The Florida Keys are among the most popular places to visit in the Sunshine State. These largely untouched tropical islands offer all kinds of recreational and touristic opportunities, including fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more. All sorts of activities can be enjoyed around the Keys, and the weather in this part of Florida is even warmer and sunnier than elsewhere in the state.
Of all the Florida Keys, Key Largo is the largest. Located right by one of the biggest coral reef systems on the planet, Key Largo regarded as one of the top spots for snorkeling and exploring the undersea world. Like many of the other Florida Keys, Key Largo doesn't have any natural beaches due to its shallow waters, but it does have some man-made beaches for visitors in the area to enjoy.
Best Beaches in Key Largo
There are multiple man-made beaches to visit around Key Largo, offering stunning stretches of sand on which to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Some beaches are private and only available to guests of certain hotels or resorts, while others are fully open to the public. Here are some more details and overviews of the best beaches around Key Largo.
Far Beach
Arguably the most popular beach at Key Largo, Far Beach is situated by Mile Marker 120 in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Two public beaches can be found in this park, with Far Beach being the better-known option. Guests' feet will sink into the soft, warm sands of this beach as they walk along and the surrounding palm trees offer nice little spots of shade.
The water at this Key Largo beach is particularly warm and shallow, perfect for paddling or swimming with youngsters. Since this beach is part of the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling and diving are very popular on Far Beach too, so this is a prime spot for any Key Largo visitors looking to do some underwater exploration.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is the second of the two beaches in Kohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and is another super beach to visit in Key Largo. Visitors to this beach will immediately understand how it earned its name: real, 17th century cannons can be found sitting along the sand and offering a unique historical edge to this Florida Key beach.
Like Far Beach, Cannon Beach has warm, shallow waters that are very calm and perfect for casual swimming or snorkeling. Even non-swimmers will be able to appreciate these waters and simply walk along the edge of the beach, admiring tropical fish and other exciting marine life. Experienced divers, meanwhile, can swim a little ways out to sea to find an old Spanish shipwreck beneath the surface.
Harry Harris Park
Located in Tavernier, Harry Harris Park beach is a really great spot for families and groups of friends to spend some time in Key Largo. This location isn't just a beach, it's a full park complete with play areas for children, bike trails, pavilions, toilets, public showers, a boat ramp, a picnic area, and even a tidal pool for younger visitors to enjoy.
Harry Harris Park is fully free to enter if you visit during the week and open all day long. A skate park, basketball fields, and swimming pool can also be found not too far away in Founders Park, making Harry Harris one of the top spots to visit if you're looking for a full day of fun in Key Largo.
Anne's Beach
If you're looking for a great beach right by Key Largo but not actually on the key itself, Anne's Beach is one of the prettiest spots in the area. Named in honor of eco-warrior Anne Eaton, this beach is fitted out with a beautiful boardwalk, a cozy set of picnic tables, a designated swimming area, and some very calm, shallow water that is perfectly suitable for people of all ages and swimming abilities to enjoy.
Private Beaches at Key Largo
As previously mentioned, some of the beaches around Key Largo are reserved for private use. Some examples include the beaches at the Sunset Cove Beach Resort and Hilton Key Largo Resort. Guests at these hotels and resorts can enjoy even more privacy and tranquility on their private Key Largo beaches, with each one offering warm sands and shallow waters, as well as various activities arranged by the resorts themselves like kayaking or parasailing. Visiting a private Key Largo beach is another great way to enjoy this incredible island.
