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."
Filters
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.
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.
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.
The Lower Keys
Captain Hook's Looe Key Reef Adventures
Explore vibrant reefs, snorkeling, diving, and fishing adventures at Big Pine Key!
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.
Key Largo
Sea Dwellers Dive Center of Key Largo
Sea Dwellers Dive Center, established in 1974, is a PADI 5-Star Resort Facility in Key Largo offering daily dive and snorkel charters, PADI certification courses, equipment sales and service, and Dive & Stay hotel packages with the Holiday Inn Key Largo Resort.
Islamorada
Islamorada Dive Center
Explore Florida Keys' reefs and wrecks with expert guides at Islamorada Dive Center!
Islamorada
KeyZ Charters
Explore the Florida Keys with KeyZ Charters—unique boat tours, snorkeling, and sunset cruises!
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
Silent World Dive Center
Explore the serene underwater world of Key Largo with expert scuba and snorkeling tours.
Key West
Off the Charts!
Off the Charts! offers personalized fishing charters, eco-tours, and sandbar excursions aboard a 32' Whitewater center console in Key West. Led by a captain with over 40 years of experience, they provide all necessary gear, safety equipment, and fishing licenses are included.
Key West
Rusty's Bucket Charters
Rusty's Bucket Charters offers private fishing trips, snorkeling, sunset cruises, and sandbar adventures aboard a 24' Sea Hunt center console. Led by Captain Russ, they provide a hands-on experience for up to six guests, with trips tailored to your preferences.
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.
Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Discover Pennekamp Park: Nature, adventure, and fun await you!
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.
