Fun Things to Do on Key Largo in the Beautiful Florida Keys

Key Largo is the first island you hit when you start your Florida Keys road trip and the drive to Key West. It’s the largest of the Keys and has a ton of green space. I love Key Largo because it feels like the most chill and quiet of the island chain. If you’re aching to get down to the Keys but are pressed for time, Key Largo has lots of great things to do and is the easiest to visit on short notice.

The wonderful thing about Key Largo is that despite all the green space and State Parks, there are also lots of restaurants hidden among the marinas and neighborhoods. Good food and relaxing fun are everywhere. This is one of our favorite towns in the Florida Keys. You’ll never be at a loss for things to do on Key Largo. If you have any questions about our top picks for activities here or want to suggest your own, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!

What Type of Things to Do are on Key Largo?

I always think of things to do on Key Largo as being nature-forward and all about the outdoors. When you get to the Lower Keys and Key West, there is a lot of history that tends to pull you in, but up here on Key Largo it’s the chance to just enjoy the natural world of the Florida Keys. Each time we’re here we go kayaking, snorkeling and hammock walking. We choose to make this part of our trips all about the low-key experiences (except for some epic snorkeling opportunities).

If you’re coming to Key Largo with your own kayaks or boat, you’ll have a whole world open up to you, but if you’re visiting like most people do, you’ll need to find things to do that you can drive to or that you can get a tour to experience. There are lots of tours to the different reefs and shipwrecks, but we’ve included just two options in our list of things to do in Key Largo to not overwhelm you.

We love murals and Wyland is my favorite mural artist. His works can be found all around the world, including Victoria BC, Anchorage AK, and Seattle WA. Stopping at the Wyland Whaling Walls in the Florida Keys is one of the best things to do, both for photos and to appreciate amazing art, and as you drive through Key Largo you’ll get to see one of his best works! But let’s dig into all the fun things to do in Key Largo so you can plan your trip!

Key Largo Things to do on the Water

Key Largo is the diving capital of the world as it’s got the incredible reef running all along the the island. This reef makes for wonderful snorkeling, diving, kayaking and boat tours of all sorts. We’ve picked our favorite things to do on the water that really show off how beautiful Key Largo is.

Explore John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is famous for its Chris of the Abyss feature, a sunken sculpture which can be visited by divers and snorkelers, but there’s much more! Pennekamp is one of our favorite places to kayak in the Florida Keys, with a wonderful paddling trail and crystal clear water. This is one of the best places for kayaking in South Florida.

When it comes to snorkeling, you can either snorkel just off the main beach (great with kids) or you can do one of the tours out to the reef. The tour is several hours and should be booked in advance to ensure a spot. This is where you’ll find both the amazing reef and the famous Christ of the Abyss statue that people dive to.

Note: tours can be booked within the State Park or through external vendors. Depending on the tour type you want, you can book private or group expeditions to the reef. THIS TOUR is our top pick for snorkeling out on the reef at Pennekamp.

There are lots of picnic areas and shady places to relax at John Pennekamp State Park, so bring a lunch and enjoy yourself. Be sure to also check out the visitor center, as it has great exhibits and even aquariums to get a preview of life out on the reef. An afternoon here is one of the best things to do in the Florida Keys and a must-stop along your Florida Keys road trip.

For a list of tours that can take you out to the famous Christ of the Deep and the reef, check out these vetted snorkeling tour vendors on Key Largo.

Glass Bottom Boat to the Reef off Key Largo

The most popular thing to do on Key Largo is the glass bottom boat tour out to the reef. This is a great option for groups or families with people that may be a little scared of snorkeling or who don’t have the physical ability to snorkel. You can do two different glass bottom boat tours and both are great.

The Pennekamp Glass Bottom Boat has two options, either the Key Largo Princess tour or the Spirit of Pennekamp. The Key Largo Princess is the most popular, and it leaves from the public marina near the Key Largo Holiday Inn (lots of parking). The Spirit of Pennekamp goes out from within the state park. You’ll need to arrive plenty early as sometimes the state park fills up and you’ll have to wait for parking. Both do an awesome job narrating the tour, getting you out on the water and enjoying the reef from above. It’s clear why it’s one of the best things to do on Key Largo.

Book the Key Largo Princess glass bottom boat here!

Go Snorkeling or Diving with Horizon Divers

Hands down, this is my favorite of all the things to do on Key Largo. I love snorkeling and enjoyed the experience with Horizon Divers on Key Largo so much. If you’re looking to explore the many shipwrecks and reefs around the Upper Keys, primarily Key Largo, Horizon Divers is a great option. We went out on a two tank dive to French’s Reef and the Benwood Shipwreck and it was fantastic. Sea turtles, huge fish, and such unique, different sites.

You don’t have to be a diver for to go out with Horizon, but that is their primary focus. It’s definitely an advanced snorkeling and free diving trip, but it’s great if that’s your thing. The wildlife they take you out to is amazing, the reefs and shipwrecks are incredible. You won’t be disappointed.

Historic Boat Tour on the African Queen

When I was a kid I saw the movie African Queen for the first time. I always thought it was so cool and I wanted to get to explore in this same way, but with fewer mishaps. The African Queen boat tour on the actual boat from that famous Humphry Bogart film, which now resides in Key Largo, is actually a fun option here. This is a great tour for history buffs as the boat still runs on the clunky motor from the film and from the time you board until you disembark it’s a movie history quiz show.

The captain is fantastic and has tons of information to share, including photos of the boat and from the African Queen film. During the 90 minute sailing you’ll get to see the canals of Key Largo, watch for dolphins and birds (great birdwatching!), enjoy being on the water AND ACTUALLY DRIVE THE BOAT. Be sure to bring sunblock and a brimmed hat, as there’s very little shade on the African Queen. Booking your tour can only be done directly through them.

Do a Marine Biologist Snorkel on Key Largo

One of the coolest things to do on Key Largo is a marine biologist-led snorkel tour with Marine Lab. Snorkeling on the reef is amazing, but snorkeling with a guide who’s teaching you about the creatures, large and small, is something else! I love the experience of snorkeling in a controlled, science-forward setting, including getting to use microscopes and bring the learning ashore and up close.

Visiting Marine Lab on Key Largo is a really unique thing to do because it’s such a wonderful insight into the lives of the undersea creatures and the whole eco system. Whether you’re snorkeling with a marine biologist on Largo Sound or within the Marine Lab lagoon, it’s all fascinating!

Book a Marine Biologist Snorkel here!

Key Largo Things to do on Land

For the non-ocean-going people, there are plenty of fun things to do on Key Largo that don’t require you getting on any sort of boat. You can still see beautiful nature and enjoy Key Largo while keeping your feet on solid ground.

Beaches of Key Largo

Yes! There are actually a few beaches and water access points on Key Largo. The Florida Keys aren’t known for their beaches because it’s such a boating destination, but there are some spots that you can enjoy the water and put your feet in without getting out on a boat. The best beach on Key Largo is the one at Pennekamp State Park, but if you are avoiding the busy state park, you do have other options.

I love Rowell’s Waterfront Park for snorkeling, but it also has picnic tables, a bit of a beach, a kayak launch and nice bathrooms/changing facilities. Harry Harris Beach Park is another great spot (there is an admission fee) as it has a beach, protected lagoon, dock and fun park facilities.

Visit the REEF Ocean Exploration Center

Whether you plan on going underwater or not even getting on a boat, the REEF Ocean Exploration Center is a great place to visit when you’re looking for things to do on Key Largo. Here you’ll see an incredible recreation of a reef area and tons of beautiful hand-painted creatures. There is all sorts of information about the wildlife of the reefs, the invasive lionfish, species recovery efforts and even free fish guides so you know what you’re looking at.

There is also a lovely garden with art and information about the REEF center, and even shady picnic tables if you want to make this your lunch stop. I love visiting the REEF Ocean Exploration Center on Key Largo.

Do a Dolphin Swim or Visit

There are several options for swimming with dolphins in the Florida Keys, but the two we really like and have had great experiences with are both on Key Largo, and this is actually one of the best things to do with kids or with other adults. I was always very skeptical of dolphin programs because of large operations like major aquariums that do theatrical dolphin shows. Dolphin Life Key Largo and Dolphins Plus both take a completely different approach to sharing dolphins with visitors, as these are both research facilities, and they’re very connected to each other.

Getting to interact with dolphins, swim with them and learn about them up close is really cool and unforgettable. We’ve done it when our kids were younger and now as teens they still are in awe of the dolphins we get to meet. This is one of the best things to do on Key Largo and it’s something everyone can enjoy. And you don’t have to swim with the dolphins if you don’t want, but you can just be an observer too, so it really is a great activity for all.

Visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

We discovered the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center randomly and now we visit whenever we’re in Key Largo. We had to pull over really quick for something and BOOM! There it was! I’m so glad we did. We visited the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center and Sanctuary on our first afternoon in the Keys and have been back several times since. This is one of the best things to do on Key Largo that has a direct impact on the wildlife of the Keys.

We were able to learn about the many birds we’d be seeing on our Florida Keys road trip, including the masked boobie, which became a favorite to spot out on the water. The staff onsite are busy attending to the animals, many of which who’ve come here due to injuries, so that experience is self guided. In addition to the animals, there’s also a short hammock trail if you’d like to just take a moment to enjoy the quiet of the Gulf of Mexico side of Key Largo.

Note: the Wild Bird Center on Key Largo operates off donations, so feel free to donate and share your stop on social media to support their efforts!

Visit Whaling Wall #95: Keys to the Seas

This first set of murals is in the center of the Overseas Highway on Key Largo. The HUGE piece of art surrounds all four sides of the building (a dive shop and yoga studio) and showcases manatees, rays, sharks, sea birds, fish and divers. It’s my favorite of the murals in the Florida Keys. The murals in the Florida Keys have been inspiring to our family for creating our own art at home, and Whaling Wall #95 is really an exceptional example.

Whether you’re sticking to Key Largo or heading all the way to Key West, stopping to appreciate the many murals is one of the best things to do as you drive. They’re easy stops and you’ll be impressed by the work.

Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

What a beautiful walk in the woods! Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is very different from other Florida State Parks in that it’s a trail system with exhibit placards talking about the many plant types throughout the hammock (coastal forest). The 2.4 mile trail is shady and full of birds and butterflies.

When I say that Key Largo has lots of green space to explore, this is a perfect example. One of the best things to do on a day when you want to be away from other humans, Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park is a lovely break from the bustle of the marinas and boat tours.

Note: pay for admission in advance through the website or bring cash. This is one of the only places in the Florida Keys with poor cell service, so if you don’t have cash and didn’t pay the State Park fee in advance, you could get into trouble (even if it’s unlikely).

More Things to do in Key Largo

In addition to our recommendations for things to do in Key Largo, you can also always enjoy kayaking, biking and fishing. There are lots of charters for fishing that go out of the marinas of Key Largo, so whether you want to go sport fishing or catch your dinner, you’ll have plenty of options.

For biking, there are bike lanes separate of the Overseas Highway for much of Key Largo. Between the bike paths and the unique neighborhoods, there are plenty of places to ride to. Also, many of the hotels and resorts on Key Largo actually have complimentary bikes for guests, so it’s easy to just ride from wherever you’re staying.

We recommended kayaking in John Pennekamp State Park, but there are other paddling spots to visit on Key Largo in addition to the state park. Kayaking from Pennekamp down to Rock Harbor (launch address: 80 E 2nd St, Key Largo, FL 33037) is a big paddling adventure that’ll take several hours, but it’ll be fun! Sunset Point Park and Mangrove Marina are two other launch points to consider for a fun day on the water.

Tip: confirm with Mangrove Marina (305-852-8380) that they have space for launching before planning to bring your own kayaks to put in there.

Where to Stay on Key Largo

We’ve stayed on Key Largo many times, and it’s usually always somewhere different. One place that we’ve stayed multiple times because it’s easy and in a great location is actually the Holiday Inn Key Largo. We prefer to stay in unique hotels and resorts, but using IHG points or finding last minute deals has landed us here many times and it’s always a pleasant stay. Very nearby is the Marina Del Mar Resort (next door to the Holiday Inn) and it’s also a very nice stay with a big swimming pool and usually very budget-friendly rates. The Waterside Suites is across the canal from here, and again, you’ll find great rates and it’s an all-suite hotel, which is great for longer stays.

Keeping with the idea of a budget-friendly trip to Key Largo, the Amoray Dive Resort is my top pick. The rooms are nice, there are lots of things to do on property, and their cove has AMAZING snorkeling. You don’t have to be a diver to stay there. The Bayside Inn Key Largo is another top pick for its great location and outdoor space. The rooms are smaller, but you’re rarely in the room anyways.

For a higher end stay, you can’t go wrong with a few nights at Bakers Cay Resort. It’s a gorgeous property with a great beach, snorkel area, recreation gear, hammocks on the water and two really good restaurants.The Ocean Point Suites is another great place to stay, especially with kids, as there is plenty of room and a beautiful property to wander. For more ideas or to price our options for you own visit, check out the map below.