Kayaking Florida Bay from Islamorada

For the holidays we spent a couple weeks in Islamorada over Christmas and New Years. It is the half way point between Miami and Key West. Islamorada, a "Village of Islands," is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida, United States. We find it to be a great central location to explore all the keys have to offer. 

We prefer to stay at the Kon Tiki Resort. It is a little village style resort with cottage style accommodation located on the Gulf side of the island. It is located in a sheltered area known as Little Basin. There are several Keys and areas to paddle within a mile of the launch making it a great spot for the recreational paddler that does not like to cover a long distance. The have a nice lagoon for swimming a heated pool and boat ramp.

This is the Kon Tiki.

We made several paddles from the boat launch to the surrounding keys.

Keys of note are Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key, Horseshoe Key and Shell Key. There are several Keys called Shell Key so it can get confusing. Also places to check out include Islamorada Fish Company, Robbie's and for you kayaking supply needs there is Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters.

This location also makes a good base to do some camping paddles and longer Paddles into Florida Bay. Little Rabbit Key is only about 12.5 miles from the Kon tiki. Carl Ross Key has been closed to camping but is only 8 miles from the Kon Tiki launch. And there are many other keys to explore in the Florida Bay from this location.

I will post our different paddles from our trip as separate post. 

Tiki Bar and fish cleaning station at the end of the dock.

Sitting at the end of the dock at the Kon Tiki drinking Key Lime Daiquiris 

The Tarpon at Robbie's

The Kon Tiki from the water