Top things to do near Reefhouse Resort & Marina
Top things to do near Reefhouse Resort & Marina: Use the resort’s on-site marina for snorkeling, diving, fishing charters, and parasailing, or walk a few minutes to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to snorkel the living reef or take a glass‑bottom-boat tour. On property, enjoy the heated-and-cooled pool, private beach, Breezer's Tiki Bar happy hour, and scheduled spa treatments at By the Bay Spa.
In this guide
On-site marina and watersports
Reefhouse Resort & Marina has an on-site marina and an associated watersports vendor that run boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, and fishing charters directly from the property. Guests can arrange excursions at the marina or through the resort’s dive shop.
Pirates Cove Watersports operates watercraft rentals and sunset cruises from the resort, and the marina also lists deep-sea fishing and guided dive/snorkel trips among its options. Specific trip availability and pricing are provided by the vendors.
- Bookable activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, fishing charters, motorboat rentals
- Vendors operate from the resort’s marina — check availability at the marina desk
- Hands-on coral restoration sessions (Mote Marine) are offered nearby behind the resort
Snorkel and dive John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a short walk or very quick drive from Reefhouse (the resort notes the park is a 3–5 minute drive). It was established as the first undersea park in the United States and offers reef snorkeling, dive trips, kayak rentals, and a glass‑bottom boat for non‑swimmers.
Highlights available through park tours include snorkeling around living coral reefs and trips to the Christ of the Abyss bronze statue at Key Largo Dry Rocks. If you plan to snorkel or dive, expect to book tours through either the park or local outfitters.
- Activities: snorkel and dive trips, glass‑bottom boat, kayak rentals, Wild Tamarind Trail
- Christ of the Abyss statue reachable by snorkel/dive boat from Pennekamp
- Park has a small on-site beach and reef access for day visitors
Pool, private beach and family activities
Reefhouse sits on 17 acres of waterfront and offers registered-guest access to a private beach with loungers, umbrellas, towel service, and a heated-and-cooled outdoor pool. Pool access and beach amenities are included for registered guests as part of the experience the resort describes.
The resort also lists family-friendly amenities such as beach volleyball, an arcade/game room, kayaking, and poolside refreshments, making it suitable for families (children 17 and under stay free when accompanied by an adult).
- Pool: heated and cooled year-round; multiple pool areas noted in listings
- Private beach: loungers, umbrellas, towel service for registered guests
- Family activities: beach volleyball, arcade/game room, kayaking
Dining and evening entertainment on property
Reefhouse has three on-site venues: Gus' Grille (breakfast, lunch, dinner on a covered marina patio), Breezer's Tiki Bar (open-air bar with live entertainment and daily happy hour), and Flipper's Pool Bar (poolside casual lunch and dinner). Gus' Grille takes reservations; Flipper's Pool Bar is walk-in only.
Breezer's Tiki Bar lists a daily happy hour from 4–6 p.m. with $4 beers and well drinks, and the resort notes live entertainment several nights per week. Menus accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests.
- Gus' Grille: breakfast 7–11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.–5 p.m., dinner 5–10 p.m.; reservations 305.453.0029
- Breezer's Tiki Bar: food & drinks 4–11 p.m.; live entertainment and daily happy hour 4–6 p.m.
- Flipper's Pool Bar: open 11 a.m.–sunset; casual poolside menu, walk-in service
Spa, fitness and wellness
By the Bay Spa (also listed as Opal Spa on some pages) is the resort’s full-service spa offering massages, facials, body scrubs, wraps and other treatments. Spa hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday & Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; the spa is closed on Fridays.
The resort also offers a 24-hour fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; 24-hour fitness center access is included as part of the mandatory daily resort fee. Spa guests are provided a robe and sandals for treatments.
- Spa treatments: therapeutic massage, deep-tissue, hot stone, body scrubs and facials (subject to change)
- Spa booking: the resort recommends scheduling appointments at least two weeks in advance
- Fitness center: 24-hour access included with resort fee
Where to stay: room types and practical notes
Reefhouse Resort & Marina offers a range of room types including Room (King - Bay Front), Room (King - Partial Bay View), Room (King - Standard View), Room (King - Standard View with Balcony), Room (2 Queens - Bay Front), Room (2 Queens - Partial Bay View), Room (2 Queens - Standard View), Room (2 Queens - Standard View with Balcony), Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Suite, 1 Bedroom, and Suite, 1 Bedroom Penthouse.
Practical details: check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM; the main guest checking in must be at least 21 years old. Cribs and pack-and-plays are available on request; rollaway beds are not permitted.
- Room occupancy: children 17 and under stay free when accompanied by an adult
- Accessibility: property offers wheelchair-accessible parking, accessible pool and restaurant features; rooms are reached via exterior corridors
- Resort fee: a mandatory daily resort fee applies and covers Wi‑Fi, fitness access, beach/pool towels, self-parking and other listed amenities
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM / Check-out 11:00 AM |
| Minimum check-in age | 21 for the primary guest |
| Children policy | Children 17 and under stay free with an adult |
Day trips and nearby attractions
Besides John Pennekamp, nearby sights include the historic Caribbean Club Bar (a short walk), Rowell’s Waterfront Park, MarineLab Undersea Laboratory, and the Florida Keys Visitor Center in Key Largo. Day trips from the resort can include drives to Islamorada, the Everglades, or Key West.
Travel logistics: the nearest major airport is Miami International Airport (MIA); driving from MIA typically takes about 75 minutes. For more flexible travel, the resort and local vendors can advise on shuttles, car rentals, or private transfers.
- Nearby (short walk): Caribbean Club Bar, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Nearby (short drive): Florida Keys Visitor Center, Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
- Day trips: Key West (~2.5 hours driving), Everglades (about 31–32 miles)
