Islamarada Fish Company (305) 664-9271, Moranda Bay (305) 664-0604
Provisioning Possibilities:
Walk to Trading Post 1/4 mile away
LPG (Propane) Availability:
Available. Walk to Dion’s Exon Station for LPG tank exchange right next door to marina or take taxi to CVS drugstore for LPG tank exchange 1 1/2 mile away
Waste pump-out:
Available. $10.00 for non transient
Wi-Fi Internet Access:
Not Available
Fuel Availability:
Gas & Diesel Available
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free/91 octane
Fuel Prices (All Taxes Included)
Reporting Date:
April 15, 2024
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free/91 octane
Gasoline Price:
$4.91/90 octane/open 6-4.00 (All Taxes Included)
Diesel Price:
$4.84/open 6-4.00 (All Taxes Included)
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Reviews from Cruisers (2)
Mick Anderson- January 26, 2022 - 8:30 am
If you draft 4ft, you might squeak in at high tide only. It's all sand and you will stir it up.
Friendly and accommodating. I paid $3.18/gal on 1/31/19 for diesel. I couldn't get my boat into little basin. There's a channel with entrance markers, and it looks like it should be possible (a large sportfisher came in), but I touched with 3'8" draft (mid tide). I dinghied in and bought diesel. They allowed me to leave my dinghy there and run errands in town. Islamorada has a West Marine, Publix, laundromat, and Bass Pro, but access is difficult.
Called this marina because we needed new boat batteries, they answered the phone right away. Marina was very accommodating, even ordered the batteries for us with one day service. The Trading Post and a liquor store is a 5 minute walk through a path behind the marina. Not a resorty type of marina, it’s a boatyard, but they have a pumpout which is nice since there are few on the bay side of upper keys. We are in a nice big slip with long finger piers on both sides.
Transient dockage is available at Coral Bay Marina at mile 1160. I stayed there earlier this month for a week. The weekly rate is $7/ft. including 50 amp elec. and cable TV. Joe Wilson
Location, Location, Location, this marina is smack dab right in the middle of the some of the finest restaurants, bars, live music and shopping in the Keys. It’s very small and rustic, tucked away in the mangroves and just a short taxi ride away is all the fun you can imagine, five star restaurants, resorts and spas or no star dive bars and everything in-between, I like them all and there’s live music everywhere !! Some art galleries, museums, etc..etc..etc… Plus, The Trading Post, a small gourmet market just one block away, all the fresh food you could want, open 24 hrs when I was there. Several shops that the ladies will like are within walking distance as well. Great staff, friendly and helpful live aboards, small but updated and very clean bathrooms / showers, a small laundry and a full service yard. I would go in and out with a five foot draft at mid to high tide. Be sure to have a good recent landside guide when you come in.
We called the marina on a Saturday with tornadoes on the way. The emergency number reached the owner who said “Come on in.” With a long face dock we were secure from the not-as-bad-as-forecast storms, but watched boats drag in the anchorage. Basic but good facilities with access to land-based services. And helpful characters in the marina. It was a welcome haven we would recommend. Jeff Wingfield
lies south of the FL Keys Inside Route, south-southeast of Jewfish Hole’s unlighted daybeacon #1X (note that marker #1X is NOT part of the main channel)
UPDATE!!!! Ok, the new manager called corporate and apparently they will allow live aboards (although they do not have a POUT station. Also, ref fuel, they have installed a 2500 gal tank (gas only) above the docks, it is on the other side of the road and is not functional yet. Most importantly, I finally ran down pricing. You sort of have to point it out, repeatedly, but apparently you can stay here for $12 per foot if you stay for a month. For my boat, that comes to around $450 plus a $100 electric and water fee. For this time of year and with the amenities this properties offers, I think that is reasonable. At any rate, it beats the crap out of $1800 a month:) Hope to see you soon, Knee Deep Somewhere John and Sally M/V Knee Deep
The original post on this marina is no longer entirely accurate. Charmaine is closer to the mark. I am here right now and I love the place, in fact I am applying for the harbormaster position. First, the positive aspects…the property itself is very nice and well maintained. They just got about a dozen brand new “cottages” in various pastel colors which are actually small cubeular trailers. The primary use of the property is RV and tent camping sites. There are now 2 small stores which for lack of a better description carry most anything you would want in an RV park. They also carry frozen bait and have live shrimp at the store located in front of the docks as there are many people who launch runabouts for day fishing here. There is also a large fish cleaning station. The staff is indeed very hospitable and the restaurant is pretty good. Shawn seems to be the main chef while awaiting Alice to get back to 100% after knee surgery. The restrooms and showers are always clean, which is kind of odd since I never actually see anyone cleaning them:) There is a large SHELL sign at the docks which would lead you to believe there is fuel, but such is not the case, they have even removed the pumps since I was last here. Ok, not to be negative, but by way of information, every place has certain drawbacks. In the case of Fiesta Key, which is probably my favorite place to hang out in the keys, at the top of the list has got to be price. The original description for this marina states $1.50 per foot per night. May I say both “no” and “way”. Allow me to elaborate. That may have been true back in 2008 at the time of that post and when KOA owned the property, but about a year ago, give or take, some company called Morgan Properties (I think that’s it) bought the place. I do not know anything about the company but they obviously do not specialize in marinas or resort campgrounds. That would not be a bad thing if they would allow the onsite manager to make the decisions, but apparently they can’t even take a leak without consulting with New York first. Now, back to pricing…Sally and I live aboard the 38 foot steel hull Benford Tug “Knee Deep”. This summer when I was here, the previous manager, well, kicked us out stating that “corporate” had decreed that they would no longer allow live aboards on the property, which is somewhat amusing since the main difference between an RV and a boat is that one of them floats:) At any rate, during that trip they could never decide what to charge us, all of the rates being exhorbitant. One day it would be $85, the next $65, the next $75, then back to $85, etc. It was almost as if the office had a dartboard that they threw a dart into every morning to decide the rate. This time, with a new manager (nice guy by the way), my rate has been $61 per night. BTW, the new manager is going to call NY tomorrow to see if there is a rule about live aboards. Still, if you think about it, as nice as it is, this is a campground and $61 a night comes to over $1800 a month which makes staying for an extended period of time cost prohibitive for most of us. Other than the fact that the bean counters in NY are trying to micromanage and pricing themselves out of the market, I can’t actually think of another downside. The pricing is the key, anyone who knows about the Keys knows that Nov. 1 begins the “high” season. Right this minute (Nov.4) I would estimate that the property is at about 15-20% capacity, and that is on the weekend! One last thing, if you want to come here, which I reccommend, don’t try it with more than about a 4 foot draft. Come strait in, DO NOT try to cut the corners. For about a 1/4 mile out on either side the water is about 3 ft and sometimes less. I have actually run my dingy aground, and it is not sand, it is rocky. This place is well worth it, I highly reccommend this marina. I will let you know what I find out about liveaboards:) Knee Deep Somewhere, John and Sally M/V Knee Deep
We have stayed here several times. Always enjoy the friendly staff and lovely surroundings. Spent much of our visit 3 years ago, watching a 300+ lb sea turtle in the inlet to the marina. He came and went at his leisure on a daily basis, as did my husband and myself. A cool place to hang out for a few days or weeks away from the cold weather in Virginia. Dot Dalton
May 6th, 2009 Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park & Campground MM 70, Long Key Florida Keys 24° 51.061 N 80° 47.749W by Charmaine Smith Ladd On Long Key, amidst 28 acres of lush tropical trees and foliage, is a little known place (formerly a KOA Campground) called Fiesta Key. You would think yourself in the Bahamas as you look around at the quaint, brightly colored island setting with the laid-back charm. Touting a small marina (jet ski rentals too) and ship’s store, an Olympic-sized fresh-water swimming pool, hot tubs, motel rooms, waterfront bar and grill, internet access, two complete laundry facilities and much, much more, Fiesta Key is a great place to go for a not-so-far-away getaway. The marina is for very small boats only. However, immediately west of Fiesta Key, one can anchor at semi-protected Jewfish Hole. A fair-weather anchorage in the winter, Jewfish Hole offers good year-round protection from the East and Northeast (via the shallows outlining Fiesta Key). The good folks at Fiesta Key are quite hospitable. They were so nice to us as they allowed us to dispose of our trash, gave us access to potable water, and were extremely gracious in every way. Our dinner there was very reasonably priced, delicious and served with a smile. The people working at Fiesta Key like their jobs and it shows! Just let them know you’re anchored out and what you need. Their fees are nominal and their warmth genuine. Having access to the amenities of Fiesta Key and knowing that its staff is both friendly and helpful sure gives a new twist to the anchoring out experience. When is the last time you anchored out and were able to get all your laundry done all the while with an ice cold beer in hand and an eye on the Marlins game? Fiesta Key is a wonderful escape from the hustle of marina and mooring life to a quiet anchorage with all the anchoring space for as much solitude one could ever want…yet also offers you a taste of the nightlife, dinner out, and all the social minglings if you so desire. It’s all there for you at Jewfish Hole Anchorage and Fiesta Key Marina, RV Park, and Campground. Charmaine Smith Ladd, SSECN’s Regional Correspondent for the Florida Keys, bringing you “The Low Down from Down Low.”
A good place to spend the night would be Marina del Mar. A little pricey (3.00 per foot plus electric) but a very calm marina and lots of stuff to do within walking or biking distance. Home to African Queen (boat used in Bogey movie of same name). There are 3 pools on site, two restaurants (Coconuts also has live entertainment weekends, and good drinks and bartenders), and a continental breakfast comes with the slip. Showers at two locations depending on what side of the marina you are on, and both excellent. Laundry facilites as well Best local restaurant off site would be Ballyhoos about 2 miles south of the marina. My normal morning activity is to get up early and watch all the fishing and snorkeling boats departing the marina. if you do want to snorkel or dive, Molasses is best and closest, and best time to go is between 11:00 and 1:00 (the commercial boats have all returned to their docks prepping for afternoon run). If you decide to go talk to Candi, the dockmaster, and tell her the captain of In-T-Mate recommended the marina. No financial advantage for me, but it gets me good points when i do show up, and I stay there a lot. Good luck and smooth sailing. K. Conners
On Monday, July 12th, we headed southwest between the reef and the island chain on Hawks Channel. One of our favorite marinas is Marina Del Mar in Key Largo. It is pricey at $3.00 a foot. However, we like the resort feel and opted to pay the price. We were going to continue on to Duck Key and Hawks Cay Resort, but after doing the turtle speed this far, we decided to just stay put and spend 3 nights at this marina. The dockmaster, Candi, is a knowledgeable and helpful host. If you do not want to pay resort prices, you can always anchor to the south on the lee of Rodriquez Key. As you enter Port Largo Canal follow the red channel markers. It is very shallow (hitting 3-feet at low tide). Make sure to do a security call on channel-16 as you enter the canal and again as you approach the 45-degree turn known as crash corner. There are some large commercial vessels who call this canal home. So the security call is a must for safe passage. The three hotels at the end of the canal (Marina Del Mar, Holiday Inn, and Ramada) are owned by the same group, so marina guests can use facilities at any of the hotels. We like the pool and Jacuzzi at Marina Del Mar (just steps from our slip). The restroom and laundry facilities are clean and well maintained. As a marina guest, you can partake of the resort’s complimentary continental breakfast. There are lots of dive shops to service your needs both on the canal and just steps away on US-1. A Dollar Store and a Service Station are just outside of the marina for small grocery purchases. A real grocery store is further away and would require a cab on a bicycle. Key Largo is the closest of the Keys to the mainland and has numerous mobile mechanical services available. There was a small but gregarious live aboard community at this marina. They said we could have bargained for a lower slip rate. I find it hard to believe. Unlike Pier 66 there were very few open slips. Just a few steps down the dock is Ocean Divers. They run two dive boats from there. They have a full-service dive shop. They have the least expensive fuel we saw anywhere. Right next to Ocean Divers is a local hangout called Sharkeys. Their happy hour is great fun. Coconuts is a fun bar and restaurant with good food right next to the Marina pool. Jeff and Michele Prahm
We have cruised into Key Largo Canal many times. Marina Del Mar is an excellent facility. You must make reservations in advance to reserve a slip in the winter. We have experienced “crash corner”. Just call ahead on channel 16, announcing your approach. No problem Ron Hollander
Weʼve been around crash corner 4 times with no problems. Listen closely to your VHF as all commercial vessels announce their intent and location. Bob and Toni Dorman
$3.50 per foot per night/$18 per foot per week for <16 ft beam, $4.50 per foot per night/$22 per foot per week for over 16 ft beam. All plus 7.5% tax
Type of dockage:
fixed wooden slips and face docks in eastern basin, and floating concrete decked slips in western basin
Live Aboards Allowed:
yes
Monthly Dockage Rate:
Min 30 ft: $25/ft/mo, 6 mo lease: $24/ft/mo, 12 mo lease $23/ft/mo. Min 55 ft: $28/ft/mo, 6 mo lease: $26.50/ft/mo, 12 mo lease $25/ft/mo. Plus 7.5% tax.
Monthly Dockage Rate Notes:
Utilities: 30A/50A/100A metered electric, $30/mo water, no charge for Satellite TV and WiFi. Plus 7.5% tax.
Total number of slips/berths:
54
Dockside Power Connections:
30/50/100 amp power hookups available
30/50/100 Amp Notes:
Per night: 30A/$9, 50A/$10, 100A/$12 + 7.5% tax
Dock. Fresh Water Connections:
Available.
Showers:
Available. Climate Controlled
Laundromat:
Available.
Swimming Pool:
Available.
Restaurant:
3 on-site
Restaurant Recommendations:
Pilot House, Calypso’s Glass Bottom Bar, American Legion (breakfast every morning)
Provisioning Possibilities:
Take taxi to Publix supermarket 2 miles away or walk to Dollar Store or Walgreens drugstore
LPG (Propane) Availability:
Available. LPG tank exchange on-site
Waste pump-out:
Available. $5.00
Wi-Fi Internet Access:
Free WiFi Available
Fuel Availability:
Gas & Diesel Available
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free/90 octane
Fuel Prices (All Taxes Included)
Reporting Date:
April 18, 2024
Fuel Notes:
ethanol free/90 octane
Gasoline Price:
Call marina for fuel prices
Diesel Price:
Call marina for fuel prices
ValvTect Dealer:
Yes
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Reviews from Cruisers (4)
Don Brown- July 18, 2012 - 1:06 pm
Both Ed and Lucy of “I Love Lucy” are wonderful people to be around. They are always positive and enjoying life. This is one of the reasons we at the Pilot House love “Cruisers” in general and why we strive to make Cruisers comfortable during your stay at Pilot House Marina, in the heart of Downtown Key Largo…the Dive and Fishing Capitol of the World. Our latest improvement for Cruisers….A covered outdoor lounge for potlucks, socializing or just plain lounging around! Warm Regards….Don Brown
The “I Love Lucy” is presently in Key Largo. We have great diving and snorkeling. We are at the pilot house marina, and they are very [cruiser] friendly,having a [cruisers’] lounge with a book exchange and large screen tv. Ed & Lucy Guillard
We stayed at Pilot House Marina 5 days. The first morning our coffee maker died. I went to the ship’s store and explained the problem. The lady went to the resturant and made a pitcher of coffee for us. To our suprise, a pitcher of coffe was provided all the other mornings too. A VERY enjoyable stay and a caring and knowedgable staff!
We’re on a 46′ Sea Ray and stayed at Pilot House Marina for four days… thoroughly enjoyable! The approach is a canal that looks tricky but is not. The staff at Pilot House is knowledgeable and attentive, especially Dockmaster Don Brown (who even pulled our dog’s tennis ball out of the water not once, but twice!). There are two restaurants on site (one with a glass-bottomed bar), and a dolphin research center and a community park (with swimming pool, tennis courts, and fitness track) are within easy walking distance. Pilot House is not for the resort-minded, but is a casual, very friendly, and comfortable marina with unequalled sunsets. Kim and Terry “Hawkeye”
entrance channel will be discovered west-southwest of Hawk Channel’s marker #39; marina lines the northern banks of a wide pool of water, into which the entrance canal flows
This marina is almost always full with about 20 slips, mostly live aboards. Next to Curtis is Blue Waters Marina a live aboard marina. sometimes you can get a slip there. Our draft is 4.5ft & we had no problem. Stay to your port in the deeper water before coming in the markers to the channel. Steve
Reviews from Cruisers (2)
If you draft 4ft, you might squeak in at high tide only. It's all sand and you will stir it up.
Friendly and accommodating. I paid $3.18/gal on 1/31/19 for diesel. I couldn't get my boat into little basin. There's a channel with entrance markers, and it looks like it should be possible (a large sportfisher came in), but I touched with 3'8" draft (mid tide). I dinghied in and bought diesel. They allowed me to leave my dinghy there and run errands in town. Islamorada has a West Marine, Publix, laundromat, and Bass Pro, but access is difficult.