Old Rhodes Key is an island of the upper Florida Keys located within Biscayne National Park. The island is thought to have a few earlier names such as Jenyns Island, Jenkyns, Jennings Island, and Old Road. Today, it is part of the Biscayne National Park which is a reserve protecting the third largest coral reef in the world. This coral reef builds the foundation of the Florida Keys. Because of the tropical conditions found in this area, just about anything grows here to include pineapples, Key Limes, and coconuts. In fact, Old Rhodes Key has a rich history in one of Florida’s most popular fruits: Key Lime.
Items of Interest around the Island
Old Rhodes Key is separated from Elliot Key by Caesar’s Creek which is a passageway from Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. Since Biscayne Bay is protected by the Key islands, during the time of New World exploration many ships would travel through Caesar’s Creek to seek refuge from strong Atlantic Ocean waves. The Legend of Black Caesar tells about a pirate who used to live and operate in the area of Caesar’s Creek in the late 1700s and surprise these vessels traveling through it.
It is also interesting to note that at one time, buttonwood was harvested from Old Rhodes Key because it was useful for making charcoal which was high in demand on the mainland.
What You Can Do Around Old Rhodes Key
There are no facilities on Old Rhodes Key as far as camping and having a picnic is concerned. However, many take their boats and are able to anchor in 5 feet of water and go snorkeling. You can go fishing for Marlin, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, and other types of game fish found in the waters around this region. There are numerous species of fish in the area if you just want to study them through your underwater goggles.