Pigeon Key
Pigeon Key Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine science center operating on a 5-acre National Historic Landmark island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Florida, delivering school field trips, summer camps, and historical tours.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersMarathon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pigeon Key does
Pigeon Key Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine science center operating on a 5-acre private island located beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Florida. Established in 1992 following the island's 1990 designation as a National Historic Landmark for its role in Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, the organization delivers marine science education, historical tourism, and youth programming to school groups, summer camp families, and general visitors to the Florida Keys.
The core product portfolio comprises Marine Science Field Trips (3-day/2-night overnight programs for school groups), Marine Science Summer Camps (day and overnight options running 7 weeks), Daily Tours (historic train tours, walk/bike tours, and snorkeling excursions), a Florida Keys History Museum, a live webcam, and private event hosting. Operations are supported by approximately 4 full-time staff (Executive Director Kelly McKinnon, Operations Director Chris Rowell, and rotating Education Director/Coordinator roles) plus 5-6 seasonal interns per year. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight: third-party booking platforms (FareHarbor for tours, HiSawyer for camp registration) and a live streaming webcam; no proprietary AI, app, or digital platform.
Revenue is diversified across six streams: tour admissions, summer camp registration, school field trip fees, annual memberships, tax-deductible donations and fundraising, and gift shop merchandise (including co-branded conservation products from partnerships with MANG and No Shoes Reefs). Distribution combines self-serve online booking, ferry service from Faro Blanco Marina, the Pigeon Key Express train across the Old Seven Mile Bridge, walking/bike access from Marathon, and a 'Friends of Pigeon Key' discount partnership with Faro Blanco Resort. Education season group volume has declined from 28 groups in 2022 to 19 in 2024-2025, and the organization has cycled through three Education Directors in three years.
Pigeon Key firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pigeon Key
- Legal name
- Pigeon Key and Marine Science Center
- Website
- https://pigeonkey.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pigeon Key Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine science center operating on a 5-acre National Historic Landmark island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Florida, delivering school field trips, summer camps, and historical tours.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pigeon Key industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Science Education and Heritage Tourism
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)
Keywords
Where Pigeon Key is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marathon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pigeon Key business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tour Admissions: Revenue from guided train tours, walk & bike tours, and snorkeling excursions to the island via ferry or train
- Summer Camp Registration: Fees for day camps and overnight camps running 6-7 weeks during summer months. Both day and overnight options available.
- Field Trip Programs: Educational 3-day/2-night field trip programs for school groups with hands-on marine science curriculum
- Membership Program: Annual membership program offering benefits to supporters and repeat visitors
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation supporting educational programs and island maintenance
- Gift Shop Sales: Sale of merchandise including custom MANG Buy One Plant One rash guards, shirts, stickers, patches, and flags
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Daily Tours - train, walk/bike, and snorkeling experiences |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Pigeon Key product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pigeon Key Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine science center operating on a 5-acre historic island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. It delivers marine science field trips, day and overnight summer camps, daily historic tours (train, walk, bike, snorkeling), a Florida Keys history museum, and private event hosting, combining Henry Flagler-era railroad heritage preservation with hands-on marine biology education.
Product overview
Pigeon Key is a Marine Science Center and historic island destination offering a portfolio of educational and tourism products. The core offerings consist of Marine Science Field Trips for school groups (with overnight options), Marine Science Summer Camps (day and overnight), and Daily Tours including Guided Train Tours, Walk & Bike Tours, and Snorkeling excursions. Supporting offerings include a Florida Keys History Museum and a LIVE Webcam. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a 5-acre private island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Marine Science Field Trips Educational 3-day/2-night overnight field trip programs for school groups covering Florida Keys marine life through hands-on activities, tidepooling, snorkeling, and classroom programs on Shark Biology, Marine Debris, and Invasive Species.
- Marine Science Summer Camps Award-winning day and overnight summer camps on a private island featuring marine science education, snorkeling, fishing, reef trips, bonfires, and stargazing for children ages 6-17, running across a 7-week summer season.
- Daily Tours Daily guided tours offered at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm including historic train tours across the Old Seven Mile Bridge (Pigeon Key Express), walk and bike tours, and snorkeling excursions departing by ferry from Faro Blanco Marina.
- Florida Keys History Museum On-island museum showcasing Pigeon Key and Florida Keys history including exhibits on Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, bridge tenders, and the families who lived on the island, open 9:30am to 4pm seven days a week.
- Events and Parties Private event and party hosting services on the 5-acre private island, available for group gatherings and special occasions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 19 school groups served per education season with students from Florida and as far as Ohio
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pigeon Key
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pigeon Key technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Pigeon Key partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- REEFcoreMarine conservation company partnering with No Shoes Reefs to support Pigeon Key. REEF focuses on ocean health and education, aligning with Pigeon Key's mission to preserve marine ecosystems.
- MANG (Mangrove Restoration)corePartnership with MANG (founded by brothers Kyle and Keith Rossin) to restore approximately 1,000 red mangroves to Pigeon Key shorelines after Hurricane Irma damage. MANG's Buy One, Plant One initiative includes custom long-sleeved rash guards sold through Pigeon Key's online store. Collaboration inspired by founders' learning about island mangrove destruction.
- Faro Blanco Resort and Marinacore'Friends of Pigeon Key' program offering 15% hotel discount weekdays and 10% weekends. Two resort food establishments provide 15% dining discounts with ferry ticket stub. Resort hosts ferry departure location.
- 4oceanminorGlobal marine debris removal initiative that hosted coastal cleanup at Bahia Honda State Park. 4ocean creates bracelets from recycled glass and plastic that fund ocean cleanups worldwide, having removed over 4 million pounds of trash.
- Mote Marine Laboratory & AquariumminorParticipated in mangrove planting volunteer effort with other local marine organizations
- Protect Our ReefsminorPartner organization in mangrove planting volunteer effort
- Florida Fish and WildlifeminorParticipated in mangrove planting volunteer effort
- Dry-Tortugas National Park ServiceminorPartner organization in mangrove planting volunteer effort
- National Audubon SocietyminorPartner organization in mangrove planting volunteer effort
- Surfrider Florida KeysminorPartner organization in mangrove planting volunteer effort
- Coral Restoration FoundationminorPartner organization in mangrove planting volunteer effort
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pigeon Key competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Theater of the Sea: An Islamorada, FL marine animal park and education center offering guided tours, marine mammal encounters, and snorkeling. Comparable to Pigeon Key as a paid Florida Keys marine tourism and education attraction.
- REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation): A marine conservation organization partnering with Pigeon Key that runs citizen science, education, and diving programs. Comparable as a marine education nonprofit, though not facility-based in the same way.
- Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center: A Key West-based NOAA-affiliated visitor center offering hands-on exhibits on the Florida Keys ecosystem. Directly comparable as a free/educational marine science experience competing for school field trips in the same geography.
- The Turtle Hospital: Also based in Marathon, FL, the Turtle Hospital provides marine conservation education and visitor programs centered on sea turtle rehabilitation — directly competing with Pigeon Key for marine science tourism dollars in the Middle Keys.
- Dolphin Research Center: Located in Marathon, FL (same city as Pigeon Key), the Dolphin Research Center offers marine mammal encounters and education programs. It is the closest direct competitor in the Florida Keys marine education and tourism market.
- Bahia Honda State Park: A Florida Keys state park immediately adjacent to Pigeon Key offering beach, snorkeling, and nature programming. A nearby alternative for nature-oriented Keys visitors.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Key Largo state park offering snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and reef education. Competes with Pigeon Key for snorkeling and reef-tourism visitors in the Upper Keys.
Regional players
- Keys Marine Laboratory: A marine research and education facility in the Florida Keys providing field trip and outreach programming. Regional peer serving similar audiences in the same geography.
Broad incumbents
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: A larger, established marine research and education institution in Sarasota, FL. Not a direct competitor in the Keys, but a broad incumbent offering overlapping marine science education and summer camp programming.
Others
- Camp Seafarer: A traditional residential summer camp in North Carolina with marine/waterfront programming. Thematically comparable as a multi-week youth camp experience but in a different geography and not a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pigeon Key social profiles
Digital presencePigeon Key compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Pigeon Key financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pigeon Key leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Pigeon Key funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pigeon Key M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pigeon Key
What does Pigeon Key do?
Pigeon Key Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit marine science center operating on a 5-acre historic island beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys. It delivers marine science field trips, day and overnight summer camps, daily historic tours (train, walk, bike, snorkeling), a Florida Keys history museum, and private event hosting, combining Henry Flagler-era railroad heritage preservation with hands-on marine biology education.
Is Pigeon Key a public or private company?
Pigeon Key is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pigeon Key founded?
Pigeon Key was founded in 1992. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pigeon Key based?
Pigeon Key is headquartered in Marathon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pigeon Key make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Tour Admissions are the primary driver. The others are summer Camp Registration, field Trip Programs, membership Program, donations and Fundraising and gift Shop Sales.
Who are Pigeon Key's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Theater of the Sea, REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation), Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, The Turtle Hospital, Dolphin Research Center, Bahia Honda State Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Keys Marine Laboratory is listed as a regional player. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is listed as a broad incumbent. Camp Seafarer is listed as an others.
Does Pigeon Key have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pigeon Key.
What industry is Pigeon Key in?
Pigeon Key's product category is Marine Science Education and Heritage Tourism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of THAAAIAA, Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications).