A recommended day trip from Amara Cay Resort
Start your day at Amara Cay Resort with a sunrise stroll on Lighthouse Beach and a kayak or snorkel from the resort’s sunning beach; follow that with lunch or a midday break at the Tiki Bar and an afternoon boat trip to Indian Key or Lignumvitae Key for nature and history. Finish with sunset cocktails at the Tiki Bar or ReelCatch’s Happy Hour before returning to your room (for example, a Room, Oceanfront or Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront).
In this guide
Before you go: practical notes
Check-out is 11:00 AM and check-in begins at 4:00 PM; confirm early check-in or late check-out with the front desk if you need more time. The front desk is staffed 24/7.
The resort is cashless and accepts major cards. A nightly resort fee applies and includes enhanced Wi‑Fi, paddleboards/kayaks, beach and pool access, parking, and the Rum Runner water taxi between sister properties.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for water activities and beach time.
- Towels and pool/beach seating are included via the resort fee.
- If you have pets, Amara Cay Resort allows up to two dogs per room for a fee—confirm housekeeping restrictions before booking.
| What to confirm | Where to check |
|---|---|
| On-site activity availability (kayaks, snorkeling gear) | Front desk / resort experiences desk |
| Ooh la la spa treatments or beach yoga | Ooh la la at The Collection (phone listed on-site) |
| Tiki Bar or ReelCatch hours and reservations | ReelCatch & Tiki Bar (hotel dining info) |
Sunrise and morning water time
Start at Lighthouse Beach for early light and a short shore stroll; the resort’s private sunning beach has chaise lounges and thatched huts but is not a traditional sand swimming beach. A stairway gives direct water access for snorkeling rather than a long sand entry.
The resort includes kayaks and paddleboards in its resort-fee offerings—launch from the beach for a quiet paddle or use resort-arranged snorkeling gear to explore the nearby reef.
- Pool hours run 8:00 AM to sunset if you prefer the zero-entry pool near the ocean’s edge.
- If you want a guided snorkel or dive, ask the front desk about on-site scuba/snorkel options and recommended reef spots.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for the stairway access.
| Morning option | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Self-guided kayak or paddleboard | Easy launch from the sunning beach; included with resort fee |
| Snorkel at stairway access | Direct reef access without a long beach entry |
| Swim/relax at the zero-entry pool | Pool loungers and lighthouse views |
Breakfast or a midmorning break
ReelCatch serves breakfast daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM; it offers seafood-leaning and American options in indoor and outdoor seating. Tuesday nights include a kids-eat-free offer at dinner—useful if you’re staying with children.
If you prefer a quick poolside bite, the Tiki Bar serves lunch and lighter fare beginning late morning/early afternoon; check current hours or ask the front desk for today’s service times.
- ReelCatch breakfast hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
- Tiki Bar offers lunch and poolside service (start times vary by source—confirm at front desk).
- Both venues accept reservations and are open to non-hotel guests.
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| ReelCatch | Breakfast & Dinner (breakfast 7–11 AM; dinner 5–10 PM) |
| Tiki Bar | Lunch & Dinner; poolside service (hours vary—ask front desk) |
Late morning to afternoon: choose a short excursion
Pick a boat-based outing for the afternoon—Indian Key Historic State Park is an island site accessible only by boat and makes a good short excursion for history and snorkeling. Ask the resort experiences desk about arranging a launch or booking a licensed local operator.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is another option for a guided eco-tour to see native plants and birds; it’s commonly visited from Islamorada by boat. If you prefer wildlife attractions with facilities, Theater of the Sea offers marine mammal programs and is reachable via local transfer arrangements.
- Indian Key: boat-only access—book a boat transfer or tour through the resort or a local operator.
- Lignumvitae Key: guided eco-tours available; good for rare plants and birding.
- Theater of the Sea: dolphin and sea-lion encounters and lagoon tours—ask the resort desk about transport options.
| Excursion | How to get there |
|---|---|
| Indian Key Historic State Park | Boat transfer only—arrange via resort or local operator |
| Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park | Chartered boat or eco-tour from Islamorada |
| Theater of the Sea | Bookable through the resort’s experiences desk or local transfer |
Optional late-afternoon stop: Robbie’s tarpon feeding and local shops
Robbie’s at Mile Marker 77.5 is a well-known spot for hand-feeding tarpon and browsing local vendors. The resort’s complimentary shuttle service runs within the Mile Marker 77–85 area—ask the front desk if the shuttle schedule works for your timing—or arrange a short taxi or rideshare.
Robbie’s also offers water-sports rentals and casual dining, which pairs well with an afternoon of observing wildlife and people-watching before returning to the resort for evening dining.
- Confirm shuttle times and pickup locations at the front desk (complimentary service is available within a local range).
- Robbie’s is a public venue—bring small bills for tarpon food purchased on-site if you plan to feed fish.
- If relying on shuttle service, check return times so you’re back for sunset at the Tiki Bar or ReelCatch Happy Hour.
| Robbie's practicals | Notes |
|---|---|
| Location | Mile Marker 77.5 (ask resort desk for shuttle/taxi options) |
| Activities | Tarpon feeding, water-sport rentals, shops |
| Timing | Plan for at least 45–90 minutes on-site |
Sunset and dinner back at Amara Cay
Return to the resort for early evening—Tiki Bar and ReelCatch both host live music Thursday through Saturday from about 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and ReelCatch has a daily Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Lobby Bar. The Tiki Bar is family-friendly during lunch and early evening hours.
For a room with direct ocean views to watch sunset from your balcony, consider booking a Room, Oceanfront or a Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; ask about availability when you reserve.
- ReelCatch dinner hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
- Tiki Bar dinner service and live music may vary—confirm times at the front desk.
- If you plan spa treatments or a beach massage, check Ooh la la availability earlier in the day.
| Evening options | Best for |
|---|---|
| Happy Hour at the Lobby Bar | Early drinks and lighter fare |
| Dinner at ReelCatch | Seafood and waterfront dining |
| Sunset at the Tiki Bar | Casual poolside cocktails and lighthouse views |
