Located partway between Key West and Key Largo, Duck Key occupies an island in the heart of the Florida Keys. It was a salt manufacturing hub during the early 19th century before operations ceased following the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The island is now home to the Hawk's Cay Resort and Marina.
Things to do in Duck Key
Enjoy a stroll around the picturesque Duck Key Marina, which offers everything from wet slips to dry storage for boat owners. If you don’t have your own, you can rent a vessel from Fish N Fun Rentals to explore the tropical waters of the Florida Keys at your leisure. Fishing charters also depart from the marina with the team at Always Enough SportFishing.
You can get up close to bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Connection, a marine life facility focused on educational experiences. Learn about dolphin behaviour and anatomy (without getting wet) during the Dolphin Dockside, discover training techniques as part of the Dolphin Encounter or swim alongside two dolphins during the Dolphin Royal Swim.
There are scenic views towards Duck Key from the western end of Toms Harbor Cut Bridge, which connects east to Conch Key. Drive in the other direction and you’ll arrive in Curry Hammock State Park, the largest parcel of uninhabited land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. It protects mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and a tropical hardwood forest and provides a setting for hiking, kayaking, cycling and fishing.
Getting around Duck Key
Duck Key is around 45 minutes’ drive from Key Largo and just over an hour from Key West International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Miami International Airport is around two hours away. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of accessing Duck Key.