Key Largo is the gateway to the Florida Keys. It’s the first key in a line of keys that unwind like a ribbon through turquoise waters. This is the Key that is the self-described diving capital of the world. But there is more than diving in Key Largo, a lot more.

There’s a certain feeling that you get as you’re driving down Highway 1 leaving Florida City and you see the sign for The Last Chance Saloon. You know once you’re past that, (and sometimes it’s hard to get past it too, we’re not judging) you’re in the Keys. It’s still twenty miles to Key Largo, but what a beautiful twenty miles it is.

Along the way you’ll pass Manatee Bay Club on the left, say hello to SeaHunter boats, various islands, and bays. Soon you’ll be at the exit for Gilberts Resort, just beyond that, on the other side of Jewfish Creek Bridge is another exit that takes you to Anchorage Resort and Yacht Club, and Blackwater Siren Grill (stop here for some amazing seafood). Then finally, you enter Key Largo and island time takes over.

Key Largo: Gateway to the Florida Keys Scuba Diving

How do you get to be the diving capital of the world? Well, it helps when you have multiple divable shipwrecks, the only living barrier coral reef in the continental U.S., and over 500 species of marine fish and mammals. Not to mention a State Park that is mostly underwater and over 70 nautical miles in size.

Three shipwrecks that are near the gateway to the Florida Keys are on the Shipwreck Trail of the Florida Keys. The Shipwreck trail is a just what it sounds like, a trial of shipwrecks scattered throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are nine shipwrecks in total, some are actual historical shipwrecks while others were deliberately sunk to make an artificial reef. Their depths range from shallow waters to over 100 feet.

The wreck The City of Washington was built in 1877 and ran aground in 1917 on Elbow Reef in 25 feet of water and was declared a total loss.

The 32-year-old Benwood was traveling without lights due to German U-boats skulking around in the area, and just so happened to collide with another ship with their lights turned off and sank in 1942.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Duane is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1936, was decommissioned in 1985 and sunk in 1987 to become an artificial reef.

One of the largest ships ever sunk to create a reef in the world is the USS Spiegel Grove. Sunk in 2002, the Spiegel Grove is so big on some days it’s impossible to see across the width as it disappears into the abyss.

Dive Operators

Of course, you’d expect the dive capital of the world to be full of dive operators. Look for “Blue Star Operators”, they are the tour operators who are committed to responsible tourism. Blue Star Operators are recognized by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary through their voluntary program.

If you’re looking for accommodations to go along with your diving adventure, check your dive operator, some offer specials and packages with local hotels. Check out the Blue Star Dive Operator list here.

State Parks in The Gateway to the Florida Keys: Key Largo

You don’t have to be a scuba diver to enjoy Key Largo. There are two state parks on the island, plus three more close by, two are only accessible by boat or kayak.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is mostly underwater but offers multiple things to do. If you want to stay for a few days, they have campsites for RVs and tents. For the beach lovers they have two beaches that you can snorkel off of and see amazing marine life. John Pennekamp also offers kayak rentals that you can paddle through mangrove tunnels.

Through the park tour operator, you can go on a glass bottom boat tour and view the reefs from the comfort of a boat. There are snorkel tours to Christ the Abyss statue, boat rentals, scuba tours, and a visitor center that features a 30,000-gallon aquarium.

If you’re looking for more of a biking/hiking visit, you can head to Dagny Johnson Botanical State Park at the north end of the island. Nature trails, butterfly meadows, and picnic areas will give you a hint of what the Florida Keys looked like before they were developed.

Indian Key, Windley Key, and Lignumvitae are State Parks that are close to Key Largo.

African Queen Cruise

Cruise the canals to the Atlantic Ocean and back in the actual boat from the movie The African Queen. In Key Largo since 1982, she was restored in 2011 to look the same as she did in the 1951 movie.

Tickets start at $59 for a 1 1/2-hour cruise which starts at the Holiday Inn Complex at MM 100. There are four cruises a day, and they’ll even let you steer for a bit. Let’s just hope that it’s not the re-enactment of Bogie pulling the boat through the mangroves.

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Dolphin Interaction in the Gateway to the Florida Keys: Key Largo

Key Largo is surrounded by water and sea life including dolphins. Dolphins are friendly, curious, and smart. There is plenty of conservation and research facilities for dolphins in the Florida Keys, lucky for you, that means that there are plenty of ways to interact with them.

Dolphins Plus

The Dolphins Plus mission is to promote conservation, education, and animal health. The good news is that while doing that, you can swim, interact, or just enjoy the show. They are very active in the community with education programs, camps, and educational materials.

There are numerous programs to interact with the dolphins. Packages start at $100 and go up depending on how much time and/or close that you want to get with the dolphins. The money goes to fund more research, so that’s a good thing.

Swim With Dolphins

You can swim with dolphins, hang out with dolphins, swim with sea lions, or take a snorkel tour to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Programs last 3-4 hours with about 30 minutes with the animals. In that time, you can pet, touch, and even get a dolphin ride in deeper water if you would like. If you’re not a swimmer, they also have an encounter program where you get into shallow water with the dolphins, perfect for younger kids.

You can hop aboard the snorkel tour for $65, interacting with the sea lions and dolphins start at $165 and go up.

Island Dolphin Care

Island Dolphin Care provides therapy through dolphin interaction for people with special needs. Your visit can help because they are a not-for-profit organization that is funded entirely by visitors, grants, and donors. Not only are they helping special needs people, the eight dolphins on their payroll would not be able to survive in the wild.

While you can’t swim with these dolphins you can still do various tours of the facility that include interacting with them. You’ll also get to do a Q&A session with a trainer. For the younger kids (3-6), there’s an encounter session where they get into shallow water with the dolphins.

Admission into IDC is $25 and you get a tour with that. Dolphin interaction programs start at $100 and go up with each interaction level. If you’re into yoga, every Tuesday and Thursday morning they have a dolphin yoga class for $20.

Eating at the Gateway to the Florida Keys: Key Largo

Fine dining, casual tiki hut, or just a waterfront view, sometimes you can combine all three. There’s no shortage of restaurants in Key Largo with a great atmosphere, and spectacular views.

The Lazy Lobster MM 102

Dining under a giant tiki hut, fresh seafood and seafood pastas, bring your own catch, and daily happy hours? Yes please! And then throw on nightly live music, make sure to put this on your Florida Keys must visit restaurant list.

The Fish House MM 102

The Fish House is a restaurant and a fish market. Pick up fish fresh off the boat and take it home or sit down and enjoy some of the freshest seafood that you’ve ever had. There’s a sign out front with the daily fish that have arrived, check it, decide what you want, and go on in!

The Catch MM 102

Nothing fancy, just cheap drinks and great seafood. When the locals like to hang out there, you know that it’s a good place to eat.

Snooks Bayside MM 99.5

Snooks is a great place to catch fantastic views with your meal. Located right on the bay, every seat has a fantastic view. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, bonus, you can bring Rusty, as they allow pets. Drive up, or boat up to the dock, it’s your choice.

Key Largo Conch House MM 100

It’s actually hidden behind a wall of trees, but once you find it, you’ll love it. Bring the dog and eat outside in a relaxed casual setting. Or leave Rusty at home and dine inside and find out why they’ve been featured on just about every food related network. And do I have to say it? Yes, the seafood is fresh off the boat.

Staying at the Gateway to the Keys: Key Largo

You can camp, stay at very upscale resorts, mom and pop motels, and even underwater rooms. Of course you can stay at the Holiday, Hampton Inns, and Courtyard, there all going to be as expected, but here are a few places without the national advertising programs.

Sunset Cove Beach Resort MM 99

Cozy cabins, suites, and RVs are available at this retro resort with its own private beach. Kayaks and SUPs are free to guests, and some rooms are dog friendly.

Bungalows Key Largo MM 99

If you’re in for luxury, then this is the place for you! Zen pool and jacuzzi, bikes, beachside cabanas, and a fitness hut all await you when you book this $1,000 night bungalow. Private soaking tub looking out over the bay? Yeah, you know that’s available. Adults only and meals and drinks are included.

The Drift Hotel MM 95

Boat or drive up to the Drift Hotel and find out how islanders unwind. Relaxing pier, private beach, bicycles, kayaks, and the always popular SUPs are just a few of the things included in their $10 daily resort fee.

Jules Undersea Lodge MM 104

You can’t be known as the Dive Capital of the World if you don’t have an underwater motel. You read that right; you have to dive to get to your room at Jules. Located at the Marine Labs Undersea Park, the rooms are 21′ underwater. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to spend a night underwater, now’s your chance. Rooms are a bit pricey at $1350 single, $1687 double, but you do have Wi-Fi, so there’s that.

All you need to do now is to make your reservations and pack your bags because the Keys are calling you. What are you waiting for?