Gay Islamorada
Islamorada is a village comprised of 6 of the Florida Keys, which are located directly between Miami and Key West. Islamorada is known for its laid-back vibe and its gorgeous 7 square miles of stunning ocean views. Islamorada also offers plenty of restaurants, activities, and more on the flip side. If you are looking to slow down and reboot, Islamorada is a perfect destination for you.
Legend has it that a Spanish explorer got shipwrecked on the island during a hurricane, which cast a purple hue over the island (which is how the island got its name "Isla Morada," translated to "purple island").
What do you want to discover?
Top Things to See and Do in Islamorada
MUST DO: Attractions & Activities
MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Local Expert: Gay Scene in Islamorada
Islamorada has no gay scene. And that's OK! Islamorada is a very "chill" place and its vibe is inclusive and welcoming. Islamorada is situated between two of the most gay-friendly destinations in Florida: 1) Miami and the Miami Beaches including the famous South Beach and Key West. It's a real sweet spot where LGBTQ+ travelers can be themselves and feel safe and comfortable.
Best Time to Visit Islamorada
The best time to visit Islamorada is between March and May. This way, you can have optimal weather and picture-perfect sunsets. Avoid visiting between August and September, as that is hurricane season.
Photo Credit: Nicolas Jossi on Unsplash
Top Things to See and Do in Islamorada
You may choose to do nothing but soak in the sandy beaches and sunsets, or you may want to be more active. While visiting the Keys, you'll soon realize that there are plenty of outdoor activities. There's everything from a leisure stroll looking for coconuts to a fun dive in its crystal-clear waters. Islamorada is a great place to lounge by the beach and take the time to slow down. Either way, you will be amazed by how wonderful life can be in Islamorada. Here are our top 10 things to see and do for you!
MUST DO Islamorada Attractions & Activities
1. Enjoy Sunset - Sunsets are always special but an Islamorada sunset in the Florida Keys is exceptional.
2. Alligator Reef Lighthouse - As daunting as the name may sound, there are no alligators around! However, instead, there are crystal clear waters where you can snorkel and see plenty of spectacular aquatic wildlife.
Photo Credit: Peter Pryharski on Unsplash
3. Find the Islamorada Hidden Sand Bar - Lying by the beach can be a fun way to spend the day, but have you ever spent the day lying on the ocean!? At the Islamorada San Bar, you can lounge on the water while you read a good book, enjoy a daiquiri, or even take a nap. You can also join the other boats that have moored up together for a big party. Either way, it will feel like your problems will drift away with the waves.
Photo Credit: Islamorada Times
4. Kayak the Mangroves - The Florida Keys are famous for their Mangroves (tropical shrubs or trees growing on the shoreline in brackish water). Kayaking is the perfect way to take in all the natural beauty Islamorada has to offer. You can meander along at a leisurely place, observing the various wildlife like manatees and sea turtles in the sea or seabirds that fly in the sky above you. The clear, calm waters are not just great for visibility while paddling, but you can even settle in for a nice picnic after you are done kayaking. Just take care not to pollute the beautiful environment as the Islamorada wildlife is precious!
Photo Credit: Chris Chiavarelli
5. Meet the Dolphins at The Theater of the Sea - this family-owned "theater" has lagoons and lush gardens for its stage. The stars are not only dolphins but sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, alligators, birds, and more! They all put on a show and you'll have a chance to interact with these wonderful creatures that are loved by all!
Photo Credit: Theater by the Sea
6. Take a Plunge into the History of Diving Museum - this unique and interesting museum offers information and insights about the evolution of diving. If you're anything like us "Jacques Cousteau types," you'll enjoy learning about the history, and it may just inspire you to reveal your inner mermaid!
Photo Credit: History of Diving Museum, BW Edu
7. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park - head to mile-marker 85.5 and you'll find this former quarry that was used by Henry Flagler to build the over-water railway in the 1900s!
Photo Credit: Dr. Roy Winkelman
8. Indian Key Historic State Park is a small island with ruins from the 1800s ruins. You can access the island via kayak launch, and once there, you'll discover a ghost town that thrived in the middle of the 19th century by salvaging shipwrecks in the Florida Keys.
Photo Credit: Florida State National Parks, Indian Key Historic State Park
9. Fish the Flats of Islamorada - this area of the world is pure nirvana for those who enjoy fishing. You can hire a guide to bring you out into the beautiful shallows or "flats" as they're known where you'll see an abundance of sea life like bonefish, tarpon, dolphin, and more!
Photo Credit: Matthew Mcbrayer on Unsplash
10. Take a Private Boat, Tour Boat, or Kayak to the Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park - here you'll find the hideaway of the chemist, William J. Matheson who bought the island in 1919. The caretaker's home he built using a cistern for water and windmill for power now serves as a visitor center. You can take a self-guided tour of the home and enjoy the surrounding tropical forest of "hardwood hammock" which form a closed canopy of evergreens and semi-deciduous tree and shrubs.
Photo Credit: Last Dance, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
MUST EAT Islamorada Gay-Friendly Dining
Islamorada has a good amount of local restaurants to visit. Islamorada is a low-key atmosphere, and it is very much present in restaurants. Most of the restaurants are locally owned and operated and offer good food and good vibes all day long. Enjoy some southern-style BBQ, fresh seafood, locally brewed beer, and more. No matter where you choose to eat, you will be guaranteed delicious food with a beautiful view of the ocean.
MUST VISIT: Islamorada Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Islamorada has no local gay nightlife. However, it makes up for it its laid-back environment and natural beauty. Take the time to relax by the waters and slow down. With a daiquiri in hand, all of your problems will melt away by the ocean. If you are itching for some nightlife, don't fret! Key West is about an hour and a half away. You can spend the partying in Key West and then come back and unwind in Islamorada. What a perfect trip!
Photo Credit: Sebastian Koenig on Unsplash
Travel Safety Tips
Islamorada is a very safe destination to visit. Due to its laid-back atmosphere, crime rates are meager, and the people are amiable. Feel free to relax and be yourself while visiting. While vacationing, always remember to practice common sense vacation tips. Lock up all your valuables in the hotel safe and remember how to get back to your hotel. After a couple of daiquiris, you want to make sure you make it safe and sound!
Photo Credit: Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
Cover Photo Credit: Keith Luke on Unsplash
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