Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort is the perfect place to stay while visiting the Florida Keys. We are located in, “The Heart of the Florida Keys”, Key Colony Beach. We are an hour from Key Largo and Key West.
Attractions in Key Largo
Island Dolphin Care
Therapeutic dolphin visits and dock yoga
Perfect location for children and families with special needs and veterans that are living with PTSD.
Wild Bird Sanctuary
Saving birds Since 1988
Rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native and migratory birds that have been harmed or displaced.
The African Queen
Canal Cruise
Made famous in the 1951 movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. This famous steamboat is available for daily canal cruises in the Port Largo Canal area
Attractions in Islamorada
Robbie’s of Islamorada
Feed the Tarpons
Robbie’s Marina has a perfect spot to stop and feed the tarpon. Robbie’s has many different activities such as a restaurant, market, snorkeling, fishing and more. Robbie’s is the home of the first ever troponin in history to have stitches called “Scarface.”
Attractions in Marathon
The Lagoon
Tropical adventure park
In their Keys Cable Park, the need for a boat has been replaced by cable systems to pull board riders across a body of water. Powered by the sun and highly energy efficient, these cable systems are the greenest source of wakeboarding available.
The Rhum Runner Aqua Park features an obstacle course with everything starting from floating trampolines to climbing walls.
Bongo’s is a Botanical Beer Garden with tropical fruit trees & herb gardens.
Dolphin Research Center
Dolphin from the Original TV show “Flipper”
Providing Sanctuary and a Forever Home since 1984. Bring your family to meet our family at Dolphin Research Center, a nonprofit marine mammal education and research facility. Most of the dolphins were born here representing multiple generations. Others, and the sea lions, came from rescues or other facilities. We provide a loving, forever home for all. Experience their different “dolphinalities” in sessions that include high-flying acrobatics, research, playtime, and training. Enjoy educational presentations in our theater. Choose from several fun-filled interactive programs including swimming with dolphins! The dolphins choose to participate, forging connections that inspire champions for conservation in our world.”
Aquarium Encounters
Huka in the Reef tank
Aquarium Encounters is an interactive aquarium located in the heart of the Florida Keys. Come explore our one-of-a-kind facility and interact with our marine life. Learn about the many species of sharks that can be found in our waters and maybe even feed a few yourself! Including with general admission guests have access to three touch tanks, scheduled daily feeds and tours with our Marine Biologists. We encourage guests to ask questions and immerse themselves in the magic of the ocean.
Crane Point Hammocks of Marathon
This non-profit museum-nature center is in Marathon.
Encounter native wildlife up close on Hammock trails & butterfly gardens. Take a tour of the Adderley House that was built 120 years ago and experience a 600-year-old canoe.
For a ‘fish pedicure’ dip your toes in the tidal pool near the Point and let the gambusia fish nibble on your feet.
The all-volunteer Marathon Wild Bird Center is a sanctuary-hospital and is also located at Crane Point!
Turtle Hospital
Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release
The Turtle Hospital opened its doors in 1986 with four main goals: 1) Rehab injured sea turtles and release them back to their natural habitat. 2) Educate the public by visiting local schools and attending outreach programs. 3) Conducting and assisting with research aiding sea turtles (in collaboration with state universities). 4) Working toward environmental legislation making the beaches and water safe for sea turtles. 5.5 Miles South
Pigeon Key
History of Flagger Railroad
Fun for all ages, our island is open for you and your family to learn about Florida history or explore the surrounding ocean. Pack a picnic, bring your snorkel gear or your beach chair and a book. Relax and enjoy your own secluded island paradise. 6.5 Miles South
Attractions in Big Pine
The Blue Hole
Mixture of saltwater & fresh water.
The Blue Hole is the only freshwater lake in the Florida Keys and is part of the National Key Deer Refuge located on the island of Big Pine Key.
Now used by various wildlife, including unique key deer, it is an abandoned rock quarry that was once used for nearby road fills & Flagler’s Overseas Railroad.
Key Deer
Miniature White Tail Deer
These local lovable deer are federally protected so be on the lookout when traveling through the area. Key Deer are known to cross the highway and road as most Big Pine is a Key Deer Refuge. Most days around Sunrise and sunset the deer are out foraging for breakfast and dinner.
Attraction in Key West
The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Free flying butterflies, exotic birds and flamingos
Observe over 50 to 60 varieties of butterfly species from around the world. Stop and sit on one of the benches and let your stress fade away in this rainforest-like setting.
Harry S Truman Little Whitehouse
Florida’s Only Presidential Museum
Originally built in 1890 as naval officer housing that was visited by Thomas Edison, Edward Hayden and six American presidents throughout history. Harry S. Truman spent 175 days of his presidency from 1946 to 1952. If the walls could talk, what would they say? Take a guided tour throughout the house with original furniture packed full of history.
Hemingway Home and Museum
Home of the famous six-toed cats.
Heminway was a local famous Author that wrote “The Old Man and the Sea” and “Scribner the Sun Also Rises”. This attraction has guided and self-guided tours daily from 9 AM to 5PM. Throughout the house the cats run the show. Many of them can be seen sleeping on furniture or wandering the grounds. The home is preserved the way it was when Hemingway lived in it with his wife and children.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
A fort that predates the Civil War and favorite local beach
Take a self-guided tour of this fort that predates the Civil War that houses the largest cache of Civil War Armament in the world. Walk the same red-brick corridors, pass cannons and gun ports as many of those who protected our nation’s southeastern coastline from the Civil War and Spanish- American Wars. There are interpretive panels that explain how the fort played important roles. Stop in on the third weekend of each month as local re-enactors conduct historic demonstrations.
Stop down and enjoy a local favorite beach at the southern end of the park for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and more.
Mallory Square Key West
Perfect spot to see the sunset
Mallory Square is where many cruise ships come into port, but it also comes alive before sunset with the many vendors and local entertainers. Watch the sunset over the ocean and see if you can see the infamous “Green Flash”.
Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
Famous Southernmost Buoy
Don’t forget to stop and get a picture with the buoy. From this point you are only 90 miles from CUBA. This is as far south as you can get in the United States of America.
Dry Tortugas National Park
19th Century Fort 70 miles from Key West
This remote fort is 70 miles out in the ocean from Key West that is accessible by boat or seaplane only. This park is 100 square miles that is mostly open water with seven small islands. This fort is famously known as Fort Jefferson. This fort was abandoned by the Army in 1874, served as a prison mainly for Union deserters, and in 1898 the USS Maine sailed into history departing the Tortugas on its fateful mission to Havana, Cuba and it was used during both world wars. Disconnect and go camping on the island or stop in for a day trip.
Attractions in the Florida Keys
Attractions in Key Largo
- Island Dolphin Care
- Wild Bird Sanctuary
- The African Queen
Attractions in Islamorada
- Robbie’s of Islamorada
Attractions in Marathon
- The Lagoon
- Dolphin Research Center
- Aquarium Encounters
- Crane Point Hammocks of Marathon
- Turtle Hospital
- Pigeon Key
Attractions in Big Pine
- The Blue Hole
- Key Deer
Attractions in Key West
- The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Harry S Truman Little Whitehouse
- Hemingway Home and Museum
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Mallory Square Key West
- Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
- Dry Tortugas National Park