2012 Map of Snipe Keys

About this map

Snipe Keys and the surrounding labyrinth of mangroves and tidal channels represent a largely undeveloped aquatic landscape in Monroe County during the early 21st century. This 2012 survey documents the intricate geography of the Lower Keys, where deeper passages like the Jewfish Channel and Mud Key Channel separate clusters of islands. The map highlights numerous small landforms with localized names such as Old Dan Mangrove, Coon Key, and Fish Hawk Key, suggesting a history of local navigation and fishing use. The lack of roads or infrastructure emphasizes the region's character as a wilderness of the Gulf of Mexico, where travel is dictated by features like the Outer Narrows and the Barracuda Keys Channel.