The island's greatest treasure was underwater all along. Off Key Largo runs the Florida Reef — the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States and among the largest reef systems on Earth. In 1960, after years of alarm at coral looting, the state created John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — the first undersea park in the United States, named for the Miami editor who fought for it. Since 1965 the park's emblem has been the bronze Christ of the Abyss, standing in twenty-five feet of water off Key Largo Dry Rocks with arms raised toward the surface light.
Then came the strangest turn in the island's story: it renamed itself after a movie. A 1948 film noir borrowed the island's name for a storm-lashed hotel drama, and the picture became a classic. On June 1, 1952, the Rock Harbor post office made it official — the town would be Key Largo, trading on a fame the island had technically lent the film in the first place. The loop closed again in 1982, when the actual African Queen — the 1912 steam launch from the 1951 river epic, now on the National Register — took up residence in a Key Largo canal, where she still runs visitors today.
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.
