South Beach takes its descriptive geographic name marking its location on the southern shores of Key Largo, the largest of the Florida Keys at 33 miles long in the Upper Keys. Key Largo itself derives from Spanish explorers' name Cayo Largo, meaning 'long islet,' though Dutch cartographer Johannes Vingboons labeled it Caio des 12 Leguas (islet of twelve leagues) on a 1639 map. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León visited the area in 1513, finding it uninhabited or sparsely populated by indigenous Calusa and Tequesta peoples. The first permanent settlers arrived around 1822 engaging in fishing and salvaging shipwrecks along the treacherous reef. A post office opened at Cayo Largo in 1870 in the current Rock Harbor area, closing and reopening as Largo in 1881. The island formed from exposed fossilized coral reef remains created during higher sea levels and subsequently uncovered during ice ages, leaving limestone geology that prevents natural sand beach formation, requiring beaches to be manmade or created within parks throughout the Upper Keys.
Swimming in the tropical lagoon at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park provides younger swimmers with protected waters at the two manmade beaches. Cannon Beach, the primary snorkeling beach, features remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck approximately 100 feet offshore accessible to shore snorkelers exploring the ledges and seagrass communities. Far Beach offers palm-shaded relaxation for swimming and sunbathing without lifeguard supervision. Two-and-a-half-hour snorkeling tours visit inner reefs 5 to 15 feet deep, providing 1.5 hours of water time exploring protected coral formations. Glass-bottom boat tours reveal colorful reefs and marine life for non-swimmers. Scuba diving tours offer two-location, two-tank dives over four hours. Canoeing and kayaking through mangrove-lined waters complement fishing in designated areas. The visitor center displays large saltwater aquariums and nature videos.
Sal's Ballyhoo's Historic Seafood Grille has served fresh seafood with Southern twist for over 30 years from a 1930s conch house near Mile Marker 97.8, featuring yellowtail snapper, tuna, and mahimahi prepared grilled, blackened, jerked, or fried, with famous all-you-can-eat stone crab and the signature fish & fried tomato sandwich with pink tomato and remoulade. Caribbean Club, the Upper Keys' oldest bar opened in 1938 and run by the Whitehurst family since 1963, occupies the filming location of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's Key Largo film, filled with movie memorabilia and offering beer, wine, and cocktails (cash only) with Florida Bay sunset views, live music Thursday through Sunday, and Wednesday karaoke nights with Take Two food truck serving permanent outdoor eats.
