Islamorada Places to stay, Places to Visit
Islamorada, a “Village of Islands,” on the islands of Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. Considered just an island of Upper Matecumbe until, it was incorporated on November 4, 1997.
The name Islamorada, meaning “purple island”, came from early Spanish explorers in the area.
Islamorada also has the largest concentration of fishing boats in the Florida Keys.
Recognized as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” with its abundance of marine life it has become a popular diving and snorkeling hot spot.
There are many property owners that belong to vacation rentals by owner and places to stay in Islamorada. When renting a vacation rental by owner you should always ask for pictures inside and outside. Vacation renters should ask for as an address, some owners won’t give you an exact address (I don’t blame them) but should at least get a street name before you rent a vacation rental. Because there are many places to stay you may want to select a place on or near the water.
Things to do, places to visit, site seeing in Islamorada
- Long Key State Park – A tropical park full of nature trails.
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park – See an old quarry used to dig largo limestone with preserved quarry machinery.
- Indian Key Historic State Park- Accessible only by canoe, kayak private boats, or chartered boats. Treacherous reefs off with Shipwreck after shipwreck created lots of salvaging.
- Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park – Island history, variety of bird species
- Theater of the Sea – Educational marine animal park, swim with dolphins, sea lions, and stingrays in the lagoon.
- Layton Nature Trail – 20 minute loop walk filled with tropical plants found only in the Keys, pigeon plum, wild coffee and gumbo-limbo.
- San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve – Dutch-built ship sank in a hurricane on July 13, 1733. In only eighteen feet of water its a great for divers, snorkelers and glass-bottom boats.
- Hurricane Monument – A category 5 with sustained winds of 200. The 1935 Labor Day hurricane is one of the most powerful to hit the USA with over 400 deaths.
- Matheson House on Lignumvitae Key – In 1919 William J. Matheson a wealthy American chemist bought the island and built a caretaker’s home, which was recently restored and is in good condition today. The home shows how early island dwellers survived and depended on rainwater, wind power, and fish.
Vacation rental, places to stay
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