Key Largo Florida Hotel Deals

For those who have never visited Key Largo, the mere mention of the island’s name might conjure up images of the 1948 Humphrey Bogart movie, or the 1981 easy listening pop tune by Bertie Higgins, which alluded to the classic film. But for residents and visitors who have enjoyed what Key Largo has to offer, Key Largo is the gateway to the Florida Keys, and has a well-earned reputation as the “Dive Capital of the World.”

Featured Key Largo travel Guide

As the northernmost island of the Florida Keys chain, Key Largo is one of the most environmental diverse regions of the state. To the west of Key Largo is Everglades National Park, largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. To the east of the island is North America's only living coral barrier reef.

A popular destination for travelers is the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, billed as America’s first undersea park. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until sunset and reservations are recommended for the glass bottom boat and snorkeling tours, scuba tours and instruction, camping, and boat rentals. John Pennekamp State Park is most famous for the “Christ of the Deep” statue, which is located at Key Largo Dry Rocks reef. Sculpted by an Italian artist as a symbol to inspire all who explored and loved the sea, “Christ of the Deep” was lowered into the waters off of John Pennekamp State Park in 1965 and even withstood the Category 3 waves churned by Hurricane Betsy a few weeks later.

Weather permitting, visitors can see the statue during one of the snorkeling tours, but the area is too shallow for the glass bottom boat rides. In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, Key Largo is well known for sport fishing with some of the best charter captains and fishing guides in the world. Sport fishing enthusiasts can go after sailfish offshore, bonefish along the Atlantic shallows, or redfish and tarpon in Florida Bay.