1.11.6
Stiltsville - Present day pictures
Stiltsville - To better understand what these pictures of stiltsville represent, a little knowledge of what the area represented will be helpful to better appreciate what these remaining structures have been through to remain here.
In 1962, a 150-foot yacht named, "Jeff" was grounded in the flats of Stiltsville and was turned into a social club. The name for this fine establishmment? The Bikini Club. Alcoholic drinks were offered for sale, with free drinks to women wearing bikinis. A sun deck was provided for nude sunbathing and staterooms could be rented for any purpose ( a mid-day nap for example ). The Bikini Club was raided by the Florida Beverage Commission in the summer of 1965 and was closed down for selling liquor without a license. On September 8, 1965, Hurricane Betsy destroyed most of Stiltsville and severely damaged the boats upon which the Bikini Club was based. In 1966, what remained of the Bikini Club burned to the waterline.
It is also helpful to remember these remaining structures also survived the 1980s-1990s when these waters and this area around Miami was certainly the epicenter of illicit drugs entering the U.S. when the 'Cocaine Cowboys' reigned supreme, speedboats will run up onto the beaches of Key Biscayne and other islands, men with duffel bags would jump out to a waiting car and take off. The days when small aircraft and seaplanes would drop large 'packages' to speedboats waiting around the Stiltsville area, and the near 200 mph winds that Hurricane Andrew brought over the area in 1993. Today, these 7 structures still remain just a little over 1 mile south of Key Biscayne and Key Biscayne's Cape Florida lighthouse.
First page of stiltsville shacks with some aerial pics of the area.
Previous page of stiltsville shacks on the water
To see Stiltsville from the water take your friends and family on a private boat charter.
Call or text 305-498-1641 email: keybsea@gmail.com