Islamorada Travel Guide: Best Things to do in Islamorada

Islamorada is in the Florida Keys. Once a hidden gem, it is now growing in popularity because of its world-class fishing, good restaurants, beautiful waters (that’s an understatement), and quiet island vibes.

Islamorada is approximately halfway between Miami and Key West. I love Key West but Islamorada is a whole different vibe. Islamorada is quiet and I love mixing it with my Key West to relax a little before or after.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the diverse array of things to do in Islamorada, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this Florida Keys gem. Whether you’re an angler, nature enthusiast, or simply in search of relaxation, Islamorada promises an unforgettable experience.

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Is it better to stay in Islamorada or Key Largo?

In general, Islamorada is great for fishing and relaxing. Key Largo is closer to Miami, making it an easy stop from the mainland. Both Key Largo and Islamorada are great destinations for any age, so you’ll want to choose which is best for you based on the wide range of options they offer.

Is Islamorada or Marathon better to stay?

In general, Islamorada offers a more relaxed feel whereas Marathon has a better location to Key West. Both Islamorada and Marathon have excellent boating, fishing, and snorkeling opportunities, though each location has advantages and disadvantages.

Where to Stay in Islamorada

You really can’t go wrong with most of the resorts in Islamorada. Almost all of them will be on (or close to) the water and will offer amenities such as kayak rentals. We have had great stays at many resorts in Islamorada and I detail every resort we personally have experience with in this Islamorada resorts blog post.

Here are my favorite Islamorada resorts that I personally have experience staying at:

Romantic Islamorada Resorts: Cheeca Lodge & Spa and Casa Morada

Best Islamorada Resorts for Families: Amara Cay and The Islander. Pelican Cove is another option that I love but is currently undergoing maintenance for several months.

Budget/Cheap Islamorada Resorts: Fisher Inn. In full disclosure, we have stayed at the Fisher Inn more than any other resort in Islamorada. We had several months where my husband was doing work in Islamorada. Fisher Inn was consistently the most inexpensive, yet on the water, and dog friendly. But after several visits, we had one not so good visit that does prevent us from going back. I’m still recommending it because we had several good visits and it’s a good “budget friendly” option. Keep in mind that the words cheap and budget friendly do not mix well with the Florida Keys. So when I refer to cheap hotels in Islamorada, it’s a very subjective term.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Islamorada?

2 to 4 days is recommended to enjoy Islamorada’s nature, fishing, and water sports. The ideal number of days to spend in Islamorada depends on your interests and the activities you want to do, how much time you have, and whether you also want to visit other popular destinations in the Florida Keys such as Key West.

Best Islamorada Activities

With its jaw-dropping water unlike anywhere else, incredible fishing opportunities, coral reefs, and marine life, Islamorada is the ultimate paradise. Here are some of the best things to do in Islamorada.

Water Activities in Islamorada

Locals in the Florida Keys will tell you that the best way to experience Islamorada and the Florida Keys is to get on the water. There are endless opportunities to do this. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy the water in Islamorada.

Islamorada Sandbar

One of the most popular things to do in Islamorada is go to the sandbar. It’s even so popular that the Islamorada Brewery made a beer called Sandbar Sunday, a reference to THE sandbar. It’s around one mile offshore and you can even see it from the road.

A lot of people come to the sandbar to swim, wade, and lounge in the water. Normally when places get crowded, I like to avoid them but at the sandbar, being busy is all part of the fun. Weekends tend to be busiest and at times it can get a bit rowdy.

Toilet Seat Cut

Toilet Seat Cut is perhaps one of the most unique things to do in Islamorada. Basically, it started as a man-made channel. This is of course before it was illegal to make a man man-made channel. Other boaters used the channel and it grew through the years.

Then, in 1960, Hurricane Donna came through Islamorada. Household debris was flung into the water and throughout the island. Rumor is that among the debris, a toilet seat was found on one of the posts marking the channel. In their good humor, locals brought their toilet seats to “decorate” the other channel markers.

Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada is often referred to as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. So if you want to go fishing, there really isn’t a better place than Islamorada. The area is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a wide variety of fish species available in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s also worth noting that you can enjoy fishing in Islamorada whether you have experience or not. There are several professional fishing charters available, from backcountry fishing to deep sea and offshore fishing. When you book with a charter, your captain is experienced and knowledgeable about the waters and where to find fish. Of course, nothing is a guarantee but typically they know where to bring you in order to find good fishing opportunities!

This tour lets you customize your day however you want. You can book with them for fishing or for really any Islamorada water activity. It is a private tour, meaning you get a private captain for just your party. You can have up to 6 people.

Alligator Reef

Alligator Reef is a well-known underwater reef located 4 nautical miles offshore. It is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers due to its rich marine life. You could see various fish, corals, sponges, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle!

There is a historic shipwreck there as well. The shipwreck is , the USS Alligator, which was a Navy schooner.

Finally, you’ve probably seen pictures of the picturesque lighthouse that stands above it all.

Kayaking

Kayaking can be a fun way to get on the water while also getting a little exercise. I have a whole blog post dedicated to the best places to kayak in the Florida Keys, but some of my favorite spots to kayak in Islamorada are:

• Indian Key
• Toilet Seat Cut
• Anne’s Beach

Beaches in Islamorada, Florida

Islamorada is not necessarily known for its beaches. This might be surprising because looking at pictures, it looks like a perfect Florida beach vacation. And while the water is some of the prettiest water I have ever seen, just offshore is a barrier reef that prevents sand from collecting on shore.

This means that on Islamorada beaches, you’ll find quite a bit of coral. It feels like you are stepping on rocks. Bringing shoes can definitely help with this. The other thing about beaches in Islamorada is that they tend to have a buildup of seagrass. The seagrass is actually protected, so when it washes up it just sits in the sun and can get pretty smelly.

We still love the Islamorada beaches, but it helps to be prepared with realistic expectations. This is not a full list of every beach in Islamorada, but it does include our favorite Islamorada beaches:

Anne’s Beach

Anne’s Beach is my favorite beach in Islamorada. There is a really nice boardwalk that takes you through the mangroves and also has gorgeous views. The water is shallow, making it ideal for relaxing, especially if you have kids.

Founder’s Park

There is an entrance fee to access Founder’s Park, where you’ll find a gorgeous beach. Founder’s Park has plenty of amenities for the whole family. There is an Olympic sized pool, a splash pad if you have kids, dog park, volleyball court, marina, and more. They also have frequent events at Founder’s Park.

Harry Harris

Harry Harris Beach is technically a little bit north of Islamorada in Tavernier. Like Founder’s Park, there is a small entrance fee. Harry Harris has a quiet, laid back feel. It also has some amenities, though not as many as Founder’s Park. You’ll find a boat ramp, good fishing and snorkeling opportunities, playgrounds, a bike path, ball park, and more.

Unique Islamorada Activities

I often get asked about hidden gems in Islamorada and the Florida Keys. If I’m being honest, the world of social media has changed that for many places. Therefore, I wouldn’t really call any of the following things a hidden gem in Islamorada, but more like unique things to do that you might not find in other places.

Robbie’s

Technically, Robbie’s is a restaurant, but it’s actually so much more than that. Robbie’s is located on a marina so it’s a good place to rent a kayak. It’s also where a lot of Islamorada boat charters leave from. Robbie’s also has a cool market where you can grab ice cream or a drink from a food truck or some artwork from local artists.

The restaurant, market, and marina are cool. But that’s not what really brings people to Robbie’s. What Robbie’s is really known for is feeding the tarpon.

Rain Barrel Village

In full disclosure, a lot of people call Rain Barrel Village a tourist trap. But I don’t care, I love it and I think you will too. Everyone needs to visit at least once (but if you are like me, you’ll visit on every trip to Islamorada). You’ll know you’re there when you see the big lobster in the front.

It’s a collection of several different shops in one place. It might not look like a lot from the front, but the shops extend way back. It’s a fun place to buy local art, souvenirs, clothing, candles, and more. They also have a bar if you want to grab a drink while you wander.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

Windley Key is known for its unique geological formations, particularly the fossilized coral reef that dates back to the ancient coral reefs of the Oolitic Limestone formation. It plays a major part in the history of the Florida Keys because it used to be used as a quarry for the construction of the Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s.

After visiting Windley Key, I read the book called The Last Train to Key West which takes place in Key West and Islamorada. The book is fiction, but takes place during the time of the Overseas Highway. I found it to be historically accurate based on what I know about the Keys during that time. Windley Key is discussed quite a bit in the book and reading it really made me feel more connected to Windley Key.

History of Diving Museum

The History of Diving Museum is dedicated to the history and evolution of diving. The owners originally opened this museum to display their personal collection of diving equipment. You’ll go on a fascinating journey through the history of underwater exploration and the development of diving equipment and techniques.

Pro tip: If you are a Bank of America cardholder, you can get free entrance the first full weekend of the month with their Museums on Us program.

Theater of the Sea 

Theater of the Sea is a popular marine animal park and educational facility. The location of Theater of the sea was once a quarry just like Windley Key. Once it was no longer in use, the quarry filled with rainwater and it was there that parrotfish thrived.

Theater of the Sea was established in 1946 making it one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world. There are lagoons, waterfalls, tropical gardens, and of course, plenty of animals. If you visit, you can see dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, and more.

It is also a great place to learn about marine ecosystems.

The park features a variety of marine animals, including dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, alligators, and various species of fish and birds. During your visit, you can attend live shows featuring the animals.

Theater of the Sea also offers opportunities for guests to swim with dolphins and sea lions. The park’s mission is to educate the public about marine life, promote environmental awareness, and support the conservation of marine species and their habitats.

Islamorada Breweries

Islamorada is home to two breweries and we love both of them. They are located just a short distance from one another, making it easy to visit both.

Florida Keys Brewing Company

Florida Keys Brewing Company was the first craft brewery. It opened in 2015. They have a resident cat who you might be lucky enough to spot running around. Decorations are fun with tie dye and we love hanging out in the beer garden after dark under their string lights.

There is always a new beer to try when we visit the Florida Keys Brewing Company. I really like their pumpkin flavored beer in the fall. They usually have at least one sour on tap and a few different IPAs to try.

If you’re hungry, you can grab Mexican food from Tacos Jalisco, the food truck right outside, Monday through Saturday. We love the tacos from Tacos Jalisco. On Sundays, they have A Movable Feast food truck, which serves a little of everything such as sliders, sandwiches, tacos, and flatbreads.

Islamorada Brewery and Distillery

We love the Islamorada Brewery, which also has a great tropical outdoor area. They have more indoor seating than the Florida Keys Brewing Company, which can be nice on rainy or super hot days.

My favorite beer from the Islamorada Brewery is the No Wake Zone. It is a coconut key lime blonde ale that tastes just like vacation. Another great thing about the Islamorada Brewery is that they are also a distillery. This will make non-beer lovers happy because you can order mixed drinks and vodka sodas. I love their frozen key lime pie cocktail. And you can get beer flights as well as cocktail flights, which I find to be really unique.

They have a food truck on site that serves classics like wraps and burgers but note that it is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Best Restaurants in Islamorada

I have a full guide on restaurants in Islamorada that goes into quite a bit more detail on all of the best places to eat in Islamorada. There really is a little something for everyone.

I tend to go for waterfront restaurants in Islamorada to get that true vacation vibe. My favorite restaurants on the water are Loralei’s, Morada Bay, and Lazy Days.

For a quick meal, I love Bad Boy Burrito. I always get a sushi burrito there. I also love MEAT Eatery and Taproom. We had some of the best customer service we have ever had there and everything is delicious. They even have homemade ketchup! MEAT was also featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.

While Islamorada is an amazing destination to relax, there are also plenty of activities. Hopefully this blog post on Islamorada helped you discover some fun things to do on your vacation. Islamorada is one of my favorite places in the world and is truly paradise on earth. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!