Marquesas Keys

The Marquesas Keys, not to be confused with the Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean, form an uninhabited atoll about 50 km west of Key West, 6 km in diameter, and overgrown by mangrove. They are an unincorporated area of Monroe County, Florida and belong to the Lower Keys Census County Division. The total area, including the lagoon, measures 29.37 km². About a fourth of this is land area.

Related Topics:
Marquesas Islands - Pacific Ocean - Atoll - Key West - Mangrove - Unincorporated - Monroe County, Florida - Census County Division - Lagoon

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The islands are part of the Florida Keys, separated from the rest of the Florida Keys, which are further east, by the Boca Grande Channel, which is 10 km wide until Boca Grande Key. Only the Dry Tortugas are still further west, 60 km west of the Marquesas Keys.

Related Topics:
Florida Keys - Dry Tortugas

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The central lagoon is called Mooney Harbor. The northernmost key is the largest and has a strip of sandy beach free of mangrove. It surrounds the laagon in the north and east. Adjoining in the south are smaller keys such as Gull Keys, Mooney Harbor Key, and finally about four unnamed keys in the southwest corner of the atoll.

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The islands are best known for their excellent sport fishing.

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