Are you planning to visit beautiful Islamorada? Islamorada Key is comprised of six small islands in the Florida Keys, located between the saltwater wilderness, barrier reefs and Everglades National Park. The islands are popular with fisherman and it has been named the sport-fishing capital of the world. Visit Islamorada and enjoy everything from ocean adventures – diving, fishing and swimming – to great shopping and entertainment. If you visit Islamorada, you’ll also be treated to a selection of fine dining and some of the best seafood you have ever had. Our Islamorada Vacations guide will help you start your adventure. View the beautiful beaches of Key Largo and the Florida Keys here.
Islamorada Weather – When to Visit
The month of April is a great month to visit Islamorda when temperatures are hot but hotels are cheaper. Average temperatures are in the low 80’s. Most vacation to Islamorada in March. This is the busiest time so make sure to book your accommodation early. The Christmas week (December 23rd to January 6th), February 17th – 25th (President’s Week) as well as the Easter week (March 31st to April 8th) are also busy times that you should avoid if you don’t like crowds.
Best Islamorada Beaches
Anne’s Beach
Anne’s BeachThis is an excellent beach next to the Overseas Highway. There is a boardwalk that meanders through the mangroves from one parking area to the other. On weekends this beach does get crowded, but you can usually find a parking spot and a place to put your towel on the beach.
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Library Beach
Library BeachThis beach is behind the Islamorada Public Library. This is a very nice and well groomed area. It has playground equipment along the water. There are picnic benches, tropical foliage, and a sandy beach. This is still a hidden gem and very seldom crowded.
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Holiday Isle Beach
Holiday Isle BeachHoliday Isle beach is located in the Holiday Isle complex, with plenty of restaurants, tiki bars, and charter fishing boats. The beach and pool facilities are open to the public, along with jet ski and boat rentals. You can also get fishing and diving charters at the marina.
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Long Key State Park
Long Key State ParkLong Key State Park is another great beach with picnic and camping areas, beaches, beautiful ocean views, and hiking trail at the park. This is a very peaceful area. A must visit while in Islamorada.
Best Islamorada Restaurants
Chef Michaels $31 – 60
Dock To Dish! Their fresh catch selection changes daily, and they strive to keep hogfish, their specialty, on the list. Chef Michael’s menu is full of creatively inspired local Florida Keys cuisine. Not just a seafood restaurant, their dinner offerings include mouth-watering preparations of prime meats and game, because, in the sport fishing capital of the world, sometimes you just get fished out! A quaint and special place, one of the few restaurants in the Florida Keys operated by its very own chef, and locals know from experience that an evening at Chef Michael’s is one to remember…Go to Chef Michael’s in Islamorada, FL…enjoy the peace, love, & hogfish! Telephone: 305-664-0640 Web: Chef Michaels.
Lazy Days Restaurant $11 – 30
Join hosts Chef Lupe & Michelle Ledesma at Lazy Days Restaurant. Enjoy laid back, oceanfront dining and Keys-style dishes. Lazy Days offers seafood, seafood pastas, vegetarian pastas, sandwiches, certified angus steaks and chicken at reasonable prices. Chef Lupe will also cook your catch! Fabulous desserts, kids menu and full service bar available. Enjoy beach dining with spectacular views from tables nestled in the sand, dine on the patio overlooking the beautiful waters of the Atlantic, or dine in their porch dining or inside their cozy, yet spacious atmosphere. Telephone: 305-664-5256 Web: Lazy Days Restaurant.
M.E.A.T. Eatery and Taproom $11 – 30
House ground and cased Sausages, house made Bacon and smoked Pork, hand patted Angus beef burgers, Kobe Beef Hotdogs, 12 Tap Craft Beers and domestic favorites, Homemade Ice Cream and Milkshakes Homemade Ketchup and Mustard. Telephone: 305-852-3833 Web: M.E.A.T. Eatery and Taproom.
Islamorada Shrimp Shack $11 – 30
The Islamorada Shrimp Shack is a family owned business that opened its doors in December of 2011. Since then, they have been serving delicious food to their customers and have become a staple for the Islamorada locals. Run by the mother daughter team of Jill and Morgan, the homemade family recipes have made it out of otheir kitchen and on to your plate. They have a wide variety of seafood. They have chicken, steak, and ribs for our land lovers. They have local fish daily and of course local shrimp. Telephone: 305-664-8433 Web: Islamorada Shrimp Shack.
Morada Bay Beach Cafe $11 – 30
Located in the heart of Islamorada at mile marker 81.6, the Morada Bay Beach Café & Bar is an outdoor Mediterranean bistro café set in the sand. Situated amidst a glorious, palm-lined beach overlooking blue waters, with walking paths thru tropical flowers, The Café offers a more laid back and relaxed atmosphere than it’s sister property, Pierre’s, which is located on the same beach. You’ll find inside and outside bars and dining areas, live unique entertainment, spectacular sunsets, and a large child-friendly beach with cozy Adirondack chairs. The Café’s menu is a blend of Caribbean and American cuisine. Showcasing the freshest in local seafood and produce, the fare is both innovative and eclectic. The Café’s bar and wine offerings are equally noteworthy. Telephone: 305-664-3225 Web: Morada Bay Beach Café.
Best Islamorada Bars & Nightlife
Florida Keys Brewing Company
Florida Keys Brewing Co is the Upper Keys first microbrewery, located in the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District. They always have a great selection of their favorite beers, as well as seasonal and barrel aged beers. There is plenty for everyone to enjoy here. Take a tour of the brewery, enjoy a flight of their beers, check out all the artwork, play some games, or just relax and listen to some music. They have all sorts of events so check out their schedule to see what’s coming up soon. Telephone: 305-916-5206 Web: Florida Keys Brewing Company.
The OceanView Pub & Sports Bar
The OceanView Pub & Sports Bar is a favorite eatery, sports bar and watering hole for both tourists and locals alike. Head to the sports pub and restaurant and enjoy their outdoor patio serving classic American fare and late-night bites. What locals like: friendly and attentive staff, consistently great food, over the top burgers, blackened dolphin sandwich and wings, low-key relaxed flip flop atmosphere with a beautiful view of the water. Telephone: 305-664-8052 Web: The OceanView Pub & Sports Bar.
Bumby’s
Bumby’s is located in the heart of Islamorada. Bumby’s Raw Bar & Local Libations’ purpose is to serve the healthiest, freshest, and finest quality of food and beverage with knowledge, graciousness, and integrity; so that their guests and employees will feel pride, fulfillment, and happiness. Telephone: 305-509-7561 Web: Bumby’s.
Lorelei Cabana Bar & Restaurant
The Lorelei Cabana Bar and Marina features some of the best seafood in the Florida Keys… the perfect place to sit back, order a tall, cool drink and let yourself be enchanted. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Islamorada famous sunsets. They have sunset celebrations nightly. Telephone: 305-664-2692 Web: Lorelei Cabana Bar & Restaurant.
Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill
Happy hour that can’t be beat here with 21 flat-screen televisions. Hog Heaven has both indoor and outdoor waterfront bars and dining. And once the sun goes down, Hog Heaven transforms into the hottest party destination in almost 100 miles. With a live DJ spinning every weekend and countless bands from across the globe, Hog Heaven is sure to put a little life back into your Florida Keys vacation. Telephone: 305-664-9669 Web: Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill.
Best Islamorada Hotels
Wow, this is an amazing website. I’m glad that I just moved from New Jersey to Florida. So I could enjoy some of nice places here. You did a great job, your website is very nice and clear for searching. A lot information that people might need are right there. Thanks for future reference I will share your website to some of my friends.
sophie64
Thank you so much Sophie and I am glad you enjoyed reading. Thank you for visiting Islamorada Vacations.
What a great site! I love how everything you’d ever need for a vacation to Islamorada is all in one place. I’ve never been to the Keys but would love to see it in the future. Looking at that chart it might be a little too hot for me though!
Thank you so much Tanner! With the gulf breeze and the beach within toes reach, I don’t think you will get too hot here 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Incredible site. You have really taken your time and provided great information. You have thought of everything and made it incredibly easy. Until today I had never even heard of Islamorada but after reading your article, I can see what I have been missing. With world class fishing and great food, how can you go wrong. =) I will be adding Islamorada to my future destination list for sure.
Thanks again,
Patrick
You are welcome Patrick. Yes, Islamorado, along with the other Florida Keys provide world class fishing, great food and atmosphere, and of course beautiful Florida Keys beaches!
Wow, Great site! I am always looking for great getaways. Your site is very informative. Has lots of great pictures, ads and links. you have listed many activities, places to eat and places to stay. I would visit your site for beach/travel information in a heartbeat.
The one thing I would change is , in your beach gear page you have great pictures , but there is no link to purchase these items.
Oh, wow thank you for letting me know! I will change that immediately. I am glad you liked Beach Travel Destinations!
Please if anyone reading this is planing to visit the Florida keys and is willing to pack me in with their luggage I am ready to go at a moments notice. Lol 🙂
These islands look absolutely gorgeous and the many activities available only make it more appealing. Seriously, anyone going I am ready. Great info!!
Thanks Michael! I am going next month but I don’t need the extra weight! The Florida Keys are a great beach destination.
This looks like well worth a trip. I have never been to Florida before and it is one of the destinies on my big To-Do-List-For-Life.
Sitting under the palm trees and sipping at my Pina Colada…
Islamorada here I come
I think I would go for the Key Largo Adventures. This barbecue in the water looks like a nice idea to me
Thank you for this amazing vacation idea
You are very welcome Rene. Yes, the BBQ in the water is awesome! Actually, Islamorada beaches and the fun things to do, can’t be beat!
What a wealth of information. I haven’t even heard of this destination before. Gonna have to put this one on my bucket list. Sounds like a great place to visit. Thanks for the lowdown.
You are welcome Cary! Islamorada is just one of the beautiful Florida Keys with great beaches, atmosphere, and fun things to do. You would enjoy!
Wow, being from cold Tasmania, Southern Australia you made me want to get up and go to Islamorada tomorrow. I had never heard of the destination before but it looks absolutely beautiful but the one thing that I was wondering is does it ever get Hurricanes or Storms? The video you included just topped it off for me, I will be telling my family about this island group fro our next big family vacation.
Cheers Tracy 🙂
Like any other tropical location, situated with ocean all around, yes there is a chance for hurricanes. Always good to check the weather before going to such a destination. But it is like heaven in the Florida Keys. Especially if you like beaches, warm weather, and fun activities 🙂 Thanks for visiting Tracy!
Wow, you really caught my attention with this one. Now I want to go and check out some of the things you pointed out. In fact you gave me a great briefing on this location. Thanks a lot. It is on my wish list for sure.
I am glad Ronnie. You would really enjoy the beaches here in Islamorada, as well as the beautiful scenery and great activities. Thanks for visiting Islamorada beaches!
I have never heard of these islands. They look beautiful. I would love to visit and swim with the dolphins, sea lions and rays.The weather looks perfect, too!
The Florida Keys is really like having a slice of the Caribbean in the United States. They have tropical weather, great beaches, and loads of stuff to do. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Just the thought of strolling on the beach with a cold drink and the sand and the waves makes me want to go make reservations now. I can’t think of one thing that you left out of your review. You mentioned everything which is a very rare find in most reviews. I know who I will ask when I want to know more and I thoroughly enjoyed your review of this part of Florida that I have never visited.
Thank you Kenneth, and no, nothing is better than strolling on the beach, splashing in the water as you go. Islamorada beaches are great, and there are so many things to do!
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Islamorada! Stunningly picturesque! This is a very good guide of the whole place. This has everything I would expect of a beach like this. It’s truly the whole package. I might even go next month. November would be a good time, right? I’d hate to be crowded. Nothing worse.
I’m going next month Mohammad, so yes great time to go 🙂 Please let me know if you need any help with your travel plans. I would love to get a package together for you 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
You made me really enthusiastic to go there. I am really impressed by the different activities available there, especially the ‘theatre of the sea’. I just can’t imagine how cool it is to swim with the dolphins or sea lions. But let me ask you about your personal advice on accommodation. In your opinion, which hotel is overall the best option for accommodation?
The Cheeka Lodge and Spa is the best one 🙂 Thanks for visiting Islamorada Vacations. Yes, they have a lot of activities to keep anyone happy…and busy !
You had me quite quickly, at the beginning! Islamorada… only the name calls upon the sweetest dreams and the wildest fantasies, let alone all what this destination boasts of pure pleasures, it’s definitely going to my “travel destinations bucket listâ€. It seems to be too touristy but with all the crazy fun stuff to see and do, it’s going to be one heck of a trip!
Yes, it is a bit touristy, but in a really fun way! You would love it there I am sure! Thank you for visiting Islamorada Vacations.
wow so many beautiful places to visit. One day hopefully Ill be able to come and see some of these places. Winter coming on fast here in the UK now and I do like my sunny days xxx
Thank you Dawn for visiting 🙂 Yes, and Florida is great year-round! The beaches are always open…come visit!