Islamorada in the Florida Keys is a short drive down the island chain from Miami and mainland Florida. The islands boast the largest Florida Keys fishing fleet and one would guess that being dubbed the "Sportfishing Capital of the World" makes that possible.

Islamorada means "purple isles" and from a look around at the resorts and shops you can indeed see what they are talking about.  To view a brief video of Islamorada, click on the "Purples Isles" above.  The video was shown on Good Morning America in April, 2008.

Islamorada has a focus on fishing but there are plenty of other things to do and see in the area too. Go to Helpful Tips for more information on fishing and lobstering and each individual Key that make up the islands of Islamorada: Plantation, Windley, Upper Matecumbe, and Lower Matecumbe.

Islamorada Fishing

Islamorada is well known for bonefishing and sailfishing. There are many fishing tournaments held each year with these species as the target. Granted they are catch and release tournaments, but there are plenty of other fish to be caught on the reefs and wrecks that are suitable for dinner. The restaurants in Islamorada serve the freshest seafood and some will even cook your catch for a nominal fee.

Things to do in Islamorada

In addition to fishing, there are plenty of other activities including watersports, kayaking, jet skis, parasailing, boating and sunset cruises. There are some great waterfront restaurants that are worth a visit if you want to see some of the local color of Islamorada.

Relax in Islamorada in the Florida Keys

If rest and relaxation is what you are looking for, Islamorada is the place. The entire Florida Keys will take you back to a place where you can relax and soak up the sun. Islamorada has some fabulous resorts and other places to stay where you can lounge on the beach or by the pool all day long and not have to worry about a thing.


Restaurants
When you are on vacation, it is always difficult to know where you should go to eat your meals. Many vacationers rely on recommendations from friends, and some want to return to a restaurant they patronized on a previous visit to this area. The Florida Keys has an ever-changing population; some restaurants quickly fail and someone new is always trying to make their mark on the scene. Eateries often change hands and new management, and even new chefs, can mean a drastic change to food offerings and quality.

Islamorada has some good restaurants, some of them known for their food, some for their ambiance, others for both. There are restaurants that specialize in local seafood, and many of the bar and grill variety. There is even a sports bar that serves food of that type. Some of the better restaurants are even attached to bars. Several of these establishments have take-out and delivery service. In addition, several fast-food franchises have locations in the Islamorada-Key Largo areas.

Most of the restaurants start serving dinner around 5 p.m. During season, it is advisable to call for reservations at the better restaurants. Children are welcome in most.