Aerial view of waterfront villas with private docks, green lawns, and calm marina waters in a tropical resort setting.

Your Key to paradise

Longing for a tropical haven where the days run on sunshine and salt air? Discover sparkling turquoise waters, easy-going island energy, and an open invitation to adventure at Hawks Cay resort. Because it’s always a party in paradise.

What Makes Hawks Cay Truly Special

Tucked in the heart of the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay Resort is a timeless getaway sprinkled across 60 acres of tropical beauty in the Florida Keys. Here, every day flows with the rhythm of laid-back living—barefoot days, carefree nights, and the coastal adventures of your dreams.

Drop anchor in one of our beautifully-appointed rooms or villas, or dock your boat at our full-service marina before diving into endless possibilities. From tranquil sunrise dips and thrilling offshore excursions to romantic “I dos” on the beach and legendary memories with your nearest and dearest, every moment is a catch worth keeping.

Aerial view of a waterfront home with palm tree, wooden dock, and a boat moored beside turquoise water.

Illustrated resort map showing buildings, pools, marina, walking paths, and labeled amenities along the waterfront.

Activities directory sign listing resort amenities including spa, marina, pools, sports courts, lagoon, and waterpark.

Resort directory sign listing restaurants, shopping, services, and event venues with corresponding numbers.

Graphic listing resort accommodations, including hotel rooms and multiple villa categories with unit numbers and totals.

Hawks Cay History

Hawks Cay Resort and the island of Duck Key have lived many lives throughout the years. From the Key’s first recorded mention to weathering hurricanes, renovations, and even hosting a few presidents, our slice of paradise has stood the test of time.

Hawks Cay Resort as we know it today was developed in the 1950s, but its story dates all the way back to the 1800s when the first family settled on Duck Key. As we look forward to welcoming guests for decades to come, let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane.

Black-and-white aerial view of a small island surrounded by shallow coastal waters and sandbars.

1775

The Island Gets a Name

British General George Gauld names the island Duck Key in his chart of the Florida Keys. The name comes from the shape of the island, which resembles a duck’s head when viewed from above.

Vintage-style coastal landscape with sandy shoreline, green vegetation, and turquoise water under a partly cloudy sky.

1814

A Generous Gift

Duck Key is gifted to Spain by the English as a token of appreciation for their assistance in the war.

Calm coastal water with rock formations reflecting a cloudy sky at dawn or dusk.

1827

Salt of the Earth

The Honorable Charles Howe buys Duck Key for roughly $1,700. He later begins salt production on the island, producing around 40,000 bushels of salt a year for transport to Key West.

Barren sandy landscape with dead, stripped trees under a blue sky, showing storm or environmental damage.

1937

The End of an Era

The famous Labor Day hurricane hits Duck Key, putting an end to salt production.

Historic two-story house with wraparound porch, central tower, and symmetrical staircases set on a grassy lawn.

1951

Building Begins

Real estate developer Bryan Newkirk purchases Duck Key for $4 million dollars, about $173 million by today’s standards, and builds the first Indies Inn and 9-hole golf course. He also builds the present-day canals, promptly filling in much of the marshes and mangroves and nearly tripling the land size of Duck Key.

Aerial view of a narrow causeway crossing shallow water to a low island, shown in a historic black-and-white photo.

1951-1953

Duck Key Gets Connected

A wooden bridge is built to connect Duck Key to the Florida Keys causeway in 1951, with the completion of US1 following in 1953.

Vintage black-and-white hotel lobby with patterned tile floor, columns, lounge seating, and mid-century design details.

1955

West Indies Redesign

Acclaimed architect Morris Lapidus is brought in to design the hotel in typical West Indies fashion. He enhances the hotel with special flourishes like the circular dining pavilion, and the Indies Inn is born.

Historic stone gate with palm trees along a coastal road under a bright blue sky.

1963

Becoming A Gala Resort

After various iterations, by 1963 the Indies Inn had become a gala resort worthy of a visit from a former president. Harry Truman stays at the resort with his family, vowing to remain “as long as my money holds out.” The island’s main bridge is named in his honor. Two more presidents would later stay at the Indies Inn.

Vintage black-and-white photo of a tropical resort pool area with palm trees, lounge chairs, and a pavilion building.

1984

Goodbye Indies Inn, Hey Hawks Cay

The Pompano Beach Barrington Group buys Duck Key and renovates the existing Indies Inn, reopening the hotel as Hawks Cay Resort.

Aerial view of a small island with marina, bridge crossing turquoise water, roads, and surrounding coastal homes.

1985

Hawks Cay In The 80s

From windsurfing to hotel accommodations, catch a glimpse of Hawks Cay Resort in the 1980s.

Modern indoor lounge with seating areas, decorative room dividers, soft lighting, and neutral coastal decor.

2003

New World-Class Amenities

The Calm Water Spa and Indies Club Recreation Center—now known as Coral Cay Adventure Club—are added to the property. The marina and conference facilities are also refreshed.

Resort hotel exterior at dusk with palm trees, balconies, and a warmly lit entrance under a deep blue sky.

2007

A New West Indies Style

Hawks Cay Resort completes renovations to the tune of about $56 million, transforming interiors from the tropical theme to a West Indies-inspired design concept seen in the lobby, guest rooms, and villas.

Honor guard in uniform carrying the U.S. flag during a Heroes Salute ceremony at an outdoor event with palm trees.

2009

Meet Heroes Salute

Hawks Cay introduces the Heroes Salute Program in 2009, honoring the nation’s heroes with discounted rates, special offers, and a tribute weekend filled with family-friendly events. In 2009, Hawks Cay Resort becomes the title sponsor for the renowned sport fishing show, Saltwater Experience. Known for world-class fishing and its full-service marina, Hawks Cay is the homebase for Captains Rowland and Tudor after days of Florida Keys fishing.

Wooden dock leading to a waterfront restaurant with palm trees and a glowing “Angler and Ale” sign at dusk.

2016

Another Multi-Phase Renovation

New ownership initiates a multi-phase renovation, ending with the opening of waterfront restaurant Angler & Ale in May 2016. The restaurant brings a new casual dining outlet focused on fresh Florida Keys seafood to the resort.

Several boats stranded across a roadway near power lines and debris, blocking traffic on a gray day.

2017

Hurricane Irma Strikes

Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys on September 10, 2017, devastating the resort and resulting in a year-long closure. During this time, Hawks Cay undergoes a $50 million renovation and redevelopment.

Aerial view of a coastal resort with turquoise water, lagoon beach, palm trees, and surrounding waterfront homes.

2018

Hawks Cay Rises

The reimagined Hawks Cay Resort reopens with the #HawksCayRises campaign on August 30, 2018, featuring an updated coastal-casual design, two new restaurants, expanded adults-only area, and upgraded programming and amenities.

Live outdoor music performance with two musicians on stools, playing guitar before a seated audience at a tropical venue.

2021

Keys To Country

After a whirlwind 2020, Hawks Cay welcomes guests to the resort with a new music series, Keys to Country. Highly acclaimed artists including Lee Brice and Easton Corbin sell out shows at our island venue.

Elegant hotel lobby with seating areas, decorative columns, warm lighting, and indoor plants throughout the open space.

2024–2025

A Resort Refresh

Hawks Cay Resort undergoes a thoughtful refresh across guest rooms, villas, and key public spaces, enhancing comfort, design, and functionality while preserving the resort’s relaxed Florida Keys character and long-standing connection to Duck Key.

Walkway entrance to Hawks Cay Marina framed by tropical greenery, leading to boat docks under a pastel sunset sky.

2025

The Marina Reimagined

In 2025, the Hawks Cay Marina is relaunched following a comprehensive refresh, reintroducing the marina as a vibrant hub for boaters, anglers, and guests with upgraded facilities, improved amenities, and a renewed focus on the resort’s deep-rooted maritime heritage.

FAQ

Where is Hawks Cay Resort located?

Hawks Cay Resort is located on Duck Key in the Middle Florida Keys, roughly halfway between Miami and Key West. The 60-acre island resort offers direct access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, ideal for boating, fishing, and laid-back island getaways.

Why is Duck Key historically important?

Duck Key was first documented in 1775 by British cartographer George Gauld. Over time, the island supported salt production, maritime navigation, and eventually planned resort development, playing a meaningful role in the broader history of the Florida Keys.

When did Hawks Cay Resort begin?

Hawks Cay Resort traces its modern origins to the early 1950s, when developer Bryan Newkirk transformed Duck Key into a planned resort destination. The original Indies Inn opened during this period, establishing the foundation for today’s Hawks Cay experience.

Have any U.S. presidents stayed here?

Yes. Former U.S. President Harry S. Truman stayed at the former Indies Inn during a Florida Keys visit in the early 1960s. Two additional U.S. presidents later visited Duck Key, reinforcing its reputation as a discreet island retreat.

Who designed the original Hawks Cay hotel?

In 1955, celebrated architect Morris Lapidus redesigned the hotel in a West Indies–inspired style. Known for shaping iconic mid-century resorts, Lapidus introduced distinctive architectural elements that continue to influence Hawks Cay’s character today.

What makes Hawks Cay unique in the Florida Keys?

Hawks Cay is one of the few Florida Keys resorts offering a full-service marina, expansive villas, family-friendly programming, and adults-only experiences on a private island. This balance of adventure, relaxation, and space sets it apart from more densely developed Keys destinations.