Key Largo is the northernmost island in the Florida Keys and home to some of the most accessible, vibrant reefs in the U.S. It’s a hub for diving, snorkeling, and eco-tourism…and it’s the perfect base for exploring the rest of the Keys.
Plan Your Visit to Key Largo and the Florida Keys
Why Key Largo?
📍 Getting Here
By Air:
- Fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) – about 1.5 hour from Key Largo
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) – about 2 hours away
- Key West International (EYW) – about 2.5 hours south
By Car:
- Key Largo sits at Mile Marker 100 on U.S. 1.
- Coming from the North, you’ll navigate through Fort Lauderdale and Miami, but you’ll know you’re almost there when you hit the infamous blue stretch.
- Coming from the South, it’s a scenic drive with plenty of pull-offs, parks, and views along the way.
✅ Before You Dive
A few simple steps make your trip smoother and give you peace of mind:
🌴 Things to Do Beyond Diving
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center
Just minutes north in Tavernier, this sanctuary cares for injured birds that can’t return to the wild. Wander along a wooden boardwalk through mangroves, watch pelicans and egrets in Pelican Lagoon, and learn about local wildlife in a peaceful, educational setting. Admission is free (donations encouraged), and it’s an ideal stop for families and nature lovers alike.
Coral Restoration Foundation (Key Largo Location)
This global leader in reef restoration offers hands-on learning tours and immersive readouts on rebuilding coral ecosystems. Walk through the Ocean Exploration Center or visit offshore nursery sites to see how juvenile corals take root in the reef. Great for education-minded travelers and anyone curious how science and stewardship shape the Keys’ underwater future.
REEF Campus & Ocean Exploration Center
REEF’s Key Largo hub invites visitors to get involved in fish identification, citizen science, and conservation initiatives. With exhibits, seminars, and the chance to join ongoing programs like Fish Counts and restoration challenges, it’s a fantastic resources to learn about marine ecology in a hands-on, accessible way.
Other cool things to do:
- Kayaking/Paddleboarding
- Sport Fishing
- Spearfishing (we recommend Forever Young)
- Visit the historic Pigeon Key
- Visit Indian Key Historic State Park
🚑 Emergency Resources
If a serious diving incident occurs or someone in your group needs emergency care, there’s reliable support close by:
Mariners Hospital (Tavernier, FL)
The only hospital-based hyperbaric chamber in the Florida Keys, Mariners Hospital operates 24/7 and is on call for diving accidents, including suspected decompression sickness.
Hyperbarics International (Key Largo, FL)
A global training hub for hyperbaric medicine, providing advanced education and professional support in dive medicine.
Why DAN Insurance Matters
The Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers affordable dive accident insurance that covers emergency treatment, including hyperbaric chamber costs, evacuation, and follow-up care. While rare, dive-related incidents can be expensive to treat without coverage.
We strongly recommend all divers carry DAN insurance. Learn more at dan.org.
More FAQs
What makes diving in Key Largo special?
Key Largo is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is home to the first U.S. underwater park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The reefs are shallow, vibrant, and accessible—making them ideal for both divers and snorkelers.
What's the water temperature in Key Largo like?
Winter: 70–74°F
Spring: mid-to-high 70s
Summer: 84–87°F
A 3mm wetsuit is plenty for most people year-round.
What’s the visibility on Key Largo reefs like?
Typical visibility ranges from 40–100 feet, depending on weather and tides. Calm days bring crystal-clear water that makes Key Largo famous…we call those “Lake Atlantic Days.”
Can I bring my own dive or snorkel gear?
Absolutely. You’re welcome to bring your own mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, bcd, regulators, even your own tanks. But we also offer high-quality rental gear if you’d rather travel light. ?
Is it true you have rules around what type of sunscreen we can use on board the boats?
Yep! But that’s because not all sunscreen is created equal, and not all “reef-friendly” sunscreens are, in fact, friendly to our delicate reefs. We carry Stream2Sea in shop and on board, but as long as your sunscreen doesn’t have these harmful ingredients in it, you’re good to go!
What else should I bring on my Key Largo dive or snorkel trip?
You should probably bring a pair of sunglasses, a towel, food and snacks, and any drinks you’d like for the day, as long as they’re NOT in glass bottles/containers.
We have coolers and drinking water on board. Alcohol can be brought on board but cannot be consumed before entering the water.
What is your policy on children on board/in the water?
Snorkeling is great for kids who are comfortable in the water. They must know how to swim and use a properly fitted life jacket.
Discover Scuba Diving is available for children 10 years and older.
Please note that due to the nature of our trips and their duration, toddlers and infants are not permitted.
Are there concerns around marine life like jellyfish?
We sometimes see blooms of moon jellies, and a higher amount of man-o-war jellyfish in the late summer/early fall months. This isn’t something we can foresee, and we will do our best to keep you out of the stingy situations!
Meanwhile, we have no concerns around other marine life. The point is to go find them! Amirite? ?
What if the weather or conditions aren't favorable for our dive or snorkel trip in Key Largo?
Our captains always monitor conditions and will recommend the best sites for the day. If seas are rough or conditions aren’t safe, we’ll reschedule or cancel without charging you.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because our boats are booked for private charters only, we ask for a minimum of one week notice if you have to cancel to avoid a full-price cancellation fee. We require a credit card number to hold your reservation, which is not charged ahead of time. We will not charge you if the sea condition is greater than our average 2′-3′ sea, and you do not wish to go.
When’s the best time of year to visit Key Largo?
Winter & Spring: Comfortable air temps, cooler water (70–74°F), and good visibility. Typically we see windy days and sporty sea conditions, so be ready.
Summer: Warm water (84–87°F), long dive days, calm seas. It’s the perfect time…but be ready to channel your inner lizard and soak up the heat!
Fall: Fewer crowds, hot days and cool evenings. Conditions can flip-flop between great and sporty, but still great diving.
Your time on Key Largo reefs & wrecks will make memories you'll play on repeat.
Contact Us
Address:
103680 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037
Telephone: 305-451-2440
Email: info@keylargodiving.com