Our Honest Review of Hawks Cay Resort: Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes in the Florida Keys
When Harriet graduated nursing school, we wanted to celebrate with a trip that felt special.
For me, Hawks Cay Resort had been on my bucket list for years. Growing up, I watched The Saltwater Experience religiously. Hawks Cay always seemed to be featured, and it became one of those places I promised myself I’d visit someday.
For Harriet, it was a chance to finally relax after years of nursing school while continuing to manage life with Type 1 diabetes.
What we found was much more than just a beautiful resort. We found a place that made traveling with diabetes feel easy.
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The Trip Started Before We Ever Arrived
Before we even booked our stay, we called Hawks Cay several times.
Traveling with Type 1 diabetes means asking questions most travelers never think about:
Is there a refrigerator?
What food options are available early in the morning?
How accommodating is the staff?
What happens if we need help during an emergency?
Every person we spoke with was incredibly helpful, but one employee in particular stood out.
Heather at the front desk was patient, understanding, and genuinely wanted to make our trip special. She understood what it was like to manage health challenges and took the time to answer every question we had.
As a surprise for Harriet’s graduation, I arranged for a bottle of wine and treats to be waiting in our room when we arrived.
Those little details immediately made us feel welcomed.
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Our Room Quickly Became Our Favorite Retreat
We stayed in a King Ocean View room overlooking the adults-only pool.
The balcony quickly became one of our favorite places on the property. Whether we were enjoying a quiet morning coffee or watching afternoon storms roll across the water, it was the perfect place to unwind.
One thing we appreciated was how peaceful the adults-only pool area was. There was no loud music and no crowds. Just a relaxing atmosphere where you could truly disconnect.
The room also included a refrigerator, which is a must-have when traveling with insulin and diabetes supplies.
Ice machines were conveniently located nearby, making it easy to keep coolers stocked and supplies cold when needed.
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Why We Packed a Microwave for a Luxury Resort
This might sound ridiculous to some people.
We brought a microwave.
And a tower fan.
And a Squatty Potty.
If you follow us long enough, you’ll learn we don’t travel light.
The microwave actually played an important role in managing diabetes during the trip.
Most mornings we were leaving before 5:00 AM to meet fishing guides. There aren’t many breakfast options available at that hour, and Harriet’s insulin settings work best when meals are predictable.
We packed Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls because we knew exactly how many carbohydrates were in each one. That allowed Harriet to accurately dose insulin before heading out for long days on the water.
It may seem like a small thing, but having a predictable breakfast removed a lot of stress from the trip.
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Everything We Packed for Diabetes
One lesson we’ve learned over the years:
Always bring more diabetes supplies than you think you’ll need.
For this trip Harriet packed:
Omnipod supplies
Dexcom sensors
Glucose meter
Test strips
Fruit snacks
Juice
Backup insulin
Extra charging cables
Additional medical supplies
And we were glad we did.
On the third night of the trip, Harriet replaced her Dexcom sensor and it failed to connect.
Because we packed backups, what could have become a stressful situation turned into a five-minute inconvenience.
We simply replaced the failed sensor and continued enjoying our vacation.
Later, Dexcom replaced the failed sensor, but the experience reinforced why we always travel with extras.
One thing Harriet said she would do differently next time is manually check her blood sugar more often. CGMs are incredible tools, but they aren’t perfect. Having a glucose meter available remains extremely important.
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The Staff Made Diabetes Feel Like a Priority
One of the biggest takeaways from the trip had nothing to do with the room, the pool, or even the fishing.
It was the people.
There were several occasions when Harriet’s blood sugar dropped unexpectedly and we didn’t have our diabetes bag immediately available.
Whenever we explained the situation, employees at the front desk, bars, and restaurants immediately offered juice or other fast-acting carbohydrates.
Nobody questioned it.
Nobody hesitated.
They simply wanted to help.
That level of compassion means more than we can adequately describe.
Traveling with Type 1 diabetes can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Hawks Cay’s staff made it feel normal.
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We Overpack Every Single Trip
At some point we’ve accepted that we’re simply overpackers.
Whether we’re traveling for two days or two weeks, the vehicle somehow ends up completely full.
For this trip we packed:
Fishing gear
A Yeti cooler
Diabetes supplies
A microwave
A tower fan
A Squatty Potty
Camera equipment
Snacks
Clothes
And somehow even more stuff than that
The funny thing is that being overprepared actually allows us to relax once we arrive.
We know we have what we need if something goes wrong.
And honestly, that’s worth the extra luggage.
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Our Favorite Food and Evenings at the Marina
When I asked Harriet what her favorite meal was during the trip, she didn’t hesitate.
The Smash Burger and truffle fries from Salt + Ash.
Simple answer.
The food throughout the resort was consistently good, but that meal stood out above everything else.
Another favorite part of the trip wasn’t necessarily a specific location.
It was spending evenings at Angler & Ale, grabbing a drink, and walking around the marina together.
Those quiet conversations about our future ended up becoming some of our favorite memories from the entire trip.
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Why Hawks Cay Is Special
Hawks Cay is obviously known for fishing.
For someone who grew up watching fishing television shows filmed there, finally staying at the resort felt surreal.
But what makes Hawks Cay special is that it offers far more than fishing.
The resort includes:
A full-service marina
Charter fishing opportunities
Private boat launch access
Trailer storage
Fish freezing services
Rental bikes
Golf cart rentals
Shuttle service
Kayaks and paddleboards
Multiple pools
Tennis courts
Pickleball courts
Walking paths
A fully equipped gym
Duck Key itself is peaceful and quiet, making it a wonderful place to walk, run, or simply enjoy the Florida Keys atmosphere.
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Would We Return?
Without hesitation.
Hawks Cay checked a lifelong bucket-list destination off for me.
More importantly, it gave Harriet a vacation where Type 1 diabetes never felt like a limitation.
The staff cared.
The resort was beautiful.
The food was excellent.
The fishing was incredible.
And most importantly, we never felt like diabetes prevented us from fully enjoying the experience.
For anyone traveling with Type 1 diabetes and considering a Florida Keys vacation, Hawks Cay has earned our recommendation.
We’ll absolutely be back.
4 Comments
Great suggestions -never thought to call the resort first! I appreciate the Hawks Cay recommendation-the staff makes the trip. I’ll look forward to your future posts!
I love the this! Next time can I come with?
Yes! You will forever be invited!
Although I don’t have diabetes I know several people who do. This information is incredible the thought you guys have put into what you have done will give so many people the opportunity to live life to the fullest. I would love to share your information with my family and friends along with possibly, with your permission of course, my patients. I commend you for such inspiring and encouraging experiences that you are sharing. Please continue to share your travels.