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Key Largo, the northern-
most island of the Florida Keys island chain, lies only an hour's drive from South Florida's two major airports. Yet it is a world away.
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Just an hour's drive south of Miami lies Key Largo, home to two state parks, a national park, a national marine sanctuary and some of the most fascinating botanical scenery in the state. In 2010, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America's first underseas park, turns 50. And, the year 2010 marks the 75th year of the Florida Park Service. We invite you to also explore Key Largo's Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, Everglades National Park and all the underwater delights of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. A host of eco-tourism and dive-snorkel services and accommodations are ready to help you discover the natural wonders of Key Largo.
For a visual introduction to the sights of Key Largo, please peruse our iPIX virtual panoramic tours or view a video.
As you look at the tropical hardwoods, the winding creeks, and the stunning coral formations, it is no wonder Hollywood chose to film scenes from the movies "PT 109" and "Key Largo" here.
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Key Largo is sandwiched between the watery wilderness of the Everglades National Park to the west and the fish-covered coral formations of North America's only living coral barrier reef to the east. It's not just Hollywood producers who are drawn to the wildlife here. Even Fantasy Fest revelers have been known to relax in Key Largo before, during or after enjoying Key West's famously outlandish costume festival.
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Six miles offshore in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary you will find the wreck of the Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy ship intentionally scuttled in June 2002 as the backbone for a new coral reef.
Locals consider their home the Diving Capital of the World but the island is nearly as famous as a sport-fishing destination. Some of the best charter captains and fishing guides in the world work out of Key Largo. You can go after sailfish offshore, bonefish along the Atlantic shallows, or redfish and tarpon in Florida Bay.
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Key Largo's proximity to the Everglades makes it a premier destination for kayakers, birders and other eco-tourists. All this beauty, not to mention the island's rich history, has inspired a vibrant community of artists who show their work at several local galleries.
When the day is done, you can trade stories at any of a full-range of restaurants, bars, hotels, motels and resorts. Each is as unique as Key Largo itself.
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Key Largo is located just minutes by car from mainland Florida, making it a perfect getaway for South Florida's diverse lineup of events, including:
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