The following are favorites with our members and guests alike. (Note: All titles below are linked to the attraction's web site)
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The first undersea park in the United States, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the adjacent Florida Keys National Marina Sanctuary cover approximately 178 nautical miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park contains a wide variety of tropical vegetation, shore birds and marine life. While the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks offer visitors a unique and interesting experience, it is the coral formations and associated marine life that most park visitors come to enjoy. The park offers guided nature walks, glass bottom boat and snorkel tours, SCUBA diving, boat ramps and slips, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, swimming and a Visitor's Center with natural history exhibits.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Visitor's Center is located 15 minutes south of Ocean Reef Club.
Cristal Clear Charters
(An independent service provider), Cristal Clear Charters is located in The Fishing Village, offers certification in SCUBA diving, equipment sales and rentals, SCUBA dive trips and family snorkeling trips on the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
Dolphins Plus
This Key Largo marine mammal facility is involved in environmental education programs, in-water therapy for handicapped individuals and the study of inter-species interactions between dolphins and humans. Its educational programs are designed for those interested in learning more about dolphins and their environment and provide a total role reversal experience with the human entering the dolphin world. All programs are by appointment only. Dolphins Plus is located 15 minutes from Ocean Reef Club.
Theater of The Sea
This marine park in Islamorada is the second oldest marine mammal facility in the world and features a large lagoon where dolphins cavort and perform. A marine exhibit includes a collection of gamefish, such as bonefish, tarpon, snook and redfish. Touch tanks invite you to meet a variety of sea creatures from prickly sea urchins to sandpaper-skinned sharks. Following orientation programs, visitors have the opportunity to swim separately with dolphin, sea lions and sting rays.
Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Theater of The Sea is a 45-minute drive from Ocean Reef Club.
The History of Diving Museum
The History of Diving Museum, located at Milemarker 83, continues its popular monthly seminar series, “Man's Quest to Explore Under the Sea.” The lecture series is free and held at the museum at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. A tour of the galleries follows the seminar.
Everglades Alligator Farm
Discover the mysteries of the world-famous Florida Everglades at the oldest Alligator Farm in South Florida and one of the only true working alligator farms. You'll experience thrilling alligator, snake and wildlife shows and venture into the Everglades on a guided airboat tour to see alligator in their natural habitat.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The farm is just a 45-minute drive from Ocean Reef Club.
Coral Castle
A sculpture garden and tribute to lost love. One man, obsessed with his love for a young girl, labored 28 years to build a rock monument to her. Incredibly, he carved and moved over 1,100 tons of rock without human assistance. Did he know the secrets of the Great Pyramids? Did he have superhuman powers? Visit the Coral Castle and discover one of the world's most incredible wonders. Guided tours daily. Located just a 35-minute drive from Ocean Reef Club.
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Experience the paradise of the magnificently landscaped botanical garden——exotic plants from around the world, flowering vines, tropical fruits, stately palms and timeless oaks. Located on 83 acres, this world-famous horticultural attraction and photographer's delight has winding paths that take you past massive trees, lily pools, ferns and orchids, colorful tropical flowers, a rainforest display, sunken garden and 11 lakes. And everywhere you look, there is breathtaking beauty.
Open every day except Christmas from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Vizcaya
Vizcaya, the winter retreat of industrialist James Deering, stands majestically at the edge of Biscayne Bay in Miami. Deering roamed Europe, observing the architecture and collecting paintings, tapestries and furniture. The ancient country homes of the Italian Veneto appealed to him most, so his winter home was fashioned accordingly. And on the day it was completed in 1916, it looked as if it had stood there for more than 400 years. With 34 decorated rooms arranged around a central courtyard, a day at Vizcaya is a day of wonderment.
Open every day except Christmas. From Ocean Reef Club, the Vizcaya Estate is approximately a 1 hour and 15 minute drive.
Miami Seaquarium
See sharks and dolphins, sea lions and seals. Learn about manatees, and all about eels. The Miami Seaquarium offers a full day of family fun, with exciting shows, interesting exhibits and enjoyable, educational presentations in a beautifully landscaped park overlooking Biscayne Bay. Open daily at 9:30 a.m. The attraction is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Ocean Reef Club. Reservation requests and online ticketing are available here.
