Islamorada

Situated on Lower Matecumbe Key, Anne's Beach is a popular white sand beach named after the environmentalist Anne Eaton. The water here is shallow and warm and there are typically very few waves, making it perfect for swimmers of all abilities. The beach is popular with kiteboarders as well; foot protection is recommended for beginners, as there is often sea life underfoot in the water. Amenities include restrooms, two parking lots, several covered picnic areas, and a charming wooden boardwalk that stretches for half a mile through the scenic mangroves and wetlands on the shore.

Mile Marker 73.5, Lower Matecumbe Key, Islamorada, FL 33036

Although the History of Diving Museum was only opened to the public in 2005, it houses a collection of diving equipment and memorabilia that has been carefully collected over the last 40 years. Exhibits cover topics like the history of diving, the stories of well-known local divers, and the influences behind the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Guided tours are available.

82990 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-9737

Recommended Activities for Families

Although it's conveniently located only a few hundred yards from U.S. Route 1, Indian Key Historic State Park can only be reached by boat or by kayak. The 11-acre island is no longer inhabited, but it still holds the remains of a ghost town that was constructed in the early 1800s. Visitors can now explore the island by strolling through the recreated street system; other popular activities here include canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the island's flats. The park is open between 8 a.m. and sunset every day of the year, and a small entrance fee is charged.

Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-2540

Situated inside the Florida Keys Conference Center, the Keys History & Discovery Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the colorful history of Islamorada and the Florida Keys. The beautiful two-story building encompasses 7,500 square feet right on the waterfront, and in addition to a state-of-the-art movie theater boasts a selection of permanent exhibits created by the same company that was responsible for designing St. Petersburg's Salvador Dali Museum.

82100 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-922-2237

Attractions for Couples

Family owned and operated since the mid 1940s, the Theater of the Se was one of the world's first marine mammal habitats. An incredibly diverse range of animals can be found here, including dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, alligators, birds, and more. The price of admission includes entry to the park's dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows; for an additional fee, guests can interact with the animals directly. Other attractions in the park include a glass-bottom boat ride around the dolphin lagoon, a guided marine life tour, and a private lagoon-side beach that guests are welcome to use for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.

84721 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-2431

Formerly a quarry used to build the Overseas Railroad, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park allows visitors to actually walk through a fossilized coral reef full of fossils formed approximately 125,000 years ago. Guided tours of the park are available between December and April for a small fee, and visitors can take self-guided tours year round thanks to the park's five short interpretive trails.

The visitors center offers a variety of exhibits on the history of the park and the railroad, and a number of picnic tables can be found scattered throughout the quarry. Find it on a map

84900 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-664-2540

A Family Fun Boat Tour Company knows that a trip to Islamorada isn't complete without spending some time out on the water, and so they offer private guided boat trips that allow visitors to experience the beauty of the Florida Keys. A wide range of tours are available; popular options include trips out to the Islamorada sandbar, evening sunset cruises, and snorkeling tours that bring guests to the only living coral reef in the continental United States and include all equipment and lessons for those who need it. The boats can hold up to six passengers, and tours are available every day of the week.

85500 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, Phone: 305-896-2915