Hawks Cay Resort Florida Reviewed in 2025

➞ What to Do

Most guests of Hawks Cay Resort are coming for the warm, clear water that the Florida Keys are known for, as well as the vibrant marine life that thrives in it. The on-site PADI dive shop can take care of scuba certification for newcomers interested in trying and does frequent two-tank reef dives for the more experienced.

You can even contact them to set up more advanced dives, as well as spearfishing and lobstering excursions. Snorkelers aren’t left out either, as many of the reefs and sea animals are perfectly visible from the surface.

Fishing is the next most popular activity around here – it is known as Florida’s fishing capital, after all. On one side of the island, there’s backcountry fishing for species like tarpon, redfish, and bonefish; on the other side, you can find deep-sea monsters offshore, including swordfish, tuna, and marlin. All of this is available from the resort marina.

Back at the resort, you can fill your time with watersports like paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming in the ocean-fed lagoon, as well as some of the five swimming pools. There’s a mini-waterpark area for kids as well as a more tranquil adults-only area.

➞ What to Eat & Drink

There are six dining and drinking spots at Hawks Cay Resort. Breakfast is served à-la-carte daily at Sixty-One Prime, near the resort’s lobby. You can also take grab-and-go coffee and breakfast items from Hawks Cay Marketplace by the pool.

Hawks Cay Marketplace is also a great place to dine in or take away quick dishes like pizzas and sandwiches for both lunch and dinner, especially because it’s right there by the pool. Tiki Grill is a similar option with both tables by the pool and deliveries to your chair. Coral Grill, open seasonally, offers the same concept by the kid’s pool.

Angler and Ale is a marina-side brewery with great food, brews, and socialization over a day of diving or fishing; it’s open for both lunch and dinner. Sixty-One Prime reopens for dinner as well and is the best fine dining option for steaks and seafood.

Adults hanging out at the grown-ups-only pool can order drinks from the Pilar Bar, a quiet and peaceful place to escape the rest of the world. And if you’re headed out for a day somewhere else, you can easily order boxed lunches to go with you.

➞ Room Guide

There are 177 guest rooms and suites at Hawks Cay Resort, plus a few exclusive residential-style villas for families who want extra space. There are a few additional options for families as well that help maximize space and time together.

Standard, Water View, and Lanai Guest Rooms: These rooms are outfitted with modern and upscale furnishings, including one king bed or two queens, over 376 square feet of space. Lanai varieties on the ground floor add a spacious deck with lounge chairs that leads directly to the pool area.

Family Rooms: The first option for families is a two-queen Hawk’s Cay Guest Room with a 5th sleeper, which adds a child-size pull-out sofa to a standard room, bringing capacity to five. The other option is a Family Room, featuring an oversized 480 square feet of space with one king bed and a bunk bed.

Suites: While these add quite a bit of extra space, including spacious living rooms and dining areas, note that suites can only accommodate two to three guests, depending on the category. Therefore, consider these if you’re a couple looking for an upgrade, a small family, or a group that will add another room to your reservation.

Villas & Penthouses: These are the larger accommodations appropriate for bigger groups and those who want to maximize luxury. Penthouse Suites consist of two bedrooms and huge living spaces, while Villas are full vacation rentals that can even be stocked with groceries from Publix.

➞ Special Experiences

One of the most special experiences at Hawks Cay Resort is swimming with its pod of bottlenose dolphins in the ocean-fed lagoon. This is the only resort in the mainland United States that offers such encounters. Dolphin Connection has about a half-dozen experiences to choose from, ranging from simple swims to becoming a trainer for a day.

On the land side, you can rent a golf cart to explore Hawks Cay Resort’s piece of Duck Key in style and with ease. Other dry activities include tennis and pickleball, and there are sometimes clinics and tournaments to take part in.