About Islamorada, Florida

A fine purple haze is painted on the horizon to great all visitors. Wild purple flowers cover the land and dance to the ocean breeze and sailors collect purple snail shells for jewelry. The sea snails called Janthina turned the sandy beaches into purple pathways to the sea. Spanish explorers referred to the colorful land as "purple isles." "Islas Maradas," is now known as Islamorada. (eye-lah-mor-ah-dah) The purple snail shells have disappeared but the purple haze of sunrise is ready to greet all visitors.

Islamorada Encompasses Several of the Florida Keys

Islamorada encompasses Layton, Long Key, Lower Matecumba Key, Upper Matecuma Islamorada Sunset

Key, Lignum Vitae Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key. Windley Key begins at mile marker 85 (MM85). Upper Matecumba Key is the hub. Long Key ends the area below mile marker 68. Mile Markers (MM) on US 1 tell you how far you are from Key West. MM 127 begins just south of Florida City and MM 0 is in Key West. You can look for small green signs with white lettering as most addresses are listed by MM.

Islamorada has a diverse collection of unique shops, pubs and resorts. Water sports are abundant throughout the area. The Islamorada Chamber of Commerce is located in the red caboose. Call 1-800-322-5397 for information.

Islamorada Has a Large Concentration of Fishing Charter Boats

Fishing is serious business in Islamorada and is proclaimed as the fishing Islamorada Shore

capital of the world. Dolphin, marlin and tuna can be found in the Atlantic with bonefish and tarpon bountiful in the backcountry. Islamorada has the largest concentration of fishing charter boats in the area. There are many private yachts, boat rentals and charter boats with guides. Former President George Bush once cast his line into the wild waters of Islamorada.

The original name for Windley Key was Umbrella Key: it described the U-shape of the island. The Windley Key Quarry is a geologic site owned by the state of Florida. The Florida East Coast Railroad purchased the land in 1908, to mine limestone. Tour the site along with scientist and students.

The highest point in the Keys is at the Ligumvitae State Botanical Site. Bayside is 18 feet above sea level. In 1919, a coral rock house was erected on the site along with a 12,000-gallon cistern and windmill. Access to the area is by boat.

Famous Islamorada Personalities

Henry Flagler converted his railroad camp into a sport-fishing lodge. The Islamorada Raw Bar

famous author Zane Grey is reported to have encouraged his friend Henry into this prosperous business venture. Long Key Recreation area offers guided nature tours and canoe trips. Mangos line the lagoons and a bounty of marine life; birds and animals make their home in this shallow tidal flat.

21 Spanish galleons sank off the coast of Florida, in 1733. The wreck was first spotted around 1947. In 1960, a local resident found the Enfante. The San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Park is located at MM78. Explore the wreckage of a Dutch built ship sitting in 18 feet of water 1.25 nautical miles south of Indian Key.

Sunken ships, buried treasures, marine life and trophy fish can be found by following the purple haze. A pot of gold at the end rainbow.