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2015 Map of Soldier Key

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Soldier Key
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Biscayne National Park protects a significant maritime corridor where the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay meet the Atlantic Ocean. This nautical landscape is defined by a chain of small islands and submerged hazards, including the distinctive Soldier Key and the Ragged Keys. The map illustrates the specialized navigation required in these waters, marking narrow passages like Lewis Cut and the unique formation known as The Keyhole at the southern end of Boca Chita Key.

Submerged features such as Black Ledge, Featherbed Bank, and Bowles Bank speak to the shifting sands and coral structures that have historically challenged mariners in the Florida Straits. The area around Sands Key and the Safety Valve flats indicates the delicate transition between the open ocean and the protected bay environment, preserving a snapshot of the upper Florida Keys' wilderness before further modern development.