Bush Key

Bush Key is a 16-acre, uninhabited island beside Garden Key, known for its seasonal seabird colonies. When it is open, you can walk the shoreline for a one-mile round trip; the surface changes from sand to coral rubble. It suits visitors who want a stretch of undeveloped shore and bird habitat beyond Fort Jefferson.

Bush Key is a major nesting site for sooty terns and brown noddies. The National Park Service reports that as many as 80,000 sooty terns and 4,500 brown noddies nest here, the only significant U.S. breeding colonies of both species. The island closes roughly February through September to protect them. Stay on the sandy shore and out of the vegetation.

From Fort Jefferson's sixth terreplein, the broad view looks east-southeast toward Bush and Long Keys. Keep the pale shoreline and water around the islands in the frame; that shows how low and narrow they are.