Planning an escape to Key Largo? Don’t waste precious vacation time trying to decide what to do while on the island or being disappointed by over-hyped and over-priced attractions. Exciting adventures and family friendly attractions abound in the Florida Keys, plan ahead so you can get the most fun and bang for your buck on your next tropical getaway.
Keys Diver Snorkel Tours – Take a short snorkeling on-site snorkeling class before embarking an a boat ride to the shallow waters of the National Marine Sanctuary and Pennekamp Park. Swim down to the underwater statue of Christ on the two hour in-water snorkeling adventure. Swim past dolphins, sting rays and Queen Angel fish at Snapper Ledge. All necessary gear is provided on either the two or one hour in-water tour.
Dolphins Plus Tours – Swim with sea lionbs or dolphins in a fresh water lagoon at this mammal research facility. Children age seven and above can experience one-on-one encounter with dolphins in their natural environment. Sign up for a dolphin education class or visit the dolphin exploration lab.
Captain Sterling’s Everglades Tour – Step aboard Captain Sterling’s boat and enjoy a personalized tour through the Florida Everglades. Travel to the spot that National Geographic magazine dubbed the prettiest area in the Everglades – Hemingway Pass. Expect to see manatees, dolphins, tropical birds and a reef that is speculated to be over one million years old.
Key Largo Princess – Spend the day out on the water in a 70 foot long glass bottom boat. Catch some rays on the spacious deck or opt for the comfort of the air-conditioned salon area. Once the boat reaches the coral reef viewing area you will be able to take in all the sites without braving the heat – courtesy of the 280 square feet of glass underneath your feet. Snack, soda and adult beverages are available for a fee.
Ocean Reef Club – Golf in paradise at the eighteen hole championship level course. Demonstrate your swinging skills on the Harbor Course section which is encompassed by a tight tree line and thick rough areas.
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical Park – Take “Fido” with you as you hike the rugged trails or take a leisurely wildlife spotting stroll on the nature path. The park is home to 84 species of animals and plants. Stay alert for chance meetings with American crocodiles along the shore. A picnic area, back country mountain biking trails and butterfly watching area are also among the activities available at the park. Guided ranger tours are available for a fee.
Dolphin Cove – Enjoy natural interactions with dolphins at this marine education facility. During the natural swim experience you will don snorkeling gear and observe the dolphins close-up during the thirty minute encounter. The structured dolphin swim is forty-five minutes long and includes a learning session about bottlenose dolphins. You will “shake hands” with a dolphin, learn how to rub the mammal’s belly and get a dorsal fin tow around the lagoon.
SunCruz Casino – Court lady luck and win enough dough to extend your vacation in the Florida Keys. Float along the waters of the Gulf of Mexico while tossing down chips at one of the seventy gambling machines, or join a card game. Entertainment and food available at the ship’s restaurant.
Jacobs Aquatic Center – Cool off with the family with multiple swimming pools, interactive water play areas, play water polo or take a Scuba certification class. If you visit the center at the right time you may even get to watch the local swim and diving clubs compete.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Get outside and enjoy muscle-powered activities in Key Largo. Rent a boat and go fishing, take a glass bottom boat tour, go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are three designated swimming beaches, designated fishing and picnic areas. Remnants from a sunken Spanish ship exist 100 feet from the shore of Canon Beach. The state park visitor center features a massive saltwater aquarium, nature theater and interpretive exhibits.
