Key Largo & Islamorada
The Upper Florida Keys: diving in America's first undersea park, the Christ of the Abyss statue, and Islamorada, the "Sportfishing Capital of the World."
Key Largo and Islamorada lie in Monroe County, Florida, and make up the Upper Florida Keys. From Miami, it's about 1–1.5 hours south on US 1 (the Overseas Highway) to Key Largo, and roughly 30 km farther south is the Village of Islamorada, spread across several small islands. Key Largo is famous for diving: offshore you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (America's first undersea park), the Christ of the Abyss statue, and the wreck of the USS Spiegel Grove. Islamorada bills itself as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World," with deep-sea fishing, tarpon feeding, island state parks and art boutiques all close together.
Climate: Tropical. The dry season runs Dec–Apr, with sunny skies, little rain and pleasant sea breezes – this is peak season. May–Nov is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and Jun–Nov is hurricane season, though calm summer seas bring the best diving visibility.
Getting there and where to stay: The nearest airport is Miami International, and you'll need a car. Locations along the road are marked by mile markers (MM): Key Largo runs roughly MM 106–91 and Islamorada roughly MM 90–70. Accommodation is mainly waterfront resorts and motels.
Tips: Stay 2–3 days – one day out on the water snorkeling or diving, and one day in Islamorada fishing, paddling or exploring the state parks. Boat trips depend heavily on wind and waves, so build in a spare day. Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on or touch the coral. Continue south to Marathon and Key West.
Top sights
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – America's first underwater park, where glass-bottom boats, snorkeling trips and diving tours depart to explore the coral reefs.
- Robbie's of Islamorada – Islamorada's old marina, where a bucket of small fish lets you feed schools of tarpon nearly two meters long.
- Christ of the Abyss – A bronze statue of Christ resting about 8 meters underwater off Key Largo's outer reef, an iconic target for snorkeling and diving.
- African Queen – The old steamboat from the 1951 film of the same name, now carrying passengers on cruises along the canals of Key Largo.
- History of Diving Museum – A specialty museum housing centuries of diving equipment, where antique copper helmets and diving suits from around the world are truly eye…
- Indian Key Historic State Park – A small island reachable only by boat, preserving the ruins of a 19th-century shipwreck-salvage town, surrounded by clear water.
- Anne's Beach – A shallow-water beach on Lower Matecumbe Key, with a wooden boardwalk linking several small sandy coves. The calm, shallow water suits fami…
- Spiegel Grove Wreck – A 155-meter former U.S. Navy vessel deliberately sunk off Key Largo, and a world-famous wreck dive site.
- Molasses Reef – One of the most popular coral reef dive sites in the Florida Keys, with shallow areas good for snorkeling and dense schools of fish.
- Theater of the Sea – A marine park that opened in 1946, featuring dolphin and sea lion shows and the chance to swim with dolphins.
- Florida Keys Wild Bird Center – A free wild bird rescue center in Tavernier, where you can get close to pelicans, herons, and birds of prey from wooden boardwalks.
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park – A tropical hardwood hammock reserve at the north end of Key Largo, home to rare trees, tree snails, and butterflies, with quiet trails and…
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park – A quarry site from the Flagler railroad era, where cross-sections of ancient coral fossils are clearly visible on the rock walls.
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park – A pristine tropical hardwood island reachable only by boat or kayak, with an 1919 historic house and ranger-led tours.
- Long Key State Park – A waterfront state park with ocean-view campsites, the Golden Orb Trail, and mangrove kayaking routes that are all popular.
- Florida Keys Memorial (Hurricane Monument) – An Art Deco monument honoring the victims of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
- Rain Barrel Artisan Village – A handmade art village in Islamorada, where the giant lobster sculpture “Betsy” at the entrance is a popular roadside photo spot.
- Islamorada Founders Park – A bayside community park with palm-shaded sand beaches, a swimming pool, and a dock, ideal for relaxed swimming and sunset watching.
- Alligator Reef Lighthouse – An iron-piled lighthouse completed in 1873 offshore from Islamorada, with a popular snorkeling reef beneath it.
Where to eat
- Mrs. Mac's Kitchen – A long-running roadside diner on Key Largo, open since 1976. It is known for key lime pie and conch dishes, has walls c…
- Green Turtle Inn Restaurant – A landmark old restaurant in Islamorada, open since 1947, known for turtle soup and skillet cornbread. It offers both s…
- The Fish House – A popular seafood restaurant on Key Largo known for local fish grilled Matecumbe style. It was featured on Diners, Driv…
- Marker 88 – A waterfront restaurant on Plantation Key, open since 1967. It is famous for bay sunsets, a long dock, and swing tables…
Itineraries
- Miami, Everglades & Florida Keys Tour – Drive south from Miami through the Everglades, take the Overseas Highway to Key West, and return the same way.
- Florida Grand Loop Tour – Starting in Miami, explore the Keys, the Gulf Coast, Orlando, and St. Augustine.