Carl Ross Key is located in Florida Bay about 7 miles southwest of Flamingo. It is a small sandy island that was once the northern tip of Sandy Key until a channel was cut through by a hurricane. The island is surrounded by the shallow water of the First National Bank. At low tide it is best to approach via Rocky Channel and circle around to southwest of the island.

The photo above shows my tent in a small opening in the middle of the island. There are two better campsites on the island; an open sandy area at the south end of the island, and a shaded site with a picnic table at the north end of the island.
When the mosquitoes are thick on the mainland, Carl Ross is a welcome relief. There are very few mosquitoes or no-see-ums here. Fishing is good on the surrounding flats, and baitfish can be castnetted in the shallow water on the east side of the island.

There are some very large Prickly Pear cactuses on the island.

Swim on.

Cape Sable Beaches