Islamorada

The tropical Islamorada Keys are home to many luxurious resorts, so take your pick and spend your days lazing in the sun, diving through shipwrecks or cruising the Gulf of Mexico for the biggest fish in the sea. In addition to sailing, game fishing, sunning and diving, the community of cosmopolitan residents love their art and gourmet food.

Begin your time on the Islamorada Keys with a stroll down U.S. Route 1, the highway connecting the Keys. Visit boutique retail outlets, galleries and the 1935 Hurricane Memorial.

Islamorada’s sub-tropical climate means that both the air and the water remain warm year-round, making it the ideal breeding and feeding ground for countless species of fish. Whether you want to spend the day on board a luxury charter boat or prefer bobbing on the gentle seas in a small motorboat, the marina of Founders Park is the place to start.

Islamorada offers scuba diving classes for beginners. Afterward, visit the History of Diving Museum to learn all about this adventurous hobby. Organize a scuba diving or snorkeling trip to some of Florida’s most lauded dive sites to see the fish in their natural habitat. Popular spots include the Eagle, a shipwreck just off the coast and the Conch Wall, a gently sloping rock shelf. If you’d rather stay dry, visit the Theater of the Sea to watch dolphins perform at the aquarium.

Pick up tackle and rent rods from one of the angling specialists in town. Islamorada has developed a reputation for being one of the best fishing destinations in North America. Game fish the size of outstretched arms are commonplace, so you won’t even have to exaggerate about your catch of the day.

Islamorada can be reached from downtown Miami in just 90 minutes by car or by boat from the neighboring Keys. Accommodations range from luxury resorts to cozy bungalows near Anne’s Beach, a scenic public stretch of coast.