Best Places to Stay in Key Largo (Areas + Hotels)

This post was written by Nicole Edwards, a solo-sailing freelance writer for BMTM.

Key Largo is the first of the Florida Keys, and at 33 miles long, it is also the largest. The self-proclaimed “diving capital of the world,” it is home to beautiful wildlife refuges and beaches, plus unique excursions and tours, like spearfishing and the African Queen Canal Cruise. 

Unlike Key West, Key Largo’s attractions are more spread out. It is not convenient to explore on foot, which makes it important to pick a centrally located place to stay, like Mid Island or Tavernier, and have access to a car or bike. Here’s what I found about the best places to stay:

Mid Island – solo-traveler’s headquarters

Mid Island is a somewhat unofficial term for the section of Key Largo that begins where the historic Overseas Highway starts and ends just north of Tavernier. It’s an ideal spot to stay in if you want to focus on snorkeling or exploring most attractions; you’re less than a ten-minute ride from all of Key Largo’s best beaches, parks, as well as the popular African Queen Canal cruise. You can also easily dart back up to Miami to catch your flight back home.

Within Mid Island, you’ll find several other neighborhoods, like Angler’s Park, Thompson, Newport, and Rock Harbor. When I visited, I got the sense that these divisions were primarily for government purposes (census and voting). Because Key Largo is pretty inaccessible by foot and the neighborhoods are within a five-minute drive of each other, you can rest assured you’re in a central location no matter which you choose. 

So, aside from picking a hotel based on its amenities, reviews, and rates, the biggest deciding factor is whether it’s on the bay side or ocean side.

Most of the top-rated hotels in Mid Island are located on the bay side, because they can capitalize on the still waters surrounded by mangroves. This is where you’ll find a lot of private beaches and complimentary kayak rentals. 

Hotels on the ocean side of Key Largo are situated on the canals and typically do not have clear views of the ocean. They are also more centered around excursions.

Bay Side Hotels – mini resorts

• ($) Rock Reef Resort: This is a family-run hotel, located closer to the northern part of Key Largo. Less than five miles from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, it is highly rated among solo travelers. Included in your stay is a private beach, a…