Islamorada is synonymous with great fishing - gulf or ocean. There are plenty of guides you can hook up with, as well as 'head boats' where you can walk on for a reasonable cost and fish the reef (just a few miles offshore) for 4-6 hrs. You can do some land-based fishing from nearby or try for tarpon, permit, snook and more at 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, launch from the beach, and try your luck fishing right out front for bonefish, permit & barracuda on the flats. Or check out the mangroves for snapper and snook. Get your live shrimp, crabs & baitfish 1/4 mile north on Snake Creek. Note: the tides can run strong in Snake Creek if you kayak there
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, not just those who are. Onsite: Enjoy the views of the turquoise waters; swim in the large heated pool or just relax in the surrounding lush garden area overlooking the Atlantic; take a quiet stroll through the complex; take in some sun on the private beach. Restaurants: a short walk north is Hog Heaven (a night spot) and the Island Grill; a few miles south is upscale Pierre's on the Gulf and the more casual Islamorada Fishery next door (both are next to Worldwide Sportsman for fishing tackle, clothing, and a large indoor aquarium); also a few miles south is Holiday Isla, the Green Turtle Inn & many more eateries. Attractions: Theater of the Sea is about 1/2 mile south. Founders Park is just a mile or two north. Check out the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce website for more. Shopping: All around
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). 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.
