Last Updated on September 1, 2023
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Islamorada, a village of six islands in the Middle Keys, is one of Florida’s hidden gems. Located mid way, more or less, between Miami and Key West, it’s the perfect place for those looking for that laid back, island vibe. It’s a place to completely disconnect and relax, but there are enough things to do in Islamorada to keep you busy and active as well. Fishing is what Islamorada is known for, but there’s an array of other water activities to enjoy. Top it off with amazing seafood and spectacular sunsets and Islamorada just might be the closest thing to paradise.
Out of all the Florida Keys, Islamorada is one of my top choices for more than one reason. It was the first stop on my Miami to Key West road trip, where I could feel that island vibe the Keys are known for. As much as I enjoyed my time in Key Largo, it lacked that Caribbean like atmosphere. Also, thanks to its location, Islamorada is a great base if you want to explore the nearby Keys. You can easily take a day trip to Key Largo or Marathon, and Key West is just 2 hours away.
How to get to Islamorada
Islamorada is located in the Middle Keys, about 77 miles south of Miami. The best way to get there is to first fly into either Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport, then rent a car and make the drive down. From Miami it will take about 1.5 hr, a little longer from Ft Lauderdale-Hollywood airport ( about 2 hours ). This is the best and most convenient way and you will need a car to get around anyway. Unless you plan to never leave your hotel or resort, which I don’t recommend, as there are many things to do in Islamorada and the nearby Keys.
If you need a rental car, Discover Cars is a good site to find the best deal. It’s a price comparison website, that searches all the big rental companies to find the best price.
There is a shuttle operating between both airports ( Miami and Fort Lauderdale ) and Florida Keys. The Keys Shuttle runs twice daily making several stops, one of them in Islamorada. Although, as already mentioned before, the lack of car will make it nearly impossible to take advantage of all there is to do in Islamorada and the places nearby.
Things to do in Islamorada, Florida
Feed tarpons at Robbie’s
Whether you are staying in Islamorada or passing through on your Florida Keys road trip, stopping at Robbie’s is a must. It’s a busy marina with a lot going on, but the biggest attraction is feeding giant tarpons off the dock. The idea is simple: you buy a bucket of fish for $5 ( add extra $ 2.50 to step on the dock ), then dangle them off the dock and wait for the tarpons to leap out of the water and snatch it out of your hand. They know the drill, so there are plenty of them hanging around the dock, some of them quite massive.
Don’t keep your eyes off the fish bucket for too long, as tarpons are not the only hungry ones there. There are plenty of pelicans, just waiting for a chance to steal your fish. After you are done feeding the tarpons, stick around to watch others do the same. As touristy as it is, it’s definitely one of the most entertaining things to do in Islamorada.
While feeding the tarpons is the biggest draw to Robbie’s, there’s a lot more to do at the marina. It’s a great place to rent a kayak, go parasailing, book a diving trip or a fishing charter. There’s also the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, located right by the dock, so you can enjoy some food and drinks while watching all the action.
Robbie’s Marina is located at MM 77.5 / open daily 7 am – 8 pm
Snorkel the Alligator Reef
Florida Keys are home to the last living coral reef in the US, so it comes as no surprise, that snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in the area. There are several great snorkeling and diving spots, and if you are in Islamorada, one of the best ones is Alligator Reef. Located just 4 nautical miles off shore, marked by the old lighthouse, it has the clear, blue water, that’s perfect for snorkeling. Not too mention, the amazing marine life.
There are many boat operators, that offer snorkeling trips to the Alligator Reef. Since we were already at Robbie’s, we booked a 2.5 hour trip with Sundance Watersports, which I highly recommend. Their spacious catamaran Blue leaves right from Robbie’s marina twice daily ( 10 am and 1.30 pm ), making 2 snorkeling stops. It’s only $49 per person if you have your own snorkeling gear (add $10 if you need to rent it ). Just keep in mind, that the very popular lately full face snorkeling masks are not allowed.
After about 20 minute boat ride under the Seven Mile Bridge, we arrived at the first snorkeling spot. The water was crystal clear and it didn’t take long to spot not only lots of fish, but also a turtle and a couple of nurse sharks. The second stop brought us closer to the Alligator Reef Lighthouse, and was the more shallow of the two. Make sure to go around and below the lighthouse. The fish are drawn by the shade cast by the 136 foot tall structure, so there are literally hundreds of them there.
Alligator Reef is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and there’s a lot of effort to protect the only living coral reef in the US. It’s important, that we as visitors, do our part in saving the beautiful reef by taking simple actions. One of them is choosing the right sun protection. Certain chemicals found in traditional sunscreens cause reef bleaching, so make sure to opt for reef safe sunscreen.
Things to bring: a swimsuit, towel, snorkeling gear, sunscreen and a GoPro ( or another underwater camera ).
Visit Long Key State Park
The 965 acre park, covering most of the Long Key is a must visit for anyone who enjoys nature, beautiful scenery, bird watching and water activities. There is plenty to do and you can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to all day at the park. Kayaks are available for rent at the ranger’s station or you can bring your own and paddle through the park’s lagoon.
One of the highlights of Long Key State Park is the Golden Orb nature trail. The 1.1 loop trail takes you through mangroves and tropical hammock with many unusual plants along the way, as well as bird and crab sightings. It’s an easy hike, but there is very little shade along the way, so be sure to cover up or use plenty of sunscreen.
The trail starts near the parking lot with a walk on the boardwalk. This is where you can still see the sign of the damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The mangrove swamp, that the boardwalk passes through, is now completely dead, which was caused by too much of salt water. It does get better though.
Before the Hurricane Irma ripped through the Keys in 2017, Long Key State Park was also a popular camping spot. There is a stretch of camping sites in the perfect location along the beach. That part of the park is currently closed and only a couple of tent sites are available, but it’s set to reopen in 2021.
Long Key State Park is located at the MM 67.5. It’s open daily from 8 am to dusk. The entrance fee is $4.50 per person ( $6 for 2 ).
Anne’s beach
The Keys are not really a place where you will beaches like those you might known from mainland Florida. This is mostly due to the coral reef, that prevents sand build up. Anne’s Beach in Islamorada is one of the few natural sandy beaches and one of the favorites in the area. The calm and shallow waters are perfect for swimming, and the beach it’s also a favorite among the kite surfers.
Anne’s beach just reopened after undergoing major reconstruction to repair the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. There is a shaded boardwalk with picnic tables, so you can also pack a lunch, some drinks and enjoy a couple of hours.
Anne’s beach is located at the Marker 73.4 and it’s free to visit.
Charter a fishing boat
Islamorada is known as the Sportfishing capital of the world, so if it’s something you enjoy, you should definitely plan a day to charter a fishing boat. Since fishing is one of the most popular things to do in Islamorada, there is no shortage of charter boats. You can choose from either half day or full day excursions.
After a fun and successful day of fishing, you can have your catch for dinner. Just have the captain clean and fillet the fish, then bring it to one of the restaurants. Lazy Days, Chef Michael’s and Hungry Tarpon are some of the restaurants in Islamorada, that will happily cook your catch for you.
Stop at The Rain Barrel Village
Florida Keys have a reputation for being quirky, and there’s no better example than The Rain Barrel Village in Islamorada. This open air market is a collection of several artisan shops selling anything from art work, sculptures, jewelry to clothing and gifts. It’s definitely worth a stop, whether you want to just browse or pick up a souvenir. Yes, some of them are the typical kitschy souvenirs, but there are also plenty of artwork and unique items by local artist.
The Rain Barrel Village is located right along the Overseas Highway and it’s hard to miss thanks to the giant lobster sculpture, that sits right in front of it. Betsy the Lobster is 30 feet tall, was created to symbolize Florida Keys’ wildlife and quickly became one of Islamorada’s attractions. It’s a great photo op and a must stop on the Florida Keys road trip.
The Rain Barrel Village is located at MM 86.7 / open daily from 9 am – 5 pm.
Catch the sunset at Lorelei
You can’t leave Islamorada without catching one of the spectacular sunsets Florida Keys are known for. There are a few prime spots to have the best experience, and Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar is one of them. This open air restaurant has a tiki bar, as well as tables just steps away from the water, so an amazing view is basically guaranteed. It’s a great spot, with a fun atmosphere, great drinks and live music most nights.
Lorelei operates on a first come first serve basis, and it’s the busiest before the sunset. Make sure to arrive early ( an hour or so before ), if you want to score one of the tables by the water.
Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar is located at MM 82
Spend a day in Marathon
Even though there are plenty of things to do in Islamorada, I do encourage you to explore beyond it. Marathon is just 30 minutes away and makes for a great day trip.
- Visit Turtle Hospital – if you decide to take a day trip to Marathon, make sure to visit the Turtle Hospital. This amazing facility rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured turtles and once they’re well enough, releases them back into the wild. The work they do and the dedication of all the people there is truly amazing. They are able to operate thanks to the admission paid by visitors, so I cannot encourage you enough to book your visit. Since it’s a working hospital, you can only visit on a guided tour, and these are offered daily from 9 am – 4 pm on the hour. Booking ahead is highly recommended, as the tours often sell out. During the tour, that lasts a little over 1 hour, you will be able to learn about the turtles and problems they are facing, meet the current patients and even feed them at the end.
- Sombrero Beach – natural, sandy beaches are rare in Florida Keys and Sombrero Beach is probably as close as you are going to get to one. It’s quite big by Florida Keys standards, with plenty of parking and facilities. It’s located an Sombrero Beach Rd, a couple of miles off Rt 1.
- Go to Keys Fisheries Upstairs Bar for Stone Crab Claws – if you are visiting Florida Keys during the stone crab season ( October through May ), you must head to Keys Fisheries in Marathon. Go to the Upstairs bar for a drink and 5 for $20 Stone Crab Claws.
- Visit Pigeon Key – visiting the tiny island of Pigeon Key is a great place to spend a couple of hours while in Marathon. It sits right under the old Seven Mile bridge and has a lot of history, as well as opportunities for water fun. Bring your snorkel, fishing rod or pack a lunch to enjoy it with a great view in one of the picnic spots. Until recently, a ferry used to be the only way to get to Pigeon Key, but once the 7 Mile construction was done, the ferry got replaced by a little train. The train leaves from the Visitors Center at 10 am, 11.30 am, 1 pm and 2.30 pm. The ticket costs $25 ( $20/kids ) and it includes access to the island, as well as a 1 hour guided tour of Pigeon Key.
Restaurants in Islamorada
Dining out was one of my favorite things to do in Islamorada. There are so many amazing restaurants, and if you are a seafood lover, like myself, you will be spoilt for choices. A lot of the places are either on the water or have a waterfront view, which gives you that ultimate Florida Keys experience. My favorite thing of all, dining in the Keys is very casual. Even the restaurants, that are considered more upscale are very laid back. There are so many good spots and not enough time to try them all. But these are the restaurants in Islamorada we did get to try and highly recommend.
Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana – the already mentioned Lorelei is an mostly open air restaurant and one of the top spots to catch the sunset. They do not take reservations, which is not an issue most of the time. But if you want to go there for sunset, make sure to arrive earlier to get a table, as this is their busiest time.
Habanos – if are are craving Cuban food, this casual, waterfront restaurant is a great choice. It’s located on the Marina, although the seating is indoor only.
Morada Bay – another great place, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying dinner and drinks. With colorful chairs and tables right on the beach, Morada Bay has a fun, Caribbean like vibe. Fans of the Netflix series ” Bloodline ” might recognize it from the show, as it was one of the many filming locations.
Marker 88 – yet another outdoor cafe, that also made an appearance in ” Bloodline “. It’s right on the water, with a pier and a small beach. It’s a great place for lunch, but also dinner if you want to catch the sunset.
Green Turtle Inn – one of Islamorada’s most iconic restaurants first opened in 1947 and has remained one of the favorites among both locals and tourists. It’s famous for their amazing breakfast ( served until 3 pm ), but also serves .
Lazy Days – ocean front restaurant, where you can dine either right on the beach or on the upstairs patio overlooking the water.
Where to stay in Islamorada
Amara Cay Resort – this upscale, waterfront resort is one of the top choices in Islamorada and was voted one of the best resorts in Florida Keys. It has a private beach with huts and hammocks, a big pool with a Tiki bar and plenty of water activities to enjoy. They also offer a shuttle service within a 4 mile radius. When you stay at Amara Cay Resort, you also get access to 3 other sister properties: Pelican Cove, Postcard Inn and La Siesta Resort & Marina.
Postcard Inn – this ocean front resort and marina is one of the top rated places to stay in Islamorada. It’s a beautiful property, with a private beach and 2 swimming pools. Thanks to 4 different bars and restaurants on site, you can enjoy snacks and drinks without leaving the resort. One of them, the Italian restaurant Ciao Hound is one of the best places to eat in Islamorada.
Pelican Cove Resort – this waterfront resort is a sister property of the Postcard Inn, which you have access to as well. All 63 rooms have the ocean water ( although some better than others ). The nightly resort fee gives you access to bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and more.
READ NEXT:
- Miami to Key West road trip – best stops along the way
- The Ultimate Guide to visiting Marathon, Florida
- Best things to do in Key West – the perfect guide for a first time visitor
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wow what a detailed post, surely saving for later 🙂
This is definitely on my bucket list!! Can’t wait to visit someday!
You won’t be disappointed!!