Duck Key(Hawks Cay)

Located in the city of Marathon, Duck Key has a very small, narrow, and private beach situated at the center of the island city of Key West.  Duck Key is among the group of 42 islands known as Florida Keys – it has beautiful beige-colored sand and shallow waters making it a perfect destination for swimming.  Duck Key is very popular among snorkelers, divers, jet skiers, sailors, and paddleboarders. 

 Duck Key offers many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. 

There are many fun activities at Duck Key including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding. 

Getting to Duck Key is very easy – after you get off of Overseas Highway, drive down to 61 Hawks Cay Boulevard to reach the beach’s free parking lot. After parking, you will need to walk four minutes south to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Duck Key, you can drive 25 minutes to Key West Aquarium that is among the oldest aquariums in Florida and is home to exhibits on alligators, Atlantic shore fish, jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles, and a touch tank. The Hemingway Home and Museum is a very popular tourist attraction in Key West – it features the works from the life of American writer Ernest Hemingway and his large population of Hemingway cats. The incredible waterfront square Mallory Square is filled with tourists and is known for its restaurants, shops, and night festivals. Another great attraction near Duck Key is Duval Street’s Sunset Pier which is a part of the lively Duval Street and is a great spot for photography and picnicking. 

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within an eight-minute drive of Duck Key. The upscale vegetarian-friendly fine dining restaurant Bel Mare serves scallops, pork belly, burritos, beets, shrimp, and wines. If you like French cuisine, Banana Café is known for its crepes, comfortable atmosphere, and artsy walls. Another good restaurant near Duck Key is the Latin American restaurant Paradise Restaurant featuring handmade cocktails and traditional dishes from various countries including Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil.

If you are looking for a hotel near Duck Key, there are many hotels within a 12-minute drive. The 4-Star Marquesa Hotel is a Victorian-era hotel with two pools, a bar, and a restaurant. Opal Key Resort & Marine is a seaside 4-Star pet-friendly hotel offering a pool, poolside bar, open-air bar, spa, restaurant with water views, gym, and diving, fishing, and snorkeling tours. The 3-Star Hampton Inn Key West has a pool, poolside bar, and an open-air restaurant. If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel near Duck Key, the 2-Star NYAH Key West features three pools and diving, fishing, snorkeling, and windsurfing tours.