Overview
Key Largo is an island in the Florida Keys. It is perhaps also known as the setting for the eponymous film starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in 1948, as well as the eponymous hit song by Bertie Higgins in 1981.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Main Boat Tours & Reservations: +1 305-451-6300, General Info: +1 305-451-1202 (Front Gate), Camping Information: +1-800-326-3521, Group Tour Reservations (15+ people): +1 305-451-6316, Boat Slips & Mooring Rates…
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
African Queen
The iconic vessel the African Queen is located in Key Largo Florida. Made famous in the 1951 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn she remains a timeless classic. This famous steamboat is …
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Snorkel tours
These are the snorkeling tours officially licensed to depart from John Pennekamp park, departing six times a day. Other companies are based outside the park but may still visit the same snorkeling sites. Some say the off…
Reef Roamer Snorkel Catamaran
Come snorkeling in John Pennekamp Park with Reef Roamer and Quicksilver catamarans. Three snorkel trips daily 9AM, 12:30PM, and 5:30PM. Sunset sails with free champagne and rum punch.
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 55°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby Everglades National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MIA Miami International Airport, Miami — 50 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OPF Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Miami — 58 mi away. Directions
Fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Chauffeured transportation is expensive. Renting a car is best. From Miami, take Florida's Turnpike south to US Route 1. Take US 1 to Key Largo. Note that the toll roads no longer allow you to pay cash, however, you can register your car online in order to use the toll roads. Rental cars are equipped with transponders, but fees vary by company.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, African Queen
- Lunch Buzzards Roost Restaurant
- Afternoon Island Ventures, Reef Roamer Snorkel Catamaran
- Dinner Cafe Largo/Bayside Grill
- Evening Cactus Jacks
Day 2
- Morning Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
- Lunch Caribbean Club
- Afternoon John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Snorkel tours
- Dinner Fish House Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The Keys have a large Cuban population, so in addition to the obvious (fish), be sure to try some Cuban food (or coffee). Many restaurants have excellent seaside seating with amazing views. In addition to the offerings below, neighbouring Islamorada has the excellent Marker 88 (located at mile marker 88) seaside restaurant.
The food is very good. The service is enthusiastic and the staff has personality.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tourist information
Get in
Fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Chauffeured transportation is expensive. Renting a car is best. From Miami, take Florida's Turnpike south to US Route 1. Take US 1 to Key Largo. Note that the toll roads no longer allow you to pay cash, however, you can register your car online in order to use the toll roads. Rental cars are equipped with transponders, but fees vary by company.
There are also cheap local bus connections to Key Largo from the Miami metro area for those with some patience and flexibility.
The Greyhound/Flixbus stop is at (Walgreens) 99501 Overseas Highway (US 1). The bus stop for going to Miami is in front of Walgreens while the southbound stop towards Key West is in front of Burger King at the opposite side of the road.
The stop for Metrobus #301 is at (Tom Thumb Store) on MM 98 of US HWy 1. The bus stops are at opposite sides of the road from each other.
Get around
Key Largo does not lend itself to bikes or walking. Although there is a bike path, it runs just alongside the highway, and as such would not be the most relaxing (or pleasant) of rides. Most shops are along the highway, and as such the main drag has something of a strip-mall feel (for the most part, the water is not visible from the highway).
See
See John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Main Boat Tours & Reservations: +1 305-451-6300, General Info: +1 305-451-1202 (Front Gate), Camping Information: +1-800-326-3521, Group Tour Reservations (15+ people): +1 305-451-6316, Boat Slips & Mooring Rates: +1 305-451-6325. Visitor Center, fishing, swimming, picnicking, snorkeling, scuba, rentals, camping.
See African Queen
The iconic vessel the African Queen is located in Key Largo Florida. Made famous in the 1951 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn she remains a timeless classic. This famous steamboat is available for daily canal cruises and dinner cruises in the Port Largo Canal area and also for private events.
Do
Key Largo is known as a diving Mecca, and many dive companies operate from here, taking large numbers of people to the reefs. In addition, other water-related activities like snorkeling, touring on a glass bottom boat or casino boat, parasailing, and fishing are all popular activities here. On land, motorcycle riding is popular, with rentals available.
Do John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Snorkel tours
These are the snorkeling tours officially licensed to depart from John Pennekamp park, departing six times a day. Other companies are based outside the park but may still visit the same snorkeling sites. Some say the official park tours are more crowded.
John Pennekamp Park also has kayaks for rent, with routes ranging from 30 minutes to 2 or more hours. You can also snorkel from the beaches at the park, but there's no coral reef there - you'll be looking at sea grass beds and mangroves, and the water may not be as clear as the sites that the tours take you to.
Do Island Ventures
If you would like SCUBA or Snorkel from a private charter you can book for groups of up to 12 for snorkeling and 10 for SCUBA diving. You get the boat to yourself with a Captain and crew member. The snorkel gear is included and there is dive gear available for rent. You can miss the crowds and have a relaxing bespoke trip to the reef.
Buy
Shop Shell World
Eat
The Keys have a large Cuban population, so in addition to the obvious (fish), be sure to try some Cuban food (or coffee). Many restaurants have excellent seaside seating with amazing views. In addition to the offerings below, neighbouring Islamorada has the excellent Marker 88 (located at mile marker 88) seaside restaurant.
Eat Cafe Largo/Bayside Grill
The food is very good. The service is enthusiastic and the staff has personality.
Eat Key Largo Conch House
Airy seafood place with parrot.
Eat Num Thai Restaurant & Sushi
Great sushi, friendly and very local.
Eat Pilot House Restaurant
Notable for its 'glass bottom bar', where you can watch the fish swim underneath you while you eat. Children (and the young-at-heart) can feed the fish over the side. If you get lucky, you might see a dolphin.
Drink
- Islamorada has some decent dive bars.
Drink Cactus Jacks
Very local dive bar. Good prices. Open mic nights on Monday.
Sleep
Campground
Nearby
Islamorada
City / town · 32 listings · 15 mi away
Florida City
City / town · 16 listings · 25 mi away
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