Made up of over 1,500 islands, the Florida Keys is a tropical paradise that resides directly between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Despite being connected to Miami, Florida by the 7 Mile Bridge, the Florida Keys truly feel like they are completely disconnected from the rest of the world. Everyday stresses melt away, and your worries cease to exist. It’s a dream to visit, let alone live there—but it doesn’t have to be a dream any longer. Nestled between Key Largo and Marathon is a true Florida Keys gem: Islamorada, Village of Islands. The 20 mile long and barely 150 foot wide island gets its name as it’s actually composed of Plantation, Windley, Upper and Lower Matecumbe keys, respectively.
If you’ve been considering making the move to the Florida Keys, Islamorada should be at the top of your list! With easy access to the water for fishing, snorkeling, and boating, as well as phenomenal restaurants and things to discover daily, it’s no surprise Islamorada is one of the most sought after destinations in the Florida Keys.
Travel To Islamorada
Part of the Upper Keys, Islamorada is just 16 miles south of Key Largo. As it’s a rather narrow key, there’s no airstrips directly into any of the islands that make up Islamorada. Thus, those looking to fly will have two options available:
Fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), then drive via rental car for around an hour and a half to Islamorada.
Fly into Key West International Airport (EYW), then drive via rental car for around an hour and 45 minutes.
Typically, people will choose to fly into Miami International Airport over Key West International as it's a far larger airport, and is thus capable of accepting far more flights. This makes it much easier to access and find a flight that fits your schedule.
While living in Islamorada, you’ll find that most residents have a car. While everything is easy to access by boating, biking, or walking, many Islamorada residents enjoy having the luxury of “island-hopping” or visiting the other Keys at their convenience. While driving through Islamorada and the Florida Keys, keep in mind that most, if not all, roads are one lane. This can lead to moderate to heavy traffic, especially during the busy seasons such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July as visitors make their way towards Key West.
What To Do In Islamorada
Fishing In Islamorada
Widely considered the “Sports Fishing Capital Of The World”, Islamorada is uniquely located directly between the Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, making it the ideal location for sport fishers. The perfect marriage between backwater fishing and deep sea saltwater fly fishing, Islamorada gives you direct access to whatever style of fishing you’re after.
Many homes in Islamorada come with their own private boat slips, however there are plenty of boat slips for rent as well throughout the islands that are conveniently located. Don’t have a boat, but want to get out on the water? No problem! Islamorada is home to a variety of tournament-quality charter captains eager to take you out on the water.
Some of the species native to the waters surrounding Islamorada include:
sailfish
marlin
kingfish
wahoo
dolphin
tuna
Snorkeling & Diving In Islamorada
The waters off the coast of Islamorada’s islands are a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise. Islamorada and Key Largo are home to one of the last remaining coral reefs in the US. Discover exotic species of fish and sponges, as well as bright beautiful corals everywhere you look. Islamorada is also home to the deliberately scuttled Eagle, a 287 foot boat that was converted into an artificial reef.
Good Food And Good Times
Islamorada benefits from the same thing as many of the other islands in the Florida Keys: little to know chains! Instead, residents are treated to one of a kind unique eateries everywhere you turn. Fresh seafood caught the same morning highlights menus up and down the villages. Eat right along the water or on the beach, the choice is yours!
Many restaurants feature live music, further adding to the overall atmosphere residents get to enjoy all year long.
Living In Islamorada: The Atmosphere
Islamorada offers a laid back environment that doesn’t feature the same stresses you might find living in the city. Instead, you’re met with a light breeze and a clock that moves on your time. Islamorada is home to around 6,500 residents, and many of them enjoy spending time with one another. Whether it’s through shared hobbies such as fishing or diving, or sharing a meal together, you’ll find that it’s a very close knit community that spans across all of the islands.
Islamorada’s Climate
Islamorada features a tropical climate akin to that found throughout the rest of the caribbean. Temperatures typically range between 89 and 65 degrees, however it’s very rare for it to be outside of this range.
On average, Islamorada experiences 40.16 inches of rain per year.
One thing we strongly recommend each prospective Islamorada resident should be aware of is Hurricane Season. Each year between June 1st and , Floridian’s prepare for the potential of strong storms known as tropical storms and hurricanes, which form near the Western coast of Africa and make their way westward, with Southeastern Florida directly in its path. These storms are rare, and most homes today are built to withstand the heaviest of storms.
Islamorada Real Estate
Islamorada is home to a robust collection of unbelievable homes throughout the islands, all with their own personality. There are no cookie cutter homes in Islamorada, and each one has its own one-of-a-kind features. Whether you’re looking for something cozy or a stunning waterfront villa, it’s right here in Islamorada. Finding the right home in Islamorada can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be! April Struhs and the Florida Keys Search team are here to help! Contact us online, or give us a call directly at (305) 399-6297.