Today Key Largo is the first of the Keys in every sense — first island down the highway, first undersea park in America, first name travelers learn on the way to Key West. Its story runs from Cayo Largo on a Dutch chart through pineapple wagons, a drowned railroad, and a Hollywood rename to the Diving Capital of the World. Wear a little of the island that gave its name to a film and took it back.
What's with Key Largo? Key Largo is the gateway of the Florida Keys — first island down the Overseas Highway, self-styled Diving Capital of the World, and home of America's first undersea park. It runs thirty-three green-water miles toward Key West, took its name from Spanish charts and its fame from a 1948 Bogart film — and has been trading happily on both ever since.
Why People Visit Key Largo Florida
- Snorkel or dive John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — America's first undersea park — by glass-bottom boat, snorkel tour, or scuba charter.
- Descend to the Christ of the Abyss off Key Largo Dry Rocks, or dive Molasses Reef and the wrecks beyond.
- Ride the actual African Queen — the 1912 steam launch from the 1951 film — on a canal cruise.
- Sleep underwater at Jules' Undersea Lodge, the world's first underwater hotel.
- Walk the hardwood hammock at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, and visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center.
- Kayak the mangroves into Florida Bay, or day-trip west to Everglades National Park.
- End every day the Keys way: a sunset cruise and a slice of key lime pie.
