separated from the mainland by the broad sweep of Biscayne Bay and connected by a graceful causeway that feels like a passage into a different rhythm of life. Though small in size, Key Biscayne carries a history and cultural presence far larger than its geography suggests. Its story is one of natural beauty, Indigenous roots, colonial encounters, hurricanes and resilience, recreation and retreat, and the ongoing balance between preservation and development that defines much of coastal Florida.
Long before modern roads and bridges reached the island, Key Biscayne was part of the lived landscape of Indigenous peoples. Archaeological evidence indicates that Native groups, often associated with the Tequesta culture, used the island and surrounding waters for fishing, gathering shellfish, and seasonal movement. The shallow bay, mangrove-lined shores, and proximity to the Atlantic provided abundant resources. For these early inhabitants, Key Biscayne was not an isolated paradise but an integrated part of a larger coastal world shaped by tides, weather, and ecological knowledge passed down through generations.
European contact brought profound change. Spanish explorers encountered the region in the sixteenth century, naming geographic features and claiming territory, though permanent settlement was slow and difficult. The island’s strategic position near the entrance to Biscayne Bay made it useful for navigation, but its exposure to storms and lack of fresh water limited early development. Over time, disease, displacement, and colonial pressures devastated Indigenous populations, leaving behind place names and archaeological traces as reminders of their long presence. shutdown123