Plantation Tropical Preserve Paddle Craft Launch is a saltwater boat ramp on Tavernier Creek, and it earns its spot in Monroe County thanks to easy access and quick water. Boaters here tend to be a friendly, early-rising bunch — get there at first light and you'll see why. With 2 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- Monroe
- City
- Tavernier
- Waterbody
- Tavernier Creek
- Water type
- Salt or Brackish Water
- Ramp type
- Hand Launch Only
- Launch lanes
- 2
- Ramp surface
- Kayak Launch Dock
- Dock
- Kayak Launch Dock
- Parking surface
- Not Paved - Gravel/Limestone/Packed Soil
- Restroom
- No Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Village of Islamorada
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- Sunrise to Sunset
Address: MM 90.8 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, FL, 33070 · Coordinates: 25.003139, -80.533896
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Rinse your trailer and engine with fresh water after launching in salt — corrosion is the enemy on Florida's coast.
- Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
- There are no restrooms on-site, so plan accordingly before you head out.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Vaca Key, USCG Station, Florida Bay, about 41 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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