Hidden Gem: Lover's Key

Hidden along the west coast of Florida is a hidden gem- Lover’s Key. For years it was only accessible by boat, but now it’s a state park, complete with resort and plenty of wildlife. This beautiful, two mile stretch of white beach is the perfect place to swim, fish, walk nature trails, gather unique shells, and spot dolphins. Kayaking and hiking are two of the most popular activities in this tiny piece of southwest Florida.

If you’re interested in conservation, the Friends of Lover’s Key State Park is a great organization. They support and protect shorebird, sea turtle nesting, and native plant nursery projects. For example, each March hundreds of Least Terns come to nest, laying speckled eggs in the sand. Protection of these nesting sites is a priority for the Friends of Lovers Key State Park, and they work with local volunteers to monitor nests.

When you visit Lover’s Key, one of the animals you are most likely to see is a manatee. These intelligent, gentle creatures migrate to the warm waters and munch on sea grasses. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, a baby manatee was found stranded in Lover’s Key and transported safely to Sea World for rehabilitation until it could be released back into the wild.

There’s always something exciting happening in the area. Mark your calendar for the Tropical Beach Party taking place on Thursday, March 8 at 5:30pm. Come ready to dance to the music of Johnny Caribe and the Island Girl. Then fill up on Texas Tony’s  pulled pork BBQ, complete with specialty island desserts. Click HERE for a full list of upcoming events.