This historic park has a lot of great history here. I'd recommend reading about it on Wikipedia and many other websites. It's an island off the coast of Islamorada, FL. It was a fun trip from Robbies. We rented 5 kayaks to go out on the water. Most of the water was shallow until after you get past the bridge, the water will become deeper. They provide you a path to follow and a map to ensure that you stay away from the current. You have the option to go with a guide, but we went together and did just fine. It took us 35 minutes to get from Robbies to the Island via Kayak. When you arrive, they have an area that they recommend you to park your kayaks at. Now there are other locations but if you seen them, this is the best location to stop at for sure. The island is small and difficult to understand that there was a neighborhood here once upon a time in 1863, over 100 years ago. We were able to make it to the other side of the island. Members of our team decided to go swimming at the top of the surface to see what they seen under the water. One thing it was very hot on this day, so it worked our well. The island doesn't have lots to offer, but can be a good day to paddle out, explore, even take a lunch and relax until it's time to go back. read more

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Indian Key State Historic Site is situated on an island, and configured to illustrate its history.  It's a fun and easy trip by kayak from Robbie's Kayak Shop.  Tip: When you're on the island you'll find well-marked signs that guide you on a walk around the points of interest.  You can even download an audio about the tour and play it on your phone. This is a nice way to spend an hour or so, and it makes coming here even more fun if you come by kayak :-) read more

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We were staying at a hotel at the south end of Islamorada and borrowed two of their kayaks and paddled over to Indian Key. As other people have said in their reviews, Indian Key is an abandoned community with a really interesting history. But you don't need to be a fan of historical sites to enjoy the place. You can just go there for the peace and solitude and to experience a place that time seems to have forgotten. There were only 2 other people on the key so we basically had the place to ourselves and the birds. We even had an egret stroll up to where we were sitting sipping a couple of Islamorada Brewery's finest. read more

This place is ok. We rented kayaks to get out here. It's a small island you can walk around within an hour. There is an observation deck but it isn't high enough to see anything more than the surrounding trees. It is very rocky near the shore so make sure you have some good shoes with you. Overall I wouldn't come back here. If I rented a kayack again I'd probably go in the opposite direction. read more

Indian Key State Historic Site - Hermit crab - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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Indian Key is a great spot in the Keys to just kick back and chill. It's nothing fancy, be prepared to step on plenty of rocks but put that all aside and be prepared for fun in the sun. Located in Islamorada right before Robbies (where you feed the tarpins). We simply pulled up to great views,pulled out our umbrella,chairs, grill, cooler, and we're set to enjoy the day. Plenty of boaters and jet skis pass by but also people on kayaks just enjoying the ocean. Back on land there were plenty of families enjoying themselves as well. We all splashed and swam in the water. I was lucky because hubby brought his diving gear and caught four lobsters. We respect the oceans and threw back the ones that were legally to small but the rest went straight on the grill and into our bellies. Talk about fresh!! Can't wait to come back and just relax. read more

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One of the coolest places in Islamorada. If you have the time and a kayak, I would definitely suggest making your way out to the state park. Very cool area to venture around and get some Florida Keys history. As well as a work out on your way there. Not sure if you can Dock there anymore, but you can throw an anchor and walk up if you please. read more

A beautiful island with a lot of history Clear water good to kayak to the island from mainland rentals Beautiful trail and take repellent There are mosquitoes like all the keys if there is no wind Take a side trip and snorkel a bit around The place Imagine how tough must have been to live there inthe 1900's People were tough as nails read more

Driving US 1 in the Keys, one often sees little islands off to the left and right, not accessible by any bridges. Many of these islands are just mangrove stands with very little solid ground to them, if any. Some, however, carry a rich history. Indian Key is one of these. See Luis S.'s 2008 review for a historical synopsis, or use Google - suffice it to say that over hundreds of years, much has happened on this small, leafy hunk of coral. There is a dock on the island for powerboats, but the more-adventurous way to get there is to make like the invading Indians 175 years ago and row it. If you need to rent a kayak or canoe, do so at Robbie's; otherwise, put in on the side of the road. The island looks so close, doesn't it? Consider this your warning - it's a bit further than it looks. Also, while the waters surrounding the Florida Keys look so calm and serene while you're driving over them at 55mph, in reality, these waters are laced with channels that often carry a vigorous tidal current. Combine that with wind, and this paddle becomes more of a test of your fitness than you initially thought it would be. A walk around the island can be accomplished in a few minutes if hurrying, but do take your time to learn a bit about the old paths upon which you're walking, and old foundations seen along the paths. Take a leisurely stroll, then eat lunch in the shady clearing underneath the large tamarind tree found in the island's interior (you'll know it when you see it). After lunch, it's time for some snorkeling. Head over to the island's exposed east ocean-side. Here, you'll find some of the sharpest coral shoreline ever - if barefoot, it's very difficult to even get in the water without being cut to ribbons. It can be done, if taken very, very slowly, but it's painful at best, and extremely hazardous at worst. If you slip and fall on this stuff, you're going to lose a lot of blood....let's just leave it at that. Be careful. And heed the prevailing advice - wear water shoes. Even if wearing water shoes, take it slow. I can't put enough emphasis on making sure you do not fall on the petrified coral. Once in the water, you'll find a surprising degree of sea life, not too far away from the shore at all. Even just briefly surveying the area, I saw many small fish, and impressive corals and sponges. I also saw the obligatory barracuda, a few nice-sized mangrove snapper, and even a relatively large hogfish. So, in summary, helpful tips: -bring your paddling strength -pack a lunch -wear water shoes -bring snorkel and mask -apply sunscreen That's about it. Enjoy this little slice of paradise! read more

What they said. It's an archaeological site with lots of plaques. It's a ruined city, overgrown by subtropical plants. It's an island accessible only by boat. It's got a big observation tower. If this does not make you want to rent a kayak and get over here, I just don't know what to do with you. [Much more info available in this duplicate review (http://www.yelp.com/biz/indian-key-islamorada). All of this said, it won't take that long to peruse everything the island has to offer. If you have a few hours, combine it with a trip to Lignumvitae Key.] read more

Indian Key was so cool! I had heard about this Key and kayaking over from the road or from Robbie's for as long as I've been coming to the Keys, but had no idea about the history of this site, or that there was an entire town there! Luis went into all that, so I'll just say that it was really neat to get to go over to check it out. The streets & street signs are still there, so you can navigate through what used to be the town. You have to access Indian Key by boat, so you can put in at the road of US1 or rent a kayak or boat from Robbie's. It was a bit too windy for kayaking so we paid for a ride/tour over to both Indian & Lignumvitae Key ($40 each) and it was totally worth it. We got a great tour from the lady from Robbie's on the history of Indian Key. You don't have to get a tour, but we did and enjoyed hearing the history of the place. If your kayaking over for the day, you'll have to pack everything on and off (drinking water too). And don't forget your snorkel gear. We were advised to wear water shoes due to the number of sea urchins on the rocks! You can see them chillin in the holes, but sometimes they just look like shadows. I really enjoyed the tour, but can't wait to get back and spend more time just relaxing with the urchins and swimming around. read more

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luis gave the history of Indian key so I won't repeat it. Snorkeling here is one of the most peaceful ,beautiful things you could possibly do. We had a private canoe and snorkel tour of Indian Key. It is accessible only by kayak or canoe. read more

Indian Key State Historic Site - me snorkeling at Indian key - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

Loooove it, full of baby nurse sharks. A only a short kayak ride away from the island! You can pull your kayak onto the designated kayak spot and walk around and read the cool history at the island! I won't give it away lol read more

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Kayaking out to this was totally worth it. I would go early so avoid crowds, because the Island is small. We got to the island around 10:30 am which was perfect. The snorkeling off the island was so much fun. I would bring some sort of water resistant shoes, because you do have to cross sharp coral to get into the water. You can do this trip I'm half a day easily. read more

Loved this park! Rented kayaks from Robbie's and it was a short kayak there. A lot of pretty butterflies, I believe they're Great Southern Whites. The area you can snorkel is extremely rocky, so bring water shoes! My boyfriend and I loved it, we got cool underwater shots, and saw a decent amount of sea life. We saw parrotfish, scrawled file fish, sea urchins, etc. can't wait to go back!! read more

Indian Key State Historic Site - The rocks where you walk out to snorkel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

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Ok This place is great.. If you find yourself a bit on the adventurous side I recommend driving to the Keys and going here.. All you have to do is rent a kayak at Robbies its like 15 dollars (snorkel gear included) ANd paddle about 3/4 of a mile or less to this key, it sits just east of robbies... Now you ask why is it cool? well here it is... (fyi good place to spend the day picnic snorkel and explore) EARLY HISTORY Through archaeological excavations, it is known that Indians lived in the Keys for several thousand years before the arrival of the Spanish explorers. When Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in 1513, he found a quick way for Spanish vessels to return home with their cargo of treasure taken from the Maya, Inca and Aztec empires: the Straits of Florida and the Gulf Stream. It was a dangerous route for the cumbersome Spanish sailing vessels because of the coral reefs lining the south Florida coast and the constant threat of hurricanes. At the time, hostile Calusa Indians lived in the Keys. They became the first to profit from vessels wrecked on the offshore reefs. By the time of the brief English occupation of Florida starting in 1763, however, the Calusas had disappeared from the Keys. Bahamian fishermen and turtlers took their place, making salvage a way of life. "Wrecking" proved to be a profitable business; so lucrative, in fact, that it attracted pirates who soon became a threat to merchant vessels. AMERICAN HISTORY American occupation of Florida in 1821 stopped the pirates' activities. In addition, American wreckers drove the Bahamians out of business in the Keys and monopolized it themselves. Key West was the main wrecking station in south Florida and became a wealthy community from the profits of salvage. The monopoly of Key West was challenged by a man named Jacob Housman. Having arrived from Staten Island in one of his father's ships which he "borrowed," he found wrecking to his taste. After disagreements with the Key West establishment, which accused him of various shady business maneuvers, he thought it best to own his own wrecking station. The strategic location of Indian Key, nearby fresh water on Matecumbe and proximity to the most dangerous reefs, made it ideal for Housman's plans. He bought the island in 1831 and began to build his own small empire. This included a thriving store, hotel and dwellings with cisterns, as well as warehouses and wharves. Housman turned Indian Key into a busy port with 40 to 50 permanent inhabitants. He even brought soil to the rocky island and landscaped it with tropical plants. Housman's profits from his business ventures and wrecking were substantial. Eventually, there were more disputes with the Key Westers, who again accused him of illegal conduct as a wrecker. In an effort to make his island independent of Key West, he had the Legislative Council establish Dade County in 1836, with Indian Key as the county seat. In spite of this success Housman's fortunes began to decline. He lost numerous court battles and eventually his wrecker's license. At the outbreak of the Second Seminole War in 1835, he also lost his Indian trade. In the end, he had to mortgage the island. In 1838, Dr. Henry Perrine, a physician with a consuming interest in tropical botany, moved to Indian Key to await the end of the war. He wanted to use a government grant to cultivate useful tropical plants on the mainland. Perrine's special interest lay in cultivating agave for the manufacture of hemp, but he also included many others, such as tea, coffee, bananas and mangos, in his plans. While waiting for the war's end, he started a nursery on Matecumbe. As the war continued, Housman's island became an endangered outpost because of the well-stocked store and warehouses. He asked for government protection. Eventually, military forces were stationed at nearby Tea Table Key. They proved of little value, however, in the events that followed. In the early morning of August 7, 1840, a band of more than 100 Indians attacked the island. Most of the inhabitants, including Housman and his wife, managed to escape. However, some were killed in the attack and subsequent looting and burning of the buildings. Dr. Perrine hid his family in a turtle kraal below the house, where they survived the attack. He was not so fortunate. After a futile attempt to talk to the Indians, he was killed and the house set on fire. Except for one building and the stone foundations, all the structures on Indian Key were destroyed during the attack. As the survivors learned too late, the garrisons at Tea Table Key had been reduced to five able men a few days before. Although some of the inhabitants returned to the island after the incident, Housman did not. Instead, he sold Indian Key and returned to Key West, where he served as a crew member on a wrecking vessel. In 1841, during salvage operations in rough seas, he was accidentally crushed between two ships. Indian Key has remained uninhabited since the early par read more

Indian Key State Historic Site - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

Indian Key State Historic Site, MM 77.5 oceanside. Accessible by boat, this island once housed the largest population between St. Augustine and Key West. In 1840, during the Second Seminole War, Indian warriors paddled to the island, killed most of the residents and burned the island structures to the ground. read more

Indian Key State Historic Site - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Islamorada, Florida

Today it's largely overgrown, though the state has maintained a few of the "streets" and there are some plaques detailing the events surrounding the assault. As with some other spots in the Keys, it requires a little imagination to recreate the importance of this tiny key. It's not a large key but it's a nice short paddle from Robbie's unless the wind is blowing hard. Watch the tide, especially in the channel. There's also a dock for larger boats. read more

Pretty fun to kayak to. There is no beach but you can check out tiny fish and hermit crabs while 'snorkeling' around the mangroves. Other than that, it's just a pretty little island with some history. read more

Indian key is pretty cool. However, ask about the tides and best way to avoid currents. We kayaked in no problem but then the tide went out and we were getting stuck when we tried to go back in a straight line to the shore where we left the car. We had to make a rather long detour to get to the deeper boat channels where there was enough water to move forward. Unfortunately, these channels can have fair currents during low tide. It did not kill us but we had to sweat a little. Still a pretty cool place to go. Kayak is around $45 for half a day. read more

Such a cool historical spot. I get off and explore the island at least once a year. It's a good stroll with plenty of tropical foliage and awesome views! Make sure to snag some tamarindo! read more

Indian key is worth visiting. We paddled here by kayak from Robbie's, and then later went into the mangroves at sunset. It's not as cool as the mangroves, but worth doing, and also makes the mangroves seem even cooler once you go there. Also, the paddling to Indian Key and back adds to the experience. read more

The Boy Scout's Sea Base camp at Upper Matecumbe key includes a trip to Indian Key as a part of their high adventure tours. The sailboat anchors 100 yards off the island where the boys snorkle to the island for a walking tour. A great & fun historical adventure. Just watch out for the jellyfish:-) read more