Key West Bight

[1] A bend in the shoreline on the northwest side of the island created a bight, a wide bay and naturally protected harbor.

[2] Today, the Historic Seaport is the location of restaurants, bars, boutiques, art galleries, museums, hotels, boats, and watersports excursions.

[8] Business dropped off significantly when local waters became depleted and disappeared altogether with the arrival and popularity of artificial sponges.

[1] One vessel found at the Historic Seaport today is the Western Union, a schooner built in 1939 and the last surviving authentic working tall ship from Florida.

Businesses at the seaport include The Waterfront Brewery and Cuban Coffee Queen and the bight is the site of sunset cruises.

Green turtles being harvested at the Key West Bight.
Sponge auction at the Key West Bight.
The Western Union berthed at the Key West Bight.