Resources
Resources for exploring the area
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.
Exploring Islamorada
Islamorada is the “City of Islands,” and it’s here where you first feel like you’re driving through the Caribbean on US 1.
Called the purple islands (morada) by Spanish explorers, most of these islands still sport natural waterfronts and tropical forests, with resort hotels tucked under the trees.

The four major islands of this chain include Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe, and Lower Matecumbe. It’s on Upper Matecumbe that you’ll find most services.
In addition to pocket parks and showy Green Turtle Hammock, Upper Matecumbe is home to the Hurricane Monument.

It is the final resting place of those who died in a tragic 1935 storm surge, many of whom were World War I veterans building on the Overseas Railroad.
The former railroad route is now largely the Overseas Heritage Trail, but this Keys-spanning bike path has a lot of driveways across it on most of the islands.

Much of Windley Key is occupied by Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park, an outstanding historic and botanical site showcasing the geology of the Keys bedrock.
Two “out island” state parks flank the channel separating the Matecumbe Keys. Lignumvitae Key is a wild sanctuary of tropical trees, while Indian Key illustrates an early settlement.

Trails and Parks in Islamorada











Articles

