A Complete List of Free (And Cheap) Things to Do in Key Largo, FL

Are you planning a trip to the Key Largo and wondering if there are any free things to do?

If you’ve visited the Florida Keys before, you know they can be a pricey vacation! Between renting a boat, going on snorkel tours, and paying for beautiful hotels, taking advantage of all Key Largo has to offer can add up quickly.

However, after years of visiting, I’ve discovered there are plenty of free and cheap things to do in Key Largo as well!

In the post, I’ll cover all the various free (and cheap) activities you can add to your Key Largo itinerary. I’ll also share what activities are actually worth splurging on, so you know where to spend your money!

So if your goal is to see Key Largo on a budget, keep reading for all the activities you can tackle on your trip!

Key Largo Overview

If you are driving into the Florida Keys, Key Largo is the first Key you will hit! It’s only 60 miles from Miami to Key Largo, so it’s one of the most popular Keys to visit, especially for Floridians.

It’s also the largest Key of the 800 Keys in the archipelago, which means there is plenty to see and do!

As you enter the Keys, you’ll cross the long bridge over Jewfish Creek and then down into Key Largo. Right when the road bends, the Florida Keys Visitor Center will be on your right, if you want to stop in! The staff is typically very friendly, and sometimes they have discount cards to give out for local attractions.

While many activities in Key Largo will require you to fork over some cash, there are plenty of free and cheap things to do. Let’s take a look!

Snorkel off the Beach

Key Largo is known for its underwater landscapes, so most activities revolve around the ocean. Unfortunately, to get out to most coral reefs, you’ll need to rent a boat or go on an organized snorkel tour to experience the best Key Largo snorkeling.

However, there is one spot in Key Largo that offers decent snorkeling from the beach: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

If you have a Florida State Parks Pass, entry to John Pennekamp will be free! If not, you’ll have to pay the $8 entry fee per vehicle. However, this is still much cheaper than renting a boat or paying for a snorkel tour.

Cannon Beach within John Pennekamp State Park is the most popular place to go for shore snorkeling. While you won’t find large coral heads here, there are still grassy beds and fish to see.

Plus, there are remnants of an old Spanish shipwreck you can snorkel over!

My advice: While you can swim off the beach, I recommend splurging on a snorkel tour to one of the many Key Largo reefs. There’s a reason this is the most popular thing to do in Key Largo!
Getting offshore completely changes the landscape, and you’ll get to experience crystal-clear turquoise water and a variety of wildlife you just can’t find close to shore! Snorkel tours in Key Largo will typically cost between $60-$90.

Swimming in the Ocean

Of course, if you just want to get in the water and don’t care about seeing fish, there are places in Key Largo you can visit for free and go for a swim in the sea.

For example, Harry Harris State Park is a small park in Key Largo where many people go to fish, launch their boats, or just relax!

There is a small lagoon to the right of the boat launch that makes the perfect swimming spot, especially for young children!

If you visit during the week, the park is free to enter! On weekends, it costs $5 per person.

Another hidden gem in Key Largo is Rowell’s Waterfront Park. This park is completely free to enter and has a small “beach” and protected swimming hole to enjoy!

Plus, it’s dog-friendly and is in the process of being renovated to add even more facilities. It’s a great place to look for manatees and dolphins, as well as watch the sunset!

Lastly, most Key Largo hotels are located on the water, either on the bayside or the oceanside. I highly recommend checking if your hotel offers free water sport rentals, like kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats. This is a great way to explore the ocean for free in Key Largo!

We always love taking advantage of this when we visit the Keys, especially for a sunrise or sunset paddle!

Visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center

If you love wildlife and nature, another free thing to do in Key Largo is visit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center. Located at the far end of Key Largo just before Tavernier, this sanctuary is home to over 100 non-releasable birds!

The Center is free to enter; however, a donation is recommended to support their mission! Within the center, you’ll be able to see a variety of birds, including hawks, owls, pelicans, gulls, songbirds, and more.

These birds have been treated by the rehabilitation hospital on-site but have been deemed non-releasable to the wild.

In addition to providing rehabilitation services to sick or injured birds throughout the Florida Keys, The FKWBC educates the community and raises awareness about the importance of protecting birds at local schools and hotels!

If you are an animal lover, visiting the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is an awesome free thing to do in Key Largo and a great way to give back to the community!

Go Shopping at Shell World

Another fun and free activity to do in Key Largo is to go shopping at the famous Shell World. It’s impossible to miss Shell World as you drive through Key Largo. Just look for the big shell sign in the middle of the road!

While this obviously isn’t free if you buy something, it’s still a great place to stop in Key Largo for souvenirs! Shell World lives up to its name, with hundreds of local Florida Keys shells for purchase. This includes the beautiful conch shell.

They also have tons of other souvenirs, from classic tourist t-shirts to local books about the history of the Keys! In addition, you’ll find tropical-themed dishware, home decor, shot glasses, jewelry, postcards, and so much more!

Don’t forget to grab a jar of the famous Key Lime salt scrub here; you’ll see it in a lot of bathrooms as you travel throughout the Keys!

Watch the Sunset

If you’ve been to the Florida Keys before, you know that epic sunsets are a regular occurrence! While many people opt for a sunset cruise in Key Largo, there are plenty of places to watch the sunset from shore for free!

Of course, the easiest way to see the sunset is to eat dinner at one of the many Key Largo restaurants on the water.

For the best sunset views, you’ll want to head to restaurants on the bayside, like Snook’s, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, or Bayside Grill.

And if you don’t mind driving a bit, you can head down to neighboring Islamorada, which has some of the best restaurants in the Keys in my opinion! My favorite sunset restaurant in Islamorada is Lorelei!

If you’re staying at the gorgeous Playa Largo Resort, you can head down to their yummy restaurant Sol By the Sea. Depending on the time of year, you can actually sit with your feet in the water here! They set up a table right off the beach, so you can dine with the fishies and have unobstructed sunset views!

Aside from restaurants, there are plenty of other spots throughout Key Largo to watch the sunset. If you’re staying on the bayside, you likely don’t even need to leave your hotel!

For example, we had incredible sunset views directly from the dock of Kona Kai Resort when we stayed there.

Other great sunset spots around Key Largo include Rowell’s Waterfront Park and Sunset Point Park. Or, if you want to drive down the road to Islamorada, you can check out Founder’s Park!

P.S. Need help choosing a place to stay? Check out my full guide on Where to Stay in the Florida Keys!

Honorable Mention: Feeding the Tarpon at Robbie’s

While not technically in Key Largo, feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s is one of the most popular things to do in the Upper Keys. Plus, it’s very cheap!!

To get here, you’ll need to drive from Key Largo to Islamorada, which takes about 30 minutes. Robbie’s is situated at the end of Islamorada, but there are plenty of other things to see along the way!!

At Robbie’s, you can watch others feed the tarpon from the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant or take part in the fun yourself (which I recommend!).

Luckily, this won’t break the bank. It only costs $2.50 per person to enter the dock, and each bucket of fish costs $5.00 (the photo below is a little old!).

Feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s has become a staple activity when visiting the Keys, so you don’t want to miss it. Plus, it’s a great place to stop for lunch and shopping if you are driving from Key Largo to Key West!

P.S. I have a whole guide on the top Things to Do in Islamorada if you want to make a whole day out of your time here!

Final Thoughts

While the Keys are not the cheapest destination, there are still plenty of free things to do in Key Largo! Beyond the costly attractions, the mix of free experiences – from swimming in the ocean to watching the sunset – proves that you can enjoy Key Largo without splurging!

I do recommend paying for a snorkel tour during your time in the Keys, while still taking advantage of other free attractions.

So whether you’re traveling as a family, as a couple, or with a group of friends, Key Largo is a great place to visit for a tropical getaway; especially for snorkeling! Before you go, be sure to read my Detailed Key Largo Snorkeling Guide!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!