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Author Topic:   Insight on Islamorada

rear view posted 02-19-2015 08:39 PM ET (US)
I will be headed down to Islamorada for my honeymoon in late May. I head to the Keys at least once a year, but this time I plan to rent a boat. We are going to be staying at the Cheeca Lodge. We were planning on renting the boat and just crusing around, island hoping, doing some swimming, and maybe a little bit of snorkeling. I was doing some research and the Holiday Isle Sandbar seems pretty cool, but seems like it gets way too busy and crazy for our tastes.
Anyone have any insight and maybe some cool spots to check out?
welldan18650 posted 03-09-2015 02:15 PM ET (US)
Find a boat and a local guide. Well worth the extra [expense]. Sandbar is a ball but some feel a bit Miami. This is the fishing and diving capital of the world, hopefully you can enjoy both. If it's calm go offshore and slay Mahi of sails, if rough, tuck inside the patch reefs and my favorite bite is Hogfish. Dive and snorkel spots also everywhere.
welldan18650 posted 03-09-2015 02:16 PM ET (US)
I live just up the way in Key Largo, feel free to email me with any additional questions.
jimh posted 03-15-2015 10:07 AM ET (US)
I recommend continuing to have the discussion here, in the thread, rather than in private.
sam t posted 03-17-2015 10:51 AM ET (US)
Might try to visit Indian Key. There is a boat dock there you can tie up to (I've never used it since we usually kayak).
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Indian-Key
If you are looking for a boat to rent, try Islander Water Sports at the Islander Resort (a short walk from Cheeca).
http://islanderwatersports.com/
They have BW Outrages (190) which are reasonably new and nicely maintained. If the water is calm go to one of several snorkel spots directly offshore (Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef)
Hope you have a nice trip!

rear view posted 03-18-2015 06:51 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the insight. I'm not planning on a guide just because it our honeymoon and the whole point is to be alone. I was looking up indian key a figured that may be a spot. Also seems like there are some small islands on the Gulf side we may explore.
We may head out to cheeca rocks depending on the weather. Honestly we are always happy swimming around inshore and checking out the small fish and structure close by.
I'm a big diver but she is not so I don't think I will be able to sneak away for a trip. Not the best way to start a marriage.
elvis posted 03-27-2015 07:22 AM ET (US)
Hi rear view, theres an interesting place south of islamorada that I stayed at some years back. They used to give you 1/2 daily use of 15 Whaler. Pay for the gas. Very fun and nice place. Had small restaurant there on post. Might still be worth a look: http://www.rainbowbend.com
Cheeca is nice. President Bush stays there. Nice but pricey. Good location to snorkeling, alligator reef. Holiday isle is a happening place. Many tiki bars and on occasion live bands. Fun. Restaurant of note across bridge from holiday isle is whale harbor. Last time there it was like $35 person all u can eat and fabulous. Would do that again.
If rental boat and I n shallow water....many places...you can see bottom most of the time...do NOT run aground and power off. If by chance in sudden shallow water stop and carefully push off by hand/walk it off. Very strict there on coral damage. Especially on gulf side.
Deep sea fishing best I've ever done in many decades of going there. I usually always took a whaler but have rented a few times. Water drops very deep close in. The humps are premiere fishing for big stuff. On the charts. $1000-$2000 day on professional charter might be worth considering. Kalex ouvt of Bud & Mary's marina has reputation for catching the big fish. I've never chartered but have been tempted for fun.
Key west is mile marker zero, John Pennekamp is like MM100. Islamorada like 95. Rainbow bend like 35. Key west tourist stop. I rented bikes one year but too hot. Got mopeds next time much more fun and could cool down no peddling. Friendly traffic patterns mostly lots of pedestrians and 2 wheelers.
I've docked at Indian key many times. Nice tie up. Was free. Nice walk back in time. Very old interesting. Close in. Easy boat ride. Watch weather. Storms sneak up can be tough. Usually pass quickly and sun again. 1700s shipwreck, San Pedro close to Indian key. Snorkel it around 10-15' deep. Neat dive
elvis posted 03-27-2015 10:29 AM ET (US)
Saw where you had a 13 whaler. Nice size for inshore@keys. I took my old 13 out to alligator reef with no issues(good weather). It should have oarlocks which is nice in shallow water....assuming you have oars.

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Author	Topic: Insight on Islamorada
rear view	posted 02-19-2015 08:39 PM ET (US) I will be headed down to Islamorada for my honeymoon in late May. I head to the Keys at least once a year, but this time I plan to rent a boat. We are going to be staying at the Cheeca Lodge. We were planning on renting the boat and just crusing around, island hoping, doing some swimming, and maybe a little bit of snorkeling. I was doing some research and the Holiday Isle Sandbar seems pretty cool, but seems like it gets way too busy and crazy for our tastes. Anyone have any insight and maybe some cool spots to check out?
welldan18650	posted 03-09-2015 02:15 PM ET (US) Find a boat and a local guide. Well worth the extra [expense]. Sandbar is a ball but some feel a bit Miami. This is the fishing and diving capital of the world, hopefully you can enjoy both. If it's calm go offshore and slay Mahi of sails, if rough, tuck inside the patch reefs and my favorite bite is Hogfish. Dive and snorkel spots also everywhere.
welldan18650	posted 03-09-2015 02:16 PM ET (US) I live just up the way in Key Largo, feel free to email me with any additional questions.
jimh	posted 03-15-2015 10:07 AM ET (US) I recommend continuing to have the discussion here, in the thread, rather than in private.
sam t	posted 03-17-2015 10:51 AM ET (US) Might try to visit Indian Key. There is a boat dock there you can tie up to (I've never used it since we usually kayak). https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Indian-Key If you are looking for a boat to rent, try Islander Water Sports at the Islander Resort (a short walk from Cheeca). http://islanderwatersports.com/ They have BW Outrages (190) which are reasonably new and nicely maintained. If the water is calm go to one of several snorkel spots directly offshore (Cheeca Rocks, Alligator Reef) Hope you have a nice trip!
rear view	posted 03-18-2015 06:51 PM ET (US) Thanks for the insight. I'm not planning on a guide just because it our honeymoon and the whole point is to be alone. I was looking up indian key a figured that may be a spot. Also seems like there are some small islands on the Gulf side we may explore. We may head out to cheeca rocks depending on the weather. Honestly we are always happy swimming around inshore and checking out the small fish and structure close by. I'm a big diver but she is not so I don't think I will be able to sneak away for a trip. Not the best way to start a marriage.
elvis	posted 03-27-2015 07:22 AM ET (US) Hi rear view, theres an interesting place south of islamorada that I stayed at some years back. They used to give you 1/2 daily use of 15 Whaler. Pay for the gas. Very fun and nice place. Had small restaurant there on post. Might still be worth a look: http://www.rainbowbend.com Cheeca is nice. President Bush stays there. Nice but pricey. Good location to snorkeling, alligator reef. Holiday isle is a happening place. Many tiki bars and on occasion live bands. Fun. Restaurant of note across bridge from holiday isle is whale harbor. Last time there it was like $35 person all u can eat and fabulous. Would do that again. If rental boat and I n shallow water....many places...you can see bottom most of the time...do NOT run aground and power off. If by chance in sudden shallow water stop and carefully push off by hand/walk it off. Very strict there on coral damage. Especially on gulf side. Deep sea fishing best I've ever done in many decades of going there. I usually always took a whaler but have rented a few times. Water drops very deep close in. The humps are premiere fishing for big stuff. On the charts. $1000-$2000 day on professional charter might be worth considering. Kalex ouvt of Bud & Mary's marina has reputation for catching the big fish. I've never chartered but have been tempted for fun. Key west is mile marker zero, John Pennekamp is like MM100. Islamorada like 95. Rainbow bend like 35. Key west tourist stop. I rented bikes one year but too hot. Got mopeds next time much more fun and could cool down no peddling. Friendly traffic patterns mostly lots of pedestrians and 2 wheelers. I've docked at Indian key many times. Nice tie up. Was free. Nice walk back in time. Very old interesting. Close in. Easy boat ride. Watch weather. Storms sneak up can be tough. Usually pass quickly and sun again. 1700s shipwreck, San Pedro close to Indian key. Snorkel it around 10-15' deep. Neat dive
elvis	posted 03-27-2015 10:29 AM ET (US) Saw where you had a 13 whaler. Nice size for inshore@keys. I took my old 13 out to alligator reef with no issues(good weather). It should have oarlocks which is nice in shallow water....assuming you have oars.