The bottle-nose dolphin seemed quite happy to tow me around a lagoon in exchange for a few fish doled out from the hands of the trainer at the Dolphin Connection. It took very little effort on his part, though I’d never moved through the water so fast without the aid of wind or motor, and I was astonished to feel just how powerfully these mammals swim. I came out of the water with an even deeper respect for these lovable animals.
Set on Duck Key, Hawk’s Cay Resort takes up all of a roughly boot-shaped 60-acre private island just off the Overseas Highway to Key West, 97 miles south southeast of Miami. Its focal point is a 177-room hotel, which rises behind a perfect circle of a lagoon fringed with sand, but for a small resort it harbors an extensive array of distractions, including a spa, several restaurants, five swimming pools, an 85-slip marina, a watersports center, fishing and scuba diving charters, a dedicated children’s center, a tennis and pickleball complex, some 100 two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas, and, of course, that dolphin encounter.
Cliff Drysdale Tennis professional, Patrick Castronovo, oversees the operation of the tennis club, which consists of two clay and four hard courts. He has crafted a program that takes into account the needs of both hotel guests and active local players. The weekly roster includes morning clinics for adults, Cardio tennis, and family tennis classes as well as private and group lessons. Like the clinics, a once-weekly round robin provides another means to meeting locals and other hotel guests, and the staff does it best to arrange singles and doubles matches. There are also one-hour clinics for kids.
Court Complex: There are four tennis courts—two Hydrocourt and two hard—as well as eight permanent pickleball courts. Guests pay no court fees.
Off Court
Beach: You won’t find a beach washed by the ocean but rather one that encircles a salt-water-fed, man-made lagoon that is part of the resort..
Spa & Fitness Center: The resort’s Calm Waters Spa mixes traditional with locally inspired spa treatments. The fitness center in another part of the same building has a variety of weight-training machines and cardio equipment.
The most unusual of the other activities is the Dolphin Connection, which takes small numbers of people into the water to interact with the dolphins while anyone in the resort is free to watch from the side of the dolphin pond. Otherwise there is a fully equipped marina offering sportfishing charters, dive boat and snorkeling excursions, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sunset cruises. Other watersports equipment, including standup paddleboards and kayaks, are available in the lagoon.
Children's programs: With its own building and a fenced playground with everything from miniature golf to a pirates’ ship, the Indies Club schedules a full day of activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those ages 5 to 12 as well as a variety of social and recreational activities for teens.
Dining: There are half a dozen dining outlets, including 61 Prime, the signature restaurant for fresh seafood and steaks; the low-key Angler and Ale for burgers, catch of the day specials, and cook-your-catch options.
Accommodations
The main block of accommodations are the 177 rooms and suites in the main hotel. These have a West Indies decor, upscale amenities, and, with the exception of a few standard room, broad terraces with views of the island or water. Alternatively, the resort offers villas ranging in size up to four bedrooms and situated somewhat removed from the main hotel in four villages.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round, though busiest from a tennis perspective from mid December into April.
Travel Instructions: By Air: The nearest major airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), 104 miles to the north.
Will be back just for lessons! I’ve been having issues with my back hand for years and Patrick was able to fix me in 3 days, was very good with my kids
DF
Been part of the Hawks Cay tennis since 2008 and Patrick is the pro that helps everyone be a better player. When you take his tennis clinics he will coach you to be better whether your a 4.5 player or a 3.0 player. Whether your a young hot shot or a senior player you leave the clinic with tips to improve your game.
Courts are in great shape.
CC
I had an incredible experience training with Patrick whose expertise and enthusiasm for tennis truly shine through in every lesson. Their personalized approach helped me improve my backhand and boost my confidence on the court in just a few sessions. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to elevate their game!
KB
Great Clinics!
AW
We played as family, had great fun. Patrick is skilled and enthusiastic.
SM
I had a blast playing pickleball with my family. Well organized.
SM
Beautiful pickleball facility, 8 well maintained courts.
NF
Great clinics.
NF
Patrick is a very knowledgeable pro that can teach all abilities
MM
Big upgrade from prior years, courts are in great condition, Daily clinics, match play. Patrick has done a great job upgrading facility.
CS
cant speak to the accommodations since i’m off-site, but Tennis has greatly improved at Hawks Cay since Patrick’s been at the helm. the courts are in good shape and it’s a pleasure playing there whether you’re playing with an organized group or taking clinics or lessons with Patrick. he’s an excellent pro, tons of good tips and keeps things energized and moving! hope he stays on!
DD
Patrick has been a fantastic tennis coach. He is inspiring and encouraging you to always do your best.
I only wish there were more clay courts.
MO
Patrick has made great improvements to tennis program. We are lucky to have him.
GS
Great instruction, beautiful property. Patrick is very knowledgeable and runs a great program.
CC
Amazing place! Loved the tennis and pickleball amenities. Will definitely be back!
MC
Love Hawks Cay Resort
Staying offsite and driving in silly for tennis clinic is just gorgeous and I thank God each time gif the experience.
The tennis is top-notch with Patrick offering quality instruction, tips, and keeping the drills quick paced, challenging, yet fun.
Can’t wait to return!
WC
Tennis instructor was the best. Totally fixed my serve. Patrick Castronovo was the best tennis instructor I ever had.
KC
Love hawks cay resort..
we are a tennis family..
we had great tennis and pickle ball instruction..
Our family enjoyed our tennis trip there… we will be back for sure….
NC
Great food, lots of activities for kids, tennis clinic was great.
KJ
We love the Keyes, nice pickleball courts. Great for families. Beautiful resort, great instruction.
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218 Reviews on “Hawks Cay Resort”
Will be back just for lessons! I’ve been having issues with my back hand for years and Patrick was able to fix me in 3 days, was very good with my kids
Been part of the Hawks Cay tennis since 2008 and Patrick is the pro that helps everyone be a better player. When you take his tennis clinics he will coach you to be better whether your a 4.5 player or a 3.0 player. Whether your a young hot shot or a senior player you leave the clinic with tips to improve your game.
Courts are in great shape.
I had an incredible experience training with Patrick whose expertise and enthusiasm for tennis truly shine through in every lesson. Their personalized approach helped me improve my backhand and boost my confidence on the court in just a few sessions. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to elevate their game!
Great Clinics!
We played as family, had great fun. Patrick is skilled and enthusiastic.
I had a blast playing pickleball with my family. Well organized.
Beautiful pickleball facility, 8 well maintained courts.
Great clinics.
Patrick is a very knowledgeable pro that can teach all abilities
Big upgrade from prior years, courts are in great condition, Daily clinics, match play. Patrick has done a great job upgrading facility.
cant speak to the accommodations since i’m off-site, but Tennis has greatly improved at Hawks Cay since Patrick’s been at the helm. the courts are in good shape and it’s a pleasure playing there whether you’re playing with an organized group or taking clinics or lessons with Patrick. he’s an excellent pro, tons of good tips and keeps things energized and moving! hope he stays on!
Patrick has been a fantastic tennis coach. He is inspiring and encouraging you to always do your best.
I only wish there were more clay courts.
Patrick has made great improvements to tennis program. We are lucky to have him.
Great instruction, beautiful property. Patrick is very knowledgeable and runs a great program.
Amazing place! Loved the tennis and pickleball amenities. Will definitely be back!
Love Hawks Cay Resort
Staying offsite and driving in silly for tennis clinic is just gorgeous and I thank God each time gif the experience.
The tennis is top-notch with Patrick offering quality instruction, tips, and keeping the drills quick paced, challenging, yet fun.
Can’t wait to return!
Tennis instructor was the best. Totally fixed my serve. Patrick Castronovo was the best tennis instructor I ever had.
Love hawks cay resort..
we are a tennis family..
we had great tennis and pickle ball instruction..
Our family enjoyed our tennis trip there… we will be back for sure….
Great food, lots of activities for kids, tennis clinic was great.
We love the Keyes, nice pickleball courts. Great for families. Beautiful resort, great instruction.