Key Largo - island in the United States of America

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.

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.

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

• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, County Road 905 (1/2 mile north of intersection with U.S. Highway 1 at Mile Marker 106), 25.176168°, -80.369714°, +1 305 451-1202. 8AM to sundown. 2015-02-27
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 102601 Overseas Hwy (Off US 1 at Mile Marker 102.5), 25.125396°, -80.405823°, +1 305 451-6300. 8AM to sundown. 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. $8 2015-02-27
• African Queen, 99701 Overseas Hwy, 25.096202°, -80.438589°, +1 305 451-8080. 9AM to 8PM. 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 still 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. $49-$89 for cruises 2015-02-27

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.

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Snorkel tours, +1 (305) 451-6300. 8 - 6. 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. Adults $30 and up, not counting gear rental
• Reef Roamer Snorkel Catamaran, MM 100, +1 305 453-0110. 8 - 6. Come snorkeling in John Pennekamp Park with Reef Roamer and Quicksilver catamarans. Three snorkel trips daily 9, 12:30, and 5:30. Sunset sails with free champagne and rum punch. $40 and up

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.

• Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, Admin Offices: 3 La Croix Court, Key Largo, 25.194405°, -80.352564°, +1 305 853-3571. 8AM to sundown. 2015-02-27

Buy

• 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.

• Buzzards Roost Restaurant, 21 Garden Cove Dr, +1 305 453-3746.
• Cafe Largo/Bayside Grill, 99530 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 451-4885.

The food is very good. The service is enthusiastic and the staff has personality.

• Caribbean Club, +1 305 451-4466.
• Fish House Restaurant, +1 305 451-4665.
• Key Largo Conch House, 100211 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 453-4844. Airy seafood place with parrot.
• Mrs. Mac's Kitchen, 99336 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 451-3722.
• Num Thai Rest. & Sushi, 103200 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 451-5955. Great sushi, friendly and very local.
• Senor Frijoles/Sundowners, 103900 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 451-1592.
• Upper Crust Pizza, 101611 Overseas Hwy, +1 305 451-4188.
• Pilot House Restaurant, 13 Seagate Boulevard, +1 305 451-3142. 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.
• Cactus Jacks, 103900 Overseas Highway Key Largo, +1 305 453-0249. Very local dive bar. Good prices. Open mic nights on Monday.

Sleep

• Jules’ Undersea Lodge, 51 Shoreland Drive (Key Largo Undersea Park), +1 305 451-2353, info@jul.com. This underwater hotel is 21 feet below the surface. Sleeps up to six. $350+/night.
• Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton, 97000 South Overseas Highway, +1 305-852-5553. Newly renovated and nestled on 13 acres of lush hardwood forestry along the Gulf of Mexico.
• Ocean Pointe Suites at Key Largo, 500 Burton Drive, +1 305 853-3000.
• Courtyard by Marriott Key Largo, 99751 Overseas Hwy, +1 305-451-3939.
• Coconut Palm Inn, 198 Harborview Drive Tavernier (Drive north on the Overseas Highway to Mile Marker 92. Make left on Jo Jean Way and continue to the bay and we will be on your left.), +1 305 852-3017. Check-in: 3:00PM, check-out: 11:00AM. 18-room hotel with onsite marina, private beach, and beachfront pool. 2015-12-14

Campground

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, +1-800-326-3521.

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