Land Activities in The Lower Keys

Bahia Honda State Park
Key Deer
National Key Deer and Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge
Coupon Bight State Aquatic Preserve
Jack C. Watson Memorial Trail
Bat Tower
The Blue Hole
About our birds

The beauty of the Lower Keys is an attraction in itself.
There's so much to see...one visit is never enough. It's not ALL about the water. There's plenty to do on Land...

The most genuine attraction of all are the Lower Keys themselves. Quiet solitude and the laid-back lifestyle of the area provide a perfect get-away. Friendly locals welcome visitors to the islands they love so well. Except for the fortunate few that can claim to be true "Conchs" (born and raised in the Keys), most residents were once visitors themselves. The Lower Keys are unlike any other islands in the world, so kick back and enjoy.

BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK
MM37, Lower Keys, 305-872-2353, 305-872-3210
Recently named one of the top ten beaches in America, the beachfront park also features a marina, dive shop, cabins and camp sites. Visitors may enjoy swimming, skin and scuba diving, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, cabins and camping here. The park was created by the covering of an ancient coral reef by mangroves, beaches and sand dunes. Birdlife here includes beautiful and rare species such as the white-crowned pigeon, great white heron, roseate spoonbill, reddish egret, osprey and pelican.
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Key Deer
One natural attraction not to be missed is the diminutive Key Deer. The bulk of the Key Deer herd inhabits Big Pine Key because of its fresh water and lush greenery. Actually a sub-species of the Virginia White-Tail deer; these small and graceful creatures roam freely throughout other Lower Keys as well. The National Key Deer Refuge has acquired approximately 2,300 acres on Big Pine Key as a haven for the deer. The deer can usually be observed in the early morning and early evening hours. Note: It is illegal to feed or entice the deer. Please drive cautiously at dawn and dusk.
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NATIONAL KEY DEER AND GREAT WHITE HERON
WILDLIFE REFUGE
MM31.5, Big Pine Key, 305-872-2239.
Seeing is believing the diminutive species of deer known as the Key Deer that's protected at this refuge. They grow to just 2-1/2 feet tall and weigh less than 75 pounds. They are most sighted in the early morning or late afternoon, so plan your visit accordingly.

From land or sea, our sunsets are like none other you'll find. Because the Lower Keys are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, we are lucky enough to have both incredible sunsets AND wonderful sunrises. Take your choice...
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COUPON BIGHT STATE AQUATIC PRESERVE
South of Big Pine Key, this aquatic preserve incudes a sheltered tropical lagoon and open ocean environments. Mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands, marine grassbeds, coral patch reefs and expansive areas of hardbottom communities distinguish this unique preserve.
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JACK C. WATSON MEMORIAL TRAIL
This trail is 2/3 of a mile long and winds through typical Big Pine Key habitat consisting of slash pine and palms.
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BAT TOWER
Mile Marker 17, Sugarloaf Key
One particularly unique attraction, the Bat Tower, has a quirky history. The Bat tower is located on Lower Sugarloaf Key at Mile Marker 17. Originally owned by an English sponge farmer named C.W. Chase, the tower property was sold to Richter C. Perky. Mr. Perky intended to establish a fishing camp there. In 1929, as a solution to the pesky mosquito problem, Perky built a bat tower thereby housing the mosquito-eaters (sort of an early version of a bug zapper). Unfortunately, Mr. Perky's thousands of dollars flew off as quickly as the bats did when he placed them in his tower. The Bat Tower now stands as a monument to one man's folly.
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The Blue Hole
Mile Marker 31, Big Pine Key
Within the Key Deer Refuge lies a "borrow pit" from the railroad days called Blue Hole. The Blue Hole has an off-street parking area and a walkway leading to an observation deck Alligators in various sizes, freshwater fish and turtles call Blue Hole their home. This attraction is a natural for great photos or videos and is located along Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key. Further down the road lies the wondrous Jack Watson Memorial Nature Trail and Watson's Hammock. This 0.7 mile, self-guided trail winds through typical pine rockland habitat consisting of slash pine and thatch palms. The 0.1 mile Manillo Trail spur, completed in 1997, is accessible to the disabled.
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About our birds
Our Islands provide a haven for birds. Frigate birds, cormorants, pelicans, egrets, ibises and herons are just some of the birds that inhabit these islets and the Lower Keys. The endangered Bald Eagle still remains in this area. Big Pine and No Name Key are part of the Great White Heron National Refuge. It's not uncommon to see visitors staring up a power pole to spy on the great ospreys that nest precariously on the poles. Bird watching is fast becoming a favorite pastime of both visitors and locals.
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Watersports in The Lower Keys

Diving (Looe Key)
Eco-Tourism
Adolphus Busch, Sr.
For the Angler

Fishing, diving snorkeling, water-skiing, sailing, boating, windsurfing. kayaking or canoeing...you choose. Our waters are amazing! Will you have time to visit our land?

Diving
One of the most popular pastimes in the Lower Florida Keys is diving. Water clarity, warmth and the moderate weather are perfect for diving. The most popular diving spot in the Lower Florida Keys is Looe Key. Actually, Looe is not a Key but rather a spur and groove reef.

Designated as a Marine Sanctuary in 1981, Looe Key was named after the H.M.S. Looe, a British frigate that sank there in 1744. Ballast stones of the H.M.S. Looe remain in the Sanctuary as eerie tombstones. Now a part of the Keys-wide Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, this 5.3 nautical mile park is fully protected from spearfishing, fishing & shell collecting.

Looe Key is known as the most spectacular living reef in North America for its diverse population of corals and its colorful array of tropical fish. Because of its unique shape and varying depths, Looe Key is ideal for SCUBA & snorkeling of all skill levels.

Outside of the Sanctuary, spearfishing and lobstering (season, Aug.6-Mar. 31) are permitted with proper licenses. The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce holds their Annual Underwater Music Festival at Looe Key every July.

Besides beautiful Looe Key, the Lower Keys can also offer superb diving in the patch reefs and shallow ledges. A mini-wall of 60-100 feet is also a favorite dive spot. Lower Keys dive shops are completely equipped for all snorkeling, diving and related activities.

Dive Shops have trips to Looe Key twice daily (usually at 8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.) and night dives. Private Charters also provide flexible times to Looe and other popular diving and snorkeling areas.
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Adolphus Busch, Sr.
Artificial Reef Dive Site
The newest attraction to the Lower Florida Keys underwater paradise is the "Adolphus Busch Sr". On December 5, 1998 the Lower Keys Artificial Reef Association sank the wreck, creating a new underwater recreational site. The 210 foot freighter sits perfectly upright in 110 feet of water. Scuba divers can explore the inside of the ship, while snorkelers can view it from the top, as the ship's towers rise to within 40 feet of the surface. Located halfway between Looe Key Reef & American Shoal, a series of floating markers serve as mooring bouys. (Lat 24.31.81N/Long 81.27.64W)
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Eco-Tourism
The most spectacular aspect of the Lower Florida Keys is the water. Most flora and fauna are best seen from this venue. Skimming through the backcountry in a shallow-draftboat, sailing, kayaking or just rowing will allow anyone to fully enjoy this breathtaking area. The Oceanside waters of the Lower Keys are also beautiful. Eco-Tourism (a low-impact way of enjoying the natural sites) is a growing and caring way for visitors to enjoy the natural paradise that is the Lower Keys.
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For the Angler
Whether you are an expert or a novice, the Lower Florida Keys have something for every angler. Anytime of the year you can find something that will take your bait. Offshore fishing also produces such species as the blue and white marlin, shark, wahoo (the fastest fish in the ocean), mackerels and most any kind of tuna imaginable. And then there is the barracuda, one of the most underrated of gamefish. It is capable of powerful runs and impressive jumps.

Other fish often found on the reef include mackerels, sharks, jacks, and cobia. Springtime in the Keys means tarpon. Migrating giants take a few months off to feed and relax in the channels under and around many of the bridges. Live bait, usually mullet or pinfish are drifted back into the current. The tarpon is one of the Lower Florida Keys attributes. Where else can an angler venture only yards from shore and do battle with up to 200 pounds of aerial, acrobatic fish?

Winter is the best time for the prized sailfish. These sleek, spindle-beaked fish are admired for their "tail-walking" runs. Sails are prized wall mounts, yet with today's taxidermy technology, releasing a sail for future fishermen is not only possible but preferred by most sportfishing enthusiasts.

The numerous flats on both the Gulf and Ocean side of the Lower Keys are a popular place to find tarpon and other shallow water fish such as bonefish and permit. Often neglected by the shallow water angler are sharks, barracuda and snapper; all can be found by fishing the right flat at the right time. The flats are also great forlight spinning and fly-fishing.

The groupers are the undisputed kings of the inshore reefs. They are caught up to 50 pounds, and often leave only disappointment and broken lines as they dive toward the protection of their reef home. While the large groupers are the kings of the reef, the snappers are surely the staple. Snapper fishing takes place all year long and is done in 60 to 100 feet of water. Be well advised to use lots of chum and light lines to attract these plentiful but wary creatures. The most common snappers include grey or mangrove, yellowtail, mutton and lane.

In general, the summer offshore belongs to the Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi). These fish are known for their beautiful blue, green and gold color and have no relation to the porpoise that most people refer to as "dolphin". Join us June 3rd, 4th & 5th for the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament. Any first time angler to the Lower Keys can, with a few pointers from the local bait and tackle shops, go out and find fish.

To truly jump right in, you should hire one of the many experienced charter guides in the Lower Keys. Charter firms offer every type of fishing vessel imaginable, from the 40-foot plus battle wagon sportfisherman to the 16-foot flats skiff designed to be in very shallow water. You may even choose to rent a boat of your own. Whatever your taste and experience level, no trip to the Lower Keys would be complete without a day on the water and a fish on your line.