Plantation Key

The island of Plantation Key is located just 20 miles south of Key Largo, along the stretch of US Highway 1 that winds through the Florida Keys. According to the 2000 census, the population of this small tropical island doesn’t exceed 3,500. The majority of the accommodations on Plantation Key are through waterfront vacation rentals. Additional accommodations can be found on Islamorada, about 7 miles away. Getting around Plantation Key is quite easy; in fact a number of the main activities and attractions are clustered closely enough together to form an easy walking distance.

Plantation may be one of the smaller Key islands, however there is still plenty to see and do. Visitors and tourists interested in the treasures found among sunken vessels off the coast of Florida will not want to miss a trip to see the McKee castle. The landmark site was built in the late Forties, in honor of Art McKee, Jr; the Navy diver who discovered the remains of a Spanish Fleet, lost in 1733. After his discovery he brought up numerous treasures including silver coins and bars as well as cannons and many other invaluable items. Mr. McKee is considered by many to be “the father of modern treasure diving” and today the castle can be seen at Treasure Village.

Besides being home to the McKee castle, Treasure Village also houses a lush tropical garden and merchant village. Tourists taking a visit here can find everything from beautiful clothing to lovely handcrafted arts and gifts. You can also see the world’s largest lobster at Treasure Village, a massive 35 foot sea creature.

The Rain Barrel is another must see. Here visitors and tours can wander through a local working artists’ village, set amidst the natural tropical flora, and watch sculptors at work as well as view many varieties of handcrafted artwork.

Plantation Key is also the perfect place to kick back and relax, enjoying the surf and sand along the coastline fringing the island. The public beach at Plantation Yacht Harbor is an ideal location to stroll in the surf, enjoy a picnic lunch or take a refreshing dip in the water. Like many of the other isles lying in the southwestern stretch of Florida, Plantation Key features perfect spots for water sports activity, diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Visitors to Plantation Key can easily access other Southwest Florida cities. Continuing southwest along US Highway one, you will find Key West. Miami is only an hour and half drive, northeast along US Highway 1. A little further north you will find the Fort Lauderdale area. The Key West International Airport is only about a two hour drive from Plantation Key.