Family Friendly Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys

​Tucked in the middle of the Florida Keys on Duck Key, you’ll find the family-friendly Hawks Cay Resort. It was the perfect spot for our family to relax for four nights on the second half of our Florida Keys vacation. What makes this resort so special? How about 5 pools, a saltwater lagoon, access to water sports, walking/bike paths, and daily activities, along with the popular Dolphin Connection program. Here’s what you need to know to have a great stay at Hawks Cay, especially with older teens.

*Updated January, 2024. Our visit took place prior to the reopening of the resort in 2018 after considerable renovations following the devastating 2017 hurricane season. 

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Accommodations
Hawks Cay offers accommodations that range from standard guest rooms and family guest rooms with bunk beds, to villas and suites with full kitchens to accommodate larger families and groups. Our 3 bedroom villa in the Marina Village allowed each of my kids to have their own bed, along with 3 bathrooms (essential for teens to spread out their stuff!). The villa also came with a full size kitchen along with a washer & dryer. The best part was the peaceful view overlooking the marina from both our upper balcony off our bedroom and the lower porch. The villas are privately owned rental properties so each one is slightly different as far as amenities.

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No matter where you stay in the resort, we found that the amenities are easily accessible. Teens can also rent bikes and use the paths that run throughout the property.

Daily Activities
Land activities are constant at Hawks Cay, with an events schedule available online.  We happened to visit the week leading up to the 4th of July so the resort was quite busy. The resort offers volleyball, basketball and pool-side activities, in addition to teen activities, which are a great option for younger teens. For an additional fee, kids ages 5-12 can enjoy a Camp Hawk experience like Dolphin Day.

Our family mainly wanted to just hang out by the water, play card games and relax, so we really didn't take full advantage of all the resort had to offer.  We did try family volleyball, the Scavenger Hunt (fun, but our family of teens lost to 8 year olds), and the Friday night Paradise Beach Party with Live Music.  It would have been helpful to know in advance that there were additional fees for many things (like the s'mores kits you had to buy for the bonfire) but, like most resorts, they make it easy to charge everything back to your room. For older teens, if you want to splurge, the spa also offers teen services like manicures, pedicures and massages. 

Water, Water Everywhere
With multiple pools, the saltwater lagoon, and marina access for boaters, it’s easy to find a place to cool off. Typically we found the lagoon and the Coral Cay pool to be the least crowded, so we spent most of our time there. The lagoon water comes straight from the ocean, so it's fun to find small fish and other sea creatures, especially with a snorkeling mask (essential in the Florida Keys). My husband and I found the lagoon to be a quiet early morning spot to relax under the thatched roof umbrella (note to husband - always use sunscreen in Florida, even under an umbrella!).

Two of the biggest draws for teens at Hawk’s Cay besides hanging out at the lagoon are the Dolphin Connection and the many water sports that are available. Four interactive programs are available, including the popular Dolphin Discovery program. Read more about the Dolphin Connection Program and their commitment to conservation and education. 

Renting paddle boards is a perfect option for older teens, since it doesn’t require any special skills other than a bit of balance. While there are paddle boards available for rent on the protected lagoon, if you are looking to get out on the open water, head over to the on-site marina. The folks there were very patient and helpful in getting all five of us moving, and provided very specific directions as to where to take the boards to avoid the boat traffic and currents. My kids are all comfortable in the open water which was helpful; however, a strong current under one of the bridges did cause two of our boards to flip so life jackets are essential. On a side note, know that there might be large tarpon in the marina area which my daughters thought were sharks!

Two other must-do activities that I would recommend for anyone in the Florida Keys are a Sunset Cruise and snorkel trips to the reef. Excursions can be arranged through Solé Watersports at the resort. We opted out of excursions at Hawks Cay since we had already done a sunset cruise and snorkel trip earlier in the week. Even if you don’t go on the Sunset Cruise, you can still catch colorful views of the fiery sunsets from the resort pool deck. Solé also offers kayak rentals and private boat excursions. Fisherman will find plenty of options for charter boat and fishing gear rentals.

Food & Drink
Guests will find plenty of dining options to choose from at Hawks Cay. It’s always a good idea to check the Hawks Cay website for the latest dining information and hours of operation, as some restaurants may not be open year round. Grab a tropical drink at the Tiki Grill, Coral Grill, or the adult-only Pilar Bar. Splurge on breakfast at Sixty-One Prime. The Coral Grill, near the Pirate Ship Pool, is a popular option for a casual sandwich or burger. Find the Tiki Grill centrally located near the lagoon and main pool area for a wide variety of snacks, salads, sandwiches, and sliders. 

Sixty-One Prime, which opened after our visit, serves breakfast and dinner. The Angler and Ale offers plenty of options, including dinner options like fish tacos along with local starters like Caribbean Conch Fritters. For fishermen, they also offer an option to bring your own filets for a Hook and Cook. 

We had planned to visit the Angler and Ale on the last night of our stay, but we ended up touring the Turtle Hospital (definitely worth doing!) in Marathon so decided to eat at the nearby Keys Fisheries. If you prefer to get off property, Marathon is just a short drive away, with plenty of local favorites. There is also a Publix grocery store in Marathon, so you can stock up your kitchen for breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, or arrange for delivery directly to the resort. 

Hawks Cay is fun place to create lasting vacation memories. Be sure to read my related post, 10 Things You Must Do with Teens in the Florida Keys for other ideas

Disclaimer: My kids received complimentary paddle board rentals during our stay. However all opinions expressed are my own.