Tavernier: Nature, Coast and History

When choosing a place to stay in Tavernier, it helps to consider your specific interests: Would you like to take a self-guided tour in a Wild Bird Sanctuary, plan a visit to a protected beach and swimming area, or learn about architectural history? The destinations differ in the type of outing they offer and the time of day.

Nature along the Boardwalk

At the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, a boardwalk allows visitors to take a self-guided tour along the enclosures. Information panels line the route to the bay. The tour thus connects the enclosures with a clearly identified destination by the water; the panels add information along the way. The Sanctuary is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

Coast and water access

Harry Harris Park has a protected beach and swimming area. It is open daily from sunrise until half an hour after sunset. Compared with the Sanctuary, the park stays open half an hour longer; both opening times are tied to sunrise and sunset. Hours may change, so check them before your visit.

The Harry Harris Boat Ramp has a different maritime focus: it is a double concrete ramp, with the two sections separated by a finger pier, and provides access to the Atlantic Ocean. Information about the Boat Ramp focuses on its design and access to the Atlantic, while information about the park focuses on the beach and swimming. This makes it easy to distinguish between the two when planning your stay.

Architectural history and trail connections

The Tavernier Methodist Church was built shortly after the hurricane. It replaced the building constructed around 1886, which was lost in the storm. The Merlin Albury House at 91731 Overseas Highway was built in the 1920s by the son of one of Tavernier's founders. The two buildings offer different chronological points of reference for the area's history: a predecessor building dating to around 1886 and a house built in the 1920s. They also differ in the nature of their historical connections: for the church, it is the hurricane; for the house, it is the family of a Tavernier founder. Together, the event history and family history offer two distinct ways of exploring the area's past.

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail also offers a starting point for planning an outing: its historic plan lists the Settler's Park Trailhead at mile marker 92. If you are planning a bike ride on the trail, check current conditions in advance. Alongside nature and coastal attractions, architectural history and a connection to the trail give you different interests to choose from during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Islamorada, Marathon Shores, Sugarloaf Key, Key Colony Beach, Summerland Key, Layton, Little Torch Key, Key West

For the broader travel overview: Monroe.