Sand Key (reef)
Encyclopedia
Sand Key is a coral reef
located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
. It lies to the southwest of Key West
, within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge
. This reef is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
The Sand Key Light
was built on the key. The reef lies to the south of the light.
Approximate coordinates: 24°27′15"N 81°52′40"W
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a U.S. National Marine Sanctuary in the Florida Keys. It includes the Florida Reef, the only barrier coral reef in North America and the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world. It also has extensive mangrove forest and seagrass fields...
. It lies to the southwest of Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
, within the Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
The Key West National Wildlife Refuge is a 189,497 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in Monroe County, Florida, between Key West, Florida and the Dry Tortugas . Only 2,019 acres of land are above sea level, on several keys within the refuge. These keys are unpopulated and are also designated...
. This reef is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
The Sand Key Light
Sand Key Light
Sand Key Light is located six nautical miles southwest of Key West, Florida, between Sand Key Channel and Rock Key Channel, two of the channels into Key West. It is located on a reef that is intermittently covered by sand. At times the key has been substantial enough to have trees, and in 1900 nine...
was built on the key. The reef lies to the south of the light.
Approximate coordinates: 24°27′15"N 81°52′40"W