Islamorada: The Fishing Capital of the World
Islamorada is fishing.
It is where sport fishing and saltwater fly fishing were pioneered and is known as the fishing capital of the world. In fact, Ted Williams, the Hall of Fame major League baseball player and renowned fisherman, settled here for 45 years beginning in 1943 due to the variety and quality of its fishing. Nowhere else on earth, as far as we know, can you pursue sailfish in the open sea waters and, in the backcountry, pursue snook, redfish, tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
Islamorada is home to the highest density of charter fishing boats and most are captained by the most highly skilled, seasoned, legendary, and tournament-grade professionals - like Captain Jon Andersen of Southern Girl Charters.
Islamorada means "village of islands" and is located in the Florida Keys. It, of course, consists of six islands: Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key, Plantation Key, Indian Key (offshore), and Lignumvitae Key (offshore). It's just 85 miles south of Miami and 50 miles south of Everglades National Park.
Islamorada is More than Fishing
Islamorada sees people of all ages pass through each year, from families and family reunions to seniors and diversified interest groups and organizations.
Just a few things to do while in Islamorada:
- Hand-feed wild tarpon in the Marina
- Hike Long Key State Park
- Dive the reef line and patch reefs
- Visit Theater of the Sea which offers a Marine Mammal Adventure Park, Eco tours and lets you swim with the dolphins, sea lions, and sting rays
- Islamorada Founders Park with Olympic-sized pool, skate park and dog park
- Ice Amphitheater (located in Islamorada Founders Park): home to waterfront music festivals
- The History of Diving Museum
- The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
- Coral Shores Performing Arts Center
- Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
- The Keys History & Discovery Center
- San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park
