Key Largo has gone by a few names and nicknames over the years: It’s the First of the Keys, given its northernmost perch within the chain of islands below the tip of Florida. It also used to go by the names Planter and Rock Harbor—before that is, the fame that came from Key Largo, the legendary Humphrey Bogart film from 1948. But the largest of the Keys also has the rightful claim of being the Diving Capital of the World, thanks to the coral reefs and its huge underwater state park. When you travel to Key Largo—an easy drive from the mainland— you’ll find an accessible island getaway, with plenty of chances to dive, snorkel or just enjoy the beautiful sunset and the islands’ namesake pie. Read this Key Largo travel guide to explore this low-key island escape:
Things Not to Miss in Key Largo
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary
• Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
• Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
When to Go to Key Largo
The prime season for Key Largo travel is the warm-but-dry season between November and March, when you’ll also find the most crowds and the highest prices. Another good reason to come this time of year, though, is the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival, one of the biggest parties on the island, which happens in January. If you’re serious about water sports, though, the best time to visit Key Largo is summer. The risk of hurricane-season storms, meanwhile, peaks around September and October.
-
The Best Place for a Last-minute July 4th Trip, Based on Where You Live
It might be difficult (and expensive) to book a week-long last-minute 4th of July vacation, but it’s not too late to plan a quick trip to somewhere... Read More
-
Massive Fire Reported at First All-inclusive Resort in the Florida Keys
In December, the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo debuted as the first all-inclusive in the Florida Keys. Early Sunday morning, an inferno of flames... Read More
-
The Quiet Slice of Paradise Luring Visitors Back to the Florida Keys
When Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Lower Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm, the damage from 130 mph winds and subsequent storm surge was... Read More
-
Save a Whopping 50% off Stays at an Adults-only, All-inclusive Resort in Key Largo
T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest... Read More
-
Save 30% off a Private Villa in Key Largo
T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest... Read More
-
Visit the food spots from 'Chef’s Table,' 'Master of None,' and other favorite Netflix series
This story originally appeared on FoodandWine.com.While it’s fun enough to live vicariously through the adventures of the fictional folks that inhabit... Read More
-
World's Most Remote Hotels
For most of us, running out of toothpaste is easily remedied by a quick trip to the local drugstore. For Kirsten and Carl Dixon, owners of the... Read More
-
U.S. Beachfront Hotels Under $200
When Cristina Behrens travels to Santa Barbara, CA, to see clients, she likes to stay somewhere that’s convenient for meetings and—almost more important... Read More
-
America's Most Scenic Waterside Drives
Whether it’s a Griswold-style family vacation or a simple Sunday cruise, road trips are classic America—especially when looking out your windows at sea... Read More
-
Top Florida Attractions
Thanks to more than 1,350 miles of sandy shoreline, beach hopping in Florida is a connoisseur’s sport. Here, four of our favorite seaside spots.East... Read More
-
Coolest Underwater Attractions
Instead of navigating overcrowded Pompeii, why not explore another intriguing ancient city—resting just five to 15 feet underwater off Naples. You’ll be... Read More
-
World's Most Unusual Hotels 2008
You take an elevator up 60 feet and step out into your room, which is decked out with Eames chairs and plasma TV’s and has a panoramic view out over... Read More
-
Get A Glimpse of How the Other Half Lives
For the most part, the exclusive Ocean Reef Club on Key Largo, 50 miles south of Miami, is off-limits to you and me--unless we've been invited or we're... Read More
