Clubhouse Beach takes its name from its association with Ocean Reef Club, a private community in North Key Largo that was established in 1945 as a fishing camp. In 1942, the property was known as Dispatch Creek Fishing Camp with four ramshackle cabins, several docks, and a small harbor. In 1946, Baker purchased 40 acres of North Key Largo encompassing the Dispatch Creek Fishing Club, where channels were dredged, docks built, land filled, and roads created. The Ocean Reef Club format changed in 1969 when it became a privately owned corporation, and in 1993, property owners purchased the community, converting it into a private equity club. The exclusive nature of Ocean Reef Club has made it one of the most prestigious communities in the Florida Keys, with the clubhouse and beach facilities serving members and their guests. Key Largo itself derives its name from the Spanish "Cayo Largo" meaning "long key," the largest island in the Upper Keys. The area's development accelerated with the completion of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 20th century, later converted to the Overseas Highway connecting the Keys. The private beach facilities at Ocean Reef Club represent the evolution of the Upper Keys from remote fishing camps into sophisticated resort communities.
The beach offers private white sand and calm Atlantic Ocean waters ideal for swimming, with facilities restricted to Ocean Reef Club members and guests maintaining an exclusive atmosphere. The Ocean Reef Club provides comprehensive amenities including multiple pools, beach services with chairs and umbrellas, and water sports equipment. Snorkeling and diving explore nearby coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and diverse marine life in the protected waters of the Upper Keys. Fishing opportunities abound both from shore and via charter boats accessing the Atlantic and Florida Bay. The club's marina accommodates members' vessels, providing boat access to offshore reefs and the Gulf Stream. Golf, tennis, and other recreational facilities complement beach activities within the gated community. The preserved natural environment surrounding the club maintains the Keys' tropical character while offering modern resort amenities. Kayaking and paddleboarding explore mangrove-lined creeks and shallow flats. The beach's Atlantic-side location provides sunrise viewing opportunities over the ocean, while the protected waters typically remain calm for swimming and water recreation year-round.
Dining at Ocean Reef Club features multiple on-site restaurants serving members and guests with upscale Keys cuisine. The Ocean Reef Club Clubhouse offers formal dining with fresh seafood, steaks, and refined preparations. Gianni's at the Ocean Reef Club Marina serves Italian cuisine with marina views and dockside atmosphere. The Fishing Club provides casual waterfront dining with fresh catches and tropical drinks. For dining beyond the private club, nearby Key Largo restaurants include Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill at Mile Marker 104 Bayside, offering waterfront entertainment and dining with Florida Bay sunset views. Sundowners, operating since 1985, serves seafood, steaks, and sandwiches with glass-walled dining rooms and covered deck seating on Florida Bay. Snooks Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar specializes in fresh seafood and tropical drinks with live music nightly. Key Largo Fisheries combines market and restaurant, offering the freshest fish and seafood in the Florida Keys. Bayside Grille, featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, provides Hispanic-Miami fusion cuisine with Havana fries and Cuban osso buco.
