The public dock on the SE side of the Island accepts the
ferry boat which you can board from Matecumbe Key about mile marker
78.
You can also dock your own boat here free of charge
during the time you take one of the organized tours, or just visit
informally yourself. Tours start in 2000 at 10am or 2 pm and are just $2
if you use your own boat.
This is one of the highest islands in the Keys group.
It's over 200 acres and densely forested. |
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 If
you moor around to the NW side of the island, you can dingy in to these
docks on the SE This is just behind the face dock which you see
above. .
Capn Greg & Swabette Jessica dingy in to the mangrove
canals off Matecumbe from the mooring, towing the Kayak along the way.
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 Capt
Absten's MV "Creative Touch" is shown on a mooring buoy on the
NW side of the Island. Note the proper use of the mooring line. A line
from the boat is threaded through the eye of the pendant and brought back
onboard - creating a bow that can be easily released.
CAVEAT: Long term use of the mooring
pendant this way (by one or multiple users) can create a
"sawing" effect of the boat's line through the eye of the
pendant wearing it through. Make sure you inspect the pendant for such
wear when you first pick it up.
By-the-way: The state takes pride in the fact
that they do not charge for these moorings. That way if they break loose
in the night THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. Maintain Vigilance!! |
The former residential house is now used as the park
office. You can check in with the park rangers here if you dinghy in.
It's still fitted out with antique rooms as shown below. |
 To
capture drinking water, the roof of the main house shown on the left
collects rainwater then funnels it through these two long pipes to the
"cistern house" shown here.
There is no reason that this should not be done
routinely with Keys houses even today. |
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Mosquitoes are a SIGNIFICANT factor when
visiting, as seen by the apparel of the state tour guide. The tour paths
are through densely wooded areas. BRING REPELLANT! |
This is a 30's era Hurricane Shelter and has a great story
behind it. This construction would be very appropriate to use as a
hurricane survival shelter for families even today! It is constructed of
block and cement as you can see, with a waterproofed rounded roof. The top
of the door is at about chest height. The 30's hurricane that wiped out
the keys caught these people by surprise and almost wiped them out too.
Only the height of the island saved them, but it scared the crap out of
them. They then built this structure which you enter at the door as shown.
On the back side there is vent a pipe leading "downward" from at
or above the top of the door height. If the sea would rise it would fill
the building to the level of the door top. Air would be trapped in the
sealed rounded roof portion allowing its occupants to breathe even if it
was submerged. Block and concrete protects from flying debris.
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