What is boating like around Key Largo?

[Bruce]

I am considering a summer family trip to the keys. Key Largo looks like a likely base.

How much use would a boat be? What are the local boating destinations?

Key West appears to be fully booked. We might venture there to launch for the Dry Tortugas on a calm water day.

Would it be better to be on the Biscayne Bay end?

 

[canefan75]

Key Largo is beautiful but Islamorada is where you want to be. Several sand bars and the light house are there to explore and of course a stop by Robbies to feed the tarpon!!

 

[zipper]

@Liveto99 has a place in the Keys.

 

[14SX190]

I am considering a summer family trip to the keys. Key Largo looks like a likely base.

How much use would a boat be? What are the local boating destinations?

Key West appears to be fully booked. We might venture there to launch for the Dry Tortugas on a calm water day.

Would it be better to be on the Biscayne Bay end?

I'll be down to meet you in key largo.

You can make it 7mile bridge and back to Key largo easily and see pretty much see everything.

In Key Largo you'll be close to John Pennekamp for the Christ Statue(see avatar)
You can make it to both Lighthouses(Sombero and Alligator)
As you go south on bay side you'll pass mangroves and Toilet seat pass.

I haven't boated past Marathon as it becomes more regulated due to conservatory boundaries.

Definitely, make the drive to Key West and do Dry Tortuga.

 

[johhnyboat]

The water is crystal clear and mainly protected until you get out in the ocean. you can take the intercoastal up and down the keys.

 

[ididntdoit]

Marina Del Mar is great on the ocean side - there is a small ramp near sharkeys and one at key largo harbor marina - if you stay bayside you can cut through largo sound via adams cut - It is 100% worth having the boat there - If you venture further south look at postcard inn or, even better, Hawks Cay - They have rooms or villas with slips available as well as their own ramp and trailer parking LOTS to do there for the family and a lot of cool stuff close by for the boat too.......Then again, I really like it bayside too - Gilberts, or the Anchorage resort across the channel are fun stops (no frills rooms, nothing fancy) and there is a ton to explore on the protected bay side. If you want "swanky" playa largo is nice ($$$) - I will be in south florida quite a bit this summer with the new cc - was going to try to make Bimini work, but looks like I need to be in MA that week......let me know your dates as it gets closer - would be fun to meet up and hit the reefs then kick back a few cold ones

 

[NewBoater]

We just got back from half a week at key west and half a week at key largo. Amazing trip. Daughter swam with dolphins in key largo. Southernmost point of US was a Cool picture to be beside in key west. We did a snorkel trip out to the reef in key west that was amazing. Great food and seafood both places. Key largo is more laid back and key west has a much more loud busier night life. Didn’t bring our boat but had a blast. Check out these pics from Wahoos bar and grille on drive back from key west to key largo. Best shrimp tacos ever. Pics of her swimming with dolphins that was so cool. They jumped over her and took her around while she was holding on. Pinchers had good food and drinks in key west. Took a boat ride on the African Queen which is really old and cool
And got some history lessons about the movie it was in and stuff. Very fun trip would definitely go again.

 

[rad1026]

If you like "dive" bars like my wife and I, make sure you hit the Caribbean Club in Key Largo on Karaoke night. A locals joint for sure.

 

[Bruce]

If you like "dive" bars like my wife and I, make sure you hit the Caribbean Club in Key Largo on Karaoke night. A locals joint for sure.

Sounds like fun. I will have the kids so bars are no go in the US.

 

[djetok]

@Bruce Can you get to looe key? I was on a dive boat from Bahia Honda (7 mile bridge) it was a blast to snorkel there.

We didn't snorkel pennecamp, we dove it. Both are pretty awesome. More coral reefs at pennecamp. That was a great trip with my pops.

 

[Bruce]

Can you get to looe key

Looe Key looks to be about 8 miles from Highway 1. Should be easily reachable and looks to be a beautiful area.

Thanks!

 

[djetok]

Looe Key looks to be about 8 miles from Highway 1. Should be easily reachable and looks to be a beautiful area.

Thanks!

The kids will love the snorkeling at pennecamp and looe. I think the boy scout camp is on big pine as well.

 

[leonard delia]

I am considering a summer family trip to the keys. Key Largo looks like a likely base.

How much use would a boat be? What are the local boating destinations?

Key West appears to be fully booked. We might venture there to launch for the Dry Tortugas on a calm water day.

Would it be better to be on the Biscayne Bay end?

Hello Bruce, I live down in the keys and would be more than happy to show you some fun places to go. you can get a place at mm 47 islabella or you can get a place in cudjoe at sugarloaf lodge or looe key hotel. places we can boat at
marvin key
tarpon belly
picnic island
i can also take u to the looe key reef to snorkel

 

[leonard delia]

Hello Bruce, I live down in the keys and would be more than happy to show you some fun places to go. you can get a place at mm 47 islabella or you can get a place in cudjoe at sugarloaf lodge or looe key hotel. places we can boat at
marvin key
tarpon belly
picnic island
i can also take u to the looe key reef to snorkel

oh yea if you want to dock the boat at my house there is room to park

 

[leonard delia]

Looe Key looks to be about 8 miles from Highway 1. Should be easily reachable and looks to be a beautiful area.

Thanks!

Tis place is very close to my home, they have a beautiful reef with black tips goliath groupers and many other fish. its easy to get to and doesnt require much fuel

 

[leonard delia]

its only a few miles from my house its very close

 

[Bruce]

its only a few miles from my house its very close

Leonard, between a packed summer schedule and the keys being booked up I think this trip may get postponed until 2022.

Thanks for the offers and advice.

Knowing you have experience with both, how would you compare boating around your home to Bimini?

 

[leonard delia]

Leonard, between a packed summer schedule and the keys being booked up I think this trip may get postponed until 2022.

Thanks for the offers and advice.

Knowing you have experience with both, how would you compare boating around your home to Bimini?

similar only difference there is no sting rays or nurse sharks to see and restaurants little further to get to by boat

 

[djetok]

similar only difference there is no sting rays or nurse sharks to see and restaurants little further to get to by boat

Because the bulls ate them all?

 

[84rzv500r]

I live in Big Pine Key on Pine Channel... its just a short hop to Looe Key, I'm not much of a fisherman or snorkeler but I do like to poke around the back country... PWC's are not allowed out back however a Jet Boat is a Boat not a PWC... Dragin props through the muck is a big fine if you get caught as well... I have a friend with a big Morgan Ketch and thats what I like to go out in the blue water on...