Where to Stay in the Florida Keys for a Fishing Trip

The short answer: stay in Islamorada for flats and backcountry fishing, Key West for offshore fishing and trips to the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas, and Marathon if you want a little of everything from the middle of the chain. Key Largo is the easy pick for a shorter trip from Miami, and the Lower Keys suit anglers who want a quieter base near the flats.

Key Largo begins around Mile Marker 108, and every address is a mile marker on U.S. 1, counting down from 127 near Florida City to 0 in Key West. Driving the length of the chain eats into fishing time, so base yourself near the water you want to fish most and let a guide come to you or meet you nearby. For general Keys planning, see our Florida Keys guide.

Which key for which trip

Key Largo: closest to the mainland

Key Largo is the first island you reach, about an hour from Miami. Guides fish the Florida Bay backcountry for bonefish, tarpon and snook and run offshore for mahi, sailfish and wahoo. It also bills itself as the Diving Capital of the World, which helps if part of your group would rather be underwater. Lodging ranges from family-run motels and waterfront inns to vacation rentals and resorts.

Best for: long weekends, backcountry trips, and groups that want to dive as well as fish.

Islamorada: flats, backcountry and the biggest fleet

Islamorada has more charter listings than any other town in the visitor bureau’s fishing directory and quick access to Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry. It is also a strong offshore base for winter sailfish and summer mahi. Lodging includes beachfront inns, retro motels, waterfront resorts, vacation rentals and RV and camping resorts.

Best for: flats and backcountry fishing, fly anglers, and couples who want a calmer base.

Marathon: the middle of everything

Marathon sits in the Middle Keys and ends at the Seven Mile Bridge. Offshore, reef and calm backcountry fishing are all close. The visitor bureau notes dockside rental homes with boat slips, which suit anglers bringing or renting a boat. The Turtle Hospital, Crane Point and Sombrero Reef give families things to do between trips.

Best for: families, groups sharing a rental house, and anglers who want to try several styles in one week.

The Lower Keys: quiet flats

The Lower Keys run from the Seven Mile Bridge to Stock Island. The draw is tarpon and permit on the flats, sailfish offshore and fewer people. Lodging runs from waterfront campgrounds and cottages to a very high-end island resort.

Best for: flats anglers who prefer a quiet base.

Key West: offshore and long-range trips

Key West is where to stay for offshore and wreck fishing and for day trips to the Marquesas or the Dry Tortugas. It is also the only place in the Keys with commercial flights, and the best choice if half your group does not fish. Lodging ranges from Victorian bed-and-breakfasts to oceanfront resorts.

Best for: mixed groups, offshore anglers, and short trips that fly straight in.

Lodging types

Marina resorts

Full-service resorts with their own marina, where charters leave from the property. Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key is one example: its marina has 66 slips, a fish cleaning station, live bait and a ship store, and its charters run offshore, reef and inshore trips directly from the dock. Expect resort pools and family amenities alongside the fishing.

Fishing marinas with rooms

Some working fishing marinas rent rooms or houses next to the charter fleet. Bud N’ Mary’s in Islamorada, founded in the 1940s, rents motel rooms, rental houses and houseboats on the property, and its offshore boats, backcountry guides and party boat all leave from the same docks. This is the most direct way to roll out of bed and onto a boat.

Resorts that book fishing

Some resorts arrange charters and host tournaments rather than centering everything on a marina. Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada offers fishing charters, hosts the Presidential Sailfish Tournament each January and a fall backcountry tournament, and runs a seasonal kids’ program for ages 5 to 12.

Vacation rentals with dockage

Rental homes on canals or open water, often with a dock or slip, are common in Marathon and elsewhere. They suit families and groups, anglers trailering a boat, and anyone who wants a kitchen to cook the catch.

Motels, inns and campgrounds

Old-style motels, small inns and waterfront campgrounds are the lower-cost options, found throughout the Keys. Pair them with a party boat or bridge fishing for a budget trip. Party boats supply bait and tackle and clean your catch at the dock.

What to look for when you book

• Distance to your charter. Ask the guide where they launch, then book nearby. An early start is much easier from five minutes away.
• Boat slips and dockage. If you are bringing or renting a boat, confirm slip length and draft limits. Some marinas have narrow channels and low bridges.
• Ramp and trailer parking. Not every marina has a ramp or trailer storage, so check before you tow a boat down U.S. 1.
• Fish cleaning. Ask whether there is a cleaning station on site, or whether the charter cleans the catch at the dock.
• Freezer and kitchen space. Useful if you plan to keep snapper or mahi to eat.
• Charters on site. A resort or marina fleet makes booking easy and keeps you close to the boat, but compare with independent guides too.
• Family extras. Pools, kids’ programs and beaches matter on a family trip. See our family fishing vacations page and fishing with kids guide.
• Timing. The busiest stretch of the tourist season traditionally begins the week between Christmas and New Year’s, so book winter trips early. Our seasons guide shows which months suit which fish.