TOP 20 Things to Do In Islamorada, Florida

Are you planning a trip to the Florida Keys and wondering what there is to do in Islamorada?

Pronounced “I-LUH-MORADA”, Islamorada is one of the most popular towns in the Keys (aside from Key West, of course!).

After spending every summer in Islamorada as a kid, and continuing that tradition as an adult, I’ve been to this Key more times than I count. It’s one of my favorite places on Earth!

In this post, I’ll go over my top 20 favorite things to do in Islamorada. From snorkeling to sports fishing, drinking local beer to fine dining, I promise you won’t be bored here!

1. Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s

If you’ve heard of Islamorada, you’ve likely heard about Robbie’s! Robbie’s of Islamorada is a restaurant, bar, and marina, but it’s most famous for its tarpon feeding activity. This is a must-do when visiting the Florida Keys!

Robbie’s is located on the very south end of Islamorada, so it’s the perfect activity to add on to your Florida Keys road trip.

No reservations are needed for tarpon feeding. You’ll get access to the dock for $2.50 per person, and then each bucket of fish is $5.00 (the photo below is a little outdated)!

This is a very family-friendly activity, however, if you have small children, you’ll want to be extra careful since you are on an open dock with fish leaping out of the water. And tarpon do have teeth, so it’s very important to actually let go of the bait you’re holding!

In addition to the tarpon feeding, Robbie’s also has tons of other activities on-site, like jet ski rentals, kayak tours, sunset cruises, and more! We love renting kayaks from Robbie’s and paddling over to the nearby Indian Key State Park.

They also have a great restaurant on site, aptly named the Hungry Tarpon! This is one of the best restaurants in Islamorada, so I highly recommend stopping for a bite!

3. Go Shopping at Rain Barrel Village

The Rain Barrel Village is a historic artsy oasis in Islamorada that should definitely be on your list of things to do in Islamorada!

Here, you’ll find an open air garden, art vendors, galleries, boutiques, and speciality shops. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs in the Keys!

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Rain Barrel when you see the GIANT spiny lobster on the side of the road. Her name is Betsy, and she is the second most famous landmark in the entire Keys, right after the Southernmost Point sign in Key West!

4. Have a Drink at Islamorada Brewing & Distillery

Since opening their doors in 2014, Islamorada Brewing & Distillery (originally Islamorada Beer Company) is a special spot in the Keys for locals and tourist alike.

They started as a small, local brewery and have grown into Islamorada’s only distillery, too!

At their location in Islamorada, they have Keys-inspired beer, delicious cocktails, and a full tasting room where you can try some of their liquor!

Out back in the beer garden, you’ll find outdoor games, casual seating, and food trucks among the tropical plants. Kids and pets are welcome too!

My personal favorite beer here is the Queen Conch, but I recommend getting a flight so you can try a few different options!

This is one of our favorite places to stop in Islamorada for a few beers and a snack (try the fish dip!!). Definitely add it to your Florida Keys itinerary!

5. Try a Rum Runner at the Tiki Bar

Did you know the renowned Rum Runner cocktail was invented in Islamorada?!! Yep, it’s true!

The Tiki Bar at Three Waters Resort (formerly the Postcard Inn) has been operating in Islamorada since 1969, and according to their website, it is the birthplace of the rum runner.

If you’ve never had a rum runner, it’s a particularly strong cocktail made up of rum, rum, and more rum! Oh, and a little banana liqueur and grenadine too 😉

The Tiki Bar is definitely worth a stop during your time in Islamorada. Besides frozen drinks, they also have a great food menu.

You can enjoy a great lunch here right on the water!

6. Eat all the Key Lime Pie at Blond Giraffe

In the town of Tavernier (on the way from Key Largo to Islamorada), the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory is one of the best places to get this iconic dessert in the Keys!

They have whole key lime pies (of course), but they also have key lime cookies, key limeade, key lime meringues, and more! It’s a great place to stop for souvenirs, too.

Trust me when I say you CANNOT leave the Keys without trying key lime pie!

You’ll also find key lime pie on every restaurant’s dessert menu in the Florida Keys, so feel free to indulge when you go out to eat and decide which restaurant has the best one!

7. Rent Jet Skis from Whale Harbor

If you’re an adventure lover like me, this one is for you! Renting jet skis is one of my favorite things to do in the Keys, and Islamorada is the perfect place for it

We typically rent with A1A Watersports or Islamorada Watersports, both of which are in Islamorada!

A1A Watersports offers daily jet ski tours starting at $140 for one hour or $220 for two hours. They also have boat rentals here too!

If the ocean is calm, there’s nothing better than cruising around Islamorada by jet ski!

8. Visit the Spa at Cheeca Lodge

If you’re looking for a little rest and relaxation during your time in Islamorada, I highly recommend checking out the spa at Cheeca Lodge.

One of the only spas in the upper Keys, Cheeca Lodge offers a variety of treatments, from massages to sugar scrubs to facials!

In my opinion, Cheeca Lodge is one of the best hotels in Islamorada, and their spa does not disappoint!

9. Snorkel at Alligator Reef Light House

I’ve traveled to a lot of places over the years, but Alligator Reef Light House will forever be one of my favorite places on this Earth. If you’re visiting the Florida Keys, you need to make a point to check this spot out!

5 nautical miles off of Islamorada, this lighthouse sits in shallow, stunning turquoise blue water. There’s no shortage of tropical fish and wildlife here. I’ve seen dolphins, turtles, sharks, eels, and other creatures over the years here (just no alligators!).

Unfortunately you will need a boat to visit here, or you can book a snorkel tour like this one that will take you out to the reef!

This is one of the best snorkeling spots in the entire Florida Keys! We come back here every year that we visit because it’s that incredible.

You can read more about visiting this spot in my Islamorada Snorkeling Guide!

10. Go Sports Fishing

Did you know Islamorada is the sports fishing CAPITAL of the world?! Well, now you do!

If you’re interested, you can go on an off-shore fishing charter and potentially catch incredible game like marlin, sailfish, dolphin (mahi mahi), tuna, and wahoo!

Unfortunately, some fish can only be caught during certain times of year, but you can pretty much catch dolphin year round!

Off-shore fishing not really your thing? There are plenty of other, more low-key fishing trips you can do, like in the backcountry or in shallow reefs.

Check out the different options at Bud N Mary’s Marina for the best options in the Islamorada!

11. Look for Manatees in the Mangroves

One of my favorite parts about living in Florida is getting to see Florida manatees! Lucky enough, there are lots of manatees in the Keys, so your chances of seeing one are pretty good!

You can often find them in canals and around resort docks throughout the Keys. However, if you really want to see manatees, I highly recommend this eco kayaking tour through Paddle the Florida Keys!

On this 2-hour tour, which leaves at either 10:30am or 2:00pm, you’ll explore the mangrove forests of Tavernier with an experienced guide.

Manatees and other unique Florida wildlife are extremely common in this area, so you’re bound to see something fun as you paddle through the backcountry.

🛶 Book your eco kayaking tour here! 🛶

12. Have a Flight of Beer at FL Keys Brewing Co.

Islamorada has not one but TWO local breweries, and I love them both equally! I’ve already mentioned Islamorada Brewing & Distillery, so let’s talk about Florida Keys Brewing Company.

FKBC is the upper Keys’ first microbrewery and definitely has more of a local vibe than Islamorada BC. They have an outdoor beer garden that’s open to all ages. Plus, they host local events like trivia, live music, and art festivals!

They have some delicious beers. So delicious in fact we used them for our wedding! How epic is this beer bus?! Make sure to check out FKBC while you’re visiting Islamorada!

13. Kayak to Indian Key

Indian Key is one of the smallest and most unique state parks in all of Florida! Only accessible by kayak, Indian Key gives you a taste of old Florida.

It’s open every day from 8am until sundown. On the island, you’ll find the ruins of an old town that existed in the 1800s!

To get here, I recommend renting kayaks from the Kayak Shack at Robbie’s of Islamorada. From there, it’s a quick 20-minute kayak across the seagrass beds.

Keep your eyes peeled in the water and you may see some stingrays or sharks on the way!

14. Look for Dolphins

Almost every time we visit the Keys, we spot dolphins at some point while on the boat! There are very common on the bayside in the warm shallow water, but you can also find them on the oceanside as well!

However, if you don’t have your own boat while in Islamorada, I recommend a dolphin watching tour like this one for your best chance of seeing these incredible mammals in the wild!

Or, if you are heading down to Key West on your trip to the Keys, there are tons more dolphin watching tours to check out! We personally went on this dolphin watch and snorkel combo tour on our last trip and had a blast!

And if you want to swim with dolphins, there are a handful of places in the Keys to do so. I personally recommend Dolphins Plus over other places for ethical reasons.

Located just north of Islamorada in Key Largo, Dolphins Plus is a research facility that focuses on the safety and conservation of their dolphins over entertainment!

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15. Enjoy a Luxury Meal at Chef Michael’s or Pierre’s

There are tons of incredible seafood restaurants in Islamorada, but Chef Michael’s and Pierre’s are my top two choices for a fine dining experience!

My favorite part about Chef Michael’s is how they serve the exotic (and invasive) Lionfish in an effort to help save the reefs of the Keys! If you’re looking for a fancier dinner in Islamorada, this is the spot. Their menu is quite small and changes based on what is in season, which just adds to the allure!

And if you’re looking for a romantic restaurant in Islamorada, look no further than Pierre’s Restaurant. This spot, located on same property as the more casual Morada Bay Beach Cafe, is one of the best restaurants in the upper Keys.

My husband and I visited Pierre’s for our anniversary dinner a few years ago and fell in love! While the inside is gorgeous (think teak wood paneling inside an old mansion), the real stunner is the back patio where you can enjoy dinner with a first-class view of the sunset over the bay!

16. Relax at Founders Park

There are not many true “beaches” in the Florida Keys, contrary to popular belief! Founders Park in Islamorada, however, does have one!

In addition to a beach and swimming area, Founders Park also has a playground, marina, baseball fields, a barbecue area, and more! It’s a popular place for locals and tourists alike and makes a great spot for some afternoon relaxation.

17. Watch the sunset at Lorelei’s

If you’re looking for a more casual place to have dinner, look no further than Lorelei’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar in Islamorada. This is not just one of the best restaurants in Islamorada, but one of the best restaurants in the Florida Keys!

The entire restaurant is set on a sandy floor right on the water, the ultimate Keys dining experience!

But what makes it even more special is that it sits on the bayside, which means this casual beach bar is one of the best spots in Islamorada to watch the sunset! I recommend coming here about an hour before sunset, grabbing a drink and some conch fritters, and enjoying nature’s show.

We’ve been blessed with some incredible sunsets at Lorelei over the years – there’s a reason we always come back here!

In addition to great food, drinks, and views, they also have live entertainment, including music, magicians, and more, depending on the night!

18. Visit the History of Diving Museum

This is one of those under-the-radar stops that most people skip! If you’re even remotely curious about scuba diving, ocean exploration, or marine history, the History of Diving Museum in Islamorada is 100% worth a visit.

Admission is $15 USD for adults, but they offer discounts for kids, seniors, and military. Inside, they’ve got one of the largest collections of diving equipment in the world, including 4,000+ artifacts from over 30 countries!

The helmet collection is wild – it’s crazy to see how people used to dive with gear that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. There’s also a super detailed exhibit on shipwrecks in the Florida Keys, which ties in perfectly if you’re planning to dive or snorkel on your trip!

If you’re traveling with kids (or just love fun facts like me), don’t skip the scavenger hunt they hand out at the front desk. It’s a cute way to engage with the museum and catch things you might otherwise miss.

19. Feast at the Shrimp Shack

Islamorada is home to not one, but TWO, different restaurants that have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The Islamorada Shrimp Shack is one of those restaurants, and it does not disappoint.

The Shrimp Shack lives up to its name, with a menu that includes shrimp fritters, shrimp chowder, bacon wrapped shrimp, shrimp and grits, and more!

Kinda sounds like Forrest Gump.. right?! Make sure to stop here for a lunch or dinner during your trip to Islamorada!

20. Get Scuba Certified (or Go Scuba Diving!)

I may have saved the best for last, but getting scuba certified is one of the most epic things you can do in Islamorada, Florida! Or, if you are already certified, you HAVE to do at least one dive trip while you’re visiting.

The Florida Keys are home to 9 sunken shipwrecks (and many more artificial reefs). Known as the “Wreck Treck”, this official trail has dive spots from Key Largo to Key West, with the Eagle Wreck sitting in the waters off Islamorada.

There are tons of other dive spots to check out in Islamorada, like Hens and Chickens, Davis Reef, the Bluff and more! Scuba diving is my favorite thing to do in Islamorada, hands down!

There are tons of dive shops in Islamorada to choose from, whether you just want to rent gear or go on an organized scuba trip with a guide.

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap on my TOP 20 things to do in Islamorada, Florida! As you can see, this town in the Keys, which actually spans a few different keys, is one of the most enchanting places in Florida!

From snorkeling at Alligator Lighthouse to kayaking through the mangroves, most of the adventures in Islamorada revolve around the water, which is just how I like it!

Be sure to check out my Islamorada Snorkeling Guide next to learn more about my favorite activity in the Keys!