Captain's Local Guide
Best Places to Visit & Dine
in the Keys
🛥️Welcome Aboard! Thanks for joining us out on the water today. To make your vacation a little less complicated, A few captains and I have put together this quick, unlinked resource page exclusively for our QR code users. Below are my personal recommendations for the absolute best sights and local eats in the upper Keys; Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada, and in the lower Keys; around Key West.
Enjoy your time in the Keys,
Captain Eric
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Key Largo, Tavernier, and Islamorada
PLACES TO VISIT
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - The nation's first underwater state park. Incredible glass-bottom boat tours, mangrove kayaking, snorkeling beach, and park.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park - A former limestone quarry, this park offers trails with cross-section views of fossilized coral.
Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary - Operated by the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. A peaceful, shaded boardwalk path allows you to view magnificent rehabilitated owls, hawks, and pelicans up close.
History of Diving Museum - A world-class destination holding an unparalleled collection of historic diving helmets, atmospheric suits, and artifacts tracing 4,000 years of underwater exploration.
Theater of the Sea - A beautiful marine mammal park built in a historic quarry lagoon. Watch regular live dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, or take a relaxed guided bottomless-boat tour.
Robbie's Marina- A world-renowned Florida Keys destination. Step onto the busy docks to hand-feed massive schooling tarpon, book eco-tours, or browse open-air artisan shops.
Founders Park - A sprawling municipal complex spanning MM 87. Offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a shallow sandy beach with good bayside - beach based snorkeling, a splash pad, walking trails, exercise circuit course, occasional concerts and events, and beautiful sports facilities.
Snorkeling trips to Pennekamp reefs - Snorkel the Keys is the best choice for private trips of size or less. Also does Eco tours and sunset tours.
PoppaWAHOOS - The PoppaWAHOO Collective; Offshore Fishing, Islamorada sandbar tours and Islamorada snorkeling is your best choice out of Islamorada.
PLACES TO EAT
The Fish House - A legendary staple specializing in "fraction-of-a-day-fresh" seafood. Highly recommend trying your catch prepared "Matecumbe style" with capers, shallots, and fresh tomatoes. Very good Key Lime Meringue pie.
Sundowners - Enjoy a romantic spot with fantastic local seafood and tropical cocktails situated right on the Blackwater Sound. This is the premier spot for catching an iconic, panoramic sunset dinner in Key Largo. Good Key Lime Meringue pie
Num Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar - An absolute favorite hidden gem among boat captains and locals. Exceptional fresh sushi rolls, authentic Thai curries, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. They offer great dinner specials until 7pm.
Captain Craig’s- One of the best fish sandwiches in the Keys, arguably the best Key Lime Meringue pie, and reasonable prices.
Harbor Cafe- An excellent Cuban breakfast and lunch place. Very good cafe con leche.
Doc’s Diner- My favorite basic breakfast place. Also great lunches, all at very reasonable prices.
Islamorada Fish Company - Perched directly over the Florida Bay right next to Bass Pro Shops. Features a sprawling tiki hut roof, pristine sunset views, and good fresh seafood selections.
Islamorada Shrimp Shack - Very good food run by a great group of locals who also own PoppaWAHOOs and specialize in very fresh fish. Solid fish sandwich.
Chef Michael's - Fine (and a bit pricey) dining with a casual Keys attitude. Their signature motto is "Peace, Love & Hogfish," offering this prized local fish prepared in a variety of exquisite culinary styles.
Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar - Known worldwide as the "Pulse of Islamorada." Features spacious outdoor waterfront dining, lively nightly musical acts, frozen key lime cocktails, and spectacular bayside sunsets. May be crowded.
Stone oven pizza at the Whistle Stop Pub - Best pizza in the Keys and reasonably priced.
Thai Food - I have not had a bad experience at any of the Thai restaurants in the upper Keys.
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Key West
PLACES TO VISIT
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory - Very nice, medium amount of walking necessary
Key West Lighthouse - Take photos from outside and save the stairs. Decent gift shop.
Hemmingway's home - He only lived there a short time in the 30’s, but very nostalgic and worth the visit for fans of his writing and/or life style.
Mallory square at sunset - A traditional Key West nightly event. Worth the crowd.
Southernmost point(moved to temp location nearby) - Also a Key West tradition
Mile marker 0 - Cute and good photo place.
Key west aquarium - A small buy well done aquarium.
Shipwreck museum - An excellent museum of Key’s history, shipwrecks and nostalgia.
Fort East Martello Museum - A good museum, but does not need to be a priority.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden - Nice. A bit of walking. Not as good as the butterfly museum
Oldest House Museum & Gardens Key West - Okay if you have time.
Hemingway Distillery - Tasty but expensive rum. A bit of a commercial play on Hemmingway’s name, but pulls it off well. A fun and easy tour.
Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden - Decent but a lot of walking.
Hog Heaven - A place to visit, and maybe get a drink, but not really a place to eat.
PLACES TO DINE
Blue Heaven - Okay food but fantastic key lime pie (although not as good as Captain Craig’s)
Conch Republic Seafood Company - Good fresh seafood, good location, and not ‘overly’ expensive.
Restaurants on Lazy road - A great route to walk and lots of restaurants.
Margaritaville - Expensive but very good restaurant. Nice atmosphere.
Old Towne bakery- A great place for a low priced sandwich.
Conch fritters in Key West - Available in lots of places in Key West. Avoid the conch stands as the batters are not always fresh. (Think stomach ache)
