Elliott Key, Barrier island in Miami-Dade County, United States.
Elliott Key is a barrier island situated between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean in Miami-Dade County. The island features beaches, mangrove shorelines, and forested areas that remain largely undeveloped and natural.
During the 19th century, the island supported extensive pineapple farming operations that exported produce to distant markets. Agriculture eventually ceased, and the island was later protected as part of a national monument.
The island served as a home to the Tequesta people for centuries, who established seasonal settlements and relied on local marine resources. Visitors can still find traces of their presence scattered across the landscape.
The island is accessible only by boat, and visitors should arrange transportation in advance since no ferry service operates regularly. Bringing supplies is essential, as there are no shops or facilities on the island itself.
The establishment of protective status in 1968 halted plans for a causeway that would have connected the island to the mainland. This preservation decision ensured that the natural environment of Biscayne Bay would remain largely untouched.
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