What gets you is the quiet. At night, all you hear is the sound of the waves splashing to the shore at Hawks Cay Resort and you think, this is just the kind of getaway I was seeking. But your mind wanders to tomorrow’s adventures. Should you go fishing, snorkeling, or kiteboarding? Welcome to the award-winning, 4-star Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key in the Florida Keys: a destination resort you’ll never want to leave.
The water is what calls guests to Hawks Cay… those seeking a quiet refuge or others in search of grouper, marlin, and snapper. Swim in the five pools, play tennis, golf, or pickleball. Go reef snorkeling, kayaking, or do a little stand-up paddleboarding. Head to the marina and charter a fishing boat or cruise around the Duck Key canals, enjoying the serenity of just being out on the water.
One of the “key” elements of Hawks Cay is the choice of accommodations, everything from hotel rooms and suites to condos and 3/4 bedroom townhouse villas. Whatever you’re hosting, Hawks Cay has the perfect setting for your group.
Dine Divine with Water All-Around
Dine in one of their seven exquisite restaurants with everything from their scrumptious breakfast buffet in the Marketplace with made-to-order omelets and fresh muffins, fresh fruit and lots more. If you’re heading to the boat, get one of their grab-and-go selections.
For lunch, the inviting Tiki Grill offers plentiful salads. My favorite was the Poolside Salad with strawberries, nuts, feta and lettuce with a honey mustard dressing. Or, get happy with the Superfood Salad.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at Angler & Ale, a casual seafood restaurant with Florida Key specialties. Start with their fabulous tuna nachos, then enjoy the fish tacos and end with the perfect bread pudding or mud pie. Try the local hogfish, tender and flaky or the popular Yellowtail Snapper. If you book a fishing charter, they’ll “hook and cook” your catch.
Prime Sixty One serves up the best in gourmet dining. Their premier steak house is helmed by Bill Ryan, recently named Chef of the Year by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. Ryan’s special menu lived up its reputation for imaginative dishes, matched with exquisite wines. The New York Strip was succulent, perfectly grilled and topped with fresh mushrooms and served with a delectable creamed spinach and mushroom risotto that was out of this world. His cauliflower steak tasted rich and flavorful.
Spaaaah
Now get a chance to really relax at their award-winning Calm Waters Spa with a variety of Keys-inspired treatments and therapies. I opted for the hot stone massage and felt the stress melt away as the heat penetrated. Choose from a variety of indulgent skincare and salon services to help you feel pampered and relaxed.
Play with the Dolphins
Love those wonderful creatures? Hawks Cay is known for its innovative Dolphin Connection, the only resort in the U.S. with a resident bottlenose dolphin program in their on-site tropical lagoon. The resort has 10 trainers in residence who care for the eight lively dolphins, ranging in age from 15 years to 45 years old. Check out the daily show and see their amazing training. Or get up close and personal as you swim with the dolphins or even become a trainer for the day. I opted for the dockside program and was delighted when the dolphins followed my instructions to clap their fins together and turn around and spin on their tails. I happily fed them a fish or two.
Smooth Sailing on a Sunset Cruise
In the late afternoon, the resort offers a sunset cruise which takes you out on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a selection of beer and wine. Celebrate the sunset with your best buds and a champagne toast. During the day, go snorkeling or hang out in the sandbar with your own private boat and captain.
Grander Than Ever
Since Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hawks Cay has undergone a major renovation, making the resort more beautiful and contemporary than ever. Find your place on the water at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys!
