Key Largo

North Key Largo, one of the uppermost Florida Keys, supports a thriving ecosystem of native wildlife while also hosting one of the Keys’ most exclusive luxury communities. Schaus’ Swallowtail butterflies, American crocodiles and Key Largo woodrats roam beneath the lofty hardwood hammocks while residents enjoy deep sea diving, boating and fishing throughout the year. Ocean Reef Club, which accounts for the majority of the island’s residential properties, is a gated resort-style campus with its own airport and medical center. The club’s members hail from all over the world and enjoy top-notch amenities such as private golf courses, restaurants and social clubs. “My favorite part is the people that are here,” says broker associate Bob Ecuyer of Swenson & Ecuyer Realty, who has been in the community for more than 50 years. “In most cases, you wouldn’t know who has a nickel and who has $10 million. Money doesn’t matter when you’re playing pickleball.” And with proximity to both mainland Florida and the city of Key Largo, everything from schools to grocers to airports are close at hand. Housing options within the Ocean Reef Club include everything from vacation rental condos to multimillion-dollar private estates. “Homes here can start at $3 million and go all the way to $40 million,” Ecuyer says. Oceanfront and bayfront properties with private docks are the most expensive, starting around $20 million. Canal-front homes, although comparable in size, are often slightly cheaper because they’re a few rows back, Ecuyer says. Interior homes are priced between $3 million and $6 million, while condos offer a $2 million to $5 million option. A few miles south of Ocean Reef is the Gulfstream Shores community, where spacious homes on large lots offer a more secluded experience. Many of these properties are concrete block and stucco, or CBS, and offer more than 2,000 square feet of living space. Prices here are significantly cheaper than in Ocean Reef; three- and four-bedroom options typically range from $800,000 to just under $2 million. North Key Largo encompasses more than 8,000 acres of protected land, including the massive Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and two marine state parks. Crocodile Lake isn’t open to the public, but members of Ocean Reef can often participate in private tours, volunteer opportunities sand special events. The refuge also has a small community butterfly garden and a visitors center off County Road 905. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park accounts for about 2,000 of the island’s protected acres, allowing visitors to explore a series of paved and natural trails that wind through the country’s largest remaining Rockland hammock. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, one of the country’s first underwater parks, stretches alongside the island and attracts snorkelers, deep sea divers and hikers. Besides the expansive coral reef, the park also includes a small sand beach with a protected area for swimming. Ocean Reef members and visitors have access to Wynn’s Market, a family-run grocer with a full-service deli counter, salad bar and bakery. “Once you’re here, you never really need to leave the gate,” Ecuyer says. The grounds are also home to more than a dozen fine restaurants, many of which require reservations. Stand-outs include Gianni Ristorante, which overlooks the club’s marina and serves classic Italian fare. Outside the club, diners enjoy fresh seafood and live music at The Buzzard’s Roost, another marina-side restaurant accessible by both land and sea. Blackwater Siren offers a relaxed atmosphere and rustic patio on the edge of its namesake sound. And at Shipwrecks Bar & Grill, diners can bring their own catch of the day and let the chef work his magic. For groceries, there’s a Winn-Dixie just over a mile away. Key Largo hosts a number of events throughout the year, including a New Year’s Eve fireworks display that takes place over Blackwater Sound. The city also organizes the Underwater Easter Egg Hunt each spring. Ocean Reef Club’s members enjoy special events such as Fourth of July fireworks on Buccaneer Island. Lobstermania is one of the club’s only events open to non-members, who can purchase weekend passes to join the hunt for Florida’s uniquely spiny lobsters. Key Largo School, which receives a grade of B from Niche, serves kindergarten through eighth grade students. Coral Shores High School, which receives an A-minus, offers industry certification courses for culinary arts, digital video production, biomedical sciences, cosmetology and more. The school also participates in Monroe County’s MOVE Program, or Monroe Occupation and Vocational Experiences Program, which connects students with local businesses for hands-on experience in the workforce. Students residing in Ocean Reef Club may attend The Academy at Ocean Reef, a private K-8 option. North Key Largo is accessible via Card Sound Road or U.S. Highway 1. Also called the Overseas Highway, this route extends more than 100 miles south to Key West and north into Miami. Although parts of Ocean Reef Club’s campus are walkable, many members choose to navigate the area by golf cart. The club also has its own airport to accommodate members flying in on private jets. The next closest airport is Miami International, about 55 miles away. Like all the Florida Keys, North Key Largo is susceptible to damage from tropical storms and hurricanes. Monroe County operates a zoned evacuation plan and will notify residents promptly when evacuation is ordered. Rising flood insurance rates also affect many homebuyers.