Islamorada, the centerpiece of a group of islands called the "purple isles," was named by Spanish explorers after the Spanish meaning of the word "morada" either for the violet sea snail, janthina janthina, found on the seashore there, or for the purple bougainvillea flowers that flourish in the area. The Islamorada area includes Plantation, Windley and Upper and Lower Matecumbe keys, and Long Key. Known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, Islamorada is heralded for its angling diversity and features the Keys' largest fleet of offshore charter boats and shallow-water backcountry boats. However, there's more to do in the Islamorada area than fishing. Scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy the intentionally scuttled 287-foot Eagle, along with Davis, Conch, Alligator and Pickles reefs, Crocker Wall, and the aquarium and fish bowl, two shallow-patch reefs with abundant coral and tropical fish. "One by land and two by sea" describes how visitors can visit three state parks in Islamorada. On land, travelers can step inside an above-ground coral reef at the Windley Key Fossil Reef State Geological Site. Traveling by boat, visitors can explore Lignumvitae Key State Botanical Site, home to a virgin hardwood hammock untouched by modern development; and Indian Key State Historic Site, a once-bustling town that was the seat of the Dade County government from 1836 to 1866. Indian Key 's structures were burned to the ground during the Second Seminole War in 1840.

Another state park, the Long Key State Recreation Area, offers camping, canoeing, nature trails, a small beach and picnic grounds. The Islamorada area also features eco-tours, watersports rentals, tennis facilities, bicycle trails, historic hikes, beautiful vistas of both the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, opportunities to swim with dolphins and stingrays, and a more unusual recreational activity: feeding tarpon off the docks at Robbie's Marina, mile marker (MM) 77.5 bayside. Area beaches outside of the Long Key State Recreation Area include a family facility with picnic tables behind the Islamorada Public Library and Anne's Beach, where stretches of sand are linked by a nature trail.

Islamorada is a 1.5-hour drive from Miami International Airport and a 45-minute drive from Marathon Airport in the Middle Keys. For more information, write the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 915, Islamorada FL, 33036; call (800) FAB-KEYS or (305) 664-4503; or stop by the Islamorada Visitor Center at MM 82.2 bayside.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN ISLAMORADA Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, MM 85 bayside, (305) 664-2540, www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district5/windleykey/index.asp. An exposed coral reef, this park once served as a quarry for construction of Henry Flagler's Key West extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Later, it was used to harvest decorative building stones. An environmental center documents park and regional history, and nature trails wind through mangrove hammocks. Theater of the Sea, MM 84.5 oceanside, (305) 664-2431, www.theaterofthesea.com. Visitors can swim with bottlenose dolphins and stingrays, peruse wild animal exhibits and participate in sea lion shows. Pioneer Cemetery, MM 82 oceanside. Situated on the beach at Cheeca Lodge, this cemetery is the final resting place of Islamorada area pioneers. The statue of an angel located here was one of few structures left standing after the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Hurricane Monument, MM 81.6 oceanside. A large stone features an impression of palm trees swaying with the wind; beneath the tiled mosaic that forms the base of the monument are the ashes of many who died in the 1935 hurricane. Islamorada County Park, MM 81.5 bayside. Located behind Islamorada's Public Library, this beach offers picnic facilities. Indian Key State Historic Site, MM 78.5 oceanside. Accessible by boat, this island once housed the largest population between St. Augustine and Key West. In 1840, during the Second Seminole War, Indian warriors paddled to the island, killed most of the residents and burned the island structures to the ground. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, MM 78.5 bayside, (305) 664-4815, www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district5/lignumvitaekey/index.asp. Accessible only by boat, the island features a virgin hardwood hammock, along with an early Florida Keys home and a stone wall believed to have been built by Native Americans. A boat runs to the island twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Thursday through Monday, from Robbie's Marina, mile marker 77.5 bayside in Islamorada, (305) 664-9814. Fee is $15 plus tax for adults, and $10 plus tax for children age 12 and under. Otherwise, access to the island is limited to private and charter boats. Tours are available Thursday through Monday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a park ranger must be notified to meet the boat at the island's dock. There is a charge of $1 per person arriving by private boat. Robbie's Marina, MM 77.5 bayside, (305) 664-9814, www.robbies.com. Visitors may purchase buckets of bait to feed tarpon from the marina dock. Islamorada Tennis Club, MM 76.8 bayside, (305) 664-5340. Lighted hard and clay courts are open to the public, an on-premises pro shop offers rentals. Anne's Beach, MM 73.5 oceanside. Situated along the roadside, Anne's Beach provides a popular spot for sunning and swimming. A boardwalk through mangroves links two sandy areas. Clean and spacious restrooms are available. Long Key State Recreation Area, MM 67.5 oceanside, (305) 664-4815, www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district5/longkey/index.asp. Camping, canoeing and nature trails are offered here, along with a small beach and picnic facilities.

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