Key Colony Beach: Beach, Water and Island History

Key Colony Beach combines beaches, open water locations and an unusual island history. The town is ideal for travelers who want to spend their days not only by the sea, but also discover coastal formations, historical episodes and special destinations beneath the water. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore particularly useful to consider which experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

Beach and Open Water Locations

Sunset Beach is the city’s public beach on the western coastline of Key Colony Beach. At the same time, Key Colony Beach has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. A 0.9-mile-long, critically eroded stretch of beach lies along the Straits of Florida. The coastline is stabilized by 15 limestone groins built in 1958. These details give the coastal town a character that extends beyond the classic idea of a sandy beach.

There is also a distinctive place for special views and ceremonies: Sunset Park is a peaceful location for wedding ceremonies overlooking the ocean. Public viewing of boat parades is also possible along the Sadowski Causeway. Those who enjoy being on the water can thus incorporate different forms of coastal experiences into their travel plans.

Snorkeling, Wrecks and Golf

The Coffins Patch Sanctuary Preservation Area is located about four and a half miles offshore from Key Colony Beach and offers snorkeling opportunities in the Middle Keys area. The Rib Wreck lies about half a mile southwest of Key Colony Beach and is located at an average water depth of 14 feet.

The Thunderbolt wreck lies four miles south of Marathon and Key Colony Beach in 120 feet of water. The range of documented water experiences therefore extends from snorkeling opportunities to a wreck located at considerably greater depth. On land, Key Colony Beach’s 9-hole par-3 golf course is located on 8th Street. The seasonal Key Colony Beach Market takes place on Tuesdays.

An Island with a Story to Tell

Key Colony Beach developed from the originally more than 97-acre Shelter Key. A dredging and filling project begun in the early 1950s created an island of almost 400 acres. This development explains part of the area’s distinctive character while also making the landscape a subject for curious exploration.

Several historical events give Key Colony Beach additional local color. The building now used as Key Colony Beach City Hall hosted the 1958 meeting of the Outdoor Writers of America Association, attended by approximately 800 writers. The Key Colony Beach Sailfish Tournament began in 1958; about 60 sport anglers took part in its first event. As early as 1957, 50 to 75 false killer whales stranded in the shallow waters of the bay near the present-day marina. Key Colony Beach Day is the city’s birthday celebration and takes place in March.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Stay

When searching for a holiday apartment in Key Colony Beach, it is worthwhile to first determine your preferred daily routine. The beach, coastal observation, market and golf favor a stay with a variety of activities on land. Anyone planning to focus primarily on snorkeling opportunities or wreck experiences should take the relevant information on distance and water depth into account when planning their trip.

More Places to Search

If you would like to compare additional destinations besides Key Colony Beach, you can find Little Torch Key, Cudjoe Key, Tavernier, Summerland Key, Key Largo, Islamorada, Layton and Key West here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Monroe.