The Molasses Keys are a small group of islands in the Florida Keys. Located a quarter mile south of the Seven Mile Bridge, 4 miles west of Marathon, and a mile and a half east of Money Key,[1] it is a frequented boating and camping spot. There are four islands, three are always above water, two of which are able to be walked on. The largest and easternmost one is 90% full of vegetation, the second largest one is just southwest and has more of a beach. The third one is an area of rocks always above water just west of the second island. The fourth "island" is an outcropping of rocks and sand visible at low tide just south of the largest island. There is a shallow grass and rock bed to the south of the islands.

Molasses Keys
Largest island as seen from the Seven Miles Bridge
Molasses Keys is located in Florida
Molasses Keys
Molasses Keys
Molasses Keys
Molasses Keys is located in Caribbean
Molasses Keys
Molasses Keys
Molasses Keys (Caribbean)
Geography
LocationGulf of Mexico
Coordinates24°41′07.5″N 81°11′19.8″W / 24.685417°N 81.188833°W / 24.685417; -81.188833
ArchipelagoFlorida Keys
Adjacent toFlorida Straits
Administration
StateFlorida
CountyMonroe

In the middle of the two main islands, there is a deeper narrow channel. The north end has a sandbar about 500 feet to the north. Also between the second and third island there is an access point which is a deep channel. The islands are frequented by boaters, campers, and fishermen because of the sandbars and Seven Mile Bridge channel.

Permission by the owners, Frank & Monica Woll, is required for camping. The large island is private and the smaller of the two main keys is open to the public but are asked to register. There is a sign with the owners names, phone number and also a QR code. Visitors can also register to visit for day use on the websitem www.molasseskeys.com. Permission to camp is on a case-by-case basis and subject to strict conservation rules.

References

edit
  1. ^ Layton Rice, Anne. "Molasses Keys". Key Names: A gazetteer of the islands of the Florida Keys. Retrieved 17 January 2017.