Key Largo, Florida Boating Guide

How does that song go again? Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go… Ok, sorry if now you have The Beach Boys stuck in your head. It will be worth it though, we promise. While Kokomo is not a real place, Key Largo certainly is, and it’s a top destination in Florida for a boat rental.

The first stop in any Florida Keys road trip or boat trip, Key Largo is an incredible boating destination. Close to the Everglades and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, there are so many wonders of the world to experience right here. Choose from incredible boat rentals and charters on GetMyBoat to explore more of Key Largo.

Here are GetMyBoat’s Top Picks for Boating in Key Largo.

Best Things to Do in Key Largo

Rent or Charter a Boat in Key Largo

A boat rental or charter is an essential part of any visit to Key Largo. Find pontoon rentals, yacht rentals, houseboat rentals, and catamaran charters, there are so many vessels to choose from to enjoy a visit to Key Largo. With prices for boat rentals starting at $350 for a whole day, you can cruise with your whole group to the best spots around and enjoy the best of the boat life in Key Largo.

With GetMyBoat, you can rent or charter a boat for a day of cruising, swimming, fishing, sunbathing, visiting sandbars, dolphin-watching, and so much more! Whether you’re looking to slow down and enjoy island time or go on a water adventure, Key Largo has it all. We recommend taking a boat ride during sunset where you can enjoy a picnic at sea. There’s no better way to end the day than relaxing on a boat during golden hour.

Snorkeling or Diving Tour in Key Largo

No visit to Key Largo is complete without snorkeling. Embark on an underwater adventure in Key Largo, where you can witness colorful reefs, centuries-old shipwrecks, and local marine life. Some of the best snorkel and dive sites are Mosquito Bank, Molasses Reef, Spiegel Grove, White Banks Dry Rocks Reef, Benwood Wreck, and Christ of the Abyss. The Florida Keys is home to the only living coral reef in the United States. Don’t miss your chance to explore the magical wonders that lie beneath the surface. Book a snorkeling tour in Key Largo.

Fishing Trips in Key Largo

Calling all anglers - a fishing trip in Key Largo is a must-do! Bareboat rentals and full-service fishing charters are available in Key Largo, depending on what you prefer. If you are a novice fisherman, book a fishing charter with a local boat captain and fishing guide to handle all the little details and provide the necessary equipment. They will know the best spots to make an unforgettable catch that you can brag about for months to come.

Fishing trip lengths range from a couple of hours to a full day of fishing. Whether you’re looking for an off-shore or deep-sea fishing excursion, GetMyBoat has you covered. You can expect to catch gamefish like redfish, snook, trout, yellowtail snapper, tarpon, wahoo, marlin, tuna, and more competitive trophy catches.

Best Time to Visit Key Largo

The best time to visit Key Largo is from April to June or November - March. During these months, the climate is dry and warm, so you can enjoy outdoor activities in the sunshine. September- October is hurricane season and when temperatures reach 90+ degrees.

Popular Docks in Key Largo

Gilbert’s Resort Boat Ramp

This boat launch is at the marina part of Gilbert’s Resort and is a great place to launch your boat. Some of the features include:

• Paved Ramp
• Ramp Use Fee
• Parking Available
• Non-ethanol gas and diesel fuel are available
• Operates during daylight hours

Caribbean Club Boat Ramp

Not only is the Caribbean Club a good place to launch your boat, but it’s also is a unique tourist attraction. It’s the filming location of the 1948 movie Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

• On the Blackwater Sound
• $10 vessel fee
• $20/Day Parking Fee
• No sailboat launches

Places of Interest for Boating in Key Largo

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

This underwater playground needs to be at the top of your itinerary while visiting Key Largo. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established in 1963 and spans over 70 nautical miles. The state park consists of reefs, mangroves, swamps, and seagrass beds. For a truly immersive experience we recommend snorkeling or diving at this site, but kayaking and paddleboarding are fun alternatives too. Fun fact, this was the very first underwater sea park in the United States.

Seven-Mile Bridge

The iconic seven-mile bridge connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys. The bridge provides a breathtaking view and is a hot spot for fishing, especially tarpon fishing. Fun fact, the seven-mile bridge was one of the longest bridges in existence when it was built back in 1982.

Spiegel Grove

For those who love scuba-diving, Spiegel Grove is a diving site you do not want to miss! The USS Spiegel Grove, located 6 miles off the Atlantic side of the island, is an artificial reef that was intentionally sunk back in 2002. Explore the wreck and witness an abundance of colorful coral and fish that lie 65 feet below the surface.

Molasses Reef

The most popular reef in the Upper Keys is Molasses Grove - located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Shallow sections are found within the reef that is perfect for snorkeling too. Vibrant coral lines the reef and is home to colorful fish, eels, sharks, and stingrays, and more.

Restaurants & Bars for Boaters

The Buzzard’s Roost Restaurant

This waterfront seafood restaurant is a part of Garden Cove Marina, making it easy to visit when you’re traveling by boat. Sip on a cocktail from the tiki bar, listen to live music, eat delicious food and check out the views of the cove at Buzzard’s Roost.

Address: 21 Garden Cove Drive Key Largo, FL 33037

Snapper’s Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar

A casual, waterfront seafood experience, this restaurant is a great destination to enjoy during a visit to Key Largo. See a tarpon feeding or listen to live music. Indulge in some oysters, a tropical cocktail, or a seafood platter. It’s all accessible by water - park your boat at the dock slip and enjoy lunch at Snappers.

Address: 139 Seaside Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037

Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki

You’ll be sure to find a seat at this massive waterfront restaurant, with a huge patio in the fresh air of Key Largo. Enjoy some seafood, the “Sweetwater” band on Sundays, or even host a special event at Snooks.

Address: 99470 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037

Skipper’s Dockside

Just as its name suggests, Skipper’s is a place to go by boat to refuel your stomach after a long day on the water. This vintage boathouse that was transformed into waterfront dining provides amazing food and cocktails, and even organizes fishing tournaments.

Address: 528 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037

Popular Activities For Boaters in Key Largo

Sandbars around Key Largo

Want to check out some unique destinations around Key Largo with your boat? Here are a few options and ideas on places to go.

Nest Key

Located on the Bay Side of Key Largo, this spot offers gorgeous blue waters that are perfect for snorkeling. It can be busy here on the weekends, so take care to watch for other boats if you’re jumping overboard and swimming around Nest Key.

Rodriguez Key

On the ocean side of Key Largo sits Rodriguez Key, a stunning secret gem of Florida and the perfect spot for dropping anchor off your boat for a few hours. Jump in for a swim, cruise around the island, and relax on Rodriguez Key.

Everglades National Park

For all of the nature lovers out there, the Everglades will not disappoint! The best way to see the alligators and other wildlife of the Everglades is on a boat tour once you enter the national park. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from Key Largo to the park entrance, where you can book a guided boat tour. You can also reach the Everglades by boat from Key Largo since the park technically starts in the Blackwater Sound, which is bayside of Key Largo. You must be super careful if you boat here on your own, as there are many shallow areas, mangroves, manatees, and other protected areas that you do not want to accidentally damage with your boat.

Watersports in Key Largo

Want to have an adrenaline-filled adventure in Key Largo? Rent a jet ski and zoom around the waves, exploring the beautiful beaches and coastal views. If you want to stay on the bayside, take your jet ski around the Blackwater Sound and Buttonwood Sound.

Would you rather explore Key Largo powered by your own strength on the water? Kayak rentals and kayaking tours are excellent options for getting exercise while exploring the beauty of the keys. Kayaking is a great budget-friendly activity, with prices starting as low as $75 for a kayak and snorkeling adventure.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving in Key Largo

If you don’t go snorkeling in Key Largo, you’re missing out on some of the best underwater views in all of the United States. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established in 1963 and was the first underwater state park in the United States.

Fishing in Key Largo

Key Largo is an ideal destination to begin your fishing adventures in the Florida Keys. From renting a fishing boat and cruising for offshore adventures, or booking yourself a seat on an all-inclusive fishing charter, you can find the angling experience of a lifetime in Key Largo.

Want to learn how to spearfish? Spearfishing trips in Key Largo will take you out on an adventure. Climb aboard a boat and cruise out into medium-depth waters with a professional guide to teach you the tricks and tactics of this underwater hunting strategy. Spearfishing will have you targeting snapper and groupers and if you are successful - plan on having fish for dinner!

Marinas, Fuel Stations, Services in Key Largo

Garden Cove Marina

Home of the Buzzard’s Roost restaurant where the chef will “cook your catch” this marina has the basics for any boater. It’s located on the ocean side of Key Largo, making it an easy spot to cruise into the Atlantic from.

• Gas
• Bait
• Wet Storage
• Dry Storage
• Boat on Trailer Storage

Key Largo Harbor Marina

Need repairs or other services on your boat while in Key Largo? This spot has you covered. It’s a boatyard and marina with a helpful staff of mechanics and technicians to repair and take care of all your boat needs.

• Full-Service Marina
• Daily, Weekly, & Monthly Storage
• Wash & Wax
• Boat Detailing
• Engine Repair
• Indoor & Outdoor Storage
• Electronics Installation.

Mangrove Marina

Mangrove is the largest full-service marina in the upper keys, and it offers a lot of special amenities for boating enthusiasts visiting Key Largo.

• Wet slips for liveaboard
• Racks & yard storage
• Houseboats for lodging

Key Largo Boat Rental FAQs

How much is it to rent a boat in Key Largo?

Prices for boat rentals in Key Largo vary depending on the type of boat and duration of the rental. A modest powerboat rental starts at $99/hour and the prices can go up to over $1000/hour for a luxury yacht charter in Key Largo.

When is the best time to visit Key Largo?

The best time of year to visit Key Largo is from April to June or November through mid-December. This way you can avoid hurricane season and still have warm and sunny weather for your trip to Key Largo.

What is the water temperature in Key Largo?

The water temperature in Key Largo is warm year-round, with the high in the summertime falling around 87℉ and the low in the winter at 69℉.