While the rest of the Florida Keys has recovered faster from Hurricane Irma, rebuilding continues at many resorts and tourist attractions in the Lower Keys and Islamorada.
Irma hit the Lower Keys harder than the rest of the Florida Keys. The eye of hurricane made landfall Sept. 10 on Cudjoe Key at Mile Marker 20, and many resorts in the Lower Keys remain closed.
Little Palm Island, a luxurious resort on a private island near Little Torch Key, will not reopen until early 2019.
Hawks Cay Resort & Marina in Marathon is scheduled to reopen in phases by summer, starting in the second quarter.
However, some other resorts in the Lower Keys are open, including Banana Bay Resort & Marina, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge and Skipjack Resort & Marina.
Campgrounds in the Lower Keys are gradually returning to business as usual. The Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina is open but with limited services. The Sunshine Key RV resort on Big Pine Key is closed until spring, and the Sugarloaf KOA campground is closed through October.
In Islamorada, the upscale Moorings Village resort reopened Jan. 15, and the adjacent Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa is expected to reopen March 30.
Four resorts owned by Islamorada Resort Co. are in different phases of recovery. Amara Cay reopened Dec. 15. Pelican Cove Resorts is expected to reopen in early February and La Siesta Resort & Marina in March. Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina is set to reopen in stages starting in March. [Miami.com] – Mike Seemuth