Groupers can be found year round. An island called Marquesas Island, located 30 miles west of Key West, attracts the shallow water flats fish such as permit, tarpon, barracudas, king mackerel, sharks and bonefish. Reefs just off the island hold large schools of bait fish which attract numerous species of saltwater fish. Marquesas Island can only be reached by boat and there are no accommodations on the island. Key West has numerous hotels and motels but reservations are still necessary for weekends.
Several fishermen guide out of Key West.