If you’ve found yourself on this post, you’re probably looking to get away. You’ve come to the right place! The Florida Keys is the perfect tropical getaway. Duck Key, Florida is smack in the middle of this tropical paradise. Its the perfect launch point to discover all the Keys has to offer.
I recently took an amazing trip to Duck Key, Florida, and had an absolute blast! We spent two days at Hawks Cay resort, and another two days down in Key West. Read about Key West in my previous post here. While Key West definitely offers a lot in terms of history, culture, and nightlife, our time in Duck Key Florida, and Hawk’s Cay were perfect for slowing down and getting in some much-needed R&R!
Getting to Duck Key Florida
To get to this area of the Keys, you have a couple of options. The first option is of course to drive down. Once you hit Miami, it’s about an hour and a half (105 miles) till you reach Duck Key. You can also fly if you’re coming from some far-flung area like California like I was. The cheaper option is to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, rent a car, and drive from there. The drive is really gorgeous. There are stunning views everywhere you look as you cruise the overseas highway.
Duck Key is close to Marathon, which is a larger area that does have an international airport. I was pretty shocked by this fact, and I can imagine flights into that airport are pretty pricey. It is an option, should you prefer it!
Where to Stay
It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling with your family, your significant other, or your friends: Hawk’s Cay Resort is the perfect spot to stay in Duck Key, and, arguably, the greater Marathon/Islamorada area. This resort truly has it all. You can rest and relax by one of their pools, dine at their six restaurants, swim with dolphins, or participate in all kinds of water sports, all without leaving the property.
Hawk’s Cay (61 Hawks Cay Blvd) is great for groups of all sizes. They have a hotel property as well as vacation rental villas to choose from when booking your stay. The hotel is great if you want to be close to all the amenities on the property. The villas are perfect for bigger families or groups of friends traveling together. We loved our villa! It had three bedrooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious living area, as well as gorgeous views of the waterway. There was definitely plenty of room for everyone in our group to be comfortable and enjoy their stay.
The great thing about Hawk’s Cay is that they seem to effectively cater to both families and people who want to have a more adult-only experience. We loved hanging out by the tranquility pool that was child-free. It was much quieter and more relaxing than the main pool!
Hawk’s Cay also features a gorgeous saltwater beach/ lagoon that guests can enjoy if they want a more beachy experience. One thing I was surprised to find when I visited the Keys for the first time was that there aren’t a ton of places to hang out on a beach. I loved the lagoon area because it made me feel like I was truly in a tropical paradise.
If you’re like me, then having some incredible meals is a very important part of any vacation. Hawk’s Cay has 6 dining options on property. We loved Angler and Ale, which is a casual waterfront dining option with a great cocktail list and some mouth-watering fresh seafood. Definitely try out the ahi nachos! Their patio offers gorgeous views of the water and the marina.
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If you’re looking for something quick and easy when it comes to food, Hawk’s Cay also has a marketplace with a Starbucks as well as a pizzeria and a great selection of snacks, beverages, and wine for purchase. The marketplace came in clutch because Duck Key is a little bit out in the middle of nowhere- the nearest convenience store was a 15 minute drive away. It was so nice to have access to some snacks when the munchies hit.
What to do near Duck Key
You could stay on site and never leave the Hawk’s Cay, but there are some great beaches to hit up nearby. If you are looking for a gorgeous beach, make sure to check out Key Colony Beach. This is a stunning white sand beach area nearby in Marathon. Coco Plum Beach is a free beach that is great for turtle or turtle track spotting. Did you know that Marathon is the turtle capital of the Florida Keys? You can also pay a visit to their Turtle Hospital which rehabilitates injured turtles found in the Keys.
There are so many fun outdoor activities to do in the Keys. My favorite had to be going parasailing for the first time. Parasailing is something I’ve always wanted to try but never had the opportunity until this trip. I was a little nervous, but once you get up in the air, it is surprisingly relaxing. Floating high above the turquoise waters, it’s actually really peaceful and quiet. You can’t beat the view!
We took a parasailing excursion that left from Robbie’s in Islamorada, which leads me to my next point of interest…
Robbie’s of Islamorada was voted the #1 place for every tourist to visit in the Keys. You can chill at the Hungry Tarpon Restaurant and Bar and enjoy the waterfront view. Shop for local handmade goods and souvenirs from various vendors. If you want to get out on the water, Robbie’s offers tons of options from a sunset cruise, snorkeling excursions, parasailing, and fishing excursions. There really is something for everyone here! Make sure to leave your mark and staple a dollar bill somewhere on the bar.
During our visit, we also stopped by the Islamorada Brewery and Distillery. This is a local business that makes different spirits (including vodka, rum, gin, and more) as well as various different types of beer. Despite the fact that this is a distillery and brewery, it is a family-friendly establishment. Out back, they have a fun outdoor area with plenty of seating and fun yard games. The adults can sip while the kids play. I highly recommend getting a flight. This allows you to choose four different beverages of your choice across their beer, liquor, batched, and frozen cocktail selections. My favorite had to be the frozen key lime cocktail….I still dream about it!
After a day out on the water and sipping on local brews, we grabbed dinner at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe. This restaurant is an upscale casual restaurant right on the water and offers delicious, fresh seafood, great customer service, and stunning views at sunset. If you want something a bit more upscale, you can also check out Pierre’s Lounge and Dining Room right next door. Pierre’s offers French fusion cuisine in a beautiful, colonial style home. This restaurant does have a dress code they describe as “casual elegance,” though no jackets or ties are required.
We had a great time in Duck Key Florida! If you’re interested, I have a video that rounds up this blog post…check it out, and make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Next time I visit the Keys, I definitely would love to hit up Key Largo, which is one area we didn’t get to stop in, though I have heard that it is beautiful! Have you ever visited the Florida Keys? Drop me a comment and let me know what you love to do and see while in the Florida Keys!
Florida Keys FAQ
This area was known for salt production in the 1820’s and 30’s. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane basically made this area uninhabitable until the key was connected to the highway by a causeway in 1953.
Duck Key Florida is an hour and twenty minute drive from the Key West International Airport, and a two hour drive from Miami International airport. You can access the island via the overseas highway.
People are quite surprised to learnt that a tropical destination like the Florida Keys actually doesn’t have a ton of beaches. This is because the Keys are a collection of Coral islands, which were former coral reefs. These islands were once submerged beneath the ocean when water levels were higher.
