Things to do nearSugarloaf Key

Sugarloaf Key sits in the Lower Keys, roughly midway between Marathon and Key West, and it carries a character distinct from its more visited neighbors. The island takes its name from the sugarloaf-shaped mounds found in the area, and its history includes one of the more unusual chapters in Keys lore: a bat tower built in the 1920s by land developer Richter Perky, who hoped the bats would control the mosquito population. The tower still stands near the shore and remains a curious landmark worth a short detour.

The surrounding waters are the real draw. The backcountry flats on the Gulf side offer some of the finest shallow-water fishing in the Florida Keys, drawing anglers after bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Guided fishing charters operate from nearby marinas, and the calm, clear shallows are equally well suited to kayaking and paddleboarding among the mangrove islands.

Offshore, the Atlantic side gives access to reef systems where snorkeling reveals elkhorn coral and tropical fish in vivid color. Wildlife sightings on and around Sugarloaf Key are common, from bottlenose dolphins cruising the channels to roseate spoonbills picking through the shallows. For travelers who want the natural beauty of the Keys without the crowds, Sugarloaf Key delivers something genuinely unhurried.