Green Businesses
Choose Businesses That Care for the Keys
The natural beauty of the Florida Keys is part of what makes being here so special. Across the island chain, local businesses are taking steps to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and help protect the waters and ecosystems around them.
You can be part of that effort. Use the listings below to find accommodations, restaurants, marinas, dive operators, fishing guides and other businesses recognized for environmentally responsible practices.
Find Green Businesses in the Florida Keys
Ready to make your trip a little greener? Browse the businesses below and use the filters to find participating places to stay, eat, dock, dive, and fish.
Green Lodging
Rest easy knowing your stay can make a difference. Florida Green Lodging properties are recognized for efforts to conserve resources such as water and energy and reduce waste. Look for the Green Lodging leaf when choosing where to stay in the Keys.
Blue Star Operators
Heading out on or under the water? Choose a Blue Star-certified dive operator or fishing guide. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Blue Star program recognizes operators that help visitors enjoy diving, snorkeling and fishing while following practices that safeguard the Keys’ marine resources.
Clean Marinas
A day on the water starts at the dock. Clean Marina businesses help make environmentally responsible boating part of the Florida Keys experience. Use the listings below to find participating marinas throughout the island chain.
Ocean Friendly Restaurants
Make your next meal a little friendlier to the ocean. Ocean Friendly Restaurants are recognized for making choices designed to reduce waste and support healthier oceans.
Skip the Stuff
Sometimes less really is more. Restaurants and food trucks participating in Skip the Stuff help reduce single-use waste by providing items such as plastic utensils, straws and condiment packets only when customers ask for them.
Visitors can help, too. Simply say “no thanks” to the extras you don’t need.
Plastic Free Key West
Plastic Free Key West celebrates Key West businesses taking action to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, single-use plastics. Participating businesses make voluntary commitments to reduce plastic use through more sustainable choices.
Protect Our Seagrass
Seagrass beds are part of what makes Florida Keys waters so special. They also need a little help from boaters. Propellers can damage shallow seagrass beds, leaving scars behind. Check tide and navigational charts before you head out, and steer clear of shallow areas. A handy local reminder is: “Brown, brown, run aground. Blue, blue, sail on through."
Jet Ski Safety
Explore The Florida Keys with a knowledgeable local guide who can help you navigate shallow waters, protected areas and restricted zones. Pay attention to no-motor, idle-speed/no-wake and no-entry signs, stay in appropriate channels and avoid sensitive seagrass flats. Be courteous to other boaters, especially anglers fishing for Tarpon and Bonefish, by giving them plenty of room and keeping your speed and wake down. Always maintain a safe distance from swimmers and divers, follow posted speed restrictions and stay aware of changing conditions throughout your ride.
Filters
Key West
Finz Dive Center
Six divers, one boat, and a NOAA Blue Star operator running everything from a two tank reef dive to a ten hour run out to the Dry Tortugas. The Vandenberg, Joe's Tug, night dives and spearfishing are all on the board, with a divemaster in the water every time.
Key West
Key West Historic Inns
Key West Historic Inns — a curated collection of five distinctive, historic properties in Old Town Key West offering boutique stays steeped in island charm.
Weddings Max
100
Meetings Max
25
Key West
Half Shell Raw Bar
Half Shell Raw Bar is a waterfront seafood institution at 231 Margaret Street on the Key West Historic Seaport, serving broiled garlic oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, conch ceviche, and daily fresh catches. Watch the boats and pelicans roll by while you dig in.
Islamorada
Florida Keys Flats Fishing
Flats Guide, led by Captain Barry Hoffman, offers expert fly and light tackle fishing charters in the Florida Keys. With over 33 years of guiding experience, Captain Barry specializes in sight fishing for tarpon, bonefish, snook, and redfish. All charters are catch-and-release, ensuring sustainable fishing practices.
Key Largo
Quiescence Diving Services Inc
Quiescence (Key Largo Diving) offers private, small-group scuba and snorkel charters—capped at just six guests—for personalized trips to over 70 reefs and wrecks, along with equipment services, gear repair, and air/Nitrox fills
Key Largo
Sail Fish Scuba
Sail Fish Scuba is a PADI 5-Star Dive Center in Key Largo offering guided scuba and snorkeling tours, PADI certifications, private charters, in-water photo guidance with free photos, and full-service gear support.
Key West
Garlic Grater with Love
Garlic Grater with Love is a 14-year-old artisan brand crafting distinctive handmade ceramic garlic grater bowls and eco-friendly scrubbie sponges, found at the Key West Artisan Market at Higgs Beach and available online for those who want to bring a piece of handmade artistry home from the Keys.
Islamorada
Islamorada Dive Center
Explore Florida Keys' reefs and wrecks with expert guides at Islamorada Dive Center!
Key West
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Key West
Founded in 1832 and the oldest congregation in Florida south of St. Augustine, St. Paul's Episcopal Church is one of Key West's most treasured historic landmarks, offering weekly worship, an annual concert series, and five on-grounds wedding and event venues at 401 Duval Street — all while undergoing a breathtaking historic restoration for its 200th anniversary in 2032.
Islamorada
Florida Keys Dive Center
Three-dive adventures, snorkeling & scuba charters from Islamorada with courses & lobstering.
Key West
Captain's Corner Dive Center and Boat Charters
Dive Key West’s stunning reefs and wrecks with expert guides at Captain’s Corner!
Key West
Shade Ceramics and Shutter Photography
Shade & Shutter Key West is a serene, artisan gallery where handcrafted ceramics meet evocative nature photography.
Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Discover Pennekamp Park: Nature, adventure, and fun await you!
The Lower Keys
7 Mile Cafe & Kava Bar
Espresso drinks, smoothie bowls and paninis at mile marker 30 on Big Pine Key, with a full kava bar working alongside the coffee counter. Doors open at 7 in the morning, which makes it an easy first stop before you go looking for Key deer or point the car toward Key West.
Key West
Hemingway Distillery
Slip into the Hemingway Social Club, a cool, air-conditioned speakeasy hidden inside Papa's Pilar Rum Distillery on Simonton Street in Old Town Key West. Pull up a stool for craft rum and whiskey cocktails in a room that practically hums with Ernest Hemingway's island spirit.
