Kawama Yacht Club Key Largo Review: Beachfront Family Accommodation in the Florida Keys

If you’re planning a Florida Keys trip with kids, one of the biggest decisions is:

Where should you stay — and what actually works for a family?

Because in the Keys, accommodation can make or break the experience. Space, location and access to the water matter far more than just how the property looks online.

This guide is for families travelling through the Florida Keys who want a realistic view of what Kawama Yacht Club is actually like — and whether it’s the right fit for a multi-stop trip.

Quick Answer: Is Kawama Yacht Club Good for Families?

Yes — particularly if you want space, flexibility and a more relaxed base in Key Largo.

• apartment-style living gives you room to spread out

• kitchens make meals and snacks easy

• and the private beachfront cove is a standout feature

It’s not a luxury resort — but for families, the setup works extremely well.

Key Largo itself is a great starting point for the Florida Keys. It’s the first island in the chain, around two hours from Miami. Where helpful, we’ve included links to check availability and compare options — these may be affiliate links, but we only ever recommend places we’ve personally stayed or would choose again.

Accommodation – Condo-Style Living

Kawama Yacht Club offers condo’s rather than traditional hotel rooms, making it ideal for families:

• Two-bedroom condos that sleep four, giving parents and kids separate spaces.

• Fully fitted kitchen with toaster, filter coffee machine, full fridge with ice maker.

• Private BBQ with gas provided

• Laundry machine and dryer for longer stays.

• Comfortable living room and a balcony or outdoor seating area.

• Two toilets—one upstairs, one downstairs—but only showers, so best for school-aged kids rather than babies or toddlers.

• Check-in is 4 p.m., but early check-in is often possible if requested. Check-out is 10 a.m.

• Private host, very attentive and responsive.

• Keyless entry with a code for convenience.

• Parking is flexible; you can park right outside your condo.

• The community is a mix of permanent residents and visitors and was quiet at night.

This setup is perfect for families who want space, privacy, and home-like facilities while still being in a prime Florida Keys location.

Beach, Pools, and Facilities

Families often ask what they can do on-site, and Kawama Yacht Club delivers:

• Small beachfront area with a swimming lagoon, ideal for kids and easy water activities like canoeing.

• Small pool with sun loungers and some parasols for shade.

• Tennis courts and a marina.

• Safe, gated community—perfect for peace of mind when travelling with children.

The combination of water activities, pool, and secure surroundings makes it easy to keep kids entertained without leaving the property.

If you’re looking for a relaxed, family-friendly base in Key Largo, this is the type of setup that worked really well for us:

→ Check Kawama Yacht Club availability and prices

Is Key Largo a Good Place to Stay with kids?

Key Largo works perfectly as a base for exploring the Keys:

• Just under an hour from Miami, making it an easy drive from the airport.

• Close to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, perfect for a family snorkelling adventure (read our snorkelling review here).

• Within reasonable driving distance for a day trip to the Everglades or Big Cypress (see our airboat tour experience and Big Cypress vs Everglades overview).

• Plenty of restaurants and supermarkets nearby, including the famous Something Sweet Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop—a hit with the kids.

• Not as busy or touristy as Key West (although you can visit for a day trip as we did), making it easier to relax and enjoy a slower pace.

For families on a road trip, Key Largo strikes a perfect balance of convenience, activities, and calm.

Snorkelling at John Pennekamp is one of the easiest ways to experience the Keys — but timing and conditions matter more than you might expect.

→ Check snorkelling tours in Key Largo

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lots of space for families

• Kitchen and washing machine

• Gated and safe

• Great location for Key Largo

• Private BBQ area

• Perfect for relaxing a few days - the beach lagoon was amazing

Cons:

• Not a luxury resort

• A car is essential to get around

• Apartments vary as they’re privately owned

How Many Nights to Stay

For a Florida Keys road trip, 2–3 nights is ideal:

• A great stop to take in the Everglades, Miami or more of the Florida Keys

• A perfect location to sit back and relax or do some half day trips like snorkelling

Final Verdict – Is Kawama Yacht Club Good for Families?

Kawama Yacht Club is an excellent choice for families:

• Great for road trips along the Florida Keys (see our full road trip itinerary here).

• Not a luxury hotel, but the space, kitchen, and beachfront access make it perfect for families.

• Best for those looking for a relaxed Florida Keys stay with easy access to snorkelling, wildlife adventures, and local attractions.

This was one of the most relaxing parts of our Florida trip — especially after a few busy travel days — and somewhere we’d happily stay again:

→ Check Kawama Yacht Club availability

plan your South florida trip

If you’re planning your South Florida trip next, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.