You can  choose among many water activities, such as snorkeling, parasailing, tubing, water skiing &  diving trips are available right off of Big Pine Key. Looe Key Marine Sanctuary is considered to be one of the premier dive trip locations. Situated off the coast of Big Pine Key, it can be accessed by private boat or charter service. Looe Key Marine Sanctuary is named for a British sailing vessel that sank in 1744, the remains of which today can still be seen on the ocean floor by visitors and tourists.

Bahia Honda State Park, just east of Big Pine Key on Bahia Honda Key, is a 524 acre natural site that offers a multitude of opportunities for all age groups. The 2.5 mile white sandy beach is dotted with swaying palm trees and welcomes swimmers and sunbathers alike. This site is also known for its excellent boating, snorkeling and kayaking activities as well as tropical nature trails. The park is complete with restroom facilities, a marina, snack bar, gift shop and water sports equipment rental facility.

Located at Mile Marker 31, Veterans Memorial Park and Beach is the perfect place to get out of the sun, enjoy a relaxing picnic or wade in the tranquil shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Big Pine Key is situated so that travel to the other Keys is easy and a visit to Miami, which is only 104 miles to the northeast, is about a 2-hour car ride. Traveling further south along US Highway 1, visitors will find Key West and the Key West International airport, only a half hour drive away.

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Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary: Located about five nautical miles offshore of Big Pine Key is Looe Key, which isn’t an island but a “groove and spur” reef and part of the reef system that parallels the Atlantic side of the Florida Keys. This reef got its name from the HMS Looe which supposedly ran aground there in 1744 while towing a captured French ship, the Snow. merchantman.The reef at Looe Key, roughly 200 yards wide and 800 yards long is generally “U” shaped, and is comprised of both patch and outside reefs. It became a National Marine Sanctuary in 1981 due, in part, to the success of the Key Largo Sanctuary created in 1975. This “sanctuary” designation means that there are absolute restrictions on spearfishing, tropical fish and shell collecting and wire fish traps. Marine police patrol the reef and keep a close eye on activities there.

Because of its unique shape and varying depths, Looe Key is an excellent SCUBA and snorkeling site for people of all skill levels. Water clarity is mostly excellent and sea conditions are generally moderate. The reef is home to over 150 species of fish including yellowtail, angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, and moray eel. The lucky diver can also see several shark and ray species. After 7000 years of coral growth, about fifty species are present, many named for the shapes of their namesakes on land. These corals include staghorn, elkhorn, star, brain, and fire corals.

In 1998, a special diving attraction was added to this area offshore of the Lower Keys. About 3 miles west of Looe Key, lies the Adolphus Busch, sunk in 110 feet of water in December of 1998 as an artificial reef. This 210 foot long ship was well prepared for experienced advanced divers with large holes cut for swim throughs. Large Jewfish, some weighing as much as 400 lbs., live on the wreck and can be seen on many dives.Robbie’s is located at Mile Marker 84.5was featured on CNN and described as “Amazing,” “breathtaking” and “impressive”.   What they’re referring to is the school of 50 to 100 tarpon that come here daily and linger for hours. Maybe they just come here to see the humans, but toss a baitfish among them and the water churns as these monsters and the resident pelicans vie for the snack. Occasionally, a tarpon actually rises up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green to meet the fish as it leaves your hand.

BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK – Located at MM37.  This beach was recently named one of the top ten beaches in America, the beachfront park also features a marina, dive shop, cabins and camp sites. Visitors may enjoy swimming, skin and scuba diving, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, cabins and camping here. The park was created by the covering of an ancient coral reef by mangroves, beaches and sand dunes. Birdlife here includes beautiful and rare species such as the white-crowned pigeon, great white heron, roseate spoonbill, reddish egret, osprey and pelican.

The Dolphin Research Center is located at MM 59 – The Dolphin Reseach Center is a not for profit education and research center for Atlantic Bottle nose Doplhins and Sea Lions.Spend an hour or the whole day learning all about Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Experience the different “dolphinalities” during narrated sessions every half-hour. Each session demonstrates a different aspect of these amazing animals’ lives. From high-flying athletics and Dolphin Fun Facts to medical behavior training and research-in-progress, no two sessions are alike. Join their fun and cheer their progress. They love an audience!

BLUE HOLE is located at MM 31 in Big Pine Key – Within the Key Deer Refuge lies a “borrow pit” from the railroad days called Blue Hole. The Blue Hole has an off-street parking area and a walkway leading to an observation deck Alligators in various sizes, freshwater fish and turtles call Blue Hole their home. This attraction is a natural for great photos or videos and is located along Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key. Further down the road lies the wondrous Jack Watson Memorial Nature Trail and Watson’s Hammock. This 0.7 mile, self-guided trail winds through typical pine rockland habitat consisting of slash pine and thatch palms. The 0.1 mile Manillo Trail spur, completed in 1997, is accessible to the disabled. This is an abandoned limestone quarry.  The rock material removed was used to build many of the original roads on Big Pine Key.  The existence of the Blue Hole is dependent on rainfall and from salt water which flows through the surrounding limestone.  It is the home of home to fish, turtles and alligators.

BAT TOWER – MM 17, Sugarloaf Key – One particularly unique attraction, the Bat Tower, has a quirky history. The Bat tower is located on Lower Sugarloaf Key at Mile Marker 17. Originally owned by an English sponge farmer named C.W. Chase, the tower property was sold to Richter C. Perky. Mr. Perky intended to establish a fishing camp there. In 1929, as a solution to the pesky mosquito problem, Perky built a bat tower thereby housing the mosquito-eaters (sort of an early version of a bug zapper). Unfortunately, Mr. Perky’s thousands of dollars flew off as quickly as the bats did when he placed them in his tower. The Bat Tower now stands as a monument to one man’s folly.

No Name Pub – Located right down the street from The Cottage.  This a one of a kind bar with a one of a kind decor…..This funky old bar out in the boonies serves snacks and sandwiches until 11pm on most nights, and drinks until midnight. Pizzas are tasty — thick-crusted and supercheesy. Try one topped with local shrimp, or consider a bowl of chili with all the fixings — hearty and cheap. Everything is served on paper plates.  The decor,  is basic — the walls and ceilings are plastered with thousands of autographed dollar bills.