Jewell Key

I had an amazing three-day, two-night camping trip at Jewel Key Campground. The bugs were quite bothersome, but overall, we had a fantastic time thanks to the beautiful weather and great fishing opportunities. We managed to catch sharks, red fish, snook, lady fish, and trout. It was truly a memorable experience.

It's a great spot for camping, but it tends to get quite busy. The fishing for trout around the outskirts of the island is pretty good.

Jewel Key is a highly popular camping site in Everglades National Park, known for its accessibility by kayak in under three hours during low tide through Sandfly Pass. Most campers prefer to set up their tents on the sand isthmus formed by recent hurricanes, which connected a northern islet to the rest of Jewel Key. This location allows campers to enjoy both the sheltered beach and the beach facing the open Gulf, offering breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. The best camping spot on the island is the alcove to the left of the porta-potty, as it provides a flat surface for tents, suitable trees for hammocks, and protection from the wind. Other excellent camping spots can be found on the windward side, south of the beach, by following a social trail. The trees on the island offer plenty of privacy for multiple groups. Raccoons are abundant on the island and have been known to chew through plastic water jugs, so it is advisable to store all water in the compartments of one's kayak. Additionally, all food should be hung from the trees. Sandflies and mosquitoes can be problematic throughout the year, especially during the summer months. Wearing a long-sleeved rash guard and long dive skin pants can provide protection against sandflies and the sun. DEET 100 is effective in warding off mosquitoes. During the months of December to March, the cool breeze at night makes it advisable to bring a fleece and long pants to stay warm after sunset and to prevent bug bites.

The campsite was amazing. There were no flies, although it was quite windy during our visit. We were treated to a stunning sunset on one end of the 50m sandy beach located in the center of the island, and the next morning, we were greeted by a breathtaking sunrise on the opposite side of the beach. It was a fantastic spot to observe synchronized dives of pelican groups, as well as terns and osprey.

In December 2014, my wife and I spent some time on this island. It's truly a stunning location, but unfortunately, the presence of sandflies (also known as no-see-ums) compelled us to leave before sunrise. It might be advisable to visit during cooler weather instead.