Sunset in Islamorada is as popular of an activity as fishing or diving. Both locals and tourists love to take part in this long standing tradition of beauty and relaxation. It's an unknown fact that the "happy" in "happy hour" derives from the happiness one feels when they are lounging at a bar watching the sunset over the bay*. *This may not be true. Most likely the "happy" in "happy hour" comes from getting shitfaced on the cheap. See our blog about best happy hour bars here.
Marker 88 has been a staple in Islamorada for many years. They are known for great food, drinks and of course, sunsets. They're outdoor ambiance is perfect for anyone who wants to sit down and dine on the bay, sit at the outdoor bar or just casually walk out on the dock with a drink in hand to watch sunset. They have completed renovations on their new HUGE tiki bar and continue to do so on the restaurant side. When you, tell Paul behind the bar that your with the Islamorada Running Company. Not sure what he'll do other than say, "Nice. Eli's my best friend and I help out when the race is in town.:" But maybe he'll give you a drink.
Lorelei is the most popular place in Islamorada for sunset. There's no missing the huge mermaid off U.S. 1 when heading southbound. Almost entirely outdoors, pretty much every seat at Lorelei can view sunset. Live music and magic shows are nearly every night and its a favorite amongst locals and tourists.
The combined property of Morada Bay and Pierre's hosts the most gorgeous bayfront beach that Islamorada has to offer. This is my favorite place to enjoy sunset. A typical evening for me is to arrive about an hour before sunset and order my first drink at the outside bar at Morada Bay. I'll then claim my adirondack chair on the beach and enjoy the beverage with friends. Once I'm ready for my next drink, I'll walk over to Pierre's bar and order my next round. Then I go back to my chair and watch the amazing views as the sun sinks over the bay. In my opinion, there's no better way to start your evening.
You know you are in for a special sunset when the entire restaurant is on a dock. That is the layout of the Islamorada Fish Company. Since 1948, people have been coming to IFC for their World Famous Islamorada Sandwich. Adjacent to the World Wide Sportsmen, you can also access Zane Grey Lounge on the second floor and is filled with high end decor as well as a spectacular sunset view.
Where would an island destination be without a sunset cruise? As you can imagine, there are places in Islamorada you can take a cruise in the early evening to relax and enjoy your sunset directly on the water. We highly recommend this luxury. Places such as Robbies (robbies.com) and Sundance (sundancewatersports.org) offer great sunset cruises at reasonable prices. However, if you are looking to go big and have a fun group of friends, companies like Blu Dog Charters (bludogcharters.com) offer specialty cruises that will cater to your interests such as snorkeling, fishing or a just a fun day at sea while finishing up after a bayfront sunset. You can't go wrong with these awesome boating options.
