Indian Key Historic State Park - Islamorada, Florida

Amy Kang

Indian Key can be accessed by kayak. They used to have a dock but looks like it’s been closed since pandemic.
When you go in, make sure to bring money for entrance fee. There is a box to put money in.
You can learn interesting history of the Florida Keys and Indian keys. The town of Indian Key thrived during the years of 1821-1840.
We had a great family outing at Indian key, exploring beautiful trees, plants and nature.

Matthew Brown

Took our kayaks out and had the island all to ourselves! Well, besides the iguanas, birds, hermit crabs, and a bunny. We launched from Robbie's and it did not take us much time to get there at all. The island is not very well maintained but that is expected since it is an island with access only for kayaks right now while the dock is under construction. I feel that the remote and abandoned feel to the park adds to my enjoyment of it. Not much sea life that we saw, I'm guessing because water temps were at record highs. The ruins aren't much to look at but the history is interesting. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy solitude and exploring hidden, out-of-the-way places.

Summer Lynn Lyons

Took a kayak to this island and enjoyed about a hour there. Lots of history to read about on plaques throughout the island. Some remains of homes still there. Seen a person relaxing in a hammock hanging over the water. Might try that next time.

Jody Rogers

What an amazing place! We kayaked over to the island in about 20 or 30 minutes. We walked around the island and snorkeled around the dock.

The water was a bit murky but we saw a ton of fish and a lobster!

This was one of the best parts of our vacation.

Keep an eye out for low tide or you'll have to work your kayak all the way around to the deep water to return. The sand is super suctiony so wear good water shoes.

Andrew

Nice little gem between Matecombe Key and Islamorada with dirt trails/roads and a lookout tower. A village once inhabited the island and there are still remnants of buildings from 1840. Very beautiful little key with a lot of rich history. Definitely with a kayaking trip to.

Chad Warner

The paddle over to Indian Key Historic State Park is short and enjoyable. The island is small and easy to explore. We had a good time snorkeling along the rocky shore. There wasn’t too much to see in the water but it was a good dip in the ocean. There is also more to explore back on the main key. You can paddle through mangroves and watch as fish swim by.

Dan Walton

This is a very short canoe or kayak trip from shore. You do have to cross a channel. Watch for low tide it makes your landing a little harder and muddy. The canoe and kayak landing is on the Southeast corner before the dock. The ruins of the town are interesting but not all that interesting don't expect a lot. Snorkeling around the island is best on the side most facing the Atlantic. There's plenty of coral but not crazy beautiful coral not much sea life mostly just sponge formations. But still nice. A little hard to get in and out of because of rocks just beware of that. A great lunch place is near the well there's a huge shaded area with tree limbs laying low to sit on.

Priscilla Rohrer

My husband and I paddled out to Indian Key yesterday morning. The paddle was a little difficult because it was into the wind, but it was well worth it!! It took about 35 minutes to get to the island. I was on kayak, and he was on paddleboard (I had the easier trek). The island itself was awesome. We had it to ourselves for hours. We explored the ruins and had a picnic lunch then swam on the bridge side where the water was calm. Trails were well marked. There's an online walking tour you can download for more info. The dock is closed due to damage but cool to look at. The water is gorgeous here. On the back side you can see alligator reef lighthouse. The paddle back to the pull-off after our trip was more of a float, very relaxing. We parked at the north end of the bridge next to Robbie's.