For a beachy, touristy getaway in the US, it’s hard to beat the Florida Keys. It’s a place where you can soak up sunshine, explore gorgeous nature, and relax away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here’s my guide on the top things to do in Key Largo and surrounding areas to help you plan your visit. If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, I hope you have an awesome time there!
Here Are The Top Things To Do In Key Largo For A Memorable Trip
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Snorkel with the Christ of the Abyss statue
When you visit Key Largo you have the opportunity to snorkel with an underwater statue of Jesus.
It’s certainly something interesting and unique to see while you’re swimming.
The statue is visible from the surface of the water, so you don’t need to be a scuba or free diver to see it, though you do need to take a tour to get to the site.
Here’s my full guide on how to see the Christ of the Abyss statue for more information.
Whether you get to see the statue or not, it’s worth taking a snorkel tour to explore the gorgeous reefs and bright blue water of the John Pennekamp State Park while you’re in Key Largo.
Visit Robbie’s
Robbie’s is a popular place where you can spend a day full of fun activities.
I rented a kayak here and spent a few hours wildlife spotting while exploring the mangroves. It was one of my favorite days of the trip. If you prefer to go as a group, they also offer a few different kayaking tours.
Another fun and iconic experience at Robbie’s is hand feed the tarpon. You’ll lay down on the jetty and hang your fish above the water and these giant tarpon will take the fish right out of your hand. I also so sharks and manatees swimming by which was magic.
There’s also a nice restaurant and an open air market with local crafts and souvenirs, so it’s got a lot going on.
You can get there by Uber, but it’s a little more of an expensive ride so you’ll probably want to go early and make the most of your day there.
Here’s my full guide on spending a day at Robbie’s for more information.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
Another unique place to visit is the Windley Key Geological State Park in Islamorada.
At this state park, which was a former quarry that used the Key Largo limestone to build the Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad and decorative pieces after the railroad, you can walk the easy outdoor trails while learning about the history of the area.
You’ll see tall walls of coral with fossils as well as old quarry machinery while you explore the park.
I definitely recommend having some bug spray on you before you go and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Eat Key Lime Pie
I’m a choc-o-holic – when it comes to the desert menu I always go for the chocolate option first. So, to be honest, I didn’t think I’d like Key Lime Pie that much.
Boy was I wrong. Even a chocolate lover like me was turned to into a citrus desert addict.
This sweet and delicious desert is a must-try when you visit the Keys. I liked trying it in different restaurants to see how they added their own spin to the classic. With just a subtle change of flavors or styles, each one was similar and unique at the same time.
Here’s my full guide on where to get the best Key Lime Pie in Key Largo for more information.
Take an eco-tour
For a nature experience, take an eco-tour to learn more about the local ecosystem while spotting animals.
If you’d love to see a manatee during your visit (this was high on my list too) then this would be a good way to do it. Of course, anything with wildlife can never be guaranteed – if it’s an ethical tour, but the people with the local insight usually know the best spots.
Unfortunately when you look into things to do in Key Largo, there’s a big push for swimming with dolphins in captivity, which is a horribly cruel industry. In my opinion, it’s much better to see them in the wild, even if the opportunity to see them is not guaranteed.
Watch a sunset
Key Largo puts on a show when it comes to sunset.
Sitting on the beach, with a cocktail in hand, watching the sun set over the water has to be one of the most relaxing ways to end the day.
Another option is to take a sunset boat tour where you might even be lucky enough to see the sunset with a side of dolphins frolicking.
I took a sunset tour with Pirates Cove Watersports. It was a relaxing boat tour but I especially appreciated how much the captain shared with us about the nature and wildlife in the area.
Visit the Sandbar
Another fun thing to do is take a trip to the neighboring Islamorada sandbar.
I didn’t do this, so I don’t have personal recommendations for you. However, when I was researching I found good recommendations for Islander Girl Snorkel And Tours or Aqua Blue Adventures for a private boat.
Watersports
Key Largo is a perfect place to soak up the sunshine and get out on the water.
Whether you want to try paddle boarding, jet skiing, parasailing or kayaking, there’s opportunity for just about anything. Another bonus is that it’s fairly easy to find places to organize these activities.
If you stay at the Reefhouse Resort and Marina (formerly Marriott Key Largo Bay), they have Pirates Cove Watersports on site where you can easily organize a lot of these activities.
Best of all, it’s just a few steps from your room then you’ve got the equipment and you’re out on the water so it doesn’t get much easier than that.
Take a selfie with the Giant Lobster
Come on, what’s more unique than a giant roadside lobster?
Well, there is one just outside of Key Largo and her name is Betsy. She’s a pretty impressive and also a little creepy thing to get a selfie with during your visit.
Betsy sits outside Rain Barrel Village, which is a cool place to spend some time after you see Betsy. At Rain Barrel Village you can explore the collection of artisanal shops to get unique souvenirs, drink from a fresh coconut, and get a snack.
You can easily get to Rain Barrel Village by Uber (it’s about a 15 minute drive depending on where you stay).
Eat all the seafood
If you love seafood, you’re in the right place. It’s seafood heaven!
There were a lot of great foods on offer, but I particularly loved the lobsters there and how affordable it was to eat lobster every day. It felt like I was living like royalty each time I sat down for a meal.
Other favorites I had were fresh fish, crab cakes, and, of course, trying out the iconic conch which I had in conch fritters.
Here’s my full guide on the best places to eat in Key Largo for more information.
Where to stay in Key Largo
I stayed at the Reefhouse Resort and Marina (formerly Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort) and highly recommend it.
There are two big things that stood out to me about staying here. Firstly, the beach on site that was stocked with beach chairs, huts for shade, and hammocks. There’s also a bar right by the beach which makes amazingly refreshing frozen cocktails.
The other thing I loved is having Pirates Cove Watersports on site. I could easily book tours, charge them to my room, and walk a few steps to get there. It couldn’t have been easier to make the most of my stay and saved money on Uber rides.
For more details, here’s my full review of the Reefhouse Resort and Marina.
The beach at Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort
Other guides you might enjoy
Solo Female Travel In Key Largo + How To Plan An Awesome Trip
8 Ways To Plan Things To Do While Traveling (Not Guidebooks)
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