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Get Away from Your Naples Getaway at Keewaydin Island

By
Real Estate Agent with Florida Supreme Realty SL514814

aerial view of Keewaydin Island looking towards Port Royal & Naples

boats rafting and beached for a day of fun at Keewaydin Island

 

Adjoining Rookery Bay is a beautiful and natural barrier island   known as Keewaydin.  At it's southern terminus is where locals gather to enjoy some fishing, food, friends and frolicking.  What makes this place such a perfect destination?  There are no restrooms!  No barbecue grills!  No picnic benches!  No cars!  No potable water!  No electricity and virtually no tourists!

 

It's a sliver of land between Naples and Marco Island without bridges and accessible only by boat.  There are some private homes here yet only a few.  At just over 8 miles in length there are about 2,000 acres of State owned natural preserve.  You'll see eagles, osprey, pelicans, gulls, owls, hawks and an occasional falcon plus more.  Sometimes there's an occasional sighting of deer swimming across from the Rookery Bay Estuarine Reserve to the island.  Fox & raccoon visit often to gather some precious turtle eggs or hatchlings during summer.  It's quite rare but the Florid panther has also been spotted here.  Human visitors to the public beach can enjoy sunbathing, wildlife viewing, shelling, fishing, and camping in designated areas.

 

Keewaydin Island is the largest un-bridged barrier island in Florida and most notably a part of the largest and most pristine subtropical mangrove estuaries in the World. More than 100 species of birds and many threatened and endangered animals thrive in the estuarine environment, as well as the surrounding upland hammocks and scrub.  In March 2012, The Trust for Public Land conserved a 4.6 acre parcel adjacent to the reserve to hrlp protects nesting grounds and habitat for many species, including Atlantic loggerhead turtles, indigo snake, and gopher tortoises.

 

When visiting, exploring and enjoying this fantastic public resource bear in mind to keep it as natural as you found it?  Leaving no footprint is very difficult in it's sand, but try, PLEASE TRY?   Call me when it's time for your GETAWAY? 


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Show All Comments Sort:
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kevin- I'm not familiar with this island but it sounds like a place I want to place on my "where to go" list.  Don't think I'm into camping anymore but would do a day trip!

Jul 02, 2013 03:24 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kevin,

What a lovely place to escape for this coming holiday weekend.  I bet a lot of folks have done just that. A

Jul 02, 2013 03:50 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Don't fret Kathy. there are 21 or so homes and if you don't want to buy one I'll find you a really nice rental so you can write your book, away from the partying crowd.

Alexandra, this is such an enticing island, unspoiled and only minutes from Marco or Naples.  Sunsets are spectacular and the beach is truly like sugar.  Translated, Keewaydin means "homeward bound" and is referenced in Longfellow's "Songs of Hiawatha".  Perfect for soul cleansing, a month is recommended.      

Jul 02, 2013 06:40 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jul 06, 2013 11:45 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Kathy, you're the best.  If you ever need a place to unwind, naturally, Keewaydin Island can do that.  

Jul 06, 2013 10:53 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Kevin, I visited this area often when I lived in Fla back in the early 80's. It looks now like it has been discovered by the many. I bet it is a fun place to gather.

Jul 07, 2013 07:11 AM
Helen and Larry Prier- Re-Max Gateway - Residential Real Estate
RE-MAX Gateway- Residential Real Estate Sales - Anacortes, WA
Anacortes & surrounding Skagit & Island Counties

Kevin. Looks like a wonderful place to visit. great photos as well.

Jul 07, 2013 09:22 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

William, the party is always at the South End where the public beach is.  Well patroled so there's never any real problems despite the congestion.  It's a NO-WAKE zone too so it's pretty safe for swimming also.

Helen & Larry, there have been several beautiful weddings there and memorable trips home on a balmy summer's eve along the Gulf side. 

Jul 07, 2013 02:54 PM