Visit the Sportfishing Capital of the World - Islamorada

There are numerous reasons to visit the Florida Keys. Number one for many visitors is the region's spectacular natural beauty. You will find a tropical paradise here at the far southern tip of the continental United States. Reaching out from Florida between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Keys claim a unique mix of flora and fauna.

Toward the north end of the keys lies a group of islands referred to as the "purple isles". Spanish explorers named them either for the local violet sea snail or the fragrant purple bougainvillea flower. The centerpiece of these islands is Islamorada (Spanish for "purple island"). Today, Islamorada is known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. If you'd like to experience the beauty of the Florida Keys, as well as plenty of recreational activities, choose Islamorada accommodations for your next getaway.

The fabulous fishing here near your Islamorada condo rental can be found in many types of water. The shallow depths of the Florida Bay, interspersed with small islands, provide a home to abundant tarpon, snapper, trout and redfish. Much of the Bay is shallow enough for world-class fly fishing. You might also head out from your Islamorada lodging for a deep-sea fishing cruise into the Atlantic or the Gulf, where you can cast for sailfish, marlin and shark. More world-record-size sportfish have been caught in Islamorada than anyplace else in the world.

Still, staying in one of our hotels in Islamorada provides you with plenty of options beyond a rod and reel. You might pamper yourself with a cruise in the Nautilimo - the only water stretch limo in the world-while you sip champagne and enjoy the scenery. Much of that beautiful scenery is protected area encompassed by three state parks - only one of which can be reached without a boat. At Windley Key Fossil Reef, you can walk along an exposed coral reef. You'll need to head out from your Islamorada accommodations in a boat to reach the Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site or the Indian Key State Historic Site, both located on islands.

You may not want to venture even that far from our hotels in Islamorada. Perhaps instead you'll spend your time lounging on the sandy beaches. At Anne's Beach, a boardwalk through mangroves links the stretches of beachfront. Stay out until the end of your relaxing day and you can enjoy a fabulous sunset as you dig your toes into the sand. Or you might head up to the Morada Beach Cafe, where you can appreciate the colors washing over the sky while dining on the porch of an enchanting old beach house.

With all this water, there's plenty of water-based recreation available around Islamorada condo rentals. You might snorkel or dive around the coral reefs or an intentionally scuttled freighter, the 287-foot Eagle. At Theater of the Sea, you can swim with stingrays and dolphins. Many places near our Islamorada rentals offer watersports rentals of Jet Skis, Hobie Cats, or windsurfing equipment.