Duck Key, FL

Duck Key is a quiet island neighborhood tucked into the Middle Keys near mile marker 61, roughly halfway between Islamorada and Marathon. Home to around 650 full-time residents, the island is known for its picturesque arched bridges, quiet canals, and direct ocean access. Hawks Cay Resort occupies one corner of the key, while the rest consists of peaceful residential streets where boating and waterfront relaxation are central to daily life.

ATTRUSGS / Public domain

Because Duck Key is almost entirely residential with no commercial district, everyday errands are tied closely to Marathon, just a ten-minute drive down the Overseas Highway. That is where residents head for grocery shopping, medical care, and schools like Stanley Switlik Elementary. Life on the island itself revolves around boat docks, fishing trips, and golf cart rides around the neighborhood, with the highway offering a simple link to the rest of the Florida Keys.