The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Big Pine Key, Florida (FL)

April 27, 2022 Joeann Galban

Big Pine Key Vacation Rental Big Pine Key and its neighboring islands are some of the most popular vacation destinations for families who want to rent a beachfront house or condo. The climate in this part of Florida is delightful and very similar to the warm and pleasant climates of the Caribbean. The crystal blue waters and the white sandy beaches in Big Pine Key make this an impressive location for your next vacation rental. Things to Do Big Pine Key is a fantastic place to come if you want to get away from all the troubles and stress of day-to-day life. The vacation houses and condos available here are designed for rest and relaxation. The main appeal of Big Pine Key is the tranquil environment and beautiful scenery. There are plenty of outdoor activities that you can enjoy when you’re not in your rental home, such as fishing, walking and biking, and seeking out wildlife. Many people visiting Big Pine Key enjoy getting out into the ocean for excellent snorkeling and diving. Looe Key is located approximately 7 miles off shore and provides the perfect location to see stunning sea life. It is widely regarded as one of the clearest and best reefs for snorkeling and diving in the Keys. Family Fun If you’re visiting Big Pine Key with children, there are numerous wonderful activities that will get them out of the rental home for the day. The Theater of the Sea and the National Key Deer Refuge are great options for the whole family. If you would like to spot some of the many alligators that reside in the area, then you should head to the Blue Hole. Delicious Dining in Big Pine Key If you’re staying in a vacation home in Big Pine Key, you may choose to dine in and enjoy a quiet intimate or pizza with the family. There are many local groceries where you can purchase fresh seafood and produce to prepare a meal in your condo or villa. However, if you do fancy a meal out, you can take a trip to Rob’s Island Grill, The Big Pine Restaurant, or The China Garden. All of these restaurants are local and provide culinary delights. Benefits of Big Pine Key Rentals Unlike a hotel, staying in a Big Pine Key vacation rental provides you with complete privacy and tranquility during your vacation. Enjoy the space and security you can get from your own beautiful rental home.
Restaurants in Big Pine Key

1. Serenity Eco Guides

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Serenity Eco Guides

We offer therapeutic paddleboard expeditions into the mind, body, heart & soul of the mangrove ecosystem. This 2 hour experience immerses one into nature while restoring harmony and balance. The trip features SUP safety & education, "drop anchor" yoga and on-board meditation. Feel your bliss and revive your spirit while floating on calm water in Manatee Bay.

221 Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-4905 +1 305-872-1828 [email protected] http://artistsinparadise.com/
Excellent
87%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Artists in Paradise Gallery

Reviewed By Expedition299375

This is a co-op gallery with amazing: local art, jewelry, cards gifts and more. The prices are very reasonable and the selection is GREAT!

3. Big Pine Kayak Adventures

Excellent
86%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 211 reviews

Big Pine Kayak Adventures

Join Capt Bill Keogh and His eco-tour guides on an outdoor adventure of a life time in the Florida Keys. Bill is the author of "The Florida Keys Paddling Guide" and has been a professional photographer in the Keys for three decades. Using kayaks,paddlecraft and/or motorboats we explore the remote regions of the Key Deer and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge backcountry waters departing from our dock at the historic Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp.

4. Keys Boat Tours

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 509 reviews

Keys Boat Tours

Recreational boating in the FL Keys. Private charter eco & snorkel tours for up to 6 passengers). Motor to the backcountry, paddleboard, snorkel, fish and eco. It is an option for the whole family–everyone can equally enjoy. We keep it comfortable and avoid choppy waters. On calm days, we go out to the only living reef in the US, Looe Key, for a lifetime experience. Captain Brian is very knowledgeable about marine life, local waters and navigation. We offer Hands-on Boating & Fishing Lessons too. And we rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from shore at our MM39 / Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina location (4hrs, 8hrs, 24hrs and weekly options).

5. Bahia Honda State Park

36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-3517 +1 305-872-2353 https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Bahia-Honda
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,001 reviews

Bahia Honda State Park

Reviewed By 212DeeDee - Kimbolton, United States

This is a must stop in the keys beautiful beach great snorkeling Nice gift shop really cool history and lots of fun.

6. National Key Deer Refuge

30587 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-3400 +1 305-872-2239 [email protected] http://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 671 reviews

National Key Deer Refuge

Fourteen square mile natural habitat of white tailed Key deer.

Reviewed By 523glennm - Lake Wales, United States

The Welcome Center for the National Key Deer Refuge is tucked away in a corner of a shopping center just as you turn off of US-1 onto Key Deer Blvd. There is a wealth of information here regarding local wildlife. The Key Deer Bookstore is a small corner of the welcome center, but there are some really good books available here. There are four wildlife refuges in the Keys, and this is the welcome center for all of them, including the Key Deer. Allow enough time to hear the interesting information the volunteers have to impart. Joyce and Nancy were both bubbling over with useful and fascinating info. After visiting the welcome center, drive down to the Blue Hole and you may be lucky enough to spot one of the resident gators, or maybe even some of the tiny deer wandering in and out of the bushes along the road. Don’t miss this!

7. Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store

30535 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-3400 +1 305-872-3795 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/coconutspinekey/
Excellent
73%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store

Coconuts Bar & Liquor Store has been a local bar on Big Pine Key for over three decades. We have a full liquor bar & Liquor Store, professional regulation Brunswick pool tables, video games, dart boards, Foosball ,WI-FI and cold AC. If you've never been here before or your on your way to Key West, stop in and check us out! Thanks!-The Coconuts Family

8. Blue Hole

Key Deer Boulevard Off U.S. 1, Mile Marker 30, Big Pine Key, FL +1 305-872-0774 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/visit/plan_your_visit.html
Excellent
32%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
28%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 510 reviews

Blue Hole

Key deer, alligators and fish gather at this watering hole, formerly a limestone quarry, where fresh water is layered over salt water.

Reviewed By G8829XBericg

Heard about this from my uncle. It is a quick cool little place to go to. Google it directions are easy. You turn north at the light in Big Pine Key the road goes straight or you can go off to the left. So you go to the left and you drive about 4 or 5 minutes and the GPS will tell you to turn left and then right and you would park on the side of the road and you would step over a fence rail or if you ignore the GPS and go another 100 ft there is a parking lot on the left with some nature signage. You can walk to the right but does not go far less than 100 feet. If you go to the left it would be sweet wrap around to the other spot the GPS took you and in the middle there is a lookout deck along with some more informative signage. Standing on the deck I looked down at the water and there was an alligator about 6 ft long and to my left on top of a rock was another 6 ft alligator. Felt very safe but they are out in the nature with no fencing or barriers to keep them contain it is a natural area with a small deck. I would recommend not poking throwing or feeding anything to the alligators. You could easily Park walk to the deck see the alligators and then go back to your car in less than 10 minutes or walk the shore Trail and spend another 10 minutes and if you would like to read all the signs add more time for that. While you're driving keep an eye out for the Big Pine Key Deer we saw two of them on the side of the road and also a three-foot-long iguana on the main road also a rooster at the CVS on top of a metal box near the main entrance.

9. Captain Hook's Big Pine Key

Excellent
63%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
7%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 281 reviews

Captain Hook's Big Pine Key

Within the past two years, we have added Capt. Hook's Big Pine Key to Capt. Hook’s dive operations for some very obvious reasons. This shop serviced a very dedicated customer base that loves the ocean and all it stands for…people with a passion for the ocean just like us. It’s main focus was to show the world the beauty and wonder of this location…in particular, Looe Key Reef, which is an exceptional dive and snorkel location. We embrace the past as we look to the future of providing excellent service to the divers and snorkelers of the Middle and Lower Keys. We are a full-service dive shop and have just recently added the ability to perform Hydrostatic Pressure Test on tanks! Don't forget we have two other locations as well. One in Marathon and one in Key West! Both locations compliment Our Big Pine Key location by bringing more wrecks to dive, three more National Marine Sanctuary Special Protected Areas and many more dive sites to dive and snorkel.

10. Key West Visitors Center

31281 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043-3427 +1 866-539-7386 [email protected] http://www.keywest123.com/
Excellent
46%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
7%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 87 reviews

Key West Visitors Center

Reviewed By 682victoriay

We were traveling to Key West and decided to stop here for a bathroom break. Nothing more as most visitor centers are BS. But....Penny was awesome! She made recommendations and was very personable. We decided right away to skip one of dinners and do a sunset cruise in Key West. The process was very simple. When we had a small issue, I texted Penny and everything was resolved immoderately. Best experience with a visitor center!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.