For Fishing People:
Islamorada is synonymous with great fishing - gulf or ocean. There are plenty of guides you can hook up with, as well as 'head boats' (check out Bud & Mary's a few miles south) where you can walk on for a reasonable cost and fish the reef for 4-6 hrs. You can do some land-based fishing from nearby or on some of the bridges, plus you can fish right in the boat lagoon or channel for mangrove snapper, grunts, small barracuda, etc. I have also seen permit cruising right off the beach.
You'll see the flats guides poling within 100-200 yards of the Anglers Reef beach! If you don't bring your own boat or charter with a guide, you can rent a kayak from Cowboy Outfitters a few miles south (they'll deliver and pick up) and try your luck right out front for bones, permit & baracuda on the flats. Or check out the mangroves for snapper. Get your live shrimp, crabs & baitfish at Smugglers Cove Marina, 1/4 mile north on Snake Creek. Note: the tides can run strong in Snake Creek.
For Non-fishing People:
One of the reasons we chose Anglers Reef is that both the development and the Islamorada area offer a lot to do for people who are NOT into fishing, as well as those who are.
Onsite: Enjoy the wraparound decks and the views of the turquois waters; swim in the large heated pool or just relax in the surrounding lush garden area overlooking the Atlantic; take a quiet stroll thru the complex; take in some sun on the private beach.
Restaurants: an easy 1/4 mile walk north is Hog Heaven and the Island Grill; a few miles south is upscale Pierre's on the Gulf or eat more casually at the Islamorada Fishery next door (both are next to Worldwide Sportsman for fishing tackle, clothing, etc); also a few miles south is the Green Turtle Inn that we liked.
Attractions: We haven't gotten to all of them yet, but Theater of the Sea is about 1/2 mile south. Founders Park is just a mile or two north. For the many others, check out the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce website.
Shopping: All around
Grocery Shopping:
Although there are small markets for basic staples in and around Islamorada, you may want to do most of your grocery shopping at either the Winn Dixie a few minutes north (around Mile marker 91-92? in Tavernier, west side of the highway), or at the Publix a few miles farther north in Key Largo (east side in a shopping center). Don't know the exact Mile Markers, so you may want to Google the locations.
If you are going south, Marathon (about MM 50-55) has a Publix, Winn Dixie, KMart (with a decent fishing department that won't break the bank), and a Home Depot.
Also, if you are taking the FLA TPK down, at Florida City right where you get off onto Rt 1 is a WalMart with a decent grocery section, as well as a BJ's Wholesale.
Ski:
Not likely...
Golf:
We aren't golfers (it's hard to catch a fish with a golf club), but I understand that there are golf courses in or near Key West as well as just north in Key Largo and up toward Homestead and FLa City.
Guest Book:
Please click on the guest Reviews on the main page of this listing.
Other Activities:
kayaking
Learn more about this vacation rental at the owner's website:
marks the location of the property in Upper Florida Keys
