Key Largo, Florida

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States. It was established in 1963 to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the nation. Connected with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, together they span more than 178 nautical square miles, which include coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and sea grass beds. With so many underwater experiences to discover, guests are encouraged to kayak, snorkel, and dive independently or to join one of the snorkel, scuba, and glass bottom boat tours. The park Visitor Center also has a 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium and a theater showing nature films.

102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-6300

Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1980 to preserve and protect the American crocodile habitat. The area in which the crocodiles live is closed to the public but open to those who wish to volunteer. Guests are encouraged to come visit the refuge to find out about the crocodiles’ ailing habitat and how it can be helped. In addition, visitors are welcome to explore the Butterfly Garden, a pollinator garden that houses more than fifty species of native plants. This well-maintained walkable garden attracts several species of pollinators, making it a tranquil and fascinating experience.

10750 County Road 905, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-4223

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park features over six miles of nature trails for visitors to walk or bike to view more than eighty protected species of plants and animals who call this area home. Among them are mahogany mistletoe, wild cotton, and the American crocodile. The park also houses one of the biggest areas of West Indian tropical hardwood hammock in the nation. Guests are encouraged to take self-guided tours following the trail signs that explain the ecosystem and describe the wildlife that live there. Visitors who want a richer experience can opt for Ranger-led tours.

County Road 905, Mile Marker 106, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-1202

Dolphin Cove

Dolphin Cove is on the northernmost point of the Key Largo. It is a five-acre lagoon where guests can swim and interact with dolphins. Visitors take a 30-minute boat ride through the backcountry waters where they learn about dolphins and what to expect when getting up close and personal with them. After the boat ride, guests participate in an optional Natural Swim dolphin encounter, which means the dolphins are untrained in interacting with humans. They swim freely in the enclosed ocean space and choose if and who they interact with in the water.

Dolphin Cove, 101900 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-4060

Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is 76 miles of paved multi-use trails over a 106-mile corridor connecting Key Largo with Key West. The recreational trail includes twenty-three historic railroad bridges and makes for a scenic pathway for walking, skating, biking, and otherwise exploring. The trail passes by several national and state parks, including Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park, and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which gives trail users easy access to a plethora of outdoor activities. There are nature trails to hike and horseback ride, beautiful lush gardens to explore, and a multitude of historic sites to learn about along the way.

Key Largo (Mile Marker 106.4) to Key West (Mile Marker 0), FL, Phone: 850-245-2157

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center

Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is a must-visit for bird lovers. Their mission is to rescue injured or otherwise harmed birds, rehabilitate them, and release them back into the wild. This is also a great educational experience for kids who can learn how humans can help protect wildlife and the environment. The first thing visitors encounter is a board with the current birds being rehabilitated at the center. Each bird’s rescue story is on its cage. Many wild birds are attracted to the sanctuary, so guests should expect that birds wandering freely are wild. There is no entrance fee, but donations of money and supplies are welcome.

92080 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL, Phone: 305-852-4486

USCGC Bibb

Divers scour the oceans for interesting dive spots that yield epic adventures. One such dive spot is the wreck site of the 1937 USS Bibb Coast Guard ship. While it was active, it was involved in operations in WWII and the Vietnam War. It was prepared for sinking in 1987 and now at a depth of 95 to 130 feet. Because of the site’s location near the Gulfstream, divers can get a good look at the artificial reef in superb visibility. Divers should expect to see sharks, goliath grouper, barracuda, and smaller fish. Strong currents make this dive site recommended for advanced wreck divers.

USCGC Bibb, Offshore, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 954-800-0345

Garl’s Coastal Kayaking Everglades

If you’re a fan of CNN’s The Wonder List with Bill Weir, you may already know of Garl’s Coastal Kayaking Everglades, which was featured in a segment. They offer two tours. Their signature immersive adventure tour explores Everglades National Park ecosystems and begins at the park’s main entrance in Homestead. The other shorter tour begins in Key Largo and explores Florida Bay’s marine environment. This relaxing day tour includes guided snorkeling and kayaking experiences with marine science certified guides who are trained biologists and naturalists. Both tours are safe and family-friendly. Check the website for what to wear and what to bring.

99010 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-393-3223

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder, or DPMMR, is a not-for-profit facility in Key Largo, Florida that works to protect marine mammals both in the wild and in their care. The facility relies on visits to help fulfill its mission and welcomes visitors of all ages. DPMMR aims to promote a greater understanding of marine mammal conservation, environmental stewardship, and the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys through educational content, classes, and dolphin swim programs. The classes at Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder cover a variety of topics, such as dolphin rescue, dolphin anatomy, and different species of dolphins.

31 Corrine Pl, Key Largo, FL 33037, 305-453-4321

Island Dolphin Care

Island Dolphin Care is a unique program that helps children and adults with various emotional, physical, and educational needs using dolphin therapy. The goal is to achieve therapeutic success and help participants to be more expressive and develop closer relationships with family and medical services providers. Visitors can drop in and observe the dolphins from a balcony. Guided tours must be scheduled in advance and include an overview of the therapy program, observation of a therapy session, a tour of the facility, and a touch tank experience. Purchases from the on-site gift shop help fund scholarships for soldiers, families, and children.

150 Lorelane Place, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-5884

Dolphins Plus Bayside

Dolphins Plus Bayside is a Key Largo attraction that provides guests with an exciting and fun opportunity to interact with and observe Atlantic bottlenose dolphins within a stimulating and unique environment. In addition to interacting with dolphins in their natural seawater homes, visitors can learn more about the dolphins from the facility’s well-trained and knowledgeable staff, as well as learn about the importance of marine conservation. Guests can choose between the Signature Swim at Dolphins Plus, which includes a “get to know you” session in the shallow water and then a swim in deeper waters, or the Shallow Water Dolphin Encounter.

101900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, 305-451-4060

Spiegel Grove

A former U.S. Navy Landing Ship Dock, Spiegel Grove is a popular deep wreck dive found in the waters of Key Largo, Florida. In May of 2002, the ship was sunk on its side to become an artificial reef off of the Florida coast and later Hurricane Dennis righted the ship in July of 2005. Due to the size of the Spiegel Grove wreck, it’s recommended to plan multiple dives in order to see the entire shipwreck. Located approximately six miles from the Key Largo coast, Spiegel Grove is 510 feet in length and 84 feet in height.

Jules Undersea Lodge

Sci-fi and Little Mermaid enthusiasts alike will be thrilled with a stay at Jules Undersea Lodge. Once a research laboratory and underwater habitat, it’s now been retired to this Key Largo mangrove lagoon. Guests can reserve the underwater lodge for overnights or for three-hour Mini Adventures. There are two guest rooms and a large common area with all the comforts of an above water hotel. Hotel snorkel and dive packages are also available. Guests enter in dive gear through a “moon pool” into a wet room. Round 42-inch windows provide a view of reef fish like parrotfish, tropical angelfish, and barracuda. If nothing else, guests can stay here because Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler did!

51 Shoreland Drive, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-451-2353

Key Largo Parasail

Parasailing over the sparkling ocean on a bright sunny day can be quite an exhilarating experience. Key Largo Parasail, in business for over twenty years, strives to make it as safe as it is fun. All crews are professionally trained and certified in CPR and first aid. Guests can choose flights with single flyers or flights with two or three flyers at a time in special tandem parasails. Observers can ride along for a fee if there’s room on the boat. Flyers under 14 must fly with an adult, and groups are limited to six per boat without reservations.

103900 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 877-904-8865

Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat

For those who long to peer underwater but wouldn’t dream of getting their face or hair wet, Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat is the answer. The 70-foot glass bottom boat can accommodate up to 129 passengers with an underwater viewing area of 280 square feet. Guests can sit back in air-conditioned comfort with snacks and drinks on board for purchase and watch as the boat passes over John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the only undersea park in the country. Visitors will see exotic coral reefs teeming with hundreds of colorful tropical fish. There are three daily cruise times, weather permitting.

99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-453-9553

Key Largo Watersports

Life on the water is one of the biggest draws to Key Largo, and there are lots of ways to do it. Key Largo Watersports is the choice for people who are looking for a guided and personalized experience on the water. Visitors can choose a 2.5-hour sunset or sunrise cruise, a half-day eco-tour to either the ocean side mangroves or into Everglades National Park, or a half-day snorkel trip to the many shallow reefs of Key Largo. Guests can customize tours and trips, since they’re limited to six people. Tours can also be paired with other activities for full-day excursions.

13 Seagate Boulevard (Pilot House Marina), Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-731-9683

Miss Chief Fishing Charters

Miss Chief Fishing Charters offers half-day, ¾-day, and full-day chartered fishing adventures to anglers of all skill levels. Guests bring their own lunch, beverages, and personal sunscreen, glasses, and hats. Everything else is provided, including licensing, fishing gear and bait, ice and bottled water. Miss Chief will fillet and bag catches too. Target fish include mahi-mahi, wahoo, shark, kingfish, and other offshore varieties. For those with something else in mind, let the captain know, otherwise count on hitting just the right spots for these catches. Kids are welcome, making this a good family fishing choice. Splits and shares are sometimes available.

1313 Ocean Bay Drive, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-393-2430

PADDLE! the Florida Keys

For those who have never planted a foot on a paddleboard but would love to try, PADDLE! the Florida Keys is the place to do it. Paddling is all they do, so they’re experts at it, and their specialty is first timers. Voted the number one eco-tour in the Upper Keys, their two-hour daily paddle board eco-adventures depart mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but guests can request sunrise, sunset, and nighttime paddle board tours also. Nighttime paddles take place on lighted paddle boards. Seasoned paddle boarders will love their SUP yoga class. Guests can also take their award-winning kayak eco-tour, or rent kayaks, paddle boards, and skate boards to go it alone.

90773 Old Highway, Tavernier, FL, Phone: 305-434-5930

Rainbow Reef Dive Center

Rainbow Reef Dive Center provides dive trips to Key Largo, Pennekamp State Park, and the Upper Florida Keys. They are Blue Star Certified, which means they’re committed to educating divers and snorkelers in low impact practices that protect the marine ecosystem. Their fleet of dive boats can accommodate small parties or groups of up to thirty-six. Thirteen dive sites include coral reefs, ledges, walls, wrecks, and centuries old wrecks. Dives range from 18 feet to 120 feet. Rainbow Reef can provide a range of dive instruction from beginner Discover Scuba instruction to PADI Dive Master and Instructor Training.

100 Ocean Drive, Mile Marker 100, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 800-457-4354

Sail Fish Scuba

Sail Fish Scuba offers personalized small group dives which include tanks, weights, and complimentary tour photos. All dives are guided and never exceed six divers to one PADI Divemaster guide. Snorkeling tour guides show snorkelers the best spots and explain what they’re seeing. Guided half-day snorkel/kayak tours into the mangroves of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park include kayak and snorkel gear, wet suit, and complimentary tour photos. Sail Fish full-day adventure tour includes kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling with lunch, souvenir T-shirt, and complimentary photos.

103100 Overseas Highway #33, Key Largo, FL, Phone: 305-453-3446