The Ragged Keys of Biscayne Bay, Florida
The Ragged Keys is a name given to a small group of islands south of Soldier Key and short distance to the north of Sands Key in Biscayne Bay, Florida. The island is also part of the larger archipelago of islands known as the Florida Keys. Ragged Keys is only accessible by boat, has beautiful scenery, numerous coconut trees, and crystal clear water. It is a great place to enjoy a little bit of paradise just a short boat ride away from the city.
The Geology of Ragged Keys
The origin of Ragged Keys and other surrounding islands from Soldier Key southward were once dense coral forests. These coral forests today form the peaks consisting of what geologists call Key Largo Limestone. These once living coral forests over time died off and formed skeletons of calcium carbonate which is also known as limestone. It is these limestone skeletons that built up to form the islands we see today in the Florida Keys. Actually, a coral network surrounds the Florida peninsula but as water levels dropped over the ages, the highest coral peaks appeared to form the Keys.
Biscayne National Park
Although the Ragged Keys are designated as private, they are still nested within the Biscayne National Park which was formed to protect the delicate ecosystems found in the north region of the Florida Keys. This park takes extensive measures to monitor and protect wildlife around the Ragged Keys and other islands. It recently tested using a blimp instead of helicopters for aerial monitoring of the park’s natural resources. The idea with blimp monitoring is that it will not disturb the nesting activities of the numerous bird species that thrive in this area.
Items of Interest on Ragged Keys
One of the islands in the Ragged Keys, number 3 (also known as Islandia), is private and has a luxury residence on it that is listed for 5 million U.S. Dollars. What is interesting is that it was once the home of Bebe Rebozo, the long time friend of former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon.
What to Do at the Ragged Keys
If you are into observing wildlife, as mentioned before, there are many species of birds and other animals around the Ragged Keys. You can observe great blue herons, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, and double crested cormorants to name a few. And, in the water, you can see manta rays, manatees, sharks, and dolphins. In fact, it is not uncommon for a school of dolphins to give you a warm welcome by jumping in and out of the water as you approach the island.
Navigating your boat and finding anchorage around the Ragged Keys can be a little complicated at times. You want to be careful and not run your boat into the shallow reef areas. If your boat is no longer than 38 feet and can handle a depth of up to 5 feet then you will be able to anchor it around the islands. Of course, not everywhere around the Ragged Keys can handle these boat metrics so approach with caution. It is reported that there are two day beacons (unlighted #1 and flashing #2) that can guide you through a passage deep enough to handle your vessel.