Looe Key Reef Resort – Lower Keys Resort Review
Last updated: August 28, 2026
Choose Looe Key Reef Resort if...
- You're a diver or snorkeler wanting an on-site dive shop with daily trips to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary
- You want a budget Keys base with pool, tiki bar, and direct reef access without luxury pricing
- You're after dive certification with on-site instruction and reef trips from the same property
Skip Looe Key Reef Resort if...
- You want luxury finishes or modern design — this is dated, old-school Keys character
- You want a sandy private beach — it's a roadside property with pool and dock access
- You want walkable dining or nightlife — Ramrod Key is remote and car-dependent
AskTheKeys Traveler Match
How well does Looe Key Reef Resort fit your trip?
Before you book — the one trade-off
Looe Key Reef Resort is all about the dive boat to one of the Keys' best reefs — you get cheap reef access and a tiki bar, not polish or a beach.
AskTheKeys Decision SummaryLooe Key Reef Resort is best for divers and snorkelers who want a budget-friendly base on Ramrod Key with an on-site dive shop, daily boat trips to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, and a classic Keys tiki bar atmosphere. It is not ideal for guests wanting luxury finishes, a polished resort experience, or walkable dining and nightlife.
Choose Looe Key Reef Resort if you want an on-site dive shop with daily trips to one of the Keys' best reefs. Skip it if you want luxury finishes, modern design, or a beach.
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Before You Book
The details that matter after you've narrowed down your options.
Best for
- Divers and snorkelers who want an on-site dive shop with daily guided trips to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary — one of the best-preserved reefs in the Florida Keys
- Travelers wanting a budget-friendly Keys base that includes pool, tiki bar, and direct reef access without luxury pricing
- SSI and PADI certification seekers who want to complete dive training with on-site instruction, classroom, and reef trips from the same property
- Couples or small groups wanting a classic Keys dive-base atmosphere with live music at the tiki bar and no pretense
Not ideal for
- Guests wanting luxury finishes, modern design, or a polished resort experience — the property has a dated, old-school Keys character
- Travelers wanting a sandy private beach — this is a roadside Keys property with pool and dock access, not a beach resort
- Visitors wanting walkable restaurants, shops, or nightlife — Ramrod Key is remote and car-dependent for everything beyond the property
Quick facts
| Address | 27340 Overseas Highway, Ramrod Key, FL 33042 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (305) 872-2215 |
| Check-in / Out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Parking | On-site (complimentary) |
| Pets | No |
| Beach access | No |
| Pool(s) | Yes |
| Spa | No |
| EV charging | No |
Location & nearby
Looe Key Reef Resort is located in Ramrod Key (MM 27.5) within Lower Keys.
What's nearby
- Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary(5 mi, 0 min walk)
- Bahia Honda State Park(10 mi, 0 min walk)
- National Key Deer Refuge(5 mi, 0 min walk)
- Blue Hole (Big Pine Key)(6 mi, 0 min walk)
- No Name Pub(7 mi, 0 min walk)
- Baby's Coffee(3 mi, 0 min walk)
- Square Grouper Bar & Grill(2 mi, 0 min walk)
- Sugarloaf Key (KOA / Bat Tower)(4 mi, 0 min walk)
Amenities overview
Property highlight features
- On-site dive shop with SSI and PADI certification courses
- Daily guided snorkeling and scuba trips to Looe Key reef
- Equipment rental, sales, and repairs
- Outdoor pool with loungers
- Looe Key Tiki Bar & Grill — full-service restaurant and bar
- Live music and evening entertainment at tiki bar
- Select rooms with microwave and refrigerator
- Complimentary on-site parking
Pricing positioning
Typical nightly pricing tends to fall in the $ range, depending on season and room type.
budget dive base — the most affordable reef-access property in the Lower Keys with on-site dive operations
Compare current room availability and secure member-only pricing.
We handle our lodging checks through Expedia's network engine so you can lock in hidden seasonal discounts and stack your One Key™ rewards points across different island brands.
Independent Decision Engine
Florida Keys Resorts operates as a fully objective, crowdsourced review system. We do not accept paid placements from hotels to alter their scoring records. Instead, we use standardized API connections to provide transparent third-party rate checks for our community.
How Looe Key Reef Resort Compares to Other Lower Keys Resorts
Looe Key Reef Resort vs Parmer's Resort
- Looe Key Reef Resort wins:dive-first reef resort on Ramrod Key with on-site dive shop, daily reef trips, and tiki bar atmosphere
- Parmer's Resort wins:quiet waterfront cottage compound on Little Torch Key with bay views, pool, kayaks, and Old Florida character
Looe Key Reef Resort vs Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina
- Looe Key Reef Resort wins:dive-first reef resort on Ramrod Key with on-site dive shop and daily guided Looe Key sanctuary trips
- Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina wins:75-acre private island RV resort (Thousand Trails/Encore) with ~400 sites, marina, fenced dog park, and Keys Boat Tours on-site
Looe Key Reef Resort vs Barnacle Bed & Breakfast
- Looe Key Reef Resort wins:dive-focused resort on Ramrod Key with on-site dive shop, pool, tiki bar, and daily guided reef trips
- Barnacle Bed & Breakfast wins:boutique 6-room beachfront B&B on Big Pine Key with Treehouse, Key deer nightly, rooftop terrace, and sunset BBQs
Looe Key Reef Resort vs Old Wooden Bridge Resort & Marina
- Looe Key Reef Resort wins:dive-first reef resort on Ramrod Key with on-site dive shop, daily Looe Key sanctuary trips, and tiki bar
- Old Wooden Bridge Resort & Marina wins:marina cottages and floating aqualodge houseboats on Big Pine Key with boat rentals, canal access, and No Name Key Bridge fishing
FAQs
Does Looe Key Reef Resort have an on-site dive shop?
Yes. The resort has a full-service dive center offering SSI and PADI certification courses, guided daily snorkeling and scuba trips to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, equipment rental, gear sales, and repairs. The dive shop, classroom, and pool are all on the property.
How close is Looe Key reef to the resort?
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary is approximately 5 nautical miles offshore from Ramrod Key. The resort runs daily boat trips to the reef. Looe Key is a designated Special Preservation Area with some of the healthiest coral formations remaining in the Florida Keys.
Does Looe Key Reef Resort have a restaurant?
Yes. The Looe Key Tiki Bar & Grill is a full-service restaurant and bar on the property, serving fresh local seafood, burgers, and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The tiki bar also features live music and evening entertainment.
Does the resort have a pool?
Yes. There is an outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas. The pool area is adjacent to the tiki bar and dive shop.
Is Looe Key Reef Resort luxurious?
No. The resort has a classic, old-school Florida Keys character dating back to 1959. Rooms are clean but not luxury-grade. Some guests note a dated aesthetic. The property's strength is its dive operation and reef access, not its finishes.
What room types does Looe Key Reef Resort offer?
The resort offers standard double rooms with two queen beds, suites, and private villas. Select rooms include a microwave and small refrigerator. Not all rooms have kitchen facilities.
Is Ramrod Key close to Key West?
Ramrod Key is approximately 25 miles from Key West, about a 30-minute drive via the Overseas Highway. The island is quiet and remote with no walkable commercial area or nightlife.
Can beginners learn to dive at Looe Key Reef Resort?
Yes. The dive center offers SSI and PADI certification courses for beginners, including classroom instruction and supervised open-water dives at Looe Key reef. Snorkeling trips are also available for non-divers.