Key Largo

Providing visitors year-round entertainment, special events and festivals in the Florida Keys & Key West focus on the area’s colorful history, artistic culture and quirky ambiance, as well as celebrating the island chain’s underwater paradise, outdoor adventures and tasty cuisine.

The Florida Keys & Key West offer a variety of new and enhanced attractions, accommodations, tours and cultural offerings to entice, intrigue and entertain visitors. Explore the winter 2017-18 highlights here.


 

Key Largo and Key West were least impacted by Hurricane Irma, as were hotels and businesses on the bayside or gulfside in Islamorada and Marathon. Most tourism infrastructure is largely restored. Visitors can anticipate memorable, quality vacation experiences in most areas of the destination.

From beachside fireworks to wacky takeoffs on the traditional ball drop in New York’s Times Square, the Florida Keys offer visitors a wealth of ways to welcome 2018. And because “winter” in the subtropical island chain means balmy breezes rather than blizzards, revelers can leave heavy coats and boots behind as they head out to celebrate wearing light dresses or shorts and sandals.

Lured by Key Largo’s subtropical weather and a first-class training facility, hundreds of the nation's finest collegiate swimmers are to meet and compete in a popular monthlong training session that culminates in the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic, set for Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge, the United States’ only submerged recreational hotel, is to reopen to overnight divers Friday, Dec. 1.

Wine and food lovers can stimulate their taste buds at the annual “Uncorked: The Key Largo and Islamorada Food and Wine Festival,” an 11-day culinary and cocktail extravaganza set for Thursday, Jan. 4, through Sunday, Jan. 14.

More than 40 species of fish are targeted during the multimonth tournament, with divisions for men, women, junior anglers (ages 10 to 15) and Pee Wees (under 10 years old). 

From Key Largo to Key West, the 2017 holidays are sprinkled with spirited activities and stylish only-in-the-Keys events featuring decorated boats, bicycles and a bodacious high-heeled shoe.

Top honors in four culinary categories are up for grabs in the 36th annual Key Largo Cook-Off scheduled Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Holiday Inn, mile marker (MM) 100.