Living in Islamorada: Village services, seasons and getting around

If you are thinking about a second home in Islamorada, these are the practical questions to ask first. Every answer below comes from the Village, Monroe County, the State of Florida or a federal agency, and links to its source. Prices and property questions are left out on purpose.

How big is Islamorada, and who runs it?

The Village says Islamorada became a municipality on December 31, 1997. It sits between Mile Marker 90.0 and Mile Marker 72.6 on U.S. Highway 1, and it is no more than one mile wide at its widest point. It names five inhabited islands: Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and Tea Table Key. The Village reports just over 6,000 permanent residents.

• The Village says Islamorada was incorporated as a municipality on December 31, 1997. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• The Village says Islamorada sits in the middle of the Florida Keys, between Mile Marker 90.0 and Mile Marker 72.6 on U.S. Highway 1. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• The Village names five inhabited islands: Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and Tea Table Key. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• The Village says Islamorada is no more than one mile wide at its widest point, with an average elevation of about five feet above sea level. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• The Village says it has just over 6,000 permanent residents. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters

The Village runs under a Council-Manager form of government, in which the Village Council passes local laws, adopts budgets and sets policy. Its contact address is 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, phone 305-664-6400. Village documents give the full address as “86800 Overseas Highway, Third Floor.” Details: the Village website.

• The Village operates under a Council-Manager form of government; the Village Council enacts local legislation, adopts budgets and sets policy. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• The Village lists its contact address as 86800 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, phone 305-664-6400. Islamorada, Village of Islands: home page

How do I follow Village decisions?

The Village’s home page lists upcoming council and committee meetings, and public events appear in its News section. The Village’s Trunk or Treat was posted in News for Saturday, October 24, 2026. Its 2027 July 4th Celebration & Fireworks had no date yet.

• The Village says its 8th Annual Trunk or Treat is Saturday, October 24, 2026, 6:00 to 8:30pm at Founders Park, with a $15 parking fee. Islamorada, Village of Islands: 8th Annual Trunk or Treat (News Flash, Oct. 1, 2026)
• The Village had not posted a date for its 2027 July 4th Celebration & Fireworks at Founders Park when we checked on October 21, 2026. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Founders Park

What do residents get at Village parks?

The Village lists eight parks and recreation properties: Founders Park, Library Park Beach, Anne’s Beach, Plantation Tropical Preserve, Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve, Plantation Hammocks Preserve, Key Tree Cactus Nature Preserve and Southwind’s Park. Founders Park covers 45 acres and is the center of the system. Village residents and their guests get in free, while non-residents pay a park fee. Non-rental guests staying at an Islamorada residence can get a free Guest Pass from their host, good for up to 30 days. At the Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina ramp, Islamorada residents with valid ID launch free.

• The Village's Founders Park page lists eight Village parks and recreation properties: Founders Park, Library Park Beach, Anne's Beach, Plantation Tropical Preserve, Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve, Plantation Hammocks Preserve, Key Tree Cactus Nature Preserve and Southwind's Park. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Founders Park
• The Village describes Founders Park as 45 acres, open sunrise to sunset, the center of the Village park system. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Founders Park
• The Village says Village residents and their guests get free admission to Founders Park; park fees apply to non-Islamorada residents. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Founders Park Rules

How do people get around?

The Village’s Freebee is an on-demand electric rideshare across Islamorada, and it costs $2 per rider, a fare that began in July 2026. For bikes, Florida State Parks says the longest continuous paved section of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail runs from MM 106 in Key Largo through MM 72 at Islamorada, with no fee. More on the getting here page.

• The Village says Freebee is an on-demand electric rideshare across Islamorada at $2 per rider; the $2 fare was implemented in July 2026. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ridesharing Services (Freebee)
• Florida State Parks says the longest continuous paved section of the trail runs from MM 106 in Key Largo through MM 72 at Islamorada. Florida State Parks: Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

When is hurricane season?

If you are thinking of owning here, plan around the Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 through November 30 each year by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. We have not researched Monroe County’s evacuation or re-entry procedures, so we do not summarize them here. Get those from the county and the Village before the season starts, not from a guide. Climatology: National Hurricane Center.

• For the Keys, the season to plan around is the Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 through November 30 every year, as NOAA's National Hurricane Center defines it. NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology

What tax applies to short stays?

The Monroe County Tax Collector says the Tourist Development Tax is 5% of the total rental amount for stays of 6 months or less in hotels, motels, condominiums, RV parks and similar lodging. We found no Village page stating an extra local lodging tax, and we did not research state sales tax. If you have questions about your own situation, ask the Tax Collector directly: Tourist Development Tax.

• The Monroe County Tax Collector says the Tourist Development Tax is 5% of the total rental amount for stays of 6 months or less in hotels, motels, condominiums, RV parks and similar lodging. Monroe County Tax Collector: Tourist Development Tax
• The Monroe County Tax Collector lists a 5% tourist development tax; we did not find a Village page stating any additional local lodging tax when we checked on October 21, 2026. Monroe County Tax Collector: Tourist Development Tax

What rules come with the water?

The Village says the waters around the Keys, including Islamorada, are designated Outstanding Florida Waters. If you keep a boat here, note that Village code bans motorized vessels from going faster than four knots or making a wake within 300 feet of a diver down flag or of improved residential or commercial shorelines. Ordinance 22-05 sets the civil penalty at $250. Under the Village’s code, sea turtle nesting season runs April 15 to October 31, mostly on the Atlantic shoreline between mile markers 72 and 83. The Village asks people to report sick, injured or dead sea turtles to FWC at 1-888-404-3922.

• The Village says the waters around the Keys, including Islamorada, are designated Outstanding Florida Waters. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Why Islamorada Matters
• Village code prohibits operating a motorized vessel faster than four knots or with a wake in marked idle speed no wake zones, within 300 feet of a diver down flag, or within 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shorelines. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ordinance No. 22-05 (vessel restricted areas)
• Ordinance 22-05 sets the civil penalty for a violation of these vessel rules at $250.00, enforced by uniform boating citation. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Ordinance No. 22-05 (vessel restricted areas)
• The Village says its Code of Ordinances defines sea turtle nesting season as April 15 to October 31; nesting in Islamorada occurs mainly between mile markers 72 and 83, primarily on the Atlantic shoreline. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Sea Turtle Nesting Regulations
• The Village asks people to report sick, injured or dead sea turtles to FWC at 1-888-404-3922. Islamorada, Village of Islands: Sea Turtle Nesting Regulations

For fishing, FWC lists a no-cost Resident Annual Saltwater Shoreline-Only license. It is not valid from a vessel, from a shoreline you reached by vessel, or while swimming or diving. Anyone who casts a line needs a license, even for catch and release. Check FWC for current rules before you fish.

• FWC lists a Resident Annual Saltwater Shoreline-Only license at no cost; it is not valid from a vessel, from a shoreline reached by vessel, or when swimming or diving. FWC: Recreational Saltwater Licenses & Permits
• FWC says that if you cast a line or catch and release, you need a fishing license. FWC: Do I need a license or permit?

Who publishes this guide?

Islamorada Guide is published by LPE Realty LLC, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. It is a community guide and is not affiliated with the Village of Islamorada, the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce or any state park. This page answers practical questions only. It does not cover property, prices or market conditions.

Living in Islamorada FAQ

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: Village of Islamorada (official site)