Off the coast of Matecumbe Key is Matecumbe Bight. Like a bite out of the land, a bight is a a body of water in the curve or recess of a coastline.

The waters of Matecumbe Bight are bay side; open and exposed to the west, sheltered from the east. Mangrove islands at the north end of the bight have a beautiful narrow channel from Matecumbe Bight to Lignumvitae Channel known as the wheel ditch. The channel is not a “no wake zone” and is used as a shortcut by boaters. Explore with caution.