The Little Local Who Knows Reefhouse Resort & Marina Best
He’s small, yellow, dressed for a dive, and knows Reefhouse Resort & Marina like the back of his flipper. Meet Scuba Steve, the resort’s unofficial resident rubber duck, who takes us through his ideal Key Largo day, from what to order and how to get on the water to his preferred perch for sunset.
Some locals give directions by mile marker. Others know which stretch of water to paddle before breakfast, what to order when the boat comes back to the marina, and precisely where to be when the sun starts dropping over Florida Bay. At Reefhouse Resort & Marina, a multi-acre waterfront tropical island resort set on the northmost Key Largo, one of those locals happens to be about four inches tall, made of rubber, and donning – what else? – a scuba getup.
Scuba Steve began life at Reefhouse as a riff on Jeep ducking, the tradition of leaving a rubber duck on another Jeep as a small, anonymous surprise. At Reefhouse, hotel guests with Jeeps may discover this miniature diver waiting for them with a card announcing, “You’ve Been Ducked!” But Steve has proven difficult to keep in the parking lot. These days, guests find him regularly poised around the property – almost like a scavenger hunt – including the marina, the pool, or somewhere along the waterfront.
So – in this tongue-in-cheek Q&A – we decided to give him a promotion: local tour guide. After all, Reefhouse occupies 17 waterfront acres on Key Largo Bay, with a private beach, marina, watersports operation, spa, pool, and three places to eat and drink. That’s a lot of territory for one person to cover – let alone a duck. But Steve is up for the job. Here he lays out his ideal day at this Key Largo waterfront resort, with a few surprisingly specific rules for doing it right.
SCUBA STEVE’S PERFECT DAY AT REEFHOUSE
First things first: Where do you start your morning at Reefhouse?
“I like to hit up Gus’ Grille, the resort’s signature waterfront restaurant, for a breakfast of champions. While the menu options include everything from steel-cut oatmeal studded with candied walnuts, golden raisins, and fresh seasonal berries to three types of benedicts, I suggest the avocado toast. It’s a hearty slice of griddled country bread that comes topped with avocado, two soft poached eggs, arugula, and an oven-roasted tomato.
My advice is to make a good plan for the morning and leave some room around it. Reefhouse makes that fairly easy because so much of what you came to Key Largo for is already right here: the bay, the marina, the beach, and plenty of ways to get out on the water.
And yes, I wear my dive gear to breakfast. Saves time.”
Speaking of dive gear, what’s your favorite way to get on the water?
“Scuba is the obvious answer, but I’ll allow snorkeling, too. Pirates Cove Watersports operates right here at Reefhouse, so you can head out for a dive or snorkel trip without making an expedition out of getting to your expedition. For something lower-key, take a kayak or paddleboard out on the bay. There are also fishing charters, WaveRunners, eco-tours, and boat excursions if you prefer a little more speed or someone else doing the navigating. The important thing is to get on the water at least once. Key Largo looks good from shore. It makes a lot more sense once you leave it.”
Where do you go after a morning on the water?
“If I’ve come straight off the boat and am still in full swim mode, Flipper’s Pool Bar. No changing clothes. No elaborate plans. Just find a spot by the pool and order lunch. That’s what I like about it: Flipper’s makes sense at exactly the point in the day when you don’t want to interrupt a good pool-and-beach streak for very long. It’s open from late morning through sunset, so you can stop in for lunch, a cold drink, or something later in the afternoon without turning it into an event. I also just appreciate a restaurant that sounds like it may have been named after me.”
Pool or private beach for the afternoon?
“Both. I’ve tested them extensively. Reefhouse’s private stretch of white-sand beach fronts Key Largo Bay, and the pool is close enough that there’s really no reason to declare allegiance to one. Start by the water, migrate to the pool, go back when the mood strikes. (There are also pool cabanas available for rental if looking to lounge in luxury thanks to a TV, mini-fridge stocked with complimentary beverages, and food and beverage service.)
The better insider tip is to leave this part of the day deliberately open. Reefhouse works particularly well when you don’t treat every hour as a slot that needs filling. A morning adventure followed by an unhurried afternoon still leaves plenty of time for what I consider the day’s main event. Which begins at 4 p.m.”
SCUBA STEVE’S GOLDEN-HOUR GAME PLAN
What happens at 4 p.m.?
“Happy hour at Breezer’s Tiki Bar, of course. I like to arrive promptly. Partly because happy hour currently runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and partly because I have a preferred spot that I’d rather not disclose. A local has to keep a few things to himself.
Also, because Breezer’s sits along the waterfront, there’s really no reason to leave once happy hour winds down. Get a drink, order a few things for the table, and watch the afternoon start giving way to sunset over Key Largo Bay. And if it’s Thursday through Saturday, stick around for the live music. See? I told you I know the good spots!”
Speaking of good spots, what’s the best place to watch a Key Largo sunset?
“Reefhouse sits on the bay side of Key Largo, giving you that perfect west-facing view across the water. Breezer’s is a good choice if you want to keep happy hour going, but that perfect crescent of private beach is my move when I want fewer distractions. The real secret is timing. Get outside while the sun is still comfortably above the horizon and watch the whole show rather than running down to the water when the sky has already started to turn orange.”
What do you do after sunset?
“Gus’ Grille for dinner. If you time it right, you could make that your sunset spot. Gus’ has an outdoor patio overlooking Key Largo Bay, so book an evening table and let dinner overlap with the last light. And if your day on the water happened to involve fishing, ask about the resort’s Cook Your Catch option. Bring in your cleaned catch and the culinary team can turn your day’s haul into dinner.
Visiting during October? For the entire month, the restaurant is offering a special multi-course Taste the Keys menu, featuring a selection of chef-inspired dishes that source local seafood and flavors from around the Florida Keys.
SCUBA STEVE’S REEFHOUSE INSIDER TIPS
What’s one part of Reefhouse that first-time guests tend to overlook?
“There’s a coral nursery hiding in plain sight just behind the conference center. It’s operated by Mote Marine Laboratory, where scientists grow corals as part of their work to restore Florida’s Coral Reef. What’s especially cool is that Mote offers complimentary public tours of the nursery on select days, where you can see the corals growing in the tanks and learn more about the science behind getting them ready for life back on the reef. It’s worth seeking out, especially if you’ve already been snorkeling or diving in Key Largo. You can see the reef firsthand, then come back to Reefhouse and get a closer look at some of the work helping to restore it.”
Where do you go when you want a little peace and quiet?
“The hammocks down by the beach. Find one when you have nowhere you need to be for a while, preferably after you’ve already done something ambitious that morning. That’s one of the advantages of having so much right here at Reefhouse. You can spend a morning out on the water and still have an afternoon with absolutely nowhere else you need to go. A hammock, some shade, and Key Largo Bay in front of you will do just fine.”
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone staying at Reefhouse for the first time?
“Don’t try to do everything at once. Key Largo gives you plenty of reasons to fill the schedule: diving, snorkeling, fishing, paddling, boating. Pick something you’re excited about and give it the morning. Then come back and actually enjoy where you’re staying.
That’s my preferred rhythm here: mornings on the water, afternoons by the beach or pool, Breezer’s around happy hour, and Gus’ as the sun starts going down. You’ll still do plenty. You just won’t spend the whole vacation checking the time.”
SCUBA STEVE’S ESSENTIALS – QUICK HITS
Best reason to leave Reefhouse for an afternoon?
“John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Take the glass-bottom boat if you want to see the reef without getting in.”
What’s one local creature you’re always hoping to spot?
“A manatee. Keep an eye on the quieter water around docks and canals, and give them plenty of space if you get lucky.”
Best way to recover after a day on the water?
“A massage at the on-site Opal Spa. Even professional divers need a day off.”
Favorite meal on property?
“Grouper at Gus’ Grille. When you’re in the Keys, I say stick close to the water… on the plate and off it.”
And finally, where can we find you next?
“Nice try. I prefer to keep a low profile, so you never quite know where I’ll turn up next. But if you do happen to spot me, snap a photo and tag @reefhousekeylargo on Instagram. Just be quick about it.”
