Key Largo Attractions, Pennekamp Park, Water sports, & more

As the first island in the Florida Keys, Key Largo is a must see with its abundant to-do’s; from scuba diving & snorkeling the dive capital of the world, doing some world class fishing, to cruising through the mangrove trails of John Pennekamp on a kayak or paddle board, you are sure to have a wonderful time in Key Largo.

With almost too many to count Key Largo dive spots will keep you in the water all day. With so much to see it’s best to talk with local experts at any Key Largo dive shop for which dive site is best that particular day based off weather and water conditions, and the level of experience in your group. One of the most popular reefs, Molasses Reef, is only five miles offshore and is a massive seventeen-acre sprawling reef. Molasses reef is a perfect dive spot for anyone with its varied depths, both divers and snorkelers will leave enchanted. Another very popular Key Largo attraction, The Statue of Christ of the Abyss, a replica of a statue located off Genoa, Italy, is located six miles northeast of Key Largo’s South Cut. If you can’t manage to get in the water this time, a great alternative are glass bottom boats that give you beautiful views of the depths below.

Key Largo, being the longest island in the Florida Keys, is positioned between the Florida Everglades National Park and the Atlantic Ocean, making it the ideal location for some of the most diverse fishing in the world. With over 600 species of fish, fishing in Key Largo will have anglers of all skill levels going home happy, whether you’re backcountry, flats, deep sea, or reef fishing. Although bridge fishing is popular throughout the Keys, the best catches are going to be out on the water and with no lack of fishing charters or boat rentals getting on the water will be no problem.

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park is the first underwater state park in the nation. There is plenty of diving opportunities in the park, beaches, and places to camp. The most popular dive destinations in this area are of course Molasses Reef and the Statue of Christ of the Abyss, but the City of Washington Wreck, French Reef, and The Emerald Lagoon are all great underwater attractions as well.

Swimming with Dolphins has become one of the most popular activities in Key Largo, and with the opportunity to get up close and personal with dolphins and sealions you can imagine why. Packages range from structured swims allowing participants to have one on one direct contact with the dolphins, to ones that allow swimmers to snorkel freely with a group of dolphins. Contact any Key Largo dolphin center to reserve your once in a lifetime experience.

For bird lovers, the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is truly a must see! This is an area that is designed to care for over one hundred bird residents, but it is also a place where you can see the birds that live there up close, this includes hawks, falcons, owls, parrots, pelicans, and many more. Admission is donation based so you give what you can and thanks to those donations, the Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center was recently able to go through renovations so it’s wonderful time to check them out.

While driving around Key Largo you are sure to pass by the Caribbean Club, if it looks familiar to you, it’s not Déjà vu, the film ‘Key Largo’ with Bogart and McCall was partially shot here. In fact, the boat, the African Queen, from another classic hit of Humphrey Bogart’s can be found in the Holiday Harbor Marina where sightseeing tours on the water depart from US-1.

With the Everglades in our backyard a vacation in Key Largo would not be complete without a tropical adventure spent paddling our turquoise waters and mesmerizing mangrove canals on a kayak or stand up paddle board. Guided ecotours are available throughout Key Largo so you can enjoy a worry-free ride and learn about our precious environment while seeing various sea life, such as dolphins, manatees, and birds. Key Largo kayak shops also offer a very diverse selection of kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, and canoe rentals. No matter what your experience level or interest is you will find exactly what you need, some shops will even deliver them right to you or wherever you want to sally out of.