Summary

• Key Largo's scenic beauty and pristine waters make it a top destination in the Florida Keys.
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers the best snorkeling in Florida.
• Key Largo's natural and artificial beaches provide a picturesque and diverse coastal experience.

The Keys are the most scenic destination in Florida. Temperate weather, pristine beaches, and luxurious accommodations keep visitors hooked all year round. Although you can't go wrong with any of the Florida Keys, the one question many people want to know is which of the Keys is the prettiest — and yes, there is an answer!

Many compare places like Islamorada, Key Largo, and Key West before choosing one for their vacation, as each destination is stunning, but Key Largo is the frontrunner.

Key Largo is by far the most popular Keys destination and is also one of the most recognizable. The scenic views of this underrated Key often wind up on the covers of magazines, the epitome of pretty. Here's what to know about seeing the sights in Key Largo and how to make the most of the scenery.

UPDATE: 2024/04/23 22:46 EST BY ERYNN R

Key Largo Is THE Prettiest Florida Key

This feature has been updated with more information on things to do and see in Key Largo, additional images to showcase its beauty, and insider insights into what it's really like to visit.

What Makes Key Largo The Prettiest Of All The Florida Keys?

Key Largo has many things going for it, including the stunning John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

• Key Largo is easy to get to and close to the Bahamas.
• Snorkelers flock to Key Largo for its pristine water conditions.
• Key Largo is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, a scenic destination.

It's easy enough to say that Key Largo's easily-reachable location and proximity to the Bahamas make it such a popular destination (it is one of the first destinations on a breathtaking road trip through the Florida Keys). However, that's not why it has the best views of any Florida Keys.

Key Largo is also home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which implies that the water just off its sandy shores is shallow and great for exploring. The coral reef, which is located just off the coast, allows visitors to take a glass- bottomed boat and snorkeling tours of the area, which provide incredibly scenic views, alone.

• Fact: Key Largo is home to the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys and in all of Florida as a whole.

The nature that can be found in Key Largo is very diverse as well, and its beaches include a mix of natural and artificial areas. Both of these are beautiful in their own ways and give those classic beach views that everyone expects when visiting.

If a perfect sunset and palm trees swaying in the breeze are what you're after, then Key Largo is the place to find it. However, there's also plenty to do in Key Largo, if you ever get tired of the beach.

Where To Find The Most Scenic Views In Key Largo

Stunning views of Key Largo are found around the island and beneath the surface of the water

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park rivals Key West beaches.
• The Overseas Highway is another must-visit destination for views in Key Largo.

Key Largo is where people go to forget about the world for a little while and just appreciate the maritime nature that surrounds them. The island scenery surrounds travelers wherever they are in this slice of heaven on earth, but visitors looking for the best views can start with these.

• Fact: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is home to the only living coral reef in the continental U.S.

People snorkeling should keep an eye out for an underwater statue of Jesus Christ, which is another landmark that this state park is known for.

The Overseas Highway

Key Largo begins at the end of US Highway 1, just outside Florida City. It's the first stop on the long line of the Florida Keys, which makes it an easy go-to for locals and visitors, but those who continue driving almost to the end of Key Largo will bring them to the Overseas Highway.

This highway is the first scenic road in the Keys before 7 Mile Bridge and gives views of both Florida Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Occasionally, visitors will be able to spot dolphins breaching the water during their drive, along with other native marine species.

Which Key Largo Beaches Are The Best?

Key Largo has a range of pristine beaches to choose from

• Far Beach and Cannon Beach are two of Key Largo's most popular beaches.
• The Florida Keys are home to some of the United States' best beaches.

No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without a trip to some of its best beaches, which also happen to be found in Key Largo. Not only are they easy to access, but they're also home to some of the best water views, swimming, and sunbathing in the Keys.

Far Beach: Most Popular

This park is home to two public beaches, with the aforementioned being the more popular choice for beachgoers. Shallow water makes it great for paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, while its warm waters make it a great option for swimming, as well.

• Found At: Mile marker 120 in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The Florida Keys have many scenic and highly-rated resorts (and they're affordable, too).

Cannon Beach: Less Popular, But Still Scenic

Those looking to avoid some crowds they might find at Far Beach can opt for Cannon Beach, the second of the two beaches found in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This park also has a bit of history, and visitors will be able to see the cannons from which it gained its name along the shoreline. These date back to the 17th century and are all part of the allure that brings beachgoers to explore its shores and its offshore snorkeling areas.

While Key Largo is undoubtedly the prettiest of all the Florida Keys, it's also one that's home to plenty of activities for the avid beachgoer. With scenic views like this, it would be tough not to fall in love with such a beachside beauty!

• Fun Fact: This beach is also home to an offshore Spanish shipwreck for those who don't mind swimming out further to do some underwater exploration.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Key Largo, Florida?

December to March is the most popular time to visit Key Largo

For people wanting to come to experience the Florida Keys, Key Largo is best visited from December through March. Because of the near-perfect weather, Key Largo is a premier winter and spring destination in the United States. Florida can become rather hot during the summer into fall, often causing tourism to slow down in Key Largo during that time.

December through March in the Florida Keys is prime time, meaning people will be everywhere. Winter break and spring breakers fall into these months, bringing plenty of new faces to the area. However, if someone prefers a quieter vacation and doesn't mind the heat, summer or fall will be cheaper and less populated in Key Largo.

Key Largo Is The "Diving Capital Of The World"

Key Largo is one of the best places for diving in the United States and has large natural and artificial reefs to explore

Key Largo may not be the only place to claim the accolade "Diving Capital of the World," but it is certainly one of the world's premier diving destinations. Key Largo attracts thousands and thousands of divers and snorkelers every year from far and wide who come to see its stunning reefs and corals.

Notable Diving Attractions In Key Largo:

• Florida Reef
• USS Spiegel Grove

Key Largo's John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is home to part of the Florida Reef, the only living barrier reef found in the continental United States. The Florida Reef is around four miles wide and extends for around 170 miles from east of Soldier Key to south of the Marquesas Keys in a large arc.

One of the top diving attractions in Key Largo is the USS Spiegel Grove, an ex-Navy dock landing ship sunk as a massive artificial reef. This is a 510-foot-long giant that VisitFlorida claims is the largest artificial reef in the world.

• Dive USS Spiegel: From $100

The USS Spiegel Grove was built in the 1950s and served until the end of the Cold War. She was sunk in 2002 and is now a popular dive site that only adds to the beauty of Key Largo — and offers revelers plenty to explore.

There are plenty of diving agencies and diving schools in Key Largo to select from.