Key Largo, Florida provides a new feast for the eyes at every turn. One moment, you may be exploring the swamps of the Everglades. The next, you’ll be watching the sunset on the beach.
Your other senses will stay heightened all day and night. You’ll enjoy the taste and smell of its delicious seafood and the sound of its beach music. Combine all of that with its unique attractions, and you’ll be excited from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave.
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John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
This special park was established in 1963 to preserve the only living coral reef in America. You can see it by diving or snorkeling. You can even take a kayak or go on a glass-bottom boat tour.
The park also offers other natural wonders familiar to Florida such as seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. There is also a variety of nature trails and 47 designated campsites.
The Everglades National Park
This 1.5-million-acre World Heritage Site is one of the best things to do in Key Largo and the most well-known. It has clear waters and beautiful coral reefs, but there’s so much more to see.
The Everglades have a variety of biomes including grasslands, wetlands, and swamps. This makes it biodiverse with over 35 species of threatened animals including panthers, manatees, and crocodiles.
A kayak or bike can get you through the park, but you can’t bring a boat or a jet ski or go swimming. You can join a tour if you want to see everything it has to offer.
The Dagny Johson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
This 6-mile stretch of trails is accessible by bike or foot. It has over 84 protected plants and animals. It’s named for having one of the country’s largest stretches of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock. Visiting the park is relaxing with stocked restrooms and picnic spots, but don’t forget the bug spray!
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
The Florida East Coast Railroad used this land to produce limestone until the 1960s. Visiting it is now one of the best things to do in Key Largo.
Look around to see the former quarry and its ancient coral. Take a tour to learn about its history.
Spiegel Grove Wreck
If you can’t get enough of amazing underwater sites, dive down to see the remains of this ship. The 510-foot-long USS Spiegel Grove was intentionally sunk here to create a manmade reef.
The efforts worked, and the site is now covered in coral. It attracts marine life such as barracuda, horse-eyed jacks, groupers, minnows, and more.
The site is 130 feet at its deepest spot. Only experienced divers should take it on alone.
Islamorada
This island is right next to Key Largo and is worth the trip. There are also smaller ones between them. They’re all full of white sandy beaches that are more private than the main ones. This makes them great for snorkeling, swimming, or whatever other island activities your heart desires.
Sundowners
This little beach-side restaurant is a local favorite. It has a great dinner and drink menu. You can enjoy your order with beautiful sunsets in front of you with island music pumping in the background.
Sol by the Sea
This is another perfect sunset dinner spot and one of the best places to eat in Key Largo. It has delicious food such as paella, tuna tartar, and Cajun crab fries. Try their drinks such as dragon fruit mojitos and rum shack mai tais to wash it down.
Islamorada Brewer and Florida Keys Brewing Company
Islamorada Brewery serves everything from home-crafted beer to strong spirits. Examples include Floridays Tropical Pale Ale and the Sandbar Sunday Wheat Ale. You can also go next door to the on-site distillery or the beer garden to enjoy the view and taste a few.
The Florida Keys Brewing Company has over 20 beers on draft, including Bayside Coffe Blonde and Grapefruit to be Alive. Its beer garden features nearly as many lawn games and picnic tables to enjoy. The tasting room is also a treat with its tie-dye theme.
Mile Marker 88
This restaurant in Ismalorada has gourmet dishes such as key lime seafood penne and baked Alaska. You can enjoy the luxurious food while soaking in the ocean views because they have their own beach on the property. Take pictures if you can, and stay until the night to enjoy live music.
Pilot House
Everything on this restaurant’s menu is delicious, but it’s one of the best things to do in Key Largo if you’re looking for a specific dish. Its conch is one of the best in the area, and you can have it as fritters or cracked. There are also steaks for those who don’t like seafood, and the service is impeccable.
Robbie’s
This is one of the best things to do in Key Largo because it lets you give back after you eat. You can start by eating delicious seafood, shopping at the open-air market, and going jetskiing or parasailing. When you’re done, you’ll meet Florida’s hungriest residents; the Tarpons!
These fish, also known as Silver Kings, will eat right out of your hands. They’re friendly, come in groups of up to 100, and put on a show for visitors.
Enjoy the Local Art
The Gallery of Kona Kai sits with the Kona Kai resort. It’s owned by passionate artists Veronica and Joe Harris and features local pieces and signed worldwide treasures. If you can’t get your art fix there, try Our Place in Paradise or the Key Largo Art Gallery.
Harry Harris Park and Beach
This beach is perfect for groups of family and friends. It’s small but has beautiful views, calm waters to swim and snorkel in, and a protected tide pool. The beach is also the perfect place for a picnic.
Annie’s Beach
This is one of the best things to do in Key Largo, Florida if you’re looking for a small, relaxing beach instead of one full of large groups and water activities. It’s easy to access and shaded by palm trees. There’s plenty of marine life to spot. The water is beautiful but shallow and always the perfect temperature.
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The African Queen
This boat is so famous that it appeared in and lent its name to a 1951 film starring Humphrey Bogar and Katherine Hepburn. Visit the Marina Del Mar marina to try it out for yourself.
You can choose from a variety of tours that leave at 10 am, 12, 2, 4, and 6 pm every day. One goes around the Port Largo Canals, and another is a three-course dinner cruise.
History of Diving Museum
This is one of the best things to do in Key Largo after a dive, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. It’ll teach you about diving became so popular and how the technology used to do it developed over time. You can even see treatures recovered from shipwrecks or visit an exhibit to see how long you can hold your breath underwater.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The National Marine Sanctuary holds most of Key Largo’s dive sites. It spans 2,900 nautical miles and was developed in 1990 to protect coral reefs and the wildlife within them. Try a few sites such as the Grecian Rocks, French Reef, and Molasses Reef.
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
The Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center has an animal hospital and the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Quancuary where 90 birds of 40 different species live. You can see them on a self-guided tour or get guided by knowledgeable staff. The sanctuary is open all year, and you can see live feedings and sunset views. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is appreciated.
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
This area was founded in 1980 to protect crocodiles. You won’t be able to see them directly unless you’re a volunteer, but you will learn about them and how you can help them. You can also go to the local butterfly garden to see over 80 species of plants and animals. It’s a relaxing and educational experience.
Cheecha Lodge and Spa
This spot is part of 27 acres of tropical gardens. YOu don’t have to stay at the resort to enjoy the luxurious spa. Its treatments include massages, facials, body scrubs, and more. You can even end your day with a swim in a saltwater lagoon and get a cocktail at the tiki bar.
PADDLE!
If you’re ready for a bit more adventure, try going here to learn about paddleboarding. If that’s not your style, go for kayaking, skateboarding, or yoga. It also provides 2-hour-long eco-tours to see the wonders of Key Largo twice a day.
Snorkel Key Largo
Key Largo is the diving capital of the world, and this company will help you experience it. They give snorkeling excursions from their two 50-foot catamarans that are specially designed with shaded cockpits, sun decks, onboard bathrooms, and other necessary features.
You can go to almost any of Key Largo’s best snorkeling sites with their help. These include John Pennekamp State Park, Mosquito Bank, White Banks, and Canon Patch Reef. You can also go on a sunset cruise.
Dolphins Plus Bayside
This is one of the best things to do in Key Largo if your dream has always been to swim with dolphins. It’s a five-acre stretch of lagoon that will help you achieve just that.
You’ll start with a half-hour boat ride where you’ll learn a few facts about dolphins. Choose a Natural Swim encounter for the most authentic experience.
What is your favorite part of the Florida Keys? Let us know in the comments below.