FLORIDA PLACES AND DESTINATIONS - ISLAMORADA
Islamorada, "Village of Islands", is the centerpiece of a group of islands called the "purple isles." Legend says Spanish explorers named the area from "morado," the Spanish word for purple - either for the violet sea snail, janthina janthina, found on the seashore here, or for the purple bougainvillea flowers found in the area.
Known as the Sport-Fishing Capital of the World, Islamorada is heralded for its angling diversity and features the Florida Keys' largest fleet of offshore charter boats and shallow-water "backcountry" boats.
Numerous celebrities visit Islamorada annually to compete in a number of acclaimed fund-raising fishing tournaments.
The Keys boast more sport-fishing world records than any other fishing destination in the world, according to the International Game Fish Association. Anglers can find sailfish, marlin, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal), kingfish, snapper, barracuda and grouper in the ocean. Tarpon, bonefish, redfish and other species can be found in shallow coastal waters.
Photo: Visit Florida
