1.3 miles · 3 minutes
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The first undersea park in the United States. Glass-bottom boat trips, snorkel and dive charters out to the reef, and the Christ of the Abyss statue standing in about 25 feet of water.
- Bedrooms
- 4
- Bathrooms
- 3
- Sleeps
- 8
- Interior
- 1,830 sq ft
- Pets
- 1 · 50 lb
- Position
- 25.081°N 80.443°W
Key Largo vacation rental
A whole house, a private beach, and a gate between you and the highway
The Kawama Townhome is a four-bedroom, three-bath vacation rental in Key Largo, Florida that sleeps eight. It sits inside Kawama Yacht Club, a gated 25-acre beachfront community at mile marker 103.5, on the ocean side of the first island in the Florida Keys.
Scroll a Key Largo Airbnb or Vrbo search and most of what comes back is a condo, a canal-side duplex, or a bedroom in someone else's house. This is the whole home — three floors, 1,830 square feet, a balcony on every level, and no shared walls with your host.
What the gate buys you is the part a typical Key Largo rental can't offer. The beach, the two heated pools, the marina with boat lifts, the tennis and paddleball courts, the firepits and the playground all belong to the community. None of it is shared with day traffic coming off US-1, and the mangrove sanctuary along the south line keeps the far edge quiet.
Being on the first key down matters more than people expect. Kawama is the shortest drive from the mainland of anywhere in the Keys — an hour and twenty minutes from Miami International — while John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is 1.3 miles up the road and Key West is a straight two-hour run south when you want the long day trip.
The home is listed on Vrbo, where the live calendar, current rates and instant booking are. It has a 9.8 out of 10 rating across 96 verified stays.
The house
Three floors, four bedrooms, and a screened porch in the treetops
The townhome was taken down to the studs and rebuilt: quartz counters, stainless appliances, wide-plank floors, and a bed for eight without anyone drawing the sofa. Every level opens onto a balcony, and the top one looks over the canal into the mangroves.
What's included
Everything in the house, and everything behind the gate
Inside
- Four bedrooms, three full baths
- Chef's kitchen, stainless appliances, full cookware
- Sofa bed on the ground floor
- Smart TVs and high-speed WiFi
- Washer and dryer in the unit
- Central air, ceiling fans throughout
- Balcony on every level
- One dog up to 50 lb welcome
The grounds
- 25 gated acres, security around the clock
- Private beach with tiki huts and lounge seating
- Two heated swimming pools
- Two tennis courts, two paddleball courts
- Firepits and charcoal grills
- Children's playground on the sand
- Mangrove wildlife sanctuary along the south line
- Parking at the door
On the water
- Marina with docks and boat lifts
- Ocean access straight out to the Atlantic
- Paddleboard and kayak launch off the beach
- Snorkeling and diving at Pennekamp, 1.3 miles
- Backcountry flats and Florida Bay to the west
- Sunrise on the beach, sunset over the bay
Around Key Largo
What's worth doing once you've unpacked
Key Largo is the diving capital of the country and the gateway to the rest of the Keys. Most of this list is a short drive from the gate.
Key Largo
Diving and snorkeling the reef
The only living coral barrier reef in the continental US sits a few miles offshore. Dive shops along the Overseas Highway run morning and afternoon boats, and the wreck of the Spiegel Grove is a well-known advanced dive.
2 minutes
Jacob's Aquatic Center
A public pool complex with lap lanes, a kids' splash area and shaded seating — a useful backup on a windy day when the boats stay in.
1 minute
Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill
Waterfront food and drinks with a pool deck and a view over Florida Bay, close enough to walk to from the gate.
Key Largo
The African Queen
The actual steam launch from the Bogart and Hepburn film is docked in Key Largo and still runs canal cruises and dinner trips.
50 minutes
Everglades National Park
Airboat country and one of the best birding stretches in Florida, close enough for a half-day out and back.
25 minutes
Islamorada
The sportfishing capital of the world, plus Robbie's tarpon dock, roadside seafood and the sandbar scene on a calm weekend.
2 hours 15 minutes
Key West
A straight shot down the Overseas Highway, over the Seven Mile Bridge. Long day, but an easy one from the north end of the chain.
Getting there
First key down, last exit before the rest of the drive
Kawama sits at the north end of Key Largo, which makes it the shortest run from the mainland of anywhere in the Keys — and still an easy day trip the length of the Overseas Highway.
Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill1 min
Jacob's Aquatic Center2 min
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park3 min · 1.3 mi
Baker's Cay Resort Beach4 min
Islamorada25 min
Everglades National Park50 min
Miami International Airport1 hr 20 min
Key West2 hr 15 min
Questions
What guests ask before they book
Is this Key Largo vacation home on Airbnb or Vrbo?
The home is listed on Vrbo, listing 927301, which is where the live calendar, current rates and instant booking are. Plenty of guests find it while comparing Key Largo Airbnb options — it is the same house either way, and Vrbo is where to book it.
How many people does the house sleep?
Eight. There are four bedrooms and three full bathrooms across three floors, plus a sofa bed in the ground-floor sitting room, so eight people sleep here without anyone having to pull out the couch.
Does the rental have a private beach and a pool?
Yes to both. Kawama Yacht Club has its own private beach with tiki huts, lounge seating and firepits, plus two heated swimming pools. They are for residents and guests only, not open to the public.
How far is it from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park?
1.3 miles, about a three-minute drive. Pennekamp is the first undersea park in the United States and the usual jumping-off point for snorkel trips, dive charters and glass-bottom boat tours out to the reef.
Can I bring a boat?
Kawama has a working marina with docks and boat lifts, and ocean access straight out to the Atlantic. Confirm slip availability and any fees with the host through Vrbo before you tow down.
Is this a pet friendly Key Largo rental?
One dog up to 50 pounds is welcome. Let the host know when you book so it can be noted on the reservation.
How far is Key Largo from Miami airport?
About an hour and twenty minutes by car from Miami International. Key Largo is the first island in the Florida Keys, so it is the shortest drive from the mainland of anywhere in the chain. Fort Lauderdale is roughly two hours.
Is the community gated?
Yes. Kawama Yacht Club is 25 gated acres with security around the clock. The beach, pools, courts, playground and marina are inside the gate and are not shared with day traffic off the Overseas Highway.
When is the best time to book a Key Largo vacation rental?
December through April is high season — dry, mild and the busiest, so book those weeks early. Summer runs hot and humid with afternoon storms and lower rates. Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 to November 30, which is worth keeping in mind for late-summer and fall trips.
Do I need a car?
Yes. The Keys are a driving destination and there is no useful public transit. You will want a car for the reef, for groceries and for anything south of Key Largo.
What are the rates and the minimum stay?
Rates change by season and the minimum stay varies with the calendar. Both are shown live on the Vrbo listing, along with the fees and the cancellation terms for your dates.