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Paddle Boarding & Kayaking in Key Largo, FL

When you are looking for an adventure on the water in Florida, paddle boarding and kayaking in Key Largo are some of the most popular outdoor activities for every skill level. With crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and lush mangroves, this region offers a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone. Paddling immerses you in nature, gives you a chance to see incredible wildlife, and helps you relax all at once. This guide covers the best spots to make your paddle journey unforgettable.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: The Crown Jewel of Paddling

As the first undersea park in the country, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has more than earned its nickname. Covering approximately 70 nautical square miles, this park is not to be missed!

Why it’s great:

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a fantastic starting point for both kayaking and paddle boarding. You can launch your kayak or paddle board from its beaches and explore calm waters dotted with coral reefs. The diverse ecosystems let visitors paddle through both mangrove trails and open water, and the park has an underwater marine sanctuary where you can view coral formations and vibrant fish. You’ll even find designated mangrove trails for unique wildlife viewing and calm waters, and with narrow channels, abundant birdlife, and nurseries for marine life, it is an experience you won’t forget! Paddling near the coral reefs can offer glimpses of the marine life. On-site rentals are available for kayaks and paddle boards so that visitors can rent gear right at the park for convenience.

Everglades National Park & Scenic Wilderness

Here, you can take in the quieter side of Florida’s wilderness. As the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park & Scenic Wilderness is home to approximately 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest, and marine habitats, with plenty of plants and animals there as well.

Why it’s great:

This is an excellent spot for eco-tours, where guides share insider knowledge about the ecosystem. Visitors can kayak through sawgrass marshes and tangled mangroves, or navigate towards more secluded spots with native wildlife, away from tourists and crowds.

Sunset Park

There is direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, making Sunset Park one of the most scenic spots you’ll find.

Why it’s great:

This location allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida waters in a pristine environment. You can enjoy seeing schools of colorful fish, graceful sea turtles, and picture-perfect nature.

Dove Creek

Visitors enjoy kayaking & paddle boarding as they immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of their surroundings.

Why it’s great:

There is no better place to enjoy the picturesque landscape of Florida and see everything from playful dolphins to manatees and tropical fish. At Dove Creek, every paddle introduces fascinating sea creatures into your view.

The Boat Ramp on Shoreland Drive

On the northern side of Key Largo, The Boat Ramp on Shoreland Drive offers a sturdy dock and plenty of space to launch your boat. Offshore, coral reefs host vibrant fish, sea turtles, and even colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and friendly grouper.

Why it’s great:

In spring and early summer, visitors can enjoy clear water and active marine life. Water visibility peaks during calm, sunny days, especially around low tide in the early mornings.

Sunset Point Park Boat Ramp

Sunset Point Park Boat Ramp’s calm, sunny environment makes it a great starting point for a day of snorkeling and relaxing.

Why it’s great:

With well-maintained launch pads and a small pier for easier entry, there is access to vibrant coral reefs rich with tropical fish, lobsters, and sometimes sea turtles. The reefs here are part of the Florida Keys Reef Tract, the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.

Essential Tips for Your Key Largo Paddling Adventure

  • Mask and snorkel: Look for a mask that fits well with no leaks.
  • Fins: Choose fins that are comfortable and suitable for your strength.
  • Safety gear: Wear a snorkel vest or flotation device, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer.
  • Currents and Tides: Be aware of currents and tides, and always stay close to your entry point.
  • Boat Traffic: Always be aware of boat traffic and stay in designated swimming areas.
  • Buddy Up: Enjoy the experience with a buddy for safety.

Your Key Largo Adventure Begins at Playa Largo

Paddle Boarding & Kayaking are experiences like no other, making exploring Key Largo’s underwater world simple and exciting. When it is time to book your trip, view our vacation rentals to find the ideal accommodations. Contact us today.

Image Credit: Me dia / Shutterstock

Oceanfront vs Beachfront: What’s the Difference?

This summer, as you consider renting a vacation home in scenic Key Largo, you’ll encounter two common terms: “beachfront” and “oceanfront.” While often used interchangeably, these terms refer to distinct types of coastal properties. Playa Largo Ocean Residences offers both options, allowing you to choose the perfect setting for your next relaxing getaway. Beachfront properties offer direct access to the sand, while oceanfront properties provide views of the ocean but not necessarily direct beach access. This article will clarify the unique advantages each offers.

Understanding “Beachfront”: Direct Sand Access

Beachfront properties are homes and condos that provide direct access to the beach. Take a few steps out the door and feel the sands shifting beneath your feet. Beachfront units are usually on the ground floor or first floor and commonly come with a patio that directly faces the beach. If the property has an upper floor, it may have a staircase that serves as your path to the beach.

Key Advantages of Beachfront Properties

  • Easy Entry to the Beach – The most appealing factor of beachfront properties is that they allow you to get straight to the beach at a moment’s notice and enjoy your favorite beach-based activities.
  • Gorgeous Views – You won’t have to go far to experience the scenic sights of a Key Largo beach. They will be ever-present just outside your window.
  • Lower Spending on Beach Items – Most beachfront properties come furnished with a chair, umbrella, and potentially more pieces to enable a great time while on vacation, meaning that you don’t have to spend more money to acquire the items yourself.

Potential drawbacks for renting beachfront properties are that you will have less privacy than people in different locations, and you may have to deal with more noise from neighbors who are also close to the beach.

Understanding “Oceanfront”: Panoramic Ocean Views

By contrast, oceanfront properties reside close to the ocean, but crucially don’t provide direct beach access. They may be located a few blocks away from the beach, atop a higher cliffside, or be found on a rocky coastline instead of a sandy one.

Key Advantages of Oceanfront Properties

  • Panoramic Views – Just because oceanfront properties are a little further away from the sea doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice some beauty when using one as a vacation rental home. The unique vantage point can provide an even better view of the ocean and skyline than a beachfront property.
  • Fun in the Sun – Even though the oceanfront isn’t right on the beach, these properties are still close enough to encourage you to partake in any water activities that interest you.
  • A Greater Level of Privacy – The slight distance from the beach can result in a more private and peaceful experience in an oceanfront property.

An oceanfront rental spot may not be as convenient or practical for those who want to get to the beach ASAP, but it can still serve as the base for your next vacation.

Choosing Your Key Largo Paradise: Which is Right for You?

Renting a beachfront or oceanfront residence for your vacation can be a great experience, but you shouldn’t rush into booking either property. You should take the time to think about which option is best for you and meets your requirements for a vacation rental. Personal factors to consider when deciding between oceanfront and beachfront properties include:

  • Your budget (beachfront properties tend to be more expensive than oceanfront ones)
  • The importance of privacy
  • How much time you plan to spend on the beach
  • If you are coming with friends or family
  • What kind of scenery you want to see while on vacation

Your Perfect View Awaits

From Key Largo to Key West, the Florida Keys is one of the most picturesque locales in America. It’s important for anyone looking to spend time in the area to understand what you get with an oceanfront or beachfront property so you can have the best vacation possible.

At Playa Largo Ocean Residences, we offer luxury rentals that provide stunning ocean and water views. Through our resort, you’ll also enjoy direct access to the pristine white sand beaches and sparkling water, ensuring you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Key Largo. Luxury vacation homes of all kinds are available at Playa Largo Ocean Residences. We offer rentals with traditional and modern styles, with excellent amenities that help you relax to the fullest. Take a look at our vacation rentals and book your experience today. If you have any questions about our properties, please contact us today.

Image Credit: Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock

Water Temp in Key Largo, FL by Month

Jumping in the water might well be one of your Key Largo plans. After all, it’s beautiful and relaxing, or adventurous if you decide to strap on a snorkel. Before you do so, though, it’s a good idea to know what temperature to expect. There’s no fun in creeping in toe by toe!

So, here’s some information about Key Largo water temperature for each month of the year.

Overview of Key Largo’s Climate

Key Largo has a beautiful subtropical climate, with extremely mild winters and hot summers. Temperatures in the summer (June 4 through September 30) average above 87 degrees, while the cool season, between December and March, can drop as low as 63. These temperatures are still pleasant. Most of Key Largo’s rain happens during the hot season. Check the forecast before going out on the water, as rain can make for misery at sea.

But Key Largo seldom reaches extreme heat and is never what you would call cold. What about the water temperature, though?

Monthly Water Temperature Breakdown

The water temperature you can expect varies by month. We’re going to split the year into six sections of two months each. Think about this when planning your trip.

January and February: The Coldest Months

Cold here is relative. Key Largo seldom gets cold enough for you to want to reach for a sweater on land. The water stays at a more even temperature. Typically, this ranges between 70 and 75 degrees. If you’re diving or snorkeling, you want a full wetsuit. However, it’s still pleasant for swimming and cool enough to be great for active watersports.

March and April: Transition to Warmer Waters

Water temperatures inch up in March and April to more like 75 to 77 degrees. This is still very pleasant for most people. Divers wear shorter wetsuits. You may or may not want a wetsuit if snorkeling, depending on what temperature you are used to. Locals still think the water is a bit chilly.

May and June: Pre-Summer Warming Trend

This is a perfect diving temperature. You can dive without a wetsuit with temperatures hovering about 80°F. Still great for swimming, and as air temperatures rise, jumping in the water starts to become tempting.

July and August: Peak Summer Temperatures

Even the water is hot at this point! Jumping in might or might not help you cool off, and you might not feel like actually swimming. Water temperature soars above 85°F, and you may just want to laze around and float.

September and October: Gradual Cooling Begins

Back to perfect diving and snorkeling temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees. Lovely weather to swim, and snorkeling is absolutely amazing this time of year. Also, the kids are back at school, and the beaches become quieter.

November and December: Entering Winter Season

Temperatures drop to 75 to 80 degrees. Divers get their wetsuits back out, but note that this is still a pleasant swimming temperature. There is no time of year at which the water around Key Largo becomes uncomfortably cold. Because water holds temperature, you may find that on some water days the ocean is warmer than the land.

Enhancing your Keys Experience with Playa Largo

Regardless of the time of year you decide to explore Key Largo’s waters, Playa Largo’s lovely rental vacation homes provide a great base of operations. And if you don’t want to swim in the open ocean, some of our properties have private pools.

If you’re planning your Key Largo vacation and want to enjoy perfect swimming temperatures, contact Playa Largo today to discuss which of our amazing rental homes is suitable for your family.

Image Credit: Amazingsunsets / Shutterstock

The Best Weekend Getaways from Miami

For those in Miami seeking the best weekend trips that are just a short drive away, there are stunning locations that offer relaxation, excitement, and the opportunity to create lifelong memories, and these places are certainly not to be missed. You don’t have to travel far to have an experience like no other, so whether you want beach time, nature hikes, or city vibes, these spots offer a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Read on to find your next weekend adventure!

Key Largo & The Upper Keys: Your Island Escape

Key Largo and the Upper Keys are home to the famous John Pennekamp State Park, and the premier place for an abundance of fun. With crystal clear waters and coral reefs, the stunning natural beauty is like nothing you’ve ever imagined. Playa Largo and the Keys offer a variety of activities such as:

  • Relaxing on Pristine Beaches – The white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sun.
  • Snorkeling or Diving in the Vibrant Reefs – With a diverse array of marine life, snorkeling and diving are activities that you definitely want to do. Enjoy seeing colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and various coral structures like fan and brain coral.
  • Kayaking or Paddleboarding Through Mangrove Tunnels – An experience that you just won’t have anywhere else, kayaking or paddleboarding through mangrove tunnels is the ultimate adventure.
  • A Laid-Back Island Vibe – The laid-back island vibe is an escape from the fast pace of everyday life, giving visitors the chance to relax, unwind, and have a tropical getaway that won’t be forgotten.

Mainland Escapes: Variety Just a Short Drive Away

Key Largo is in close proximity to mainland Florida, offering easy access to some great experiences.

  • Islamorada – Known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” Islamorada is home to the arts scene, shopping, and rich culture.
  • Marathon – This is the place for family-friendly activities and the Turtle Hospital. Set on 13 islands, visitors will see loggerhead turtles, a bird rescue center, a tropical forest, and more.

Hopping between the Upper Keys is easy, with a scenic route on the Overseas Highway that connects all the islands.

Mainland Escapes: Variety Just a Short Drive Away

Diverse mainland options cater to different interests, and there is something for everyone.

  • Everglades National Park – This is home to nature and wildlife, with airboat tours and hiking, so you can experience the charming beauty that you won’t see anywhere else.
  • Fort Lauderdale – This town offers a different kind of beach vibe and arts scene, and is known as the “Venice of America”. Be sure to check out the Historic Stranahan House Museum and the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Plan Your Miami Getaway With Playa Largo Ocean Residence

Next time you want to take a break from the busy Miami Metro and enjoy some wonderful experiences, be sure to plan your getaway with Playa Largo Ocean Residence. Here, you’ll find stunning ocean views and chic vacation rentals with exclusive custom touches, making it a place that you’ll want to visit time and time again. For more information or to book your next stay, contact us today.

Image Credit: Inspired By Maps / Shutterstock

Key Largo’s Best Fishing Spots

Key Largo is a great place to visit, and it’s a particularly great place to fish. While there are awesome charters, there are even better fishing spots that are accessible by private boat, by kayak, or even on foot.

Here are some of our favorite Key Largo fishing spots, so you can choose the one best for you.

Adams Cut Bridge

Adams Cut, also known as the Marvin D. Adams Waterway, is easily accessible on foot. It is a great place to fish for snapper and snook, as well as for tarpon. Tarpon tend to linger around bridges during the March/April run. For snook fishing, you can fish from summer through fall, with a recommendation to free-line a live pilchard or finger mullet.

The best time to fish Adams Cut Bridge is at night, when these large fish are closer to the surface. There are also other good spots along Adams Cut, especially for snook.

Tavernier Creek

This is a great place for kayak fishing (and just for kayaking). Tavernier Creek is lined with mangroves and accesses a shallow saltwater lagoon. The mangroves make it another good place for tough to catch, but delicious, snook. As the temperature drops, the fishing switches to redfish in the fall, or gag grouper in the spring. It’s also a good place to hunt for Florida’s small trout. Look for all of these fish close to the mangroves…you might hook a mangrove every now and then, but that’s part of the game.

It’s also a beautiful place to hang out with a line, almost as good as going into the Everglades.

Buttonwood Sound

If you have access to a boat (or are doing a charter), Buttonwood Sound is a great place for open water fishing…and you can launch right from Key Largo itself. You can catch spotted seatrout here, a local delicacy. It’s also a great place for red snapper and tarpon (during April/May).

Head further out and you may be able to snag a mahi mahi for dinner. They are beautiful to look at, too, but they don’t go down without a fight. A Buttonwood Sound trip is a great way to stock up on very tasty fish.

Florida Bay

South and west of the keys, Florida Bay falls within the Everglades National Park and is just off Panhandle Key. This is an ocean flat area and holds juvenile tarpon, permit, and bonefish. This is called the “flats slam” if you can get all three of them in one day. Permits are particularly elusive, making this a real angler’s challenge.

Florida Bay is part of an entire network of flats and shallows and keys that are worth spending time exploring and appreciating.

John Pennekamp State Park

John Pennekamp State Park is also called John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and is the nation’s first undersea park. It’s popular with divers, snorkelers, and kayakers. Despite its status, fishing is permitted in select areas. You can fish from shore or bring a boat, and you can rent a kayak if you need one.

Lots of fish can be found here. The reef makes it a good place for tarpon and grouper, and you can also find mangrove snappers and schoolmaster snappers here. It’s even a place where you can fish for nurse shark.

If you are visiting Key Largo, you are visiting some of the best fishing in the world…and fishing that can easily be combined with enjoying Florida’s weather and scenery. There are several popular local charters, but there are many more ways to strike out on your own, whether you are fishing from the shore, from a kayak, or renting a boat. All of these great fishing locations, and many more, are easily accessible from our Key Largo vacation rentals. Contact Playa Largo Ocean Residences to find out more or make your booking today.

Other sources:

https://goodkarmasportfishing.com/florida-keys-bridge-fishing-spots/

Image Credit: Mark Winfrey / Shutterstock

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97801 Overseas Highway 22
Key Largo , FL 33037

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