Islamorada is Eco-Paradise

There is no place on earth like Islamorada, the "purple isle." On the Bay side, fresh water from the Everglades flows like a sea of grass merging into Florida Bay and Florida Bay eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. On the Ocean side we have the only living coral reef in North America extending four miles out then dropping off into the deep blue Atlantic.

This scenario of converging waters, mixing together in one place, influenced by tides and warmed by our subtropical climate supports the most unique ecosystem in the world. It's why some of the most exotic and diverse wildlife live here.

Almost any fish can be found and fished for in our waters (it's why Islamorada is referred to as the sport-fishing capital of the world). It’s where rare birds like the Roseate Spoonbill flourish and exotic creatures like Saltwater Crocodiles, Alligators, Porpoises, Manatees, and Whale Sharks live. One thousand year old Lignum vitae trees and wild orchids grow on our islands with their blossoms pollinated by endangered rare butterflies.

Everyone knows we have great weather with world class fishing and diving. Next time you come down, you really should pack your binoculars and go on an eco-tour.

Two New Restaurants in Islamorada

We have 2 brand new restaurants for your dining pleasure here in Islamorada. They fill a much needed niche... more informal, lower priced, family oriented, great food. Both are open for lunch and dinner.

The top photo is of MA'a Fish Camp (love that name). Sara and I ate lunch there today and it was really good. Paper table cloths, fish in a basket style, super informal. She had the BBQ Shrimp from the "small plates" part of the menu, and I had the Combination Seafood Basket. The food was excellent and there were lots of other great choices on the menu such as Baha Style Fish Taco with Handmade Corn Tortilla, Shrimp or Oyster Po-Boy, Grilled Skirt Steak, Homemade Chipotle Chile, and on and on. I want to go back and try the other stuff.

The other photo is of Agave a "family Mexican restaurant." I am so happy we finally have a Mexican restaurant again in Islamorada (I love Mexican food). The menu is extensive with all the things you would expect plus a huge selection of top quality tequilas. Our first experience was a bit too authentic because we had a difficult time understanding our Mexican waiter.

Give both these new places a try. Please cut them some slack as they get their acts together. These are the kind of places you can go with your family, have a nice meal, and not have to pay $25 or more for an entrée.

April 21st Update: Had lunch again at MA's Fish Camp and discovered they make excellent key lime pie... the best I've had since Manny & Isa's was open. Yes!

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

Ever hear of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail? It's a fairly new 106 mile multi-use scenic trail system extending from Key Largo to Key West utilizing 36 historic Flagler Railroad bridges and running parallel to US-1.

Ten years in the making (and still not fully completed), the pathway permits running, bicycling, hiking, sightseeing, fishing, and kayaking. Planners envision a world class integrated system of smooth bike paths, educational kiosks, picnic areas, scenic outlooks, fishing piers, boat ramps, water access points, nature trails and amenities. 

This year construction is planned for nine more improved portions of the trail (including retrofits of five bridges) and seven more areas improved for 2010 including a trailhead and offices in Key Largo.

Islamorada locals Holly Padgett, Cathy Rakov, Sara Bernardin, and Nancy Kluger recently geared up their bicycles and left from Plantation Key heading to Key West. Their 1st annual journey was divided into three days of about 30 scenic miles per day. According to the ladies it was the perfect pace (not overly aggressive) to have time to see the sights, stop along the way for snacks and lunch, and arrive at a nice hotel by mid-afternoon for some fun in the evening. Their overnight stops included Hawks Cay Resort before Marathon, Parmers Resort in Big Pine Key, and the grand finale at The Southernmost Hotel in Key West. 

Kiteboard Islamorada

Driving over the bridges through Islamorada, it’s hard not to notice an increasing number of Kiteboarders taking advantage of the island breeze. 

This unique, high-flying, extreme sport has been gaining popularity over the past few years, and has found a home right here in the heart of Islamorada. Fueled by wind, and driven with muscle and mind, these new age wind surfers rip across the water, and flip into the air making the sport worth watching from the shore or by boat.

Or better yet, try it yourself! Beginner lessons are now being offered and include the kite, and everything you need to get started. Although I have yet to try it, I’ve heard first hand the sport is nothing short of addicting. Maybe I’ll give it a shot the next time it’s too windy to fish.   

Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Video

Want some fun ideas for your visit? Watch this video from Judy Hull of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.

Kayak Adventures

I received my favorite type of phone call the other evening from our friend Captain Rick Floyd of Island Hoppers Kayaking. It was an invitation to go on a kayak adventure near East Cape.

Rick is an example of a new breed of guides in Islamorada and the Florida Keys who specialize in kayak tours. In this case it was an advanced eco-tour that combined kayaking with fishing and site-seeing in the remote, unforgiving areas of the park.

Rick arrived at the boat ramp with four specialized kayaks (that allow stand-up paddling & fishing) lashed to his boat and we sped off across Florida Bay towards East Cape channel. Once there we secured the boat, unloaded the kayaks and headed into the swampy wilderness of Everglades National Park. He timed it perfect with the incoming tide so paddling was easy.

We saw numerous exotic creatures including the elusive Roseate Spoonbill, White Pelicans, Wood Storks, Herons, alligators, crocodiles, sharks and much more... all up close and personal. It was like being in a tarzan movie. As far as fishing, we were sight-casting with jigs for Redfish and Snook. What a blast!

Rick and other kayak guides offer a variety of trips from easy sunset paddles for beginners to advanced everglades adventures. It's a beautiful and unique experience. You can reach Rick at 305-345-1908.

Cheeca Lodge Burns!

A New Years Eve blaze gutted the main building at Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada last night. Eighty firefighter and rescue crews from as far away as Miami battled the flames late into the night. 

Although the fire was quickly brought under control, firefighters were still shooting water all over on the smoldering roof through midday January 1st. It looks to me like the main building (which houses the restaurants, administrative offices, front desk, and a huge block of rooms) was extensively damaged, if not totally lost.

All guests were evacuated and relocated to other hotels with no injuries reported at this point. Cheeca is closed indefinitely.

The Midlife Slam

Turning the BIG 5-0 can be a life changing event. Some people buy a sports car, some have an affair, others buy a Harley and hit the road.

Field & Stream Magazine editor Mike Toth decided the best therapy for him was to invent the "midlife slam" and try to catch fifty different species of fish in less than a week. Wow!

There are not many places to accomplish such a feat so easily as the Florida Keys and specifically here in Islamorada, the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Mike easily met his goal and you can read all about it in the December issue of Field & Stream.

My point in bringing this to your attention is that Islamorada is possibly the best place on the planet for fishing and we (as a destination) do a poor job of promoting the family aspect of fishing here. Way too much emphasis is placed on tournaments, fly-fishing and world records.

The truth is you don't have to know anything about fishing to have a great time with the whole family on the water and it can be done on just about any budget. If you have any interest at all in going fishing, you really ought to let us help you set something up.

A New Partnership: Book your rooms and activities all in one place... FREE!

Over the years I've seen so many people waste their vacation running around town researching who and where to book instead of relaxing and enjoying themselves. 

That's why long time fishing buddy and Bud n' Mary's owner Richard Stanczyk and myself have teamed up to make it easier to book your rooms and fishing guides all in one process right from Pines and Palms and soon direct from our web site.

These are the same guides already on our short list... the same fishermen you've been seeing all these years on television and in countless magazine and newspaper articles about Islamorada.

You'll also be able to book kayak rentals, boat rentals, guided tours, diving and snorkeling all with one phone call to the resort (and soon with a few clicks from our web site).  Call 800-624-0964.

This service is absolutely FREE. You do not pay a penny more than if you did the research and booked them yourself. Our goal is to help you have fun. You've trusted us all these years with the resort, now let us help you with your activity plans.

My recommendation: Book early so the best fishermen are in the boat with you instead of somebody else. Fishing, diving, boating, kayaking, dinner... we've got you covered and we're here to help.

Florida Bay Fishing Report - Hot Spots Revealed in 2 Articles

Fall has arrived and delivered our first mini-cold front of the year. Wow, that air feels great! Cooler air combined with shorter days and less sunlight has sparked the fishing in Florida Bay. 

Two recent articles (one in the Miami Herald and the other in Florida Sportsman) caught my attention because they both revealed very specific locations to begin your hunt for Redfish and Snook. Usually these articles give just enough information to get you excited but only a general idea of locations.

Click HERE for the Snook article by Susan Cocking of the Miami Herald. For the article on Redfish spots, you'll have to purchase the October edition of Florida Sportsman Magazine and turn to page 66 in the Action Spotter section. 

Ahhh September...

Great fishing, warm crystal clear water, calm inviting seas, the crowds are gone... ahhh September, quiet time in the Florida Keys. 

This is the time of the year when locals regroup after a long season, when captains work on their boats, when kids go back to school and when you can get the best deals on hotels, fishing, diving and dining. 

In the old days, hotels would actually close in September due to the lack of business. It was cheaper to close than to stay open. Now days, hotels are open and offering their best deals of the year. 

Yes, there is the chance of a hurricane but most hotels are flexible with cancellation polices to make it easy for you to be here. 

Come on down and relaaax. 

No lines, no hassles, no problems. 

Hotel Booking Tip: Better ask about Hidden Fees!

With the economy off and gas prices up, people are shopping around for the best hotel deals. My advice is to be very careful. Don't just call and ask for the room rates. Ask if there are additional charges other than tax. 

In many cases the true daily cost will be the room rate plus a "resort fee" or other hidden charges AND they won't tell you if you don't ask. I do not like this trend. It's not a "bait and switch" situation but it's not totally honest either. It makes the consumer think they are getting a better deal and/or a much lower rate than the hotel down the street. Upon arrival, it may be too late to go somewhere else. 

The most common hidden daily charge is a Resort Fee. You have to look for the fine print on a confirmation letter, web site, or hotel rules to find out what it is and 99% of the time it is not negotiable and must be paid along with the room rate. These fees range from $10 to as high as $60 per day ($60 is at a hotel less than a mile from Pines and Palms). So if you were quoted a room for $279 per night for example, when you add the resort fee (say $30), you get a real nightly rate of $309 per night and a total extra cost for a week of $210.

Another hidden fee could be for parking, common in big cities but not something you would expect in the Keys. Bringing a boat? Not only will you be charged a daily dockage fee but sometimes a fee to launch your boat and park your trailer. Want your room cleaned daily? Look out for daily housekeeping fees. What's next? Some hotels are now experimenting with added energy fees.

This thing bothers me because at our place we do it the old fashioned way. Everything is covered in the daily rate: coffee, daily newspaper, housekeeping, energy, dockage, towel service, parking, etc. You are not forced to pay for extras like kayaks, bicycles, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, etc., stuff that you may not use. 

You gotta compare apples to apples. One place might seem to have lower rates but don't forget to add in the resort fee and other charges to find the best deal.

Now you know... the rest of the story.

Pet Friendly Resorts

Quite often somebody stops by and complains they had to leave their hotel and find somewhere else to stay because there were animals everywhere and/or their room smelled like dog. 

The reason is simple. There aren't many places that allow pets. The ones that do are magnets for people traveling with cats and dogs and other animals such as ferrets and birds (strange but true).

Don't get me wrong, I love animals. That's me in the photo with our dog "Baby." We've experimented with allowing pets at the resort. We've tried a limited number of pet friendly rooms, we've tried small animals only... unfortunately it's the same result: dog droppings, hair, barking, and smell. 

Do yourself a favor, before you book a room ask if they allow pets. If it's a smaller property and you're not traveling with your doggie, you might want to try someplace else. If it's a larger property request a pet-free room.

As a resort owner, I wish there was a good way to allow pets and still keep the rooms clean and quiet. Let me know if you have any ideas. 

Lobster Mini-Season

Did you come down to the Keys to get some lobster? 

The annual 2-day "mini lobster season" frenzy has come to a close and it looks like most folks did pretty well. 

If you missed out on the early fun, you can still come down and get your freebies because the regular season opens August 6th and runs through March 31st. 

It's been my experience that there are still plenty of easy-to-get lobsters through the month of October. After that, the commercial fishermen will have put a good dent in the population so it becomes a bit more difficult to find them.

If you are looking for lobsters, the important thing to remember is that they move around every night. Just because a likely looking place has been cleaned out doesn't mean they are gone for good. Good cover is good cover. Wait a few days and you might be surprised. 

Gas prices have reduced the numbers of people visiting in the Keys so if you want to visit now is a great time and there are some good deals out there.