Key Largo Vacation Highlights
58 miles (93 km) south west of
Miami
For water lovers, the highlight of the Upper Keys will almost certainly
be John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It is a haven for
snorkelling, diving, glass bottom boats, canoes and kayaks. The 30,000
gallon aquarium at the visitor center is an excellent attraction for
visitors who do not dive.
A
popular Upper Keys attraction at Islamorada is
Robbie's Pier
where tarpon, a prized catch with anglers, gather in the shallow waters
around the pier in expectation that the visitors will feed them.
These
fish can grow to 200 lbs (90 kg) and make an impressive display when
gathered in large numbers.
For visitors interested in the
history of the Keys, a visit to the 23 acre Indian Key State Historic
Site (boat access only) provides an insight into the life and times of
the wrecker industry of the early 1800's.
Nature lovers can enjoy
walking trails and historic explorations such as a visit (boat access
only) to Matheson House at Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site,
an area of 280 acres of virgin forest.
Fancy something a
little different? The Key Largo Undersea Park is home to a
submerged hotel where guests can only arrive by diving. The structure is
permanently anchored 30 feet (9 meters) below the surface.
Visitors with a sense of nostalgia, and old enough to remember it, can
cruise the Port Largo Canal in the antique steam boat used in the film The
African Queen.
Long Key State
Recreation Area is 965-acres offering excellent hiking, camping,
snorkeling, and canoeing.
The swimming, snorkeling, and saltwater
fishing are also first rate. The waters surrounding the park are popular
with game fishers who have visited these waters since the early 1900's.
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 The most popular event in the park is the annual gathering of
sea
turtles that come ashore on the protected coast to lay their eggs. The Florida Keys is one
of the few places where there is an opportunity to
swim with
dolphins.
In the Key Largo area the place to do this is Dolphin
World where a variety of structured workshops can include the dolphin
swim program along with other marine animal swim programs and tours.
Theater
of The Sea is located at Islamorada, and for many years this historic
marine park has offered visitors an opportunity to interact with the
marine environment via programs that include wading or swimming with
dolphins.
Key
Largo
Key
Largo vacation
Florida
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