Captain's Lodging Guide
Where to Stay in Islamorada for Fishing
7 lodges ranked by distance to Robbie's Marina
Booking a fishing trip to Islamorada and not sure where to stay? The short answer: anywhere between Mile Marker 73 and 84 puts you inside a 10-minute drive of DirtyBoat's home base at Robbie's Marina (MM 77.5). The longer answer depends on whether you want a working fishing lodge, a polished resort, or something quiet between trips.
Below are the 7 Islamorada lodges I send anglers to most often, ranked by distance to Robbie's. Each one has direct Booking.com links so you can compare rates and lock in dates. I've fished out of all of these in some form (staying there, dropping clients off, or running tournaments with crew rooming up).
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Where to Stay in Islamorada
Hotels, resorts & vacation rentals near Robbie's Marina. Best-price guaranteed through Booking.com.
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Quick Reference
| Lodge | MM | From Robbie's | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bud N' Mary's Marina | MM 79.8 | 2.3 miles north (5 min) | Old-school fishing lodge AT a marina |
| Amara Cay Resort | MM 80 | 2.5 miles north (5 min) | Modern oceanfront resort |
| Casa Morada | MM 81.6 | 4.1 miles north (7 min) | Adults-only boutique |
| Islander Resort | MM 82.1 | 4.6 miles north (8 min) | Classic beachfront |
| Cheeca Lodge & Spa | MM 82 | 4.5 miles north (8 min) | Anchor luxury resort |
| Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina | MM 84 | 6.5 miles north (12 min) | Marina-side resort, on-site charters |
| Caloosa Cove Resort | MM 73.8 | 3.7 miles south (7 min) | Quieter, south of Robbie's |
The Lodges, In Detail
Bud N' Mary's Marina
MM 79.8 · 2.3 miles north (5 min) · Old-school fishing lodge AT a marina
If you want to wake up looking at boats, this is it. Bud N' Mary's is a working marina with rooms attached. Anglers and captains live here during tournament weeks. Walking distance to charters, bait, tackle, and dock space if you're trailering. Not luxurious; it's authentic.
Amara Cay Resort
MM 80 · 2.5 miles north (5 min) · Modern oceanfront resort
Refreshed in recent years. Oceanfront pool, decent on-site restaurant, kid-friendly. Closer to Robbie's than most resorts and one of the cleaner modern stays at this MM range. Good middle ground between budget and luxury.
Casa Morada
MM 81.6 · 4.1 miles north (7 min) · Adults-only boutique
16 suites, all oceanfront. Adults only. No kids, no big tour groups. Right for couples doing a fishing-and-relax trip. Premium pricing reflects the small footprint and dedicated service.
Islander Resort
MM 82.1 · 4.6 miles north (8 min) · Classic beachfront
Long beach, multiple pools, Tiki bar on site. Larger property, family-friendly. Booking volume on Booking.com is high here; book early for winter sailfish season (Dec-Mar).
Cheeca Lodge & Spa
MM 82 · 4.5 miles north (8 min) · Anchor luxury resort
The most prestigious address in Islamorada. Hosts the Cheeca Presidential Sailfish Tournament every January (where DirtyBoat fishes annually). Full-service spa, golf, multiple restaurants. Expensive but the most polished experience in the Upper Keys.
Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina
MM 84 · 6.5 miles north (12 min) · Marina-side resort, on-site charters
Holiday Isle redeveloped. Big property with its own marina, multiple restaurants, lively pool scene. Bookings include charter packages if you want one-stop. Slightly further from Robbie's but still a workable base.
Caloosa Cove Resort
MM 73.8 · 3.7 miles south (7 min) · Quieter, south of Robbie's
South of most Islamorada noise. Smaller, low-key property with a marina, restaurant, and pool. Best for anglers who want quiet evenings between trips and don't need the resort scene. Easy 7-minute drive north to Robbie's.
Practical Info for Anglers
Pre-trip food and coffee
For an early charter, the Hungry Tarpon (next to Robbie's) opens at 7am. Lazy Days South (MM 79.8 at Bud N' Mary's) opens at 6:30am. Most resort restaurants don't open until 7:30am. Picking up coffee and a breakfast sandwich the night before is the safe play.
Tackle, bait, fuel
Worldwide Sportsman (MM 81.5) is the major tackle shop, open 6am. Robbie's marina store has basics. Bait is supplied on DirtyBoat charters. Closest gas: Shell at MM 86 (north) or Tom Thumb at MM 76 (south).
Post-trip cook your catch
Robbie's restaurant cooks your fish on the spot. Square Grouper (MM 81), Wahoo's Bar & Grill (Whale Harbor MM 84), Lorelei (MM 82) all do "you-hook-we-cook" plates. We clean and bag fillets dockside; just walk them in.
Getting around
You need a car. The Keys are linear, rideshare is patchy in the middle Keys, and your hotel is unlikely to have a shuttle. Pick up at MIA (90 min away) or FLL (2 hours). Compare rentals via the link below.
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Islamorada Lodging FAQs
Real answers to questions I actually get on the dock.
Best place to stay for fishing?
For DirtyBoat clients out of Robbie's (MM 77.5), the best base is between MM 73 (Caloosa Cove) and MM 84 (Postcard Inn). Bud N' Mary's (MM 79.8) is the closest, most fishing-focused. Cheeca Lodge (MM 82) is the most luxurious. Amara Cay (MM 80) splits the difference.
How close to Robbie's should I be?
For a 7am charter departure, within 10 minutes (under 5 miles). MM 73 to 84 covers it. Beyond MM 65 (south) or MM 90 (north), the drive starts eating breakfast time.
When should I book?
Winter sailfish (Dec-Mar): 8-12 weeks out, especially around the Cheeca Presidential (mid-Jan), Islamorada Sailfish Tournament (early Dec), and Christmas/New Year. Summer mahi (May-Aug): 4-6 weeks. Off-peak (Sept-Oct): often same-week available.
Hotels with on-site charters?
Bud N' Mary's has charters off the dock. Postcard Inn has its own marina with operators. Cheeca offers a charter concierge. DirtyBoat books direct at dirtyboat.com from any of these properties: same captain, same boat.
Rental car required?
Yes. Pick up at MIA (90 min north) or FLL (2 hours). Marathon (MTH) is closer but limited flights. Rideshare in the middle Keys is unreliable. Compare rentals below.
Islamorada vs Key Largo?
Key Largo (MM 90-110) has more chain hotels at lower prices but is 20-30 min north of Robbie's. Islamorada (MM 65-90) is more boutique and fishing-centric, most lodges within 10 min of charter marinas. For a dedicated fishing trip, Islamorada wins on drive time alone.
Which airport?
MIA: most flights, 90 min north. FLL: 2-2.5 hours, often cheaper. MTH (Marathon): limited regional flights from Miami, 40 min south of Islamorada. Most fishing trips fly into MIA, rent a car, drive south.
Charter + hotel packages?
Not as a true bundle. Book the charter direct at dirtyboat.com (best date access and captain communication). Book the lodging via Booking.com (flexible cancellation, price guarantees). Two-step process, but you control both.
Ready to Book Both?
Lodging through Booking.com, charter direct with DirtyBoat. Two steps, all the date control, best rates.