Key largo- the perfect escape

Key Largo is a classic summer destination for families. From weekend getaways to long, lazy summer vacations. Whether you are planning a long summer weekend or weeks of laid-back relaxation, Key Largo has plenty to appeal to everyone in your group. At Mangrove Marina, we can help you plan your Florida Keys vacation from start to finish along with the perfect home base for all your adventures with our luxury houseboat rentals. Here is what you need to know as you plan to travel to Key Largo!

Top Key Largo Activities

1. History

The rich history of the Florida Keys starts in Key Largo, the longest and closest key to the mainland. Here, you can check out the African Queen, the actual boat skippered by Bogart in the movie of the same name. Today, this historic steamboat still offers daily canal cruises and is open for private events.

Next, check out the Benwood Wreck, sunk in 1942 after a collision. Briefly used for aerial target practice by the U.S. Army in WWII, the wreck is now a popular shipwreck dive, full of nooks, crannies, and holes, all harboring diverse marine life just waiting to be discovered.

Finally, no visit to the Keys is complete without a stop at the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary for a visit to the two-ton Christ of the Abyss, a memorial to those lost at sea, and a monument to those who love the sea.

2. Water adventures

Surf-and-sand is the order of the day when it comes to a vacation in Key Largo, and you’re sure to want to spend some time out on the water. Luckily, you’ll have plenty of options from which to choose, including:

• Glass-bottom boat tours

• Snorkeling and scuba diving
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Jet Skiing
• Fishing charters

Additionally, you can opt for a romantic sunset cruise after your day of adventuring comes to a close on your Florida Keys vacation!

3. Animal encounters

If a walk on the wild side is more your speed when you travel to Key Largo, consider a day of animal encounters. At Dolphins Plus, you can meet, swim with, and learn about marine mammals in a unique environment.

At the Turtle Hospital, you can learn all about our friends the sea turtles, and take a guided educational tour of our facilities and rehab center. The program takes about an hour and a half, and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at everything the organization does to keep sea turtles happy and healthy. You will even have an opportunity to feed the turtles!

The Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center offers another way to interact with and learn about animals. Here, you can visit and see wild birds that cannot be released into the wild, watch a pelican feeding, and stroll the boardwalk at sunset.

4. Fun in the sun

Key Largo is all about fun in the sun, so head out to Everglades National Park to visit the United States’ biggest subtropical wilderness area, filled with crocodiles, manatees, and Florida panthers. At Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, you can explore more than six miles of nature trails and spot numerous species of rare birds, animals, and plants.

If the sun gets a bit too warm, head inside to the Reef Gallery for a bit of seaside art in air-conditioned comfort or make a day of it shopping at Shell World and Key Largo’s other one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques.

5. A taste of the Keys

It’s easy to work up an appetite when you spend all day exploring. In Key Largo, the hard part is deciding where to satisfy that appetite! May we suggest one of Key Largo’s favorite eateries, such as:

• Sundowners for fresh local seafood and icy beer
• Market 88 for waterfront dining and famous key lime pie
• Mrs. C’s Homemade Ice Cream for a fresh take on a classic favorite
• Blufin Bar & Grill, Mangrove Marina’s own spot for drinks, food, and live music

At Mangrove Marina, our houseboats are a top summer destination for families and can make your vacation one to remember for a lifetime. Call us today to learn more or to make your reservations!