Cheeca Lodge & Spa (**NEWLY RENOVATED**)

The Turtle Hospital opened its doors 1986 with four main goals: 1) rehab injured sea turtles and return them to their natural habitat, 2) educate the public through outreach programs and visit local schools, 3) conduct and assist with research aiding to sea turtles (in conjunction with state universities), and 4) work toward environmental legislation making the beaches and water safe and clean for sea turtles. The Turtle Hospital has successfully treated and released over 1500 Sea Turtles since its founding in 1986. The turtles are released in a variety of ways and at different locations depending on species. Greens are taken either to Pigeon Key via ambulance or they are taken to a spot 20 miles north of Marathon in the Florida Bay. Loggerheads are usually released at a local beach or launched off a boat into the gulf or ocean. Kemp’s Ridleys are taken 70 miles west of Key West out to the coral reefs of the Dry Tortugas.

The Spanish named this island "Cayo Vivora" or Rattlesnake Key because its shape resembles a snake with its jaws open. In the early 20th century, Long Key was the site of a luxurious fishing resort that was destroyed during the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Today, visitors can explore this island by kayaking through a chain of lagoons or hiking two land-based trails. The Golden Orb Trail leads visitors through five natural communities to an observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the island and its profusion of plant and animal life. Some of the best bonefishing in the Keys is found here. Full-facility campsites overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Located at Mile Marker 67.5, 67400 Overseas Highway.

Located at MM 81 bay side, this little beach sits directly behind the Islamorada public library. Islamorada's Library Beach is a beautiful family park with a great little beach area. The beach itself does not sit directly on the bay, but on a channel that meanders through the mangroves. There is a current that runs through the channel during rising and falling tides, so keep a close eye on anything that floats, including the little ones!

Formed of Key Largo limestone, fossilized coral, this land was sold to the Florida East Coast Railroad, which used the stone to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s. After the railroad was built, the quarry was used until the 1960s to produce exquisite pieces of decorative stone called Keystone. Today, visitors can walk along eight-foot-high quarry walls to see cross sections of the ancient coral and learn about the quarry and its operation- an important part of Florida's 20th century history. Samples of the quarry machinery have been preserved at the park. Visitors can enjoy the natural attributes of this island while strolling five, short, self-guided trails. Picnic tables are available. The Visitor Center, open Friday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., features educational exhibits about the history of this site. Located at Mile Marker 84.9 on Windley Key near Islamorada.

In 1836, Indian Key became the first county seat for Dade County. At that time, this tiny island was the site of a lucrative business-salvaging cargo from shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. Accessible only by boat, visitors come here to swim, sunbathe, and hike. Boat and kayak rentals are available from Robbie's Marina at (305) 664-9814. Located on the oceanside of U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 78.5.

Our mission is to provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in ways that inspire awareness and sensitivity towards animals, the environment, and conservation issues. At Theater of the Sea watch up close and personal DOLPHIN SHOWS, sea lion shows, parrot shows, and much more! A pioneer in animal interactive programs, at Theater of the Sea you can... SWIM WITH A DOLPHIN... SWIM WITH A SEA LION... Wade, Meet and Paint with a Dolphin... Meet and Paint with a Sea Lion... Swim with the Rays... Swim with the Sharks... and Meet the Sea Turtles! Our 30 minute dolphin swims include BOTH trained behaviors like dorsal tows, kisses, and hugs as well as swimming and snorkeling with dophins. We offer a variety of animal interaction programs for various ages and prices. Programs are available daily and include admission to our dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, guided marne life tour, lagoon-side beach, and bottomless boat ride. Theater of the Sea is family owned and operated since 1946 and one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world. The lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, marine invertebrates, and birds.

"Amazing," "breathtaking" and "impressive" are words we often hear from first-time visitors. What they're referring to is the school of more than 100 tarpon that come here daily and linger for hours. Occasionally, a tarpon actually rises up from the water in a powerful flash of silver and green to meet the fish as it leaves your hand. It's a sight to behold! Maybe the "Silver Kings" just come here to see the humans, but toss a baitfish among them and the water churns as these monsters and the resident pelicans vie for the snack, causing quite a spectacle. Admission to the dock is $1 per person, and each bucket of fish is $3 (tax not included). Robbie and his wife Mona started feeding Scarface in 1976. Scarface appeared floundering in the shallow waters near the dock; Robbie saw the struggling tarpon and, thinking it had swum too shallow and gotten stuck on the bank, went out into the water to free it. He lifted the fish and saw that the right side of its jaw was torn open. Hoping to revive the tarpon, Robbie placed it in the oxygen-rich shrimp tank and called old Doc Roach. The doctor showed up with his wife's mattress needles and some twine, and Scarface became the first known tarpon with stitches. After several days of force-feeding, Scarface showed good recovery and weight gain; six months later he was released into the waters off the dock. Afterwards, Scarface continued to frequent the docks; sometimes bringing a friend. Soon more and more of the fish began to appear. Today, the tradition continues, with visitors from all across the world coming to marvel at the spectacle and offer these magnificent creatures a snack.

The waters which surround Islamorada are truly unique - a convergence of the Atlantic ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Florida Bay. There is no place on earth which provides the opportunity to catch nearly every fish that swims in our hemisphere.

Experience over 25 miles of Islamorada, through mangrove tunnels and across reefs. Stop to snorkel, feed tarpon, and fill your need for speed through the open water. See marine life and all the islands you simply cannot experience from land.

A unique helicopter sightseeing experience in float-equipped 2006 Robinson R44 Clipper I. Fly over the Florida Keys and enjoy a bird's eye view of the beautiful reefs and beaches below. We can land on the water and float over a reef, fly along the beach, or explore seldom seen areas of the "back country".

Islamorada is known as the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World" and you can find marinas on every other corner stocked with some of the most professional Offshore and Back Country Fishing Guides. ISLAMORADA THE PERFECT LURE The fish breaks water and takes flight jumping into the sky, bouncing sunlight off its fin as only a sailfish can. He nearly rips you from the chair as he breaks and runs at speeds only approached by your racing heart. Though it seems like hours, it's only been minutes since you hooked the hurricane at the end of your line. But, at this moment, you're the one who's hooked because the world's only concern is that trophy dancing on the top of the sea.

Anne's Beach is located at Lower Matecumbe Key, Florida. The Islamorada Beach is dedicated to local environmentalist Anne Eaton. There are 2 parking lots approximately 1/4 mile apart on US-1 at MM 73. Anne's Beach features a shallow swimming area, covered picnic tables, boardwalk and bathroom facilities.

This underwater archaeological preserve features a submerged shipwreck that is available for diving and snorkeling. Part of a Spanish flotilla, the San Pedro was a 287-ton, Dutch-built ship which sank in a hurricane on July 13, 1733. Her remains were discovered in 1960 in Hawk Channel near Indian Key. After major salvage efforts in the 1960s, all that remains of San Pedro is a large pile of ballast stones covering an area 90 feet long and 30 feet wide. The underwater site has been enhanced with seven replica cannons, an anchor, and an information plaque. Visitors can also appreciate the marine life that occupies the site. Located in 18 feet of water, approximately 1.25 nautical miles south from Indian Key at GPS coordinates 24 degrees 51.802'N, 80 degrees 40.795'W. To prevent anchor damage, please tie up to mooring buoys located at the site. For more information about the San Pedro and other Florida underwater archaeological preserves, please visit Florida's Museums in the Sea.

The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center is a 501(C)(3) Charitable Organization. The founder of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Laura Quinn, spent over 35 years in service to her mission of rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds. Well-known to locals and visitors alike, Laura could often be seen on the boardwalk, visiting with the residents of the Center and the many migratory birds that stopped by on the way to their summer or winter homes. The human visitors to the Sanctuary were frequently the beneficiaries of her informal tours and left the Center with a much greater knowledge of and appreciation for those wild birds. She inspired countless interns and volunteers to follow her example by making their careers in animal care. Unforgettable to all who knew her, she remained devoted to the welfare of wild birds until her death in September 2010.

The virgin tropical hardwood hammock that thrives on this island was once common on most of Florida's Upper Keys; most of these forests have been lost to development on other islands. In 1919, William J. Matheson, a wealthy Miami chemist, bought this tiny island and built a caretaker's home with a windmill for electricity and a cistern for rainwater. Today, his hideaway is the visitor center for this island forest. Ranger-guided tours are given twice daily, Friday through Sunday. The park is accessible only by private boat or tour boat. Tour boat services, as well as boat and kayak rentals, are available from Robbie's Marina. For tour reservations call (305) 664-9814. Located one mile west of U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 78.5.

The History of Diving Museum tells the story of mankind’s quest to explore, understand and venture under the sea. Learn how South Florida’s open bottom helmets have contributed to sports diving, marine biology, underwater photography and treasure hunting. The Museum features one of the world’s largest international collection of diving helmets and artifacts.

A huge public park in the center of Islamorada, Founders Park has a marina, boat ramps, beach, baseball fields, olympic pool, BBQ and picnic areas, dog park, and a skate park. On the Bayside in Islamorada Founders Park is famous for its sunset views.

The US's first marine mammal adventure park; swimming with dolphins, sea lions available.

Islamorada, long recognized as the "Sport Fishing Capital of the World," is now an icon among sport divers for much the same reason, a massive population of tropical marine life. High profile coral heads and broad ledges shelter huge congregates of French grunt and goatfish, while regal queen angelfish casually graze amid the reef recesses. Friendly green moray eels swim freely along the spur-and-groove channels, and reclusive nurse sharks lurk beneath the overhangs. Islamorada offers a wide variety of shallow coral reefs, mini walls, shipwrecks, and even an underwater habitat for scientific research, the Aquarius.

Shopping and browsing in Islamorada’s unique boutiques and one-of-a-kind art galleries offer a treasure trove of gifts for everyone on your shopping list. Tropical, marine and wildlife art, wood and bronze sculptures, nautical and fine jewelry, and multi-media creations – many of which were created through inspiration generated by Islamorada’s tropical flora, fauna, sea and skies – may be found in the patchwork of boutiques and galleries centered around Islamorada’s “downtown.” A couple of department stores conveniently offer cookbooks, interior design options, swimsuits, beachwear, shoes, sandals, hats and other clothing.

Morada Way Arts & Cultural District offers the ONLY downtown area, “Main Street” and neighborhood between Key West and Miami. It is the ONLY place where the public can gather to safely enjoy an alive, beautiful and bustling corridor with galleries, restaurants, art and studio spaces. The Art District is defined within a 6-block corridor marked by the cornerstones of the iconic Green Turtle Inn and the Hurricane Monument. This grassroots accomplishment has channeled arts and culture integration into surrounding parks, bike paths and business establishments not located within the Art District.

Our mission is to provide a wonderful home for our animals while sharing them with visitors in ways that inspire awareness and sensitivity towards animals, the environment, and conservation issues. At Theater of the Sea watch up close and personal DOLPHIN SHOWS, sea lion shows, parrot shows, and much more! A pioneer in animal interactive programs, at Theater of the Sea you can... SWIM WITH A DOLPHIN... SWIM WITH A SEA LION... Wade, Meet and Paint with a Dolphin... Meet and Paint with a Sea Lion... Swim with the Rays... Swim with the Sharks... and Meet the Sea Turtles! Our 30 minute dolphin swims include BOTH trained behaviors like dorsal tows, kisses, and hugs as well as swimming and snorkeling with dophins. We offer a variety of animal interaction programs for various ages and prices. Programs are available daily and include admission to our dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows, guided marne life tour, lagoon-side beach, and bottomless boat ride. Theater of the Sea is family owned and operated since 1946 and one of the oldest marine mammal facilities in the world. The lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, marine invertebrates, and birds.

Key West International Airport is located about 180 miles southwest of Miami International Airport. Several major air carriers schedule regular service to both Key West International Airport and Marathon Airport. These include US Airways, Delta, and American Eagle Airlines. Many flights are routed through Miami International Airport, although some smaller airlines, such as Cape Air and private charters, schedule direct flights from many cities in Florida and the Bahamas. International flights must connect to one of these airlines in Miami. Check with the airline carrier for specific flight information. Marathon Airport is located roughly 120 miles south of Miami.

The Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport receives many flights per day and hundreds of visiting travelers from all over the world. Also called FLL, the Fort Lauderdale airport is perfectly situated in the heart of Broward County just minutes from Fort Lauderdale beach and the world famous sandy beaches of Ft Lauderdale.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and is the property of Miami-Dade County government. Founded in 1928, MIA is the largest U.S. gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean and is one of the leading international passenger and freight airports in the world. Located on 3,230 acres of land near downtown Miami, MIA's terminal is being expanded to more than seven million square feet through a capital improvement program scheduled for completion in of 2012.