Browse below for information with resources on the surrounding area
Charters
MARINAS & BOAT CHARTERS
Needless to say there are a multitude of Captains and fishing charters/split charters available at all Marinas throughout Islamorda. It just depends on the type of fishing you want – Sport, back country, Everglades etc. Personally we use Robbie’s the most.
Robbie’s Marina – There are plenty of water activities at Robbie’s – you can feed the tarpon from the dockand they rent boats. They also have other services such as Blue snorkel boat, snuba, parasailing, Jet-ski, sunset cruises, the list goes on and on.
A variety of Eco tours are great with Capt. Sam of Keyz Charters can be booked by calling 305-664-8070
Bud N Mary’s Marina – is another local marina with professional charter captains. Mile marker 78 – www.budnmarys.com
Boat Rental & will deliver to the house www.keysboatrental.com
A1A Watersports and boat rentals www.keyswatersports.com
Mention you are staying at The Last Resort or The Last Resort Too and you will be well looked after.
We’ve got some FANTASTIC, knowledgeable local Captains that have grown up fishing the beautiful waters of the Florida Keys. Here is a selection of the BEST of the BEST!
Capt. James Chappell runs not just one but two boats out of Worldwide Sportsman Bayside Marina (MM 81.5)
These are the guys that actually write the fishing reports for the Florida Sportsman Magazine & the Islamorada Times.
Capt. James 305-803-1321
Capt. Kiki 305-240-0404
Captain Brian Cone – Contagious
Capt. Cone runs out of Robbie’s Marina and is widely recognized as one of the best Charter Captains in the Keys. Book EARLY! His calendar is always full.
Welcome aboard! Let Captain Brian Cone help you enjoy a great day fishing! Whether you are an experienced saltwater angler or a total novice, your day on the Contagious will be one you won’t ever forget! Because of the spectacular fishing off the shores of Islamorada, this charming fishing community has long had the title, “Sportfishing Capital of the World.”
Islamorada Fishing
305-481-7689
Captain Mike Patterson – Fintastic
For 30 years Capt. Patterson has been the best of the best for Backcountry fishing.
Mike has had the opportunity to be a fishing guide for a past President, sports heroes, actors, senators and some very interesting fishermen and enjoys every minute of it.
You’ll find Mike at Robbie’s Marina
Fintastic
305-664-1624
Captain Skye Stanley – Blue Heaven
Islamorada has some of the most exciting sport fishing in the tropics. Blue Heaven Charter provides you the best opportunities to catch what the Gulf Stream and reefs have to offer. Captain Skye Stanley and crew enjoy what they do and work hard to make certain your fishing adventure is a memorable experience so you will come back and fish with us again.
Blue Heaven Charters
Capt. Skye 305-481-0697
Captain Drew Nobregas – Fishy Business
Born and raised in Islamorada, Capt. Drew is a 2nd generation Captain whose father was a backcountry guide. He has been fishing solo since he was 10 years old. His love of all things fishing shows throughand he is delighted to share his passion with people from all over the globe. His favorite fish to target is snook & tarpon.
Capt. Drew runs a 22ft Pathfinder out of Bayside Marina and can take 4 guests. He is EMT certified, and he LOVES showing kids the ropes on charters!
Fishy Business
Capt. Drew 305-393-2332
Captain Sam – KeyZ Charters
Capt. Sam runs a 21ft deck boat out of Robbie’s. With a degree in Marine Biology, she is the go-to person for all Eco-tours in Islamorada.
If you are interested in a fun Florida Keys adventure for the entire family, KeyZ Charters in Islamorada is the way to go. We offer several exhilarating sightseeing charters including eco-tours, snorkeling, historic island tours, Everglades eco-tours, sunset cruises and many more.
KeyZ Charters
Capt. Sam 305-393-1394
Capt. Adrian – Gamechanger
Capt. Adrian Cabrera was born and raised locally in South Florida. He has been fishing and diving the waters in the keys since a very young age. He regularly fishes local tournaments and has a proven fish catching ability. You will be fishing aboard our high performance 31-foot Contender. She is Tournament rigged and ready to carry you out on your fishing or diving adventures. If fishing and diving are not on your horizon, come onboard for a sunset cruise, snorkeling, sandbar fun or eco-tour. We at Gamechanger charters strive to make every trip a memorable one.
Gamechanger Charters
Capt. Adrian 786-709-8941
Capt. Jim Kozubal – Cruisin Tiki
Hilarity on the high seas! No rods, no reels, just a whole load of fun. This cool charter does everything from a 4-hour charter to the sand bar to a scenic cruise around the beautiful waters of Islamorada and of course a stunning 90-minute sunset cruise.
This is a BYOB charter for up to six people including children. Captain provides a cooler, ice and a blender.
Capt. Kozubal 1-833-FUN-TIKI
Activities
Check under the “activities” tab on Robbies for fun things to do. Our kids LOVE the parasailing out of here. Great snorkeling & SNUBA off Blue with Capt. Luke
www.robbies.com Mile marker 77.5
Fort Jefferson (catamaran/ferry from Key West to the Island):
www.drytortugasinfo.com
Take a day trip down to Key West – it’s a little under 2 hrs (76 miles) from our house. There are lots of shops, restaurants, entertainment, etc there. It’s also a scenic drive once you get down to the Seven Mile Bridge (mile marker 45).Bahia Honda State Park at mile marker 38 is pretty nice too if you head down that way.
Key West
Sandbar Sunday/Holiday weekends – Not for the faint of heart! It is locally referred to as Islamorada Beach but in fact is a Sandbar about ½ mile off shore from The Postcard Inn (ex Holiday Isle) only accessible by boat. Busy from 9am on Saturday and Sunday, it is party central for various water craft particularly on holiday weekends.
If you want to go at a quieter time, I would suggest mid-week.
Keys Dives – Mile Market 79.8 – Great reputation for diving.
keydives.com
We provide 2 tandem kayaks & 4 kid kayaks. For those of you wanting to rent paddle boards or more bikes here are some local options and they will deliver free to the house.
This is the store I deal with most and they do the most equipment repairs for us or deliveries to the house. Call JC to book in advance for Holiday times.
www.backcountrycowboy.com
These guys are near the Trading Post MM82 and they deliver to the house also.
www.keyspaddle.com
These guys seem to be very popular in the Keys as they also night time paddle board, they are at MM 84 (Postcard Inn) but they do deliver to the house.
www.aquaholicadventures.com
This is based at Robbie’s Marinaand they also do either guided tours or free delivery to the house.
www.kayakthefloridakeys.com
Full Moon Party! This is one of the best ways to kick off your vacation if you are lucky enough to start your week on a full moon. Each month a party is held at Morada Bay. It opens at 5pm however we tend to go for dinner first and then head to Moradaabout 8pm. Here is a link to the dates for 2020 parties.
Morada Bay Full Moon Party
Para Sailing – Fly out of Cheeca Lodge which is ocean side – Mile marker 81.8
www.facebook.com/purpleislandparasail
Theatre of the Sea – small aquarium with outdoor dolphin show, sea turtles, crocodiles, etc. They also have dolphin swims. Mile marker 85.
www.theaterofthesea.com
Aquarium Encounters is the newest arrival in Marathon which is about a 25 minute drive South from the house. It is a small aquarium but kids love the stingray section.
www.floridakeysaquariumencounters.com
Dolphin Research Center. mile marker 58 – dolphin swims:
www.dolphins.org
Full list of Activities & Experiences can be found here
Calendar of upcoming Islamorada Events Simply plug in your dates and choose any area in
the Keys for scheduled events
Founders Park, Islamorada Community village owned park & beach open to visitors (small fee may apply) Includes an Olympic size pool, beach, play areas.
Restaurants
Needless to say, Islamorada has a multitude of restaurants that cater to all palettes. Below are a few of our regulars’ favorite places to go. A more complete list is available here also some recommendations from Zagat:
www.zagat.com/b/miami/10-hottest-restaurants-in-the-florida-keys
Our house s are at mm (mile marker) 76.7 & 77. All restaurants are located on Overseas Highway (US1) and are identified below based on the mile marker and ocean side (north bound US 1) vs gulf side (south bound US1). (O) = Oceanside
Mangrove Mikes 82.2 – Bay – locals breakfast
Islamorada Bakery 81.6 – Bay – locals breakfast
Hungry Tarpon 77.5 – Bay – outdoor dining/shops/music/tarpon
Islamorada Fish Company 81.5 – Bay
Square Grouper 80.4 Bayside – (one of my favorites)
Green Turtle 81.2 – Indoor (excellent food – wall of wine :0)
The Nest 81.2 Bar attached to Green Turtle – Specials & Happy Hour
Lazy Days 79.8 – Ocean with beach
Ziggie Mad Dogs 83 – Bay Indoor – great steak & seafood
Lorelei 82 – Bay with beach/live music nightly & magician
Mile Marker 88 – Bay with beach/Sunday Champagne brunch
Pierre’s/Morada Bay – Bay with beach/full moon party
Bayside Gourmet – 82.7 – Bay – Pizza & Gourmet
Sandbar at Whale Harbor – 83.4 Ocean – Fish lovers favorite
M.E.A.T Eatery – 88 (O) – Voted Best Burger
Chef Michaels – 81.6 (O) Great local reputation (Lionfish speciality)
Kaiyo Grill – 81.7 (O) Asian/sushi & American
Hog Heaven Sports Bar – 83.4 (O) Sports bar – indoor/outdoor waterfront dining
The Ocean View Pub – 84.5 – Bay – Sports bar – indoor/outdoor dining-locals night jam
Here is a full list of restaurants
DINING – Special Occasions
This has got to be one of my favorite services! Chef Wes Brage is a renowned Private Chef from Key Largo to Key West. Fortunately for us, he lives right here in Islamorada.
He is a total hit with our guests and if you have a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, some special family event, or even if you just don’t feel like cooking, this is the Chef for you! Well used to working at our home, himself and Penny his assistant do everything on site and will make your visit a memory to treasure forever. BOOK EARLY! Foodies! Take photos & post on the FB page
Shopping
The closest grocery store to the house is called the Trading Post – it’s located at mile marker 81.8 on the gulf side of US1 (we’re at mile marker 76.7 & MM 77). It’s small and can be expensive for a weekly grocery shop so we only use it for miscellaneous items during the week. Its open 24/7 so very convenient. GREAT deli!
There is a Walmart super center in Florida City where the Fla Turnpike ends and US 1 onto the Keys starts.
Once you get into the Keys, in Key Largo there is a Publix & Kmart at mile marker 100 on your left side of US 1 (travelling southbound) there is a liquor store in the same complex. There’s a Winn Dixie at mile marker 92 on your right side of US1 (travelling southbound). Both are reasonably priced, large and less hectic than the Walmart in Fla City.
Publix Islamorada is located at MM 82 Bayside.
A service I use ALL THE TIME is grocery shopping with Publix via www.Instacart.com Sign up for their 14-day free trial. Shop online up to a few days in advance & and have them deliver to the house on your day of arrival. If using this service, you must pick the delivery time of between 4-6pm so as not to disturb the Housekeepers who work until 4pm They will also deliver wine & beer.
Don’t forget to cancel your free Instacart trial after your rental unless you want to continue.
SEAFOOD MARKETS
1. www.keylargofisheries.com 1313 Ocean Bay Dr Suite A, Key Largo, FL 33037 MM 99.5
2. www.casamarseafoodmarket.com (Tavernier) 90775 Old Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070 MM90
3. www.ifcstonecrab.com (Islamorada) 81532 Overseas Highway MM 81.5
4. www.thelobsterwalk.com (Islamorada) 74580 Overseas Highway MM 74.5