Just 1/2 mile offshore the coastal town of Marathon, FL. nestled midway down the Florida Keys chain of Islands, you'll find a “secret” island hideaway that is as close to paradise as one could happen upon.
This lush, tropical 10-acre island is named Seabird Key and is surrounded by the calm blue waters of Florida Bay which provides the perfect setting for water sports of all kinds. Imagine waking up on your own private island knowing that you and your group are the only occupants (besides the seabirds, of course) and you have exclusive use and access to your own boat, dock, sandy beach, lush gardens, outdoor kitchen and jungle trails. Kayaks and paddle boards are also provided along with a towing tube that provides endless entertainment for kids of all ages.
Step out onto your private balcony or climb up a very sturdy ladder leading to Seabird’s 30-foot widow’s walk for the ultimate views and be amazed by the surrounding beauty. The sunset hour is the peak time to experience unforgettable, breathtaking Florida Keys sunsets.
As a guest, you'll enjoy the convenience of not one, but two full kitchens (one inside and one outside) complete with appliances and all the necessary pots, pans, plates and utensils to whip up delicious meals. Gather around the dining table with the 7 other people you invited to share this secret experience with and savor the flavors of the local Keys cuisine. If you like fish, you can go out in the boat and fish for whatever kind of fish you like or just drop a line at the dock where you can usually catch an abundance of yellowtail snapper.
If you chose to spend your day in the hammock, and you were not in the mood for offshore fishing or even fishing straight off the dock, there are local seafood shops where you can find fresh fish of any variety. If you are also not into cooking, Seabird’s concierge, Carly Hursey, can set you up with a private chef who is delighted to come over to the Island to cook for you. You’ll have to pay for the chef’s cost, but a meal served on Seabird is better than any restaurant anywhere. The setting is so unique and beautiful, it will be a well spent wad of cash should you decide to treat yourself.
When you're not exploring the Island, you might find yourself hanging out on the beach sunbathing, reading your book, playing with your kids or dozing off peacefully in a hammock listening to the gentle sway of the palm trees. Turn on your favorite music if you like because there are speakers on the beach. The music is controlled by the TV/Sound system in the Island home, but it’s up to you whether you have it playing on the beach or not. And, yes, you could be working on your phone or tablet because there is high speed Wi-Fi on Seabird, including the beach, but hopefully you will not even think about checking in with the rest of the world.
After a great night's sleep, you wake up the next day a bit more energized and although you have been feeling lazy, today will be different. You get to decide what activities to explore. You could kayak around the Island and get some exercise while experiencing some very interesting mangrove forests. The back side of the Island is where you can learn firsthand what the Florida Keys ecosystem is all about. This unusual, complicated and fascinating part of God’s creation will be interesting, and you might learn something new that will greatly enrich your stay on Seabird. So, off you go and have a fabulous adventure.
Upon return, everyone is now so impressed that you kayaked around the entire Island, so while you’re putting your kayak away, you see the paddle boards stacked nearby and since you know you’re a real dude, you take one down to the dock and jump on for a ride. Your arms may be a little tired already from the kayaking, but you can worry about that later. After all, you’re not trying to set any world records for speed. Thank goodness the water is calm! When you finish the paddleboarding, it’s already late morning and you are ready for a snack. You rinse off at one of the ground level outdoor showers. That was convenient because you're not changing out of your swimsuit! You grab a beach towel and mosey on over to the Trader Vic’s outdoor kitchen. You know you should have some coconut water for hydration, but instead you pull out the blender and mix up a pina colada. This is the most refreshing drink ever after all your morning activity.
Sombrero Reef is the place to go for snorkeling or scuba-diving. It's on the ocean side, but you're ready for another adventure, right? Seabird's manager cautioned you to only go out to Sombrero on a "perfect" day which translates to one with little or no wind. Otherwise, it makes for a very wet and bumpy ride over if you ignore sea conditions. Also, if you have limited boating skills, you may want to go out to the reef with a captain. There are numerous boats who take people out for a half-day with a group. This could be for you.
The kids are gathered looking at hermit crabs, so you decide to see what the fascination with hermit crabs is all about. They found crabs painted with art and people’s names on the crabs. This seems to be a Seabird thing. Paint your own personal crab and throughout your stay, try to spot it around the Island. So, the kids are now painting their names on the little crabs. I did see a page in the Seabird guidebook that was a warning from the owners…You can’t take them home with you!! Their home is on Seabird!
you can unwind in the cozy living room, catch a movie on the smart TV, or challenge your friends to a game night. The property also offers a range of amenities to make your stay truly comfortable, including free high speed Wi-Fi, a washing machine and dryer, and an array of entertainment options for both adults and children.
You look at the brochures for the nearby attractions, such as the picturesque Coco Plum Beach, the serene Sombrero Beach, or the captivating Curry Hammock State Park. A trip to Marathon offers the experience of swimming with the Dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center. The younger kids will ask to go to the aquarium where they can interact with the sea life. It's less than 3 minutes from Seabird's mainland lot, so you can't say no. You read that another really great organization is the Turtle Hospital located also in Marathon. Take a tour. These are just 3 of our favorites. There is so much more to explore.
Embrace the laid-back island lifestyle and create lasting memories in this enchanting beachfront vacation home.
