A coral reef community in the Florida Keys with warm waters, mangrove forests and marine life. Home to John Pennekamp State Park and diving spots.
Key Largo, the northernmost island of the Florida Keys, sits between the Everglades National Park and the continental United States' only living coral barrier reef. You can swim with dolphins at Island Dolphin Care, explore the 510-foot Spiegel Grove shipwreck, or paddle through mangrove-lined waterways in the Everglades. The waters around Key Largo contain more than 50 species of coral and 600 species of fish, making it one of North America's most active diving destinations.
Exploring the Underwater World
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park spans 70 nautical square miles of water. The park's coral reefs lie 3-6 miles offshore, where you can swim among parrotfish, angelfish, and barracuda. The Christ of the Abyss statue rests 25 feet below the surface, surrounded by brain coral and sea fans. The Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot former Navy ship sunk in 2002, now attracts groupers, snappers, and other marine life.
Wildlife Encounters
At Dolphins Plus and Island Dolphin Care, you can swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and learn about their behavior. The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center maintains a boardwalk through their sanctuary where you can see pelicans, herons, and hawks recovering from injuries. Manatees often swim near the docks during winter months, though regulations require keeping a safe distance from these protected animals.
Getting Around and Weather
Key Largo connects to mainland Florida via the Overseas Highway, with Miami International Airport 67 miles north and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport 89 miles north. The island has a tropical climate with about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. December through March brings temperatures between 65-75°F, while summer months reach 85-90°F with occasional afternoon thunderstorms.
Unique Experiences
At Jules' Undersea Lodge, you'll need to scuba dive 21 feet down to reach your room. The African Queen boat, which appeared in the 1951 Humphrey Bogart film, runs daily canal cruises and dinner trips. The waters around Key Largo contain tarpon, bonefish, and mahi-mahi, with many local captains leading fishing trips year-round.
Parks and Natural Areas
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park has 6 miles of walking trails through West Indian hardwood forests. The park contains 84 protected species of plants and animals, including the American crocodile and Key Largo woodrat. In the nearby Everglades National Park, you can kayak through mangrove tunnels and spot alligators basking on mudbanks.
