Islamorada

 

Islamorada is not one single island, but a village stretched across a beautiful chain of Upper Keys communities. Its incorporated boundaries include Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and Tea Table Key, while the broader destination is often described through six islands that also recognize offshore Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key. Each has its own character. Plantation Key feels residential and established, Windley Key is known for its fossilized coral geology and marinas, Upper Matecumbe is the walkable heart of dining, galleries and resorts, and Lower Matecumbe offers a quieter, more private waterfront setting. Together, they create the place long celebrated as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World.

 

Islamorada extends roughly from Mile Marker 72.5 to 90.8. Indian Key was once the county seat of Dade County, and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park preserves the quarry stone once used in Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad.

 

The Islamorada or Whale Harbor Sandbar, reached by boat near Whale Harbor Channel, is the area's best-known gathering place. Boaters also explore the flats, mangrove shorelines and clear Atlantic waters surrounding Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key. Conditions and access should always be checked with a knowledgeable local captain.

 

Pierre's at Morada Bay for an elevated sunset dinner; Square Grouper Bar and Grill or upstairs Sunset Lounge for local flair, excellent cocktails, and raw bar; Morada Bay Beach Cafe for toes-in-the-sand dining; Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar for live music and sunset views; and Lazy Days for classic waterfront seafood. Don’t forget Florida Keys Brewery and Islamorada Beer Company for local brews too!

 

Port Antigua and White Marlin Beach on Lower Matecumbe; Venetian Shores, one of the area's best-known boating communities; Plantation Lake Estates and Kahiki Harbor on Plantation Key; and the residential streets and condo communities of Upper Matecumbe.