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
Key Largo
Doc's Diner
Doc’s Diner in Key Largo is a cozy, family-owned spot serving classic American breakfasts and lunch favorites with generous portions and hometown charm.
Key West
Bella Laine
Bella Laine is a Key West candle studio, boutique, and gallery offering hand-poured candles, jewelry, artwork, and gifts.
Key West
Key West Community Sailing Center
Learn to sail and enjoy vibrant community events at Key West Sailing Center!
Marathon
Abu's Argentinian Grill
Abu's Argentinian Grill is a Florida Keys mobile food truck bringing the bold flavors of Argentina to local markets and events, serving handmade empanadas with a variety of fillings, steak and sausage sandwiches, lobster platters with skewers, and hot dogs straight from the grill.
Key West
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
Discover the only frost-free tropical garden in the continental US—serene, native, and full of life!
Key West
Key West Fly Fishing
Key West Fly Fishing, led by Captain Dexter Simmons, offers guided flats fishing trips in the Florida Keys. Target tarpon, bonefish, permit, and more on personalized, small-group charters.
The Lower Keys
World Angling
World Angling, founded by Captain Will Benson in 1999, offers expert fly fishing charters in Key West, specializing in tarpon, permit, bonefish, and barracuda.
The Lower Keys
DiveN2Life
Dive N2 Life offers immersive scuba and freediving training programs for all levels.
The Lower Keys
Keys Boat Tours
Explore Florida Keys' stunning waters with expert-guided boat tours and snorkeling!
Key West
Captain Hook's Dive Key West
A NOAA Blue Star dive operator running two trips a day out to the Vandenberg, Sand Key Lighthouse and the reefs off Key West, with a divemaster in the water on every dive. Snorkelers get their own departures and all the gear, and no experience is required.
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.
Key West
Date & Thyme Organic Cafe and Market
Date & Thyme is an organic cafe and market on Fleming Street in Key West, serving fresh juices, smoothies, and vegan and gluten-free friendly plates. Short: Date & Thyme is an organic cafe and market at 829 Fleming Street in Key West, serving fresh juices, smoothies, breakfast, and lunch with plenty of vegan and gluten-free friendly options. Certified Plastic Free 305, it is a wholesome stop for grab-and-go island fuel.
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.
Marathon
Bongos Botanical Beer Garden
Keep your eyes peeled at Mile Marker 59 on Grassy Key because Bongos Botanical Beer Garden is one of those places you could easily miss and never forgive yourself for. Opened in 2020 inside The Lagoon adventure park, this tropical beer garden is surrounded by mature palms, banana trees, and an organic herb and fruit garden growing the fresh ingredients that go straight into your cocktail, with over 20 craft beers on tap, a daily food truck, weekend brunch and live music, hammock chairs for swinging, lawn games, and a genuinely dog-friendly policy that extends to a plain beef patty for your pup.
