Honeymoon at Amara Cay Resort: what to know
Amara Cay Resort is an oceanfront, family-friendly resort in Islamorada (80001 Overseas Hwy) with a zero-entry pool, private sunning beach, on-site water activities, and two main dining venues: ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar. Key practical facts: check-in is 4:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM, the primary guest must be 21+ to check in, and a nightly resort fee covers items like enhanced Wi‑Fi, pool/beach access, and select equipment rentals.
In this guide
Arrival, check-in and practical policies
Check-in at Amara Cay Resort begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out may be possible on request and is subject to availability (and sometimes a fee).
At check-in the primary guest must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID and credit/debit card; the cardholder must be present. The resort operates cashless and takes a nightly incidental authorization on the card.
- Primary guest age to check in: 21+
- Cashless property — major credit cards accepted
- Cancellation: cancel up to 72 hours before arrival to avoid one-night penalty (policy applies to standard bookings)
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Covers enhanced Wi‑Fi, pool/beach access, some equipment rentals, parking and shuttle/water taxi access among other inclusions |
| Pets | Dogs allowed (max two per room) with a nonrefundable fee; service animals exempt |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible rooms and path of travel available |
Rooms and suites for honeymooners
Amara Cay offers a range of oceanfront and partial-ocean-view rooms and suites. If you want direct water views, look at Room, Oceanfront; Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; or one of the Suite options listed as Oceanfront (for more living space).
Room names are listed exactly by the resort; some honeymoon-friendly choices to consider are suites with oceanfront layouts for added living space and views.
- Room, Oceanfront — 345 sq. ft., beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront — 378 sq. ft., beds: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront — 576 sq. ft., beds: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
| Type | Why honeymooners like it |
|---|---|
| Room, Oceanfront | Window or balcony views of the Atlantic for sunrise and easy access to pool/beach areas |
| Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront | More space and a sofa bed for lounging or a private living area |
| Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront | Largest suite option listed, useful if you plan to host family for part of your stay |
Dining, drinks and nightly options
On-site dining centers on ReelCatch (seafood-forward breakfast and dinner) and the poolside Tiki Bar (lunch, dinner and cocktails). Both venues welcome non-hotel guests and accept reservations.
Happy hour and live music are regular features: ReelCatch/Lobby Bar hosts a daily Happy Hour and both ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar have live music on some evenings.
- ReelCatch — Breakfast 7:00 AM–11:00 AM; Dinner 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Tiki Bar — Typically open for lunch and dinner (listed hours 11:30 AM–11:00 PM; confirm on arrival)
- Kids 12 & under eat free at ReelCatch on Tuesday nights with purchase of an adult entrée (dine-in only)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| ReelCatch | Breakfast and dinner; seafood-focused menu |
| Tiki Bar | Poolside lunch, dinner and cocktails; outdoor seating |
| Coastal Cup & Lounge | Lobby bar service and daily Happy Hour offerings |
Pool, beach and on-site activities
The resort has a zero-entry pool located near the ocean's edge with in-pool loungers and views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Pool hours are from 8:00 AM until sunset.
The property maintains a private elevated sunning beach (Lighthouse Beach) with chaise lounges and thatched huts; it is a sunning and snorkeling-access beach rather than a broad sand swim beach. A stairway from the beach provides water access for snorkeling.
- Zero-entry pool: in-pool loungers and sunset/ocean views
- Lighthouse Beach: sunning, loungers, thatched huts; stairway for snorkeling access
- On-site water activities: kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba diving
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kayaking & paddleboarding | Included as part of the resort experience (check front desk for reservations) |
| Snorkeling & scuba diving | Direct access from the resort beach stairway; guided trips can be arranged |
| Beach yoga & massages | Wellness experiences available; spa bookings handled through Ooh la la at The Collection |
Spa, fitness and wellness
Spa and wellness services are offered through Ooh la la at The Collection, which serves Amara Cay along with sister properties. Treatments include massages, facials and salon services; you can call Ooh la la to inquire and book.
The resort's Fitness Center is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM for guests who want to maintain workouts during their stay.
- Spa brand: Ooh la la at The Collection (separate booking phone numbers may apply)
- Fitness Center hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Beach yoga and on-beach massages are offered as part of the resort's experiences
| Service | Booking |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments (massages, facials) | Book through Ooh la la at The Collection |
| Beach yoga & massages | Ask the front desk for scheduling and availability |
| Fitness center | Open daily; drop-in for guests |
Weddings, events and honeymoon extras
Amara Cay offers multiple oceanfront and lawn venues for ceremonies and receptions, including Lighthouse Beach, Palm Isle Beach and the Reef Lawn. The resort publishes event capacities and meeting-space totals for planning.
The resort also lists proposal and romance packages and can arrange on-site wedding services; if you’re planning a small reception or a larger celebration, contact the resort’s events team for current availability and pricing.
- Popular ceremony spaces: Lighthouse Beach, Palm Isle Beach, Lighthouse Tiki pavilion
- Event capacities and meeting-space info are available from the resort's event pages
- On-site catering and wedding packages are offered; ask the resort for package details
| Venue | Capacity (as listed by the resort) |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Tiki | Up to 300 (resort listings note up to 300; confirm when booking) |
| Lighthouse Beach | Up to 200 |
| Reef Lawn | Flexible courtyard space used for receptions and cocktail events |
