Major city · United States
Duck Key
Duck Key is a one-night stop on a Florida Keys road trip: a resort island with a dolphin program and a saltwater lagoon, not a base for sightseeing.
Duck Key is a 40-acre resort island midway down the Florida Keys, known for Hawks Cay Resort, a dolphin encounter program, and a saltwater lagoon. Most visitors stay one night as part of a Key West or Marathon road trip. The island has no town centre, no public beach outside the resort, and limited dining options. It works best as a quiet overnight stop with a pool day built in.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Jun–Oct (hurricane season, heat, humidity)
- Airports
- MIA · EYW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Duck Key911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Duck Key, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDuck Key is a safe, gated resort island.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMIA Miami International Airport (About 2 h 15 min drive via US-1; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundDuck Key is small enough to walk within the resort.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner at resort restaurant$30–60
- BeerBeer (draft)$6–8
- Budget bedMotel in Marathon, a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedResort room (Hawks Cay), a night, per roomUS$400
- High-end bedResort room (Hawks Cay), a night, per roomUS$700
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$150 · Mid US$300 · High US$500
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MIA Miami International Airport (About 2 h 15 min drive via US-1; the nearest major airport.) · EYW Key West International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive; smaller airport with limited flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (16 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Duck Key: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Duck Key is small enough to walk within the resort. A car is essential for getting to and from the island; US-1 (Overseas Highway) runs past the entrance. Bicycle rental available at the resort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Islamorada
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-1 north, about 15 min
Fishing charters, restaurants and art galleries.
Marathon, Florida
goDoor to door: About 15 min
US-1 south, about 10 min
Turtle Hospital, Sombrero Beach, and the Seven Mile Bridge.
Key West
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-1 south, about 1 h 15 min
Full day trip; leave early to avoid traffic.
Key Largo
goDoor to door: About 50 min
US-1 north, about 45 min
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and diving.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hawks Cay Resort
The only large resort on the island; rooms, villas and a full-service spa. Most visitors stay here.
Nearby Marathon
About 10 min south; more budget-friendly hotels and motels along US-1.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- $250–400 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort room (Hawks Cay)1 × 1 night × US$400 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$300 | US$600 |
| Dolphin encounter (Hawks Cay)2 × US$150 · check | US$300 |
| Car rental per day2 × US$60 | US$120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$142 |
| Trip total≈ US$781 per person per day, bed included | US$1,562 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch at resort restaurant | $15–25 |
| Dinner at resort restaurant | $30–60 |
| Beer (draft) | $6–8 |
| Cocktail | $12–18 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public beach outside the resort; the lagoon is the main swimming area.
- Dining options are limited to the resort and a few nearby restaurants on US-1.
- Hurricane season runs June through November; check forecasts before booking.
- Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can be heavy at dawn and dusk; bring repellent.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Duck KeyDuck Key
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Miami Airport to Duck Key (taxi/rideshare): about $200–300, 2 h 15 min
- Key West Airport to Duck Key (taxi/rideshare): about $120–180, 1 h 15 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the primary language; no special phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Duck Key. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Jun–Oct (hurricane season, heat, humidity) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Duck Key
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