Top things to do near Amara Cay Resort

Enjoy on-site water activities and beach access

Amara Cay Resort offers easy access to water activities directly from the property: on-site snorkeling and scuba diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding are available as part of the resort experience. A stairway from the private sunning beach provides access to reef snorkeling rather than a traditional sand-swimming beach.

The resort fee includes water-sports equipment like kayaks and paddleboards, and towels and loungers are provided on Lighthouse Beach for sunning and reef viewing.

Pool hours are 8:00 AM to sunset, and the resort’s zero-entry pool sits close to the ocean edge with in-pool loungers facing Alligator Reef Lighthouse.

• Snorkeling and scuba diving from the resort stairway
• Complimentary kayaks and paddleboards (included with resort fee)
• Zero-entry pool with loungers and lighthouse views
• Lighthouse Beach with thatched huts and chaise lounges

Eat and drink on property: ReelCatch, Tiki Bar, and Coastal Cup & Lounge

ReelCatch serves breakfast (7:00–11:00 AM) and dinner (5:00–10:00 PM) with seafood-forward and locally inspired dishes; reservations are accepted and its dining lawn can host gatherings. The Lobby Bar / Coastal Cup & Lounge provides morning coffee and the daily Happy Hour (4:00–6:00 PM).

The Tiki Bar at Amara Cay Resort offers poolside lunch and dinner service (listed lunch 11:30 AM–5:00 PM and dinner 5:00 PM–11:00 PM by resort sources) and a family-friendly setting for daytime meals and sunset drinks.

• ReelCatch — Breakfast & Dinner; kids 12 and under eat free on Tuesday with an adult entrée (dine-in only)
• Tiki Bar — lunch and dinner with lighthouse and pool views; cabanas can be reserved
• Coastal Cup & Lounge — lobby bar service and Happy Hour

Short boat and island excursions

Indian Key Historic State Park is a small 19th-century island site and is commonly visited by boat; many guests arrange boat tours or water taxis to explore wrecking-era ruins and shoreline history. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park is another boat-accessible spot popular for guided eco-tours to see rare plants and birds.

Bud n’ Mary’s Dive Center and Fishing Marina is a well-known local dive and charter hub very close to the resort, and Robbie’s of Islamorada (tarpon feeding and water-sports vendors) is nearby on the Islamorada shoreline and commonly included on local boat or ride itineraries.

• Indian Key Historic State Park — island historic site, boat access
• Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park — guided eco-tours
• Bud n’ Mary’s Dive Center — dive charters and fishing
• Robbie’s of Islamorada — tarpon feeding and water activities

Marine wildlife and family-friendly attractions

Theater of the Sea offers dolphin and sea lion encounters, lagoon boat tours, and animal shows—an option many families combine with a resort day to add a guided marine-life experience. The History of Diving Museum and other small Keys museums give context on local maritime heritage and reef diving.

Seasonal activities include lobster mini-season and stone-crab season; local operators can advise on the best wildlife encounters and the appropriate time of year for specific marine experiences.

• Theater of the Sea — dolphin and sea lion programs
• History of Diving Museum — dive and maritime exhibits
• Seasonal wildlife events — lobster mini-season, stone-crab season

Outdoor recreation: fishing, biking, and state parks

Islamorada is known as a sportfishing destination; guests can book inshore and offshore charters through local marinas for reef and deep-water fishing. Amara Cay’s front-desk or on-site activity desk can help arrange fishing charters.

Bicycle rentals are available through the resort so guests can explore the immediate Islamorada shoreline and nearby points of interest. Public parks and state parks such as Windley Key and Long Key are popular for short natural-history walks and picnic time.

• Book reef or offshore fishing charters via resort partners
• Bicycle rentals to explore nearby mile-marker attractions
• Visit Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park and Long Key for short hikes

Where to stay at Amara Cay: room types to consider

Choose rooms based on group size and view. Oceanfront options include Room, Oceanfront; Room, Oceanfront, Lanai; Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; and Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront Lanai for larger groups.

If you prefer partial views or courtyard locations, options include Room, Palm Partial Ocean View; Room, Standard Partial Ocean View; and Standard King Room. Many rooms offer balconies or lanais and some suites include sofa beds for extra guests.

• Couples: Standard King Room or Room, Oceanfront
• Families: Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront or Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront Lanai
• Partial views: Room, Palm Partial Ocean View or Room, Standard Partial Ocean View