Rattlesnake Key sold to private buyer. Will the Manatee island be developed?

Rattlesnake Key, an undeveloped island of over 700 acres in Tampa Bay that state and local officials hoped to conserve as a public park, recently sold to a private buyer.

The island, which sits between Terra Ceia Bay and Tampa Bay, was previously listed for sale as part of a $75 million real estate package. Pitches for possible uses of the island included a public park, but also a resort, cruise ship terminal or other development — prospects that alarmed many locals who wanted to see the island stay in its natural form.

According to Manatee County Property Appraiser records, Rattlesnake Key changed hands on Oct. 28, when Cayo Cascabel LLC sold the property to Rattlesnake Preservation Company LLC for $18 million.

“The Skyway Partnership, Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment Corporation, is pleased to announce the sale of Rattlesnake Key in a private transaction,” said Honey Rand, spokesperson for Cayo Cascabel, in a statement.

County records show Cayo Cascabel LLC bought the property for $2 million in 2004. Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company LLC is a Wilmington, Delaware-based company that formed one week before purchasing the island, according to public records.

No other information about the buyers was listed. According to legal and business experts, Delaware’s strict privacy laws offer an advantage to business owners who want to shield their identity from public record.

The island is only reachable by boat and is a popular fishing and paddling spot for locals.

Conservationists and water quality experts have also advocated for the environmental importance of protecting Rattlesnake Key.

One of the last pieces of undeveloped coastland on Tampa Bay, the island is fringed by mangrove forest and provides habitat to fish, birds, manatees and other wildlife.

How Florida’s plan to purchase Rattlesnake Key failed

In recent years, Rattlesnake Key’s owners expressed a desire to see the land permanently protected. They attempted to strike a deal to preserve it through Florida Forever, the state’s wilderness conservation program.

In 2023, Florida legislators appropriated $23 million for the island’s purchase through Florida Forever in the state budget, and Manatee County Government set aside an additional $3 million to contribute. However, after the state’s appraisal of the land came in at $7.6 million, they could not come to terms on a price.

In 2024, the Florida Legislature reduced its commitment to the land buy to $8 million and left Manatee County Government in charge of the conservation effort.

And this year , legislators cut all dedicated funding for Rattlesnake Key’s purchase. They also dramatically slashed funding for Florida Forever from $229 million to $18 million — instead beefing up efforts to conserve agricultural land through the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

With the funding cuts, plans to secure Rattlesnake Key as a government-owned public park sputtered out.

What will happen to Rattlesnake Key now?

But according to Rattlesnake Key’s old and new owners, the dream of conserving the island is not over.

A spokesperson for the buyers provided the following statement to the Bradenton Herald:

“The Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company, LLC is pleased to announce that it has acquired Rattlesnake Key,” spokesperson Sally Dee said in an email. “This investment is intended to preserve the natural character of this special property for local residents, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy for generations.”

“As part of this effort, we plan to work closely with officials from Manatee County and the State of Florida, as well as regional environmental leaders, to determine the most effective strategy for future management and public use of Rattlesnake Key,” the statement continued.

No other details about the buyers’ plan for the property were provided.

The sellers also expressed confidence that Rattlesnake Key’s unique natural character will be preserved.

“We are delighted that the new owners intend to ensure long-term environmental conservation and public use,” Rand said.

This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 5:50 AM.