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Tired of overcrowded freeways, streets and the stress of Big Pine Key
Big Pine is also home to a variety of commercial enterprises, such as marinas, dive shops, bait and tackle shops, beauty shops, restaurants, video and kayak rentals, two liquor stores, convenience stores, doctors, dentists and a major chain grocery plus 10 restaurants. The boating controlling depth ranges from 2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft. depending on the subdivision, Ramrod KeyRamrod is a very quiet, primarily residential Key, located at mile marker 27. There are however two restaurants, bar operations, two dive shops, a convenience store and an excellent veterinary hospital. A good portion of the Key consists of wetlands. the boating out of Ramrod is typically 2-1/2 ft. controlling depth to get to open water. Ramrod is said to be named after a Spanish ship wreck from the 19th century. Little Torch KeyThe Torch Keys are located between Big Pine Key and Ramrod Key. There are three Torch Keys in all, however Big and Middle Torch Key are primarily wetlands and hardwood hammock areas an as such have no population. Little Torch is primarily residential however there is a full marina, dive shop, bait and tackle store, a restaurant, a motel and a church. The boating out of Little Torch is excellent, meaning a 4 ft. draft. You'll see boats up to 50 ft. and also sailboats conveniently tucked behind the homes in the clean canals. Access to either the Ocean or the back country is good. Summerland Key
For local residents on Summerland there is a private airstrip and on East Shore Drive there is an area of open water Estate homes. The majority of homes are located on the Atlantic side of US 1. Cudjoe KeyLocated about 21 miles from Key West, Cudjoe Key is primarily residential and offers a wide range of housing. Most of the homes are located on the Atlantic side and the boating draft varies from 2-1/2 ft. to 4 ft. draft. In Cudjoe Gardens for instance the homes are built to ground level and have typically 1500 square ft. and up as opposed to a standard 1100 square ft. for a stilt home.
Sugarloaf KeyLocals say that Sugarloaf was named after a now defunct Plantation that grew Sugarloaf pineapples. Sugarloaf Key is located just 17 miles from Key West and boasts a restaurant, motel, marina, a public airstrip and an auto repair shop plus the infamous Bat Tower. In 1929 a Mr. Perky erected a large 50 ft. tower, which he hoped would attract bats which in turn would eat the mosquitoes. The bats never came but the tower still stands. The northern part of the Key has a new elementary school and a church. Visit our Lower Keys office on Big Pine Key today to discover the wonderful communities in the Lower Keys including Big Pine Key, Ramrod, The Torches, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key, the Saddlebunch Keys and the Big Coppitt area. |
Big Pine is the largest of the Lower Keys and lies within the Key Deer and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges.
Approximately only 30 miles form Key West, Big Pine offers up a variety of things to do and see from our Key Deer to the famous Blue Hole and it's turtles, fish and alligators, plus an adjoining nature trail that winds through Federal refuge lands.
Located just 24 miles from Key West (mm24) Summerland Key is a great boating Key due to it's wide flow through canals and 4 ft. draft. The Island has 4 restaurants, beauty shops, a great video rental store, an excellent convenience store (deli) and several boat charters that cater to either the Ocean or Flats fishermen.
Venture Out is a gated community on Cudjoe that is a very well maintained mobile home area, with tennis courts, marina, pool and convenience store. In the mornings people are taking walks, riding bikes and generally enjoying this quiet Island.