2024 Key Largo Vacation Guide
Key Largo is a beautiful town known for its diving and snorkeling industry. It’s the topmost of the Florida Keys and home to some of the world’s most beautiful coral reef. Key Largo is actually known as the “diving capital of the world“, and it’s easy to see why. Tourists flock to the Keys, even in tough economic times, because it’s like visiting paradise right here in the USA. With palm trees and beautiful sunsets, it’s a romantic place to get away and a target hot-spot for water sports.
Most, if not all, of the diving and snorkeling companies, visit John Pennekamp Park, the nation’s first underwater state park. The park encompasses more than 100 square miles of beautiful water where you will find a vast array of coral, over 600 species of tropical fish, and other marine life such as dolphins, eagle rays, sea turtles, eels, etc.
Located just an hour south of Miami, Florida, Key Largo, Florida is perfect for scuba diving, enjoying the Florida Sunshine, taking part in deep-sea fishing, renting a boat, parasailing, or just taking a quiet stroll along the seashore, Key Largo has it all.
The first and most northern island of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is called by many “The Scuba Diving Capital of World” boasting the world’s largest artificial reef, the USS Spiegel Grove, and one of North America’s largest fish covered natural coral formations. Key Largo is also home to two state parks, a national park, and a national marine preserve. You can swim with dolphins, deep-sea and close shore fishing, glass-bottom boat tours, kayaking and more.
Key Largo Things to Do
Offshore reefs, shipwrecks and the Christ of the Deep statue make Key Largo a paradise for divers and snorkelers of all experience levels. Visitors can choose to dive within Key Largo National Marine Park and John Pennekamp Park, relax at resorts on the water, swim with dolphins or take in one of the numerous boat cruises and charters that are offered throughout the island.
The first and most northern island of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is called by many “The Scuba Diving Captial of World” boasting the world’s largest artificial reef, the USS Spiegel Grove, and one of North America’s largest fish covered natural coral formations. Key Largo is also home to two state parks, a national park, and a national marine preserve. You can swim with dolphins, deep-sea and close shore fishing, glass-bottom boat tours, kayaking and more.
African Queen
This boat, used in the film African Queen starring Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, now serves as a monument site that can be visited and explored by visitors. There is also a small souvenir shop located beside the boat’s docking station. Address: 99701 Overseas Hwy | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-4655
Blue Hole
This freshwater sinkhole is home to an exceptional array of flora and fauna, as well as alligators, turtles, birds, key deer, and a wide variety of fish. Nature lovers will have much to do and explore this fascinating natural park. Address: Mile Marker 30.5 Overseas Hwy | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 294-0706
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical Park
Guided nature walks of this park are offered Thursday and Sunday mornings at 10 am. Backcountry trails allow visitors to explore this unique park on their own. Address: 100 Monroe County Road 905 | Key largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-1202
Dolphin Cove
Located in a five-acre natural lagoon, Dolphin Cove offers an in-water orientation with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, there are also guided kayak and trips in the Florida Bay backcountry, nighttime crocodile tour, scuba instruction, eco-tours, and private charters.
Address: Mile Marker 101.9 Bay SIde, | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-4060
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
A 30, 000-gallon above-ground tank highlighting sea life is just one of the attractions for visitors of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are numerous scuba and snorkeling attractions, and glass-bottom boat tours are available. Equipment rental is also provided. Address: MM 102.5 U.S. Highway 1 – Oceanside | Key Largo, FL. Telephone: 1 305 451-6322
Key Largo Family Activities
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
102601 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo.
Rentals: Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats for self-guided exploration. Prices: Canoes $15 per hour; single kayaks $12 per hour; double kayaks $17 per hour. 305-451-6300; www.pennekamppark.com
Pedal and paddle outfitters
Florida Bay Outfitters, 104010 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo. Rentals include kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards. Guided tours are half-, full- and multi-day trips for kayaks and canoes to various locations around the Keys. Two-hour trips for stand up paddleboards. 305-451-3018; www.kayakfloridakeys.com.
Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours
91946 Overseas Hwy., Taverner.
Rentals: Road bikes, hybrid bikes, cruiser bikes and stand up paddleboards. Guided tours: Historic two-hour bike tour of Islamorada, century bike tours, various stand-up paddleboard tours. 305-896-2321; www.keylargobike.com
Dolphin Plus
Water program with dolphins and Sea Lions for children seven and older. This marine mammal research and educational center offer the best swim-with-the-dolphins programs in the area. Activities include a hands-on structured program with trained dolphins and a natural free swim among the dolphins. Group bookings are available, and visitors of all ages are welcome. Address: 31 Corrine Place | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-1993
Swim With The Dolphins
At this aquatic center visitors can watch swimmers perform trained behaviors with dolphins, or snorkel with them in a 15 ft deep natural saltwater lagoon. The center also offers continuous shows daily. Address: Mile Marker 84.5 101900 Overseas Hwy | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 664-2431
Key Largo Restaurants & Bars
The Buzzards Roost Grill and Pub
Come and dine at our waterfront location, where we offer the best of steaks, seafood, homemade desserts and a great wine and beer selection. Plan your next party or special event with us… we also offer catering! Located at Garden Cove Marina, MM 106.5 Oceanside Key Largo. Look for the Buzzard mobile or come by boat! Now serving Sunday Brunch!
Doc’s Diner
Come hungry for an old fashioned breakfast or lunch including delicious homemade pancakes and waffles, eggs, omelets and more! We serve great sandwiches and fresh seafood, too. Don’t miss “Italian Tuesdays” featuring homemade Italian lunch specialties by Doc himself! Voted Best Cup of Coffee, Best “Downhome” Cooking and Best Restaurant for Money Value. We are located at Mile Marker 99.6, bayside, across from The Holiday Inn. Open daily from 6am to 2pm.
The Fish House Encore Restaurant ~ Sushi Bar ~ Piano Lounge
Choose from an extensive appetizer, sushi, entrée, and dessert menu. Specializing in fresh local seafood, Encore also serves steaks, pasta and unique daily specials. (Children’s menu available.) Whether you dine inside or on the tropical outside patio, Encore’s friendly staff, great food and fantastic service can not be found anywhere else in Key Largo. Conveniently Located At Mile Marker 102.3, Key Largo, Oceanside.
The Fish House Restaurant & Seafood Market
representing the BEST of “Conch-Style” cooking, served in a “funky” Keys atmosphere. Friendly and fun, endorsed by AAA, homemade chowders and pies, raw bar. You can’t beat our fast service and great eats. Voted Best Seafood Restaurant year after year in the Upper Keys People’s Choice Awards. Join us at MM 102.4, Oceanside
Lazy Lobster Seafood Restaurant
Chef Lupe brings his award-winning Lazy Days menu to Key Largo! Visit our newly opened seafood restaurant at Mile Marker 102. Lazy Lobster offers fresh seafood, seafood pasta, vegetarian pasta, sandwiches, steaks and chicken at reasonable prices. Chef Lupe will also cook your catch! Fabulous desserts, kids menu and a variety of beers and wines. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Dine indoors or outside on the patio.
The Pilot House Restaurant and Glass Bottom Bar
Since opening in 1950 Pilot House has evolved into Key Largo’s “Home Port for Locals”. Taking advantage of the superb location over the waters of Lake Largo, the Glass Bottom Bar ™ allows patrons to eat and dine over the water where all forms of aquatic life lurk below. In addition to a wonderful array of seafood and lighter fare served outdoors on the water, there’s an Indoor Tiki/Raw Bar boasting a wide variety of fresh shellfish and beverages. Family-friendly prices and nightly entertainment make Pilot House Restaurant/Marina and Glass Bottom Bar™ a must-see for every Keys visitor.
Key Largo Boat Tours
Florida Everglades Airboat Charters with Capt. Greg Brown
Capt. Greg Brown is the host and guide of Everglades airboat tours that allow patrons to see nature in the unspoiled habitat of the Florida Everglades National Park. Address: . | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 394-0291
Capt. Sterling’s Everglades Tour
There are a variety of Everglade eco-tours available with Captain Sterling. The boat can accommodate two-to-six persons.
Address: 100 Buttonwood Ave | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 853-5161
Key Largo Princess
The Key Largo Princess allows passengers to explore John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park from a 70-foot glass-bottom boat. On the sun deck, there is a concession that sells sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Address: Mile Marker 100 | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-4655
Iva W Cruises
Iva W Cruises offers three-day boat tours of the Everglades. Trips are available for two to six people in a classic 50-ton wooden freighter with three double staterooms, each with private head, air conditioning and gourmet meals. Address: 24 Dockside Lane #254 | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 804 824-4677
Caribbean Watersports
Offering enviro-tours to the Everglades National Park’s Florida Bay. Spot Dolphins, sharks, birds from a Zodiac inflatable. Fly over the bay with their parasail tours or a reef tour or champagne cruise. Blast off on a WaveRunner, or raise hull on a Hobie!
Address: 97000 Overseas Highway | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 852-4707
Key Largo Fishing Trips
Chapman Fishing Charters
Fish for bluewater, tuna, marlin, shark, grouper and more aboard Chapman Fishing Charters, based out of Key Largo, Florida. Full- and half-day trips are available. Address: 400 Ocean Dr. | Key Largo, FL. Telephone: 1 305 905-0894
Dauntless Charters
Offering Florida Keys deep sea fishing charters including sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, and wahoo fishing adventures.
Address: 202 Ryan Ave | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-9644
Round Up Fishing Charters
Round Up Fishing Charters provides an exciting offshore fishing adventure that anyone visiting the Keys should experience. The waters around Key Largo are alive with fish. From fishing on the reef to venturing far offshore, Round-Up fishing charters in Key Largo caters to our anglers to make sure they have the best experience and most of all, catch fish. If you are looking for a fishing charter Key Largo be sure to contact Capt Brian Stoner on the ‘Round Up’ to book your fishing trip. Address: 45 Garden Cove Dr | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 954 304-4193
Key Largo Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
BlueWater Divers
Offering reck, reef and technical diving in Key Largo. All levels of instruction available. Fast uncrowded dive boat. Address: MM100 Key Largo Harbor | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 453-9600
It’s a Dive
Full-service watersports operation offering PADI certification lessons and scuba excursions twice a day to the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. Address: 103800 Overseas Highway | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 453-9881
Amy Slates Amoray Dive Resort
Have your wedding at the Amoray Dive Resort. Services include license, notary, flowers, catering, sunset cruises for the wedding party and accommodations. For the more adventurous, underwater weddings are also available. Address: 104250 Overseas Highway | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-3595
Silent World Dive Center
Full-service dive shop offering diving trips for as low as $34 per trip including tanks and weights. Address: 103200 US Highway One | Key Largo, FL | 33037. Telephone: 1 305 451-3252
Key Largo Hotels
Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort
Resort 3.5 out of 5 Star Rating
103800 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Barely 55 minutes South of Miami and yet the moment you ease off the road everything is suddenly blue skies, pink drinks and guests so relaxed their only worries are suntans, fishing lines and diving our famous coral reefs!
Holiday Inn Key Largo
3 out of 5 Star Rating
99701 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
The Holiday Inn Key Largo Resort is the ideal Florida Keys location for families and individuals looking for an experience worth repeating in a breathtaking locale.
Key Largo Grande Resort & Beach Club, a Hilton Resort
3.5 out of 5 Star Rating
97000 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Key Largo Grande Resort & Beach Club, A Hilton Resort In Key Largo, Fla., Overlooks A Native Hardwood Forest And Beach, 50 Feet From The Gulf Of Mexico.
Mariner’s Resort Villas & Marina, a Keys Caribbean Resort
3.5 out of 5 Star Rating
97501 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Mariner’s Resort Villas & Marina, A Keys Caribbean Resort, Sits Oceanfront In Key Largo, Fla., Adjacent To John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park And Molasses Reef.
Mariott Courtyard Key Largo
99751 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Experience this Key Largo hotel in the “Dive Capital of the World” featuring a marina, deep-sea fishing charters, and dive tours. The new state-of-the-art lobby at Courtyard provides greater flexibility and choices for our guests. At the center of it all is The Bistro, your destination for a great breakfast, or drinks and dinner during the evening.
Ocean Pointe Suites at Key Largo – Tavernier
3 out of 5 Star Rating
500 Burton Dr., Tavernier, FL 33070
Ocean Pointe Suites At Key Largo Is Located In Tavernier, Fla. On The Beach, One Mile From The Wild Bird Sanctuary, Eight Miles From The Theater Of The Sea.
Key Largo Inn
2 out of 5 Star Rating
99202 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
Key Largo Inn Is Located In Key Largo, Fla. One Half-mile From Dolphins Plus Experience, Two Miles From John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Bayside Inn Key Largo
2.5 out of 5 Star Rating
99490 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
The Bayside Cay Club Is Located In Key Largo, Fla. On The Beach, One-half Mile From Suncruz Casino, Three Miles From John Pennekamp State Park.
Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina
2.5 out of 5 Star Rating
527 Caribbean Blvd., Key Largo, FL 33037
Positioned Near Some Of The World’s Most Famous Reefs, The Marina Del Mar Resort And Marina In Key Largo, Fla., Is Just Three Miles From John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Key West Inn Key Largo
2.5 out of 5 Star Rating
201 Ocean Drive, Key Largo, FL 33037
The Key West Inn Key Largo Is Located In Key Largo, Fla. In The Florida Keys, Less Than One Mile From World Parrot Mission Gift Shop, Less Than One-quarter Mile From Suncruz Casino.
Hampton Inn Key Largo
2.5 out of 5 Star Rating
102400 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, FL 33037
The Hampton Inn Key Largo Is Located In Key Largo, Fla. One-half Mile From Underwater Coral Reef State Park, Two Miles From The African Queen, Four Miles From Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center.
Hampton Inn Key Largo Manatee Bay – Key Largo
Pelican Cove Resort
2.5 out of 5 Star Rating
84457 Old Overseas HWY., Islamorada, FL 33036
The Poolside Cabana Club Features Tropical Libations And Grilled Specialties During The Afternoon And Early Evening. On-site Recreation Includes Tennis Courts, An Outdoor Pool And Picnic Area.
The Pelican Key Largo Cottages – Key Largo
Days Inn Homestead
2 out of 5 Star Rating
51 S Homestead Blvd., Homestead, FL 33030
The Days Inn Homestead Florida Is Located In Homestead, Fla. Less Than Two Miles From Prime Outlets At Florida City, Three Miles From Coral Castle Of Florida.