This quiet island was once a thriving city, complete with a warehouse, docks, streets, a hotel and about 40 to 50 permanent residents. There’s not much left at the historic site – just the foundation, some cisterns and jungly tangle. Robbie ’s used to bring boats this way, and still does boat rentals (around $30 for a kayak or canoe). You can also see the island from the water on an ecotour with Robbie’s ($37.50).
By 1836, Indian Key was the first seat of Dade County, but four years later the inhabitants of the island were killed or scattered by a Native American attack during the Second Seminole War. Trails follow the old layout of the city streets, or you can walk among ruins and paddle around spotting rays and dolphins in utter isolation in a canoe or kayak.
