Shallow Atlantic flats along the shore of Long Key State Park

Beach and sky along the Golden Orb Trail, Long Key State Park

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Ride Long Key, keep it open

Nine hundred and sixty-five acres between the Atlantic and Florida Bay, with a lagoon you can paddle in an hour.

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7 riders call this homeKite (access being established)Curry Hammock State ParkLong Key State Park, Florida State Parks

Everything you need to know about Long Key

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

A sheltered, marked 1.5-mile paddling trail runs within the lagoon and is suitable for novice paddlers by kayak or canoe.
Shallow water along the park's natural shoreline makes for good paddling and exploration. Visitors are welcome to bring their own kayaks or canoes.
No boat ramps are available for vessels larger than a canoe or kayak; those launch from the beach.

Sources: Florida State Parks, Experiences and Amenities; Florida RV Trade Association

See the wind right now

Access and rules

Access runs on the park's own written policy. Where a policy exists, the chapter keeps riders inside it. Where none exists, the chapter asks the park before anyone assumes.

Long Key State Park has no published kiteboarding policy. Kiteboarding is not listed among the park's official activities.
The chapter's first job is to work with the park to find out whether and where kiting could fit, not to assume it already does.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
Entry is $4.50 per vehicle with a single occupant, or $5.00 per vehicle with two to eight occupants, plus a $0.50-per-person Monroe County surcharge.

Sources: Florida State Parks; Florida State Parks; no kiteboarding policy found in official material as of 2026

Read the local rules

Ecology and habitat

State parks protect hammock, mangrove, seagrass and nesting habitat. Stewardship days focus on launch care, hauling trash out, and keeping riders clear of what the park protects.

The Golden Orb Trail, named after a native spider, is a leisurely 1.1-mile walk through several plant communities.
The Layton Trail is on the bayside, with short interconnecting paths and overlooks of Florida Bay.
The park is a designated location on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Wading and shorebirds are present year-round, with migratory species seasonally. Herons, egrets and ibis are common; white-crowned pigeon and roseate spoonbill are the lucky finds.

Sources: Florida State Parks, Experiences and Amenities

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Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

Long Key State Park is at mile marker 67.5 on US 1, 67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key, FL 33001. Phone (305) 664-4815.
The park covers 965 acres on Long Key, Monroe County, and was dedicated in 1969.
It stretches between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay.
Amenities include 60 full-facility campsites, picnic areas and restrooms.

Sources: Florida State Parks listing; Florida State Parks; Wikipedia

Meet the riders

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Long Key

Keys kite season runs October–May with December through March the most consistent.

Source: Kitesurfing Magazine

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Long Key

Winds average 15–25 knots mostly from the east.

Source: Kitesurfing Magazine

Know the spot

Long Key

Long Key State Park covers 965 acres between the Atlantic and Florida Bay.

Source: Florida State Parks

Know the spot

Why Long Key needs a chapter

Florida Keys

Through the winter and spring, easterly trade winds blow across the Middle Keys, and the shallow flats off Long Key sit right in their path. The water is warm, clear and often standable, the kind of place where a rider can learn without fighting waves.

7riders call this home

Kite (access being established)disciplines riding here

Long Key chapter, World Wind Sports

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Florida Keys

Long Key State Park does not list kiteboarding among its activities, and it has no published kiting policy. That means there is no agreed place for riders here yet, and no one speaking for them when the question comes up.

7riders call this home

Kite (access being established)disciplines riding here

Long Key chapter, World Wind Sports

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Florida Keys

A chapter starts that conversation properly: one point of contact for the park, riders who are trained and certified, and stewardship days that show kiters can look after a protected shoreline as well as use it.

7riders call this home

Kite (access being established)disciplines riding here

Long Key chapter, World Wind Sports

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The riders, schools and crew of Long Key

Riders from Layton, Marathon, Islamorada, Tavernier, Key Largo, Keylargo and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board

WWSThe chapterWorks with the park to establish whether and where kiting fits, before anyone assumes access.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship on the sheltered calm water, keeping the shoreline clean and the sport low-impact.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends — starting beginners on flat water, trained and self-policing, instructor certification for qualifying members.WWSThe chapterWorks with the park to establish whether and where kiting fits, before anyone assumes access.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship on the sheltered calm water, keeping the shoreline clean and the sport low-impact.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends — starting beginners on flat water, trained and self-policing, instructor certification for qualifying members.

Nicholas FuogLevel 4V, Tavernier

Inna GenouonLevel 2H, Marathon

Shelby JackmanLevel 3L, Key largo

Lou SenaLevel 4Q, IslamoradaJJp MccabeLevel 3M, MARATHONAAdam ElinkowskiLevel 3K, LaytonBBradley TammCertified rider, keylargo

Nicholas FuogLevel 4V, Tavernier

Inna GenouonLevel 2H, Marathon

Shelby JackmanLevel 3L, Key largo

Lou SenaLevel 4Q, IslamoradaJJp MccabeLevel 3M, MARATHONAAdam ElinkowskiLevel 3K, LaytonBBradley TammCertified rider, keylargo

iSportsKite (access being established)iWind spotCurry Hammock State ParkiLocal authorityLong Key State Park, Florida State ParksiKnow thisMM 67.5. Nine hundred and sixty-five acres between the Atlantic and Florida Bay.iKnow thisEstablishes where kiting fits; stewardship and certification behind it.iKnow thisThe Middle Keys' flat-water doorway.iSportsKite (access being established)iWind spotCurry Hammock State ParkiLocal authorityLong Key State Park, Florida State ParksiKnow thisMM 67.5. Nine hundred and sixty-five acres between the Atlantic and Florida Bay.iKnow thisEstablishes where kiting fits; stewardship and certification behind it.iKnow thisThe Middle Keys' flat-water doorway.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Long Key

Full forecast

Fund the chapter holding access at Long Key State Park. You can too.

Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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