Hidden deep inside the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, Safari Lagoon feels like stepping into a completely different world. The journey there is part of the adventure, as your boat winds through narrow, tunnel-like mangrove creeks that feel more like an Amazon river expedition than a typical Keys boat ride.

Once you arrive, the mangroves open up into a beautiful sheltered lagoon surrounded by untouched wilderness. At high tide the water is usually waist-deep, perfect for floating and relaxing, while low tide reveals sandy areas where you can walk and explore.

Wildlife is everywhere in this remote corner of the backcountry. Guests often spot birds, rays, fish, and other marine life both above and below the water, making it one of the most unique eco-experiences near Key West.

One of the highlights is a small walking safari through a natural mangrove tunnel, where the branches form a canopy overhead and the water winds quietly through the roots. It’s also home to “Lauren’s Swing,” a famous rope swing built by Lauren’s dad and engraved with its name — a fun and memorable photo spot tucked deep in the refuge.

Along the mangrove edges, a small natural channel runs beside the roots, creating a great place to snorkel and explore the underwater mangrove ecosystem where fish and marine life hide among the roots.

Because the lagoon is protected by the surrounding mangroves, it’s often calm even on windy days and offers shaded areas and peaceful surroundings you won’t find at the more open sandbars.

For guests looking for something wild, scenic, and completely different, Safari Lagoon offers one of the most unique backcountry adventures in the Florida Keys.