Sunshine Key RV Resort Review: 399-Site Island Resort

Sunshine Key RV Resort is worth considering when full hookups, boat access, and resort amenities matter more than a quiet state-park atmosphere. The operator lists 399 sites across the 75-acre island of Ohio Key at Mile Marker 39, with waterfront options, a marina, swimming pool, fishing pier, sports facilities, and paid high-speed internet. Its scale and location are the appeal—and the trade-off.

The most important booking advice is simple: use the live checkout total. Sunshine Key does not publish one universal nightly rate or campground-wide maximum RV length on its public page. Price changes with dates and site class, service fees and incidentals may be added, and the booking flow asks for the exact RV length and slideouts. Old reviews that quote one fixed price or a blanket 45-foot maximum can mislead you.

For the broader trip, compare Sunshine Key with public campgrounds and other private resorts in our Florida Keys RV parks guide.

Related guides: Boyd’s Key West Campground Review: Sites, Rates & Is It Worth It (2026)

Sunshine Key at a Glance#

Detail	Verified information
Location	Ohio Key, Mile Marker 39
Address	38801 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Size	399 sites on 75 acres
Hookups	Water, sewer, and electric connections
Check-in / checkout	Noon / 11 a.m. for RV sites
Pool	Yes; posted guideline hours are 8 a.m. to dusk
Marina	Yes; boats over 18 feet need a slip reservation
Internet	Paid high-speed service
Tents	Not allowed; certified pop-ups and truck campers are allowed
Pets	Up to two common household pets per site
Rates and rig fit	Live quote; enter exact rig dimensions

These details come from the resort’s current page and policies and its published resort guidelines. Recheck both before travel because operations and fees can change.

What Staying on Ohio Key Is Really Like#

Sunshine Key occupies Ohio Key rather than a narrow roadside parcel. Water surrounds the property, and the resort markets waterfront RV sites along with its marina and boat docks. That creates a more destination-like stay than a basic overnight park: you can fish from the pier, launch into a day on the water, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or spend a non-driving day at the pool and recreation areas.

But this is not secluded camping. A 399-site resort has the movement, neighbors, vehicles, and shared facilities that come with its size. The Overseas Highway also crosses Ohio Key. If your mental picture is a private campsite hidden in mangroves, Sunshine Key is unlikely to match it. If you want a serviced base where a family or boat owner can stay busy, the layout makes much more sense.

A specific site number is not guaranteed under the published policy. Choose the site category for the experience you want, enter every rig dimension accurately, and treat a request for a particular row or waterfront position as a request rather than a promise.

RV Sites, Hookups, and Rig Fit#

The resort guidelines describe connections for sewer, water, and electricity, making Sunshine Key a full-hookup choice. They do not establish one electrical amperage for every campsite on the public-facing material we reviewed. Confirm the electrical service and dimensions displayed for your selected site during checkout, especially if your coach requires a specific service or has multiple slideouts.

The operator also does not give one campground-wide maximum RV length. That is better handled by the booking system: it asks for RV type, length, and slideout information, then matches availability. Measure the complete travel length rather than relying on the model name alone.

Other site rules worth knowing:

• One RV is permitted per site, and the resort guidelines cap occupancy at six people.
• The current web policy says the base rate typically covers four guests; additional guests may cost extra.
• Certified pop-up campers and truck campers are accepted. Tents are not.
• Up to two vehicles are allowed under the site guidelines, subject to parking instructions.
• Monthly stays have metered electricity rather than bundled unlimited power.

That last point matters for a winter stay: compare the complete long-term quote, deposit terms, metered electricity, and any guest or service fees—not just the headline rate.

Pool, Marina, and Amenities#

The official amenity list includes:

• Swimming pool
• Marina and boat docks
• Waterfront sites
• Fishing pier
• Kayak and paddleboard rentals
• Restrooms and showers
• Laundry facilities
• Store
• Playground
• Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and other recreation
• Paid high-speed internet

The resort’s published guidelines set pool hours at 8 a.m. to dusk and state that there is no lifeguard. They do not describe the pool as heated, so plan around the current conditions rather than an older review’s promise.

Internet is another detail to price correctly. The resort promotes paid Jabba high-speed service; it is not a universal free-Wi-Fi promise. Travelers who must work online should confirm the current package and keep an independent backup connection.

Bringing a Boat#

The marina is the clearest reason to choose Sunshine Key over a simpler campground. Boats longer than 18 feet require a marina slip reservation before arrival. Boat trailers and jet skis must be registered when you check in. Call the marina at 305-780-7087 to confirm slip availability and rules; an RV-site reservation does not automatically guarantee marina space.

The distinction between the resort and marina phone numbers is useful. For the RV resort and general reservation questions, the operator publishes 305-872-2217. Use the marina number for dockage.

Check-in, Guests, Pets, and Stay Limits#

RV check-in begins at noon, and checkout is 11 a.m. A two-hour early check-in or late checkout may be offered for $30, subject to availability. If you expect to arrive after the office closes, the policy tells RV guests to contact registration by 5 p.m. for instructions.

The resort permits up to two common household pets per site. Published guidelines keep pets out of pool and beach areas and require owners to follow leash and cleanup rules.

Seasonal limits can affect longer Florida Keys trips. From April 15 through September 15, the operator caps a reservation at 14 days per site. Back-to-back 14-day stays require a site change. For other dates or an extended stay, use the long-term booking terms rather than assuming the short-stay rules apply.

Rates, Deposits, and Cancellation#

There is no responsible way to state one Sunshine Key nightly price without dates. The operator uses live pricing, and the displayed rate may exclude service fees and incidentals. Compare the final checkout total for the exact site category and cancellation terms.

For RV reservations of 1 to 27 days, the published policy allows a refund when cancellation occurs at least two days before arrival. A no-show or early departure does not receive a refund. Extended stays use different deposit and cancellation rules, so read the confirmation rather than applying the short-stay policy to a monthly booking.

This is also why value depends on how you use the resort. A waterfront site plus marina access can solve several parts of a boat-focused vacation in one booking. An interior site for travelers who spend every day away from the property may deliver less value than a simpler campground.

Hurricane and Evacuation Planning#

Ohio Key sits at Mile Marker 39 in Monroe County evacuation Zone 2, which covers Mile Markers 6 through 40. Monroe County warns that visitors may be directed to leave before residents so the Overseas Highway can carry evacuation traffic.

During hurricane season, monitor Monroe County evacuation information and its visitor emergency guidance, not only a weather app. Choose a mainland destination in advance and fuel early. US-1 is the route out of the Keys, so waiting until an evacuation is underway can turn a manageable plan into a slow and stressful drive.

What Works#

It combines full hookups with water access. State-park camping in the Keys can deliver a more natural setting, but Sunshine Key’s utility connections and marina are more practical for many larger or longer-stay RV trips.

Boat owners get a purpose-built base. With a confirmed slip, the marina removes the daily routine of finding a ramp and trailering the boat.

Families have on-site options. Pool, playground, sports, pier, and paddle rentals give the group things to do without moving the RV or driving US-1 every day.

The location works for a Lower Keys itinerary. Bahia Honda is nearby, while Big Pine Key and the rest of the Lower Keys remain accessible by the Overseas Highway.

What to Think About Before Booking#

It is a large resort, not a quiet campground. The 399-site inventory is an advantage for amenities and availability but a disadvantage if you want solitude.

The real cost appears at checkout. Site class, dates, service fees, added guests, internet, marina use, and long-stay electricity can all affect the total.

Site assignment is not guaranteed. Do not build the whole trip around one requested site number unless the resort confirms it.

A boat requires separate planning. More than 18 feet means reserving a marina slip, and trailers and jet skis must be registered.

The Keys require an evacuation plan. The island setting that makes the resort appealing also means every RV leaves on the same highway when conditions demand it.

Sunshine Key vs. Bahia Honda#

These are different products. Bahia Honda State Park emphasizes beaches and a public-park experience, with campsite size and access restrictions that vary by loop. Sunshine Key emphasizes full hookups, a much larger resort, marina access, and broader recreation. Choose Bahia Honda for nature and beach access when an appropriate site is available; choose Sunshine Key when hookups, boat logistics, or resort facilities carry more weight.

Avoid old comparisons that give Bahia Honda one universal RV maximum. Its Sandspur loop has a strict 23-foot hitch-to-bumper limit, while other areas have different constraints. Match the exact campground loop to your rig.

Final Verdict#

Sunshine Key earns its place on a Lower Keys shortlist for boat-owning RVers, families who will use the amenities, and travelers who need full hookups. Its 75-acre island setting is distinctive, but the resort’s size, live pricing, paid internet, and site-assignment policy deserve equal weight.

Book only after checking the complete price and electrical/site details for your rig. Reserve the marina separately if needed, read the cancellation terms attached to your stay length, and keep Monroe County’s evacuation guidance bookmarked. With those expectations set, Sunshine Key can be a highly practical island base rather than an expensive surprise.

FAQ#

Is Sunshine Key RV Resort worth it?#

Yes for travelers who will use the full hookups, marina, waterfront options, pool, and recreation. Budget campers and solitude seekers should compare a public campground. Judge value using the live checkout total, not an old quoted rate.

How many sites does Sunshine Key RV Resort have?#

The operator lists 399 sites across the 75-acre Ohio Key resort.

Does Sunshine Key have full hookups?#

Yes. The published resort guidelines describe water, sewer, and electric site connections. Confirm the exact electrical service for the selected site before booking.

Can I bring a boat?#

Yes. Boats over 18 feet require an advance slip reservation, and boat trailers and jet skis must be registered at check-in. Contact the marina at 305-780-7087.

What is the cancellation policy?#

For RV stays of 1–27 days, cancellations are refundable through two days before arrival. No-shows and early departures are not refunded. Longer stays have separate rules.

Are tents allowed?#

No. The resort accepts RVs and certified pop-ups or truck campers, but its current policy does not allow tents.