THE AFRICAN QUEEN

By  Mike Miller July 13, 2025

The African Queen is a restored historic steamboat in Key Largo, Florida. It starred in the 1951 film The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

Docked at Marina Del Mar, it offers canal cruises and dinner tours. Visitors ride the restored 30-foot vessel through Port Largo Canals.

The boat is a piece of movie history. It attracts film fans and history buffs.  

The African Queen
Picture from African Queen Charters website at Calypso Sailing

Built in 1912 in England, the boat was first named "Livingstone". It served on the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert for the British East Africa Railway.

In 1950, it was used for filming The African Queen in the Congo and Uganda. It came to the U.S. in 1968, operating in San Francisco and Oregon.

In 1982, attorney Jim Hendricks bought it in Ocala, Florida. He restored it for Key Largo cruises. The boat joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

In 2012, Lance and Suzanne Holmquist leased and restored it for its centennial. 

The African Queen is at 99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida 33037 at Marina Del Mar, mile marker 100. From I-95, take Exit 4 to US 1 south for about 50 miles.

Cruises run daily at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM. Dinner cruises may be offered Fridays and Saturdays at 6 PM, stopping at Pilot House Marina. Call 305-451-8080 to book.

Reservations are recommended, as it seats only six. Check their website for schedules.

• The boat is made of riveted sheet iron and African mahogany.  

• Humphrey Bogart won an Oscar for his role in the film.  

• The entire film crew got dysentery from drinking water except Bogart, who drank whiskey.   

• It sank twice during filming and was raised each time.  

• A second African Queen boat remains in Jinja, Uganda.  

• The boat toured England for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday.  

• Visitors can steer the boat during cruises, if permitted.  

• The restoration in 2012 included a new boiler and steel hull. 

THE AFRICAN QUEEN WEBSITE