Islamorada, where fishing, resorting, and water are endless!
It’s 5:00am. Time to get up and get going on that charter you hired in “the islands of purple”, or is it “Ees la morada”(a schooner named “island home”), or is it "the Devils Island". Over the centuries, the name has taken on many different moods and impressions. In any case, you are in Islamorada.
Now, I, at first thought that Islamorada was just like any other “single” key. But, Islamorada is actually comprised of 6 different Keys. It starts, and stretches, from Plantation Key mm90.8 to mm85.5, to Windley Key mm85.5 to mm84, to Upper Matacumbe mm84 to mm79.7, to Lower Matacumbe mm mm77.7 to mm73. Additionally, the other two are Indian Key at mm77.7( approx 1 mile offshore north , Gulf Side) and Lignumvitae Key at mm80(approx 1 mile offshore north, Gulf Side). Let's get going!
You are staying at a resort on Upper Matacumbe in Islamorada and going down to Robbie’s at the top of Lower Matacumbe mm77.7. You are going to places unseen on the horizon. The general distance you can see across the waters’ horizon is 6-7 miles. You’re on your way out to the Gulfstream, this time, for a sailfish adventure. While packing lunches, drinks, sunscreen, Dramamine, and long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt(it can get windy or cool out there, or just to protect yourself from the sun),there is a heightened adrenaline of expectation and adventure that is building up.
You make it to the Islamorada marina and meet your well seasoned and expert captain. There are said to be more captains and boats per square mile here than anywhere else. Generally all of them are well traveled and equipped to go on either the Gulf Side or the Atlantic Side. One thing I learned is to talk to your captain about the fishing you want to do. I made the mistake, one of my first times, to just say we wanted to go bill fishing down in Key West. After hours of trolling, a full day and nothing to show for it, the boat setup was not ready for “still fishing” of grouper or snapper. Fortunately on the way back in we finally caught some wahoo. So, have a talk with the captain when you first hire them and discuss the possibilities. 99 out of 100 times they will accommodate what it is you’re looking for, or they will suggest what they think is going on at the time of year you are there. Some of the high profile fishing seasons of Islamorada are as follows(you can catch most anything all year but, there are “better” times for some);
SailfishNovember to May
TarponMarch to JulyandSeptember to October
BonefishJune to December
KingfishNovember to April
Dolphin(Mahi Mahi)March to September
Blackfin TunaNovember to April
Shark TournamentsSummer
I’m still working on the “trinity” of Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit. The Bonefish in the flats is eluding my ability and touch. Snook and Redfish are also very prevalent. Whatever your preference of fishing in Islamorada is, you will NOT go away disappointed!
There is a wealth of other things to do in Islamorada, other than fishing. Plan on going to the “red caboose” mm82 for the Chamber of Commerce. Again, I like to do this to get a "feel" of anything new going on in the area. Coupons for various activities, schedules of events, and loads of general local info are available.
Some of the highlights you will enjoy seeing in Islamorada may start at the TIB Ampitheatre at Founders Park mm87. Here you will find the sounds of Caribbean music wafting across the park and surrounding waters. For the divers you may be interested in the Divers Museum mm83. Another local popular activity is going to the Coral Shores Performing Arts Center. There are 1st class “productions” offered. Theatre of the Sea is a wonderful place to get an experience of swimming with dolphins mm84.5. The Windley Key Fossil ReefGeological State Park is an old quarry, from the Overseas Railroad building period, which boasts over 100,000 years of exposed fossils of the Keys. Additionally, you may wish to see the Hurricane Memorial mm82. This is commemorative of the 1935 Hurricane which took more than 400 Overseas Railroad workers lives.
While these are more than adventurous activities, one does not just go from site to site. You need snacks and food, now and then. There are food venues in Islamorada of all types. You may wish to take in one of the many dockside fish houses. Or maybe you would like to stop at one of the secluded bistros or gourmet beachfront cafes. Because of all the fishing going on, there seems to be no shortage of simple to gourmet succulent fresh seafood. After, you may wish to seek out numerous local shops for one of a kind island memorabilia.
This has, long, been a Floridian destination of weddingsand honeymooners. The extraordinary resorts offer top notch planning, accommodations, and photographic back drops. It is now becoming a destination for people from many parts of the globe.
For those who want some of the more “wild” nigh life and experiences, try Holiday Isle Resort mm84.3. This is a HUGE party destination. There are over 10 bars, and the Huge Tiki Bar which turns out undulating Caribbean music with tropical fragrances.
Finally, the Bimini Board Walk has crafts, sweets, good eats, and boutiques. You can also rent jet skis and hire parasailing, charter fishing, and diving excursions.
Whewwwwww,if that wasn’t enough, let me offer my last set of impressions. I wish to offer kayaking, one of my favorite activities. Islamorada has a very good area I like. I like to call it the “Islamorada Quadrangle”.
Take a couple of days to do what I call the Upper and Lower Matacumbe “Islamorada Quadrangle”. Roughly 80% of this area, approximately 15 square miles, is designated a “no combustible motor zone”. There are only a few channels running through this area. There are two main channels, Indian River and Teatable, which branch out into subchannels of Lignumvitae, Race, Shell, and Yellow Shark. Channels run 8 to 14 feet deep, where as the balance of the area runs approximately 2 to 4 feet deep. Extraordinary area! Take your time. It is scenic and relaxing. There are several highlights to explore. Historic sites await you at Lignumvitae and Indian Keys.
Starting at the southwest corner of the “Islamorada Quadrangle”, you can rent kayaks at Robbies mm77.7( top of Lower Matacumbe) and go several different directions.
Going south, into the Atlantic, you’ll find Indian Key Historical State Park, and San Pedro Underwater Archeological Preserve. This trip has a little more “out there” feeling since you ar paddling out towards the ocean. Indian Key is about 10 acres in size. In the 1800’s it was bustling with activity. “Wreckers” and some very “colorfull” people inhabited the Key. There is a 2 hour guided tour available, although it is now uninhabited. You can also get a ferry boat out to the Key at mm78.5.
Going north from mm77.7 you’ll find Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site. The channel you cross is 8 to 14 feet deep but the rest of the area is 2 to 5 feet deep. Lignumvitae Islamorada has the only native plants to Florida, considered the primeval past of Florida.
You will find poisonwood, Pigeon Plum, Strangler Fig, Gumbo Limbo, as well as many others. You will also find the Matheson House, cannons from the late 1600’s, and a Caloosa Indian Burial Ground. You can also take this trip by ferry and take a 2 hour tour.
Finally, you can start at the southeast corner of this “Islamorada Quadrangle” mm79.7(lower end of Upper Matacumbe) you paddle up towards Horseshoe Key, a rookery for cormorant and pelicans. Continue north and you’ll find Shell Key and Shell Key Preserve. There is an interior lake to hike to. Many foraging birds will be seen including spoonbills, egrets, and Herons.
In conclusion, I’ve found Islamorada to be quite a few different things all at once.
