Are you thinking about visiting Key Largo, Florida? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Key Largo worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this island for five to seven days because of the many great activities. We first visited Key Largo in our childhood and returned several times as adults. During our time here, we fell in love with the wonderful snorkeling and marine mammal encounters. Key Largo is the first island you'll reach off the Florida Keys. It's popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and many visitors stop here enroute further south. There are also many unique opportunities to experience wildlife on this island and it's an easy to take a day trip to the Everglades from here. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in American Express's Best Travel Destinations of 2023.
Key Largo, Florida
Reasons to Visit Key Largo
Resorts
Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.
Beaches
Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.
Is Key Largo worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the shoulder season for travel in Key Largo. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices. Summer is the hottest time to visit Key Largo.
The weather in Key Largo is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 31°C (88°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach and relax at a luxurious resort.
Summer Weather in Key Largo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| August | 28°C (83°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
Is Key Largo worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Key Largo. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.
The weather in Key Largo is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 26°C (78°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (84°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
During this season it's fun to experience .
Autumn Weather in Key Largo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| November | 23°C (73°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| December | 21°C (69°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Is Key Largo worth visiting in the Winter?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).
The peak season for travel is winter in Key Largo, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open. Winter is a favorite time to visit Key Largo.
This is a great time of year to .
Winter Weather in Key Largo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 19°C (67°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| February | 20°C (68°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| March | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Key Largo worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the high season for travel in Key Largo, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 24°C (74°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 27°C (81°F).
You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to .
Spring Weather in Key Largo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 24°C (74°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Key Largo
Food: Key Largo doesn't top the list for most foodies. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.
Nightlife: Most people don't associate Key Largo with a lively nightlife scene. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Key Largo might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Key Largo here or see if Key Largo is expensive here.
Related
What is Key Largo most famous for?
Key Largo is most famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. People visit this impressive island for its great resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Also, it's known for beaches. It is often described as beautiful, relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly.
What is the most famous sight in Key Largo?
The most popular sight in Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Key Largo on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and other attractions here.
How touristy is Key Largo? Is it a popular island to visit?
Key Largo is a popular island for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Guided Tour Explore Key Largo on Jet Ski: $185
- Sunset Pontoon Boat Tour Around Key Largo: $36
- Tiki Fun Cruise in the Florida Keys: $80
- Key Largo Bay Sunset Tour: $66
- Cruisin' Tikis Key Largo - Sunset Cruise: $99
- Florida Keys Mangrove Eco Tour of Manatee Bay: $75
- Small - Guided Shallow 2 Tank Dive Experience in Key Largo ALL GEAR INCLUDED: $190
- Key Largo Boat Charter Day Tour: $65
How long should I spend in Key Largo?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Key Largo is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Key Largo has activities such as resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling, many visit for up to seven days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Key Largo?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Key Largo?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Key Largo?.
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