Islamorada, Florida, is a Florida Keys town on the Jupiter-to-Key West coast. This guide covers 9 beaches, parks and attractions, 3 places to eat and 9 upcoming events, kept current from official sources. Top picks: Islander Resort Coastline Cleanup and Swim for Alligator Lighthouse. One of the activities is free. Nearest towns: Key Largo (16 mi) and Marathon (32 mi).

Last updated September 7, 2026. Events refresh daily; places are hand-picked and re-checked monthly.

Islamorada calls itself the sportfishing capital of the world and backs it up with charter docks at Bud N' Mary's and Whale Harbor, tarpon feeding at Robbie's and sandbar afternoons. The tiki bars and sunset restaurants along the Overseas Highway are the other reason to stop.

For the live version of everything below, open the Islamorada page: things to do · events · where to eat.

Beaches & Parks in Islamorada

  • Everglades NP — Shark Valley (Tamiami Trail, 25 mi west of Miami) — 15-mi paved loop to a 65-ft tower: tram $34, bike rental $27, or bring your own. Wait for mid/late Nov when the dry season concentrates gators along the canal. Price: $35/car (7 days) · Dogs: leashed (loop road only). (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Big Cypress National Preserve (Tamiami Trail) — Kirby Storter boardwalk, Oasis Visitor Center gator canal, 24-mi Loop Road gravel scenic drive. Best in November. Price: Free · Dogs: leashed. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Everglades NP — Anhinga Trail (Royal Palm) (Homestead) — The best 0.8-mi wildlife boardwalk in the park; Flamingo has boat tours. Price: $35/car · Dogs: no. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Dog-friendly trails (Various) — Birch State Park loop, Riverbend Park, Jonathan Dickinson, Loxahatchee NWR levee, Oleta, Bill Baggs, Big Cypress boardwalks, Barnacle Historic State Park grounds. Dogs: leashed. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)

Attractions & Activities in Islamorada

  • Pompano / Fort Lauderdale wrecks (Hillsboro Inlet & Port Everglades) — 'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey. Price: ~$85–100 two-tank. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Biscayne National Park Institute (Coconut Grove / Homestead) — Reef snorkel $115; sail-paddle-snorkel $209; Boca Chita lighthouse cruise $83; Stiltsville tour $70; evening bay cruise $65 from Nov. The best-value way to see the park. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Everglades airboats (US-27 / Griffin Rd, 30–35 min west) — Sawgrass Recreation Park ($31; private sunrise or 'Red Eye' night boat from $325) and Everglades Holiday Park (from $30, Gator Boys show). Further out: Billie Swamp Safari on the Seminole reservation (airboats + swamp buggies; more wild) and the Tamiami Trail operators (Coopertown, Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park, Miccosukee). Mornings or nights in Sept; anytime in Nov. Price: From ~$30 · Dogs: no. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Balearia ferry to Bimini (Port Everglades & Miami) — Fast ferry ~2 hr each way, roughly Wed/Fri/Sun; passport required. Snorkel the Sapona wreck and Radio Beach. Book November for the smoothest crossings. Price: Day trip from ~$199 round trip · Dogs: no. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Redland day: Coral Castle, Fruit & Spice Park, Schnebly Winery, Robert Is Here, Knaus Berry Farm (Homestead / Redland) — Hand-carved limestone oddity ($18), 500 fruit varieties with tasting table ($12), tropical fruit wine + Miami Brewing in a tiki courtyard (dogs OK outdoors), the famous fruit stand and milkshakes, and Knaus Berry Farm cinnamon rolls when it reopens ~late Oct/Nov. Dogs: yes (Schnebly, Robert Is Here). (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)

Free things to do in Islamorada

Nothing here charges admission (parking may).

  • Big Cypress National Preserve — Kirby Storter boardwalk, Oasis Visitor Center gator canal, 24-mi Loop Road gravel scenic drive. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)

Where to eat in Islamorada

Casual & Family

  • Knaus Berry Farm & Robert Is Here (Homestead) — Cinnamon rolls, strawberry shakes, tropical milkshakes. Knaus reopens ~Oct 13 (new location); Robert Is Here (since 1959) for key-lime and tropical milkshakes with emus out back. Pair with the Redland day. $. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)

Bars & Nightlife

  • LauderAle (Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)) — Brewery. The quintessential dog brewery; food trucks; dog events most weekends. $ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)
  • Miami Brewing Co. at Schnebly (Homestead) — Brewery. Tiki courtyard; part of the Redland day. $ · dog-friendly patio. (in nearby Homestead, 39 mi)

What's on in Islamorada

The next 9 events on the Islamorada calendar (dates are America/New_York; confirm with the organizer before you go):

  • Islander Resort Coastline Cleanup — Mon, Sep 7, 3:00 PM · Islander Resort · Community. Help clean up the beautiful shores of Islamorada.
  • Swim for Alligator Lighthouse — Thu, Sep 10 – Sat, Sep 12 · Florida Keys · Festivals & Markets. Dive into an unforgettable adventure surrounded by the beauty of the Florida Keys.
  • Son del Mundo Hispanic Heritage Event — Sat, Sep 12 – Sun, Sep 13 · Florida Keys · Festivals & Markets. Celebrate the rich traditions and creativity of Hispanic culture.
  • Swim for Alligator Lighthouse — Sat, Sep 12, 7:45 AM · Races & Runs. 8 mi “The 8-mile swim to Alligator Lighthouse is a challenge. It’s not for the faint of heart" How it started When World Renowned Artist, Lighthouse Larry decided to swim, in his native town of… Price: $239
  • Florida Keys Farmers Market — Sun, Sep 13, 10:00 AM · Florida Keys · Festivals & Markets. Spend your Sunday soaking up local flavor at this vibrant farmers market.
  • Old Highway 5K Run/Walk — Sat, Oct 3 · Coral Shores High School, Old Highway; 7:30 AM · Races & Runs. 5K Confirmed 2026. Flat, shaded out-and-back; shirts and medals to first 200.
  • Islamorada Half Marathon & 10K + Rumrunner Run 5K/10K (12th annual) — Sat, Dec 12 – Sun, Dec 13 · Overseas Hwy, Islamorada · Races & Runs. Half, 10K (Sun 7:00 AM); 5K, 10K (Sat 8:00 AM); beer mile Confirmed 2026. Largest Upper Keys race weekend. Info: islamoradarunning.com
  • Islamorada Half Marathon & 10k, Rumrunner Run 5K/10K and Beach N' Beer Mile — Sun, Dec 13, 7:00 AM · Overseas Hwy · Races & Runs. 13.1 mi, 6.2 mi Welcome to the 12th annual Islamorada Half Marathon & 10K, Rumrunner Run 5K and Beach N’ Beer Mile! Our full weekend of road races and parties has become a bucket list event for people from all over… Price: $80
  • USA Women's Half Marathon - Islamorada, Florida Keys — Sat, Feb 6 · 77522 Overseas Hwy (Islander Resort area) · Races & Runs. Half (women-only) Confirmed 2027. Necklace finisher award, mimosas.

See the full list, refreshed daily: Islamorada.

Getting there and planning your day

Islamorada sits at 24.924, -80.628 in the Florida Keys. Parking rules, beach access and permits are on the Village of Islamorada site; the Florida Keys & Key West official tourism council calendar lists county-wide festivals; check the National Weather Service Key West forecast before a beach or boat day (summer storms build after 2 pm); snorkelers and anglers should read the NOAA tides: Vaca Key, Marathon; the nearest airport is Key West International Airport (EYW); the official Long Key State Park page has hours and entry fees.

Nearby towns

Each has its own page in this guide:

Official sources and further reading

We link to primary sources so you can verify hours, fees and dates:

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