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Just this side of paradise lies a
chain of coral
islands. Cross the
Monroe County line
and you'll be in the
first of the Florida
Keys, Key Largo.
While the island is
legendary for its
lore of pirates and
sunken treasure,
today countless
visitors have
discovered the real
treasure of Key
Largo lies offshore
— in its world-class
diving.
Long known for the
clarity of its
waters, Key Largo's
star diving
attraction is John
Pennekamp State
Park, the first
underwater preserve
in the nation. Home
to more than 600
species of
Technicolor tropical
fish and 40
brilliant types of
coral, the park is a
part of the
nationally protected
Florida Keys Marine
Sanctuary. In
addition to diving
and snorkeling, the
park offers guided
walks, canoe trips,
a glass-bottomed
boat tour,
picnicking, camping,
fishing, boating and
more. Adjacent to
John Pennekamp State
Park is the Key
Largo National
Marine Sanctuary.
This underwater
sanctuary
encompasses more
than 178 nautical
square miles of
reefs, sea grass
beds and mangrove
swamps. A nine-foot
statue entitled
"Christ of the
Abyss," a gift from
an Italian
entrepreneur, has
become world
renowned as a Key
Largo icon and
landmark for divers.
Fresh seafood, of
course, is the
specialty here, and
no seafood lover
should leave without
sampling the
sumptuous bounty of
the local waters.
The island is also
dotted with colorful
shopping areas
filled with
"Keys-style"
merchandise.
As the first stop on
the road down to
Mile Marker 0 in Key
West, Key Largo
retains its own
distinct island
mentality, sure to
delight honeymooners
or family
vacationers alike.
Top choices for Key
Largo accommodations
include the
Key Largo Grande
and the
Ocean Pointe Suites
at Key Largo.
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