10 Things to Do in Islamorada
Your Guide to an Unforgettable Florida Keys Getaway
There is a certain rhythm to a stay in Islamorada. Mornings are made for getting out on the water, afternoons can be as active or relaxed as you choose, and evenings invite you to slow down and enjoy another Florida Keys sunset.
Set along the Atlantic Ocean in the heart of Islamorada, Islander Resort makes it easy to experience both sides of a Florida Keys vacation. Spend the day enjoying the resort, head out to explore the surrounding waters, or venture into the local community to discover what makes Islamorada such a special place.
If you are planning a stay, here are ten experiences worth adding to your Islamorada itinerary.
1. Start the Day on the Water
Some of the best mornings in the Florida Keys begin on the ocean. At Islander Resort, guests can grab a kayak or paddleboard and explore the water just offshore, taking in the tropical surroundings before the day gets underway.
Prefer to ease into the morning? A walk along the waterfront and Sunrise Pier offers another way to enjoy the early hours, when the resort is quiet and the views across the Atlantic take center stage.
2. Snorkel the Waters Around Islamorada
Islamorada sits within one of the most remarkable marine environments in the country, making snorkeling a natural addition to a Florida Keys vacation.
From Islander Resort, guests can head out with Morada Mermaid Water Adventures to explore the waters surrounding the Upper Keys. Snorkeling excursions offer the chance to discover coral formations, tropical fish and other marine life while experiencing an entirely different side of Islamorada.
Whether it is your first time snorkeling or something you make a point of doing every time you visit the Keys, getting beneath the surface belongs on the list.
3. Experience an Islamorada Sandbar
Ask someone who knows the Florida Keys how they like to spend an afternoon on the water and there is a good chance a sandbar will come up.
Islamorada's sandbars are gathering places where shallow, clear water creates a setting that feels distinctly Keys. Spend a few hours swimming, floating and enjoying the scenery before heading back to shore.
Guests at Islander Resort can make the experience even easier with a Morada Mermaid Water Adventures sandbar excursion, departing directly from the resort for a day on the water.
4. Go Fishing in the Sportfishing Capital of the World
Fishing is woven into the history and culture of Islamorada. The destination has earned its reputation as the Sportfishing Capital of the World thanks to access to both Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, putting an impressive variety of fishing experiences within reach.
Guests looking to experience Islamorada's legendary fishing can head out with Bamboo Charters, with fishing trips available directly from Islander Resort. Whether you are hoping to spend the day offshore or explore the surrounding waters with a local captain, a charter offers one of the best ways to experience the fishing that made Islamorada famous.
You do not necessarily need a boat to enjoy the tradition, either. Guests can also spend some time fishing from Sunrise Pier at Islander Resort.
5. Spend an Afternoon by the Pool and Beach
Not every day in the Florida Keys needs an itinerary.
Set aside an afternoon to enjoy Islander Resort itself. Find a spot by the pool, settle into a shoreline cabana, spend time along the beach or simply enjoy having nowhere else you need to be.
It is an especially good way to balance a morning spent snorkeling, fishing or exploring Islamorada. After all, part of visiting the Keys is knowing when not to make plans.
6. Add a Little Friendly Competition
When you are ready to get moving again, there are plenty of ways to do it without leaving the resort.
Challenge your travel companions to a round of PuTTek golf at Seaside Sports, head to the pickleball courts, play beach volleyball or try a game of bocce. Families and groups can turn an afternoon into their own competition, while couples can keep things considerably less serious.
It is an easy reminder that some of the best vacation memories come from the activities you did not necessarily plan in advance.
7. Discover Islamorada Beyond the Resort
It is worth leaving a little room in your itinerary to explore the community surrounding Islander Resort.
Learn more about the area's past at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, encounter dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life at Theater of the Sea, or spend some time discovering Islamorada's galleries, shops and local businesses.
The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District is another worthwhile stop, particularly for travelers interested in the creative side of the Keys. Islamorada may be known for its water, but its character extends well beyond the shoreline.
8. Experience a Florida Keys Sunset
Sunset is less an event in the Florida Keys than a daily ritual.
Take a sunset cruise, find a favorite waterfront spot or simply slow down long enough to watch the colors change across the sky. No two evenings look exactly alike, which is part of the appeal.
Even though Islander Resort sits on the ocean side of Islamorada, you are never far from the bay side of the island, making it easy to seek out a classic Florida Keys sunset during your stay.
9. Make Dinner Part of the Experience
After a day outside, dinner should not feel like an afterthought.
At Islander Resort, Drift on the Beach offers oceanfront dining just steps from the shoreline, while Tides Beachside Bar & Grill provides a relaxed option for lunch, drinks and casual bites during the day.
Throughout Islamorada, you will also find an impressive collection of waterfront restaurants and longtime local favorites. Seafood naturally takes center stage, and fresh local fish is always worth looking for when deciding what to order.
10. Leave Time for the Unexpected
Perhaps the best advice for visiting Islamorada is not to schedule every hour.
You may discover that you want another morning on the paddleboard, an extra afternoon beside the pool or one more fishing trip before heading home. You might hear about a local event, decide to return to a favorite restaurant or simply find a waterfront spot where you would rather stay awhile.
That flexibility is part of what makes the Florida Keys different. There is plenty to do, but there is rarely a reason to rush.
Make Islander Resort Your Home Base in Islamorada
A great Islamorada getaway is a combination of time on the water, time exploring the islands and time doing very little at all.
With its oceanfront setting, resort activities, dining and easy access to many of Islamorada's signature experiences, Islander Resort offers a natural home base for discovering the Upper Keys. Whether your ideal trip includes snorkeling the reef, heading offshore to fish, spending an afternoon at the sandbar or simply finding your favorite spot beside the water, you can build the trip around the experiences that brought you to the Florida Keys in the first place.
When you are ready to start planning, explore Islander Resort's special offers and choose the one that best fits the Florida Keys experience you have in mind.
And if you do not get to all ten?
There is always another reason to come back to Islamorada.