Soldier key is a small island that is part of the Florida Keys. The island is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay close enough to see the Miami skyline. It gets its name from the era when it was used as camp for men building the light at Fowey Rocks. The island is relatively isolated and for the most part untouched. The island is covered with grass, shrubbery, and mangroves. Visiting Soldier Key is experiencing untouched nature at its best.

The Geology of Soldier Key

The island is part of the Key Largo Limestone which is a fossil coral reef that with its northernmost exposure at Soldier Key. This reef is filled with fossils formed from mollusks, corals, and bryozoans. Of course the primary rock that forms this geologic feature is limestone. The geologic formation is also mixed with sand sediments to form a bar that breaks the storm surges and rough waters that come from the Atlantic Ocean.

Biscayne National Park

Soldier Key also lies in the northern region of the Biscayne National Park which is a reserve for protecting the natural beauty and delicate ecosystems of this archipelago of islands. Not only does the reserve protect ecosystems but it captures a bygone era in the history of the New World, a time when natives utilized the land, explorers blazed new trails, and pirates threatened the passageway for vessels taking treasures back to Europe. There are sunken vessels that dot the park in their underwater graves that attest to this. All has been preserved by the Biscayne National Park.

Items of Interest on Soldier Key

There aren’t many items of interest on Soldier Key other than those associated with pure nature. You have to take a boat to the island and there is an old dock where you can tie it. There is a rusted old winch that was once used to pull in boats. Other than these, you can stand on the island and see Miami and then look to the east and you will see the Fowey Rocks Light. This is a fully-automated light that sits on the northeastern boundary of Biscayne National Park. It is cone-shaped and gets its name from the HMS Fowey which was a Royal Navy Frigate that shipwrecked in the vicinity in 1748.

What Can You Do On Soldier Key?

There are many areas around the island where you can go snorkeling. The crystal clear waters allow you to view all the different types of life that fill these waters. It is reported that there is a sunken sea vessel not too far off the island’s shore where snorkelers can observe fish and many go to the Fowey Rocks Light and snorkel there as well. Of course fishing is popular but do not pick up the lobsters as they are protected in the Biscayne National Park. You can also assume that all coral is protected as well as turtles, alligators, pelicans, and the famous Florida Manatee.

Soldier Key makes a great destination for a boater to enjoy the day away from the mainland. Be careful as you pull your boat into this island and be aware of the shallow waters. Probably much of the reason for the island’s isolation is that it depths at best only run about 4 feet. This can make navigation and anchorage quite challenging.