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
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.
Marathon
Porky's Bayside Restaurant and Marina
Waterfront BBQ, seafood & sushi with island vibes in Marathon
Islamorada
Bass Pro Shops - World Wide Sportsman
Bass Pro Shops Islamorada: outdoor gear, fishing essentials, and adventures.
Key West
Keyfillery
Keyfillery is Key West's first and only refillery at 830 Fleming Street, offering non-toxic, eco-friendly liquid laundry detergent, soaps, shampoo, conditioner, cleaners, and zero-waste accessories in reusable containers — available in-store, by local delivery, pickup, or shipping nationwide.
Key West
Kilwins Key West
Kilwins Key West is a sweet shop at 505 Duval Street serving handmade Heritage Chocolates, Mackinac Island Fudge made on-site, and super-premium ice cream in the heart of Old Town.
Marathon
Dive Isla Bella
Explore vibrant Florida Keys reefs with Dive Isla Bella—adventure awaits underwater!
Key Largo
Horizon Divers
Explore vibrant reefs and shipwrecks with expert scuba training and tours in Key Largo!
The Lower Keys
Looe Key Reef Resort & Dive Center
Looe Key Reef Resort offers beachfront accommodations, daily scuba and snorkeling trips, a full-service dive shop, and a Tiki Bar with live entertainment in the Florida Keys.
Marathon
Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center
A Blue Star dive shop and marina at mile marker 53 on Vaca Cut, running reef and wreck trips twice a day, plus snorkeling, sunset cruises, boat rentals and a bait and tackle counter. They will also put you on a coral nursery dive with Mote Marine Lab, which is not something most dive shops can offer.
Marathon
Tilden's Scuba Center
Tilden's Scuba Center is Marathon's full-service dive shop, sending divers and snorkelers out to the reefs and wrecks of the Middle Keys every day. Aboard the Miss Jackie you can explore a 188-foot wreck, try SNUBA, or earn your first certification, with a full gear shop and air fills waiting back on shore.
Marathon
City of Marathon Marina
The city runs the mooring field in Boot Key Harbor, about as protected a spot as a boat can find in the Middle Keys, with the dinghy dock, showers and laundry open around the clock. Sombrero Reef is four miles straight out the front door.
The Lower Keys
Good Food Conspiracy
Organic market and juice bar in Big Pine Key offering vegan wraps, smoothies, and holistic wellness products.
The Lower Keys
Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters offers personalized backcountry and inshore fishing trips in the lower Florida Keys. Captain Jim Loftus, with over 30 years of experience, provides a tailored experience for anglers of all ages and skill levels. All necessary gear, licenses, and fish cleaning services are included.
Islamorada
Gardenia's Bistro / GB’s Lounge
Gardenia's Bistro is a plant-filled, eco-friendly café in Tavernier where clean, seasonal food and ethically sourced coffee come without the single-use plastic. Come sunset, the garden setting transforms into GB's Alter Ego, a breezy lounge pouring cocktails and tapas.
Key Largo
Tails Up Fishing Charters
Tails Up Fishing Charters, led by Captain Kerry Wingo, offers personalized backcountry and flats fishing trips in the Florida Everglades and Key Largo. Specializing in catch-and-release of tarpon, permit, bonefish, redfish, and snook, they provide eco-conscious adventures for anglers of all skill levels.
