Dove Key Wildlife Management Area

Dove Key, just .12 square-mile in size, is located between Key Largo and Rodriguez Key (.60 square-mile in size), and favored by flats guides and birders who explore along the very shallow flats. There is a no-motor zone one square mile in size on the tidal flats surrounding Dove Key island. The area around the two small islands of Dove Key is a no-motor zone to protect bird populations. The predominant mangrove species is red mangrove (Rhiozophora mangle). Egrets, herons, gulls, terns, cormorants, and pelicans frequent the two larger islets. The tidal flats are composed of several species of seagrass, predominantly turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum). The fishes known to the waters nourishing the mangrove roots include gray snapper, several species of grunts, silversides and mojarra. Small barracuda are the most ubiquitous species over the grass beds. In the deeper waters surrounding the flats, bonefish and small tarpon appear seasonally.

Special regulations apply here. Learn more about what activities are allowed in this type of zone.

A summary of all sanctuary regulations is available online. For the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.