Plantation Key

Plantation key is positioned between Tavernier and Islamorada. For its relatively small size, Plantation key is the site of immense historical significance. Like the other Key islands, Plantation Key too was inhabited by the aboriginals. In historical charts, Plantation key has been referred to by various names – Bull Island, Long Island, Vermont Key, etc. The present name owes its origin to the fact that the area was once famous for its pineapple plantations.

Plantation Key's lush tropical vegetation and the stretching coastline that fringes the island makes it a perfect place to relax. Though sparsely populated, Plantation Key promises accommodation for the tourists at the waterfront vacation rentals. You can enjoy strolls on the sand with water creeping underneath your feet when the surf gushes towards the land or enjoy the scenes of the receding waves, the setting sun. You can also engage yourself in watching the playful and serious activities of worldly creatures around you. A refreshing dip in the water skirting the island or a family picnic in the beach will also serve you good.

This, however, does not mean that Plantation Key has nothing to offer to the more energetic lot of the tourists. The island is packed with activities featuring excellent sport fishing & scuba diving, snorkeling.

Plantation Key Landmarks:

A site in the Plantation key once housed a large Indian mound. The artifacts unearthed from the mound date back to 500 to 700 AD. The size of the mound has made archeologists infer that it had been a site of large settlement or of a smaller settlement over an extended period.

One of Plantation Key's Attractions is the McKee castle. The castle hoards treasures retrieved from sunken Spanish vessels. Arthur McKee Jr., a diver with the Navy, found silver coins (dated 1732) and silver bars in the site. These treasures along with cannons are now showcased in a museum at Treasure Harbor. Arthur McKee (the father of modern treasure diving) himself opened his "Treasure Fortress", which is now known as Treasure Village. Other tourist sites in the Treasure Village are a verdant tropical garden and a merchant village. At Treasure Village, you might also stumble into the world's largest lobster, a massive 35-foot sea creature.

Another attraction of Plantation Key is the Plantation Yacht Harbor. It was formerly known as the Plantation Harbor. Many tales are aired about this beach area. It changed hands a significant number of times and was once a part of a Mafia's gambling empire.

Another must-see site is the Rain Barrel, an artists' village nestled in the lap of nature.

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