in a two-block stretch and all of them open until 4 a.m. (that’s not a misprint), it’s not hard to believe the hype. The music at these nightspots ranges from alternative to blues to reggae to disco.

There’s also a quieter option — Nancy’s Secret Garden, described by “Chris” as a “little oasis in the middle of Old Town with a wide variety of palms, tropical flowers and peaceful island breezes.”

He also recommends Cafe Sol‚, which features southern French cuisine twisted with a touch of tropical flavor at a “reasonable price.”

For those who can’t decide what to do, there’s the Old Town Trolley Tour, which circles Key West and runs from 8:55 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The fully narrated 90-minute tours depart every half hour, and each round trip makes 14 stops in the shopping and restaurant neighborhoods of town.

And at the end of the day, there are hundreds of hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds in and around Key West.

Be ready to pay if you want comfort — even the moderately priced spots will set you back at least $100 a night.

To contact the “Spring Break Key West” folks (they promise a “discount pass” and an e-mail address), call 1-888-581-8754.