Islamorada - Florida Keys' Secret Treasure

Half way between Miami and Key West, Islamorada is the Florida Keys' best kept secret. Scuba afficianados have a wealth of dive operators from which to choose. Known as the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World", Islamorada offers fishing expeditions to fit evey level of talent and experience. The beaches are beautiful - clean and white, with shallow, clear water offering a bevy of snorkeling opportunities. Accomodations range from basic to luxurious. And the nightly sunset celebration at Lorelei's defies description - tourists and locals sitting at the water's edge watching dolphins cavort in the bay, as nature puts on a display of colors unrivaled by man's technological wizadry.

Quick Tips:

Fans of fast food chains should be prepared to drive twenty to thirty minutes to satisfy a craving - there are surpringly few such beasts outside of Key West. However, consider this an opportunity to experience some fine local dining establishments!

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is essential transportation in the Keys. Driving distances in the Keys make taxi rides expensive and public transportation is non-existent outside of Key West.

This Hampton Inn is like the others at which I have stayed - nicely furnished, very clean, and friendly, professional staff. But it has some pleasant surprises - a beautiful, private oceanside beach, an on-site dive operator, the biggest complimentary continental breakfast I have ever seen, and a beach-side tiki lounge and restaurant operated by Outback Steak House. Although the room rates are slightly higher than you will pay at most Hamptons, they are on the low side of average for comparable accomodations in this area. Islamorada offers mostly "mom and pop" type motels, many of which are very old and not all of which have been well maintained. Brochures and internet sites can be deceiving and many a first time visitor has been disappointed by rooms that "looked great on paper." This Hampton Inn, on the other hand, is a sure bet. And allow me one more mention about the breakfast - if you have children, teenagers, or a husband who loves to eat, this is the place for you! Waffles, eggs, donuts, pastries, fruits, muffins, bagels, toast, sausage biscuits, yogurt, a cereal selection to rival the grocery store, juices, coffee, free local papers and USA Today - I could go on but this is making me hungry!

The Islamorada Bakery is a sunny, casual dining spot open for breakfast and lunch. It is popular with both locals and visitors - expect to wait for a table on weekend mornings. It offers a menu comprised of traditional american breakfast and lunch dishes as well as excellent fresh fish and seafood items. The grilled grouper sandwich is awesome! In the many times we have eaten here, we have never had a bad, or even mediocre meal. The service is wonderfully fast and friendly. And you cannot get out the door without passing the bakery cases, full of mouth watering pastries, cookies, and treats not to be resisted!

Bahia Honda State Park is 43 miles from Islamorada and well worth the drive! The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Admission fees are $2.50 for one person, $5.00 for two people, and 50 cents for each additional person.

The beaches are large, and the sand is smooth, with plenty of places to get away from other people. The water is clear and shallow, making shell spotting, fish spotting and off shore snorkeling fun and exciting. I can spend all day wandering in the water, looking for conch, and then waiting patiently to watch them move!

Kayaks are available for rental - $10.00 per hour for a single and $18.00 per hour for a double. Half day rates are also available.

Two or three snorkeling tours are available each day. This is a "must do" activity - you wil love it! The reef they go to (Looe Key reef located in the Marine Sanctuary about 12 miles off shore) is beautiful and the fish are plentiful and colorful. It is an easy snorkel trip for kids and adults. Prices are $25.95 for adults and $20.95 for children under 18. Equipment rental is $5.00.

You will love this place!

My husband loves Lady Cyana! This shop might as well be the "other woman" in our lives. But I'm not jealous because the look on his face when he comes back from one of their dives is so worth it! The staff and boat captains are wonderful - they know their stuff, they're kind and patient, and you can tell they love what they do. The dives are great - two tank reef or wreck dives, with plenty to see, including rays, turtles, nurse sharks, and eels. The night dives are especially wonderful. And for those of you who don't dive, like me, they offer ride-alongs.