$1,264,122Average Value$828Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Cudjoe Key is known for waterfront properties — and blimps
Since its activation as a remote U.S. Air Force base in the late 1950s, Cudjoe Key has grown to include some of the most sought-after waterfront properties in the Lower Keys. Only a small portion of the horseshoe-shaped island is populated with a combination of single-family homes and resort rentals, leaving most of the land untouched. Some of it is managed by the National Key Deer Refuge, a 9,000-acre preserve that spans multiple islands and protects the endangered Key deer, while other sections fall under the government’s authority — and that’s where things get interesting.
The island sports an elusive aerostat site at its northern tip, over which hovers a giant white blimp affectionately nicknamed “Fat Albert.” “I’m not really sure why it’s there, but I’ve been here since I was a kid, and we’ve always seen it,” says Rose Dell, broker associate with Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty and longtime resident of neighboring Summerland Key. Rumors conflate its purpose: Some say the blimp is used to counter drug trafficking or monitor boat traffic between the Keys and Cuba. Others believe it to be weather-related. In reality, the blimp is managed by the U.S. Air Force and Customs and Border Protection, but its true nature remains a mystery to residents.
Located in the Lower Keys, Cudjoe Key is a tranquil island known for its laid-back lifestyle.
The Air Force blimp known as “Fat Albert” floats above Cudjoe Key, a recognizable local landmark.
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Oceanfront homes and private marinas in Cudjoe Gardens
Most of Cudjoe’s residential properties are located south of the Overseas Highway in planned waterfront developments. Cutthroat Harbor Estates is one of the most popular, with a collection of stilt homes built between 1970 and 1990. Cudjoe Gardens offers canal-front concrete block homes and a private marina for boaters. Prices across both developments range from $900,000 to $2 million, although a few luxury estates at the peninsula point can sell for more than $3 million. Vacant waterside lots up to a quarter-acre sometimes hit the market between $300,000 and $500,000. North of the Overseas Highway, the landscape drastically changes. “Most of Cudjoe is undeveloped, and that’s where you get acreage properties. They’re big, but they’re also closer to the water treatment plant and the blimp site,” Dell says. These modest homes hit the market sporadically between $600,000 and $800,000. Empty parcels can cost up to $200,000 per acre. Most lots are already fitted with running water and electricity.
Waterfront homes in Cudjoe Key boast private docks and scenic views, perfect for boating enthusiasts.
Cudjoe Gardens Marina in Cudjoe Key offers boaters ramp access for a fee and waterfront amenities.
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Making a splash at the Underwater Music Festival
For forty years, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival has made quite the splash at the Looe Key Reef, raising money and awareness for reef protection. Music lovers in scuba gear enjoy a full radio concert beneath the waves, with many divers toting marine-themed faux instruments. The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce also hosts an Island Art Festival on Big Pine Key. In summer, locals and visitors head to Key West for the annual Hemingway Days, celebrating the late writer’s accomplishments and commitment to the island lifestyle.
Snorkeling sites at Bahia Honda State Park
There are few opportunities for outdoor recreation on Cudjoe that don’t require getting in the water. Besides the local marina and a few natural trails, there are no playgrounds or parks for residents on the island. Instead, many residents spend the weekend deep sea diving, boating and fishing. Bahia Honda State Park, a 500-acre island with a beach, hiking trails and snorkeling sites, is about 15 miles from Cudjoe.
Bahia Honda State Park near Cudjoe Key features nature trails, kayaking, and snorkeling adventures.
Bahia Honda State Park also offers a sandy beach for cooling off and enjoying the Florida sun.
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Broil offers fine dining with an island twist
Cudjoe has a surprising number of fine restaurants for such a sparsely populated island. “Cudjoe probably has some of the most expensive restaurants in this area,” Dell says. “And all of them are local spots; it just depends on how much you’re willing to spend.” Just off the Overseas Highway, Broil offers a gourmet steakhouse experience with a casual Keys twist. Wednesday is wine night, and full-time residents enjoy 20% of their meals on Thursdays. The Bent Prop is located across the canal from the Cudjoe Gardens Marina and features daily happy hour specials and the occasional concert. Morita’s Cuban Café and Morning Joint are casual options off the highway, and a small selection of groceries are available 2 miles away at Murray’s Market on Summerland Key. A 9-mile drive brings shoppers to the Winn-Dixie on Big Pine Key.
Broil is a top seafood restaurant in Cudjoe Key, serving fresh catches and coastal cuisine.
The Bent Prop, next to Cudjoe Gardens Marina, is known for its happy hour and relaxed vibe.
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Career preparation at Key West High School
Sugarloaf School, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves kindergarten through eighth grade students. At B-plus-rated Key West High School, students can participate in career and technical education courses in cosmetology, culinary arts, automobile maintenance, engineering and more. As part of the Monroe County School District, students also have the option to enroll in additional charter schools such as Big Pine Academy, an A-minus-rated school for kindergarten through fifth grade students. However, the district only provides bus services for students attending their zoned school.
Sugarloaf Key School near Cudjoe Key provides elementary and middle school education for local families.
Key West High School, home of the Conchs, serves students from Cudjoe Key and surrounding areas.
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Span the seas on the Overseas Highway
The Keys are connected by U.S. Highway 1, or the Overseas Highway, a series of bridges that lead drivers 20 miles south to Key West and 30 miles north to Marathon — both of which have international airports. The Lower Keys Shuttle also serves the area, making several stops along the highway in Cudjoe. From here, the bus ride to Key West takes about an hour.
The Lower Keys Shuttle offers public transportation connecting Cudjoe Key to other parts of the Keys.
Key West Airport is part of the New Town community.
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Preparing for hurricanes and insurance rates
Located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the Florida Keys are often in the path of hurricanes. Residents in the Lower Keys pay some of Florida's highest home insurance premiums, and rapidly rising flood insurance rates affect many homeowners.
Many homes in Cudjoe Key have been recently rebuilt, renovated, and fortified for storm resilience.
Elevated single-family homes in Cudjoe Key are built to endure tropical storms and high winds.
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Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
Video By
Drew Webster
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Margarita Villoch,
an experienced agent in this area.
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