Big Pine Key
Big
Pine is the largest of the Lower Keys and lies within the Key Deer
and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges. Approximately only
30 miles form Key West, Big Pine offers up a variety of things to
do and see from our Key Deer to the famous Blue Hole and it's turtles,
fish and alligators, plus an adjoining nature trail that winds through
Federal refuge lands.
Big Pine is also home to a variety of commercial enterprises, such as marinas,
dive shops, bait and tackle shops, beauty shops, restaurants, video and kayak
rentals, two liquor stores, convenience stores, doctors, dentists and a major
chain grocery plus 10 restaurants. The boating controlling depth ranges from
2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft. depending on the subdivision, and the access to either the
Ocean or the back country is easy.
Ramrod Key
Ramrod is a very quiet, primarily residential Key,
located at mile marker 27. There are however two restaurants, bar
operations, two dive shops, a convenience store and an excellent
veterinary hospital. A good portion of the Key consists of wetlands.
the boating out of Ramrod is typically 2-1/2 ft. controlling depth
to get to open water. Ramrod is said to be named after a Spanish
ship wreck from the 19th century.
Little Torch Key
The
Torch Keys are located between Big Pine Key and Ramrod Key. There
are three Torch Keys in all, however Big and Middle Torch Key are
primarily wetlands and hardwood hammock areas an as such have no
population. Little Torch is primarily residential however there is
a full marina, dive shop, bait and tackle store, a restaurant, a
motel and a church. The boating out of Little Torch is excellent,
meaning a 4 ft. draft. You'll see boats up to 50 ft. and also sailboats
conveniently tucked behind the homes in the clean canals. Access
to either the Ocean or the back country is good.
Summerland Key
Located just 24 miles from Key West (mm24) Summerland
Key is a great boating Key due to it's wide flow through canals and
4 ft. draft. The Island has 4 restaurants, beauty shops, a great
video rental store, an excellent convenience store (deli) and several
boat charters that cater to either the Ocean or Flats fishermen.
For local residents on Summerland there is a private airstrip and on East Shore
Drive there is an area of open water Estate homes. The majority of homes are
located on the Atlantic side of US 1.
Cudjoe Key
Located about 21 miles from Key West, Cudjoe Key is
primarily residential and offers a wide range of housing. Most of
the homes are located on the Atlantic side and the boating draft
varies from 2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft. draft. In Cudjoe Gardens for instance
the homes are built to ground level and have typically 1500 square
ft. and up as opposed to a standard 1100 square ft. for a stilt home.
Venture Out is a gated community on Cudjoe that is a very well maintained mobile
home area, with tennis courts, marina, pool and convenience store. In the mornings
people are taking walks, riding bikes and generally enjoying this quiet Island.
Sugarloaf Key
Locals say that Sugarloaf was named after a now defunct
Plantation that grew Sugarloaf pineapples. Sugarloaf Key is located
just 17 miles from Key West and boasts a restaurant, motel, marina,
a public airstrip and an auto repair shop plus the infamous Bat Tower.
In 1929 a Mr. Perky erected a large 50 ft. tower, which he hoped
would attract bats which in turn would eat the mosquitoes. The bats
never came but the tower still stands. The northern part of the Key
has a new elementary school and a church.
