Written by Missy Johnston
Coral Reef Park, Key Largo, Florida
One of the best locations to spend time during a Florida yacht charter is Key Largo. Known for its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, Key Largo offers a welcome place to begin a fun and relaxing journey full of water sports, sun, sand, and a generous helping of key lime pie. Here’s how to make the best of a private yacht charter in the Florida Keys.
Water Sports
The beautiful John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park might just be the ideal place to kick off a Florida Keys yacht vacation. There are plenty of opportunities to stroll along the beach and take in the stunning scenery, but the real attraction lies in the sparkling turquoise water. Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing are popular water sports options that allow visitors an up-close view of all the marine life that gathers around the large coral reef. On land, vacationers enjoy a choice of nature walks, picnics, and a visitor center with a 30,000-gallon aquarium.
Key Largo – Coral covered Shipwreck
Another prime diving opportunity is the USS Spiegel Grove Wreck. Once used as a US Navy ship, this sunken boat is ripe for exploration. It’s about 500 feet long and contains many hidden areas for intrepid divers to explore.
If staying on top of the water is more appealing, a paddleboarding expedition might fit the bill. More experienced paddleboarders venture out onto the ocean, but even beginners have a wonderful time paddling around Key Largo’s calm mangrove waters.
The African Queen
A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron in Key Largo, Florida
Yachters may wonder why they would want to book a separate boat to take a tour of the Port Largo Canals and surrounding areas, but the African Queen is far more than just a tour boat. It was used in the early 1900s in the Belgian Congo to transport cargo, hunters, and missionaries, and became famous because it was featured in the Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn movie, The African Queen.
Robbie’s Dock is an unassuming looking spot and doesn’t seem to fit as a typical attraction for luxury yacht vacationers. However, visitors enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of feeding huge tarpons by hand as they leap out of the water. The area is also a great place to have lunch, as its seafood options are excellent.
Bottlenose dolphin
Dolphin Care, a company that specializes in providing dolphin therapy to special needs children and adults, is another interesting place to visit. Watch the dolphins from the balcony or book a guided tour in advance to learn all about the therapeutic programs offered by Dolphin Care and even watch a therapy session in action.
There is plenty to do in Key Largo before heading on to another of one of the terrific Keys in the Florida Keys on a Florida Keys private yacht charter itinerary.
