
Amara Cay Resort
Best for families and beachside stays — shallow zero-entry pool, kid-friendly dining, and direct snorkel access from the property.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Amara Cay Resort is a 4-star, family-friendly oceanfront resort at Mile Marker 80 with a zero-entry pool and private sunning beach—best for families and activity-focused stays. Three Waters Resort and Marina, a 4-star Marriott Tribute Portfolio property, is a larger, marina-focused Islamorada resort geared to guests who want boating, marina services, and meeting/event facilities.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for families and beachside stays — shallow zero-entry pool, kid-friendly dining, and direct snorkel access from the property.

Best for boaters, marina access, and groups — on-site marina, multiple pools, and extensive conference/meeting space.
When Amara Cay wins: Choose Amara Cay if you want a smaller oceanfront resort with a zero-entry pool, direct reef/snorkel access, family-friendly dining and activities, and easy use of the Islamorada Resort Collection water taxi to sister properties.
When Three Waters wins: Choose Three Waters if your priorities are marina services, on-site boating and watercraft options, larger meeting and event capacity, or more on-property dining bars and pools.
Bottom line: Both are 4-star Islamorada properties on the same resort collection and work well together by water taxi. Pick Amara Cay for a more intimate, family-oriented beach/pool experience; pick Three Waters for boating, marina facilities and bigger-group events.
| Category | Amara Cay Resort | Three Waters Resort and Marina, Islamorada, a Tribute Portfolio Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Smaller oceanfront resort focused on beach/pool and family amenities | Larger marina-centered resort with conference and event emphasis |
| Location | Oceanfront at Mile Marker 80 with views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse | By the ocean with on-site marina in Islamorada (Overseas Hwy address 84001) |
| Size (rooms) | 110 rooms | 214 rooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; family-focused | All ages welcome (not adults-only in supplier data) but positioned for boating/adult activities too |
| Pools & beach | Zero-entry oceanfront pool, private elevated sunning beach (stairway for snorkeling access) | Three outdoor pools (heated listed) and a private beach; marina facilities on site |
| Restaurants & bars | ReelCatch (seafood breakfast & dinner), Tiki Bar (poolside), Coastal Cup & Lounge | Four restaurants and 2 coffee shops/cafes plus multiple bars (beach bar, poolside bar, 3 bars/lounges) |
| Spa & wellness | Ooh la la at The Collection serves Amara Cay with beach massages, yoga and spa treatments available | Shares Ooh la la at The Collection services across the collection; on-site wellness and fitness offerings listed |
| Known for | Lighthouse views, snorkel access, family programming and zero-entry pool | On-site marina, boating/watercraft rentals and large conference/meeting footprint |
| Meetings & events | Multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces including Glass Bowl, Reef Lawn and private beach venues (meeting space ~16,886–19,106 sq ft) | Large conference space (87,295 sq ft) and 10 meeting rooms — good for bigger meetings and events |
| Resort collection access | Guests have access to Islamorada Resort Collection amenities, Rum Runner water taxi and shuttle service | |
Amara Cay sits oceanfront at Mile Marker 80 with direct views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse.
Choose Amara Cay for compact oceanfront placement and easy access to local dive and snorkel spots.
Three Waters is waterfront and marina-focused, located nearby on Overseas Highway with on-site marina services.
Choose Three Waters if proximity to a marina and on-site boating services are priorities.
Amara Cay has 110 guest rooms across four floors with oceanfront and partial-ocean options plus suites.
Amara Cay suits families and groups who want oceanfront rooms in a mid-size resort setting.
Three Waters has a larger room count that supports bigger groups and events.
Three Waters works well for larger groups and travelers who want more on-site room inventory.
Amara Cay’s dining focuses on seafood and poolside fare with venues open to the public.
Pick Amara Cay for seafood-forward dining and a strong poolside bar scene integrated into an intimate resort.
Three Waters lists more dining outlets on-property: multiple restaurants, bars and cafes.
Choose Three Waters when you want more on-site dining variety and multiple bar options without leaving the property.
Amara Cay’s signature water features are a zero-entry pool and private elevated sunning beach with reef access.
Amara Cay is ideal if a zero-entry pool and easy snorkel access are high on your list.
Three Waters emphasizes marina-based activities plus multiple outdoor pools.
Three Waters is the pick for guests prioritizing boating, pool variety, and marina access.
Amara Cay supports wellness with the Ooh la la collection, fitness center hours and beach yoga/massages.
Amara Cay mixes spa and active wellness programs with evening live-music options suitable for families.
Three Waters offers fitness and multilingual front-desk service plus nightlife via multiple bars.
Three Waters suits guests who want fitness options by day and more bar/lounge choices by night.

Amara Cay — zero-entry pool, family programming, kids-eat-free night and kid-friendly dining.

Three Waters — on-site marina, motor-boating, paddleboards and broad watercraft offerings.

Three Waters — more restaurants and cafés on property (4 restaurants, 2 coffee shops listed).

Amara Cay — smaller room count with oceanfront rooms and closer proximity to snorkel access and lighthouse views.
Three Waters is stronger for boating and marina access; Amara Cay can arrange fishing and charters but Three Waters has on-site marina services.
Yes. Amara Cay is family-friendly with a zero-entry pool, kids-eat-free promotions, and family-oriented dining and activities.
Yes. Guests in the Islamorada Resort Collection typically have access to shared collection amenities and the Rum Runner water taxi linking the properties.
Three Waters lists substantially larger conference space (87,295 sq ft and 10 meeting rooms) and is suited to bigger meetings; Amara Cay has multiple indoor/outdoor event spaces but on a smaller scale.
Explore how Amara Cay Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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