Things To Do at Ocean Dawn Suites

Ocean Dawn offers personal concierge service to help you discover all that Islamorada has to offer. From arranging tours and charters with our preferred providers to securing V.I.P. reservations at Islamorada’s top restaurants, Ocean Dawn’s friendly staff is here to serve you. Please see our list below of popular things to do.

Whether looking for recreation or relaxation, Ocean Dawn Suites has the perfect tropical experience waiting for you.

• Step off our sugar sand beach into the warm ocean waters to sneak a peak at a wide array of tropical marine life.
• Fish from our beach for a variety of exciting fish including the elusive “gray ghost,” the bonefish, often found tailing across the crystal clear flats just steps from your back door.
• Enjoy the shade of our giant oceanside Tiki Hut.
• Relax on our plush beach furniture.
• Read a book or take a nap in our beachside hammock.
• Cook up the day’s catch on our state-of-the-art beachside bar-b-que grill.
• Simply rest in the comfort of your own tropical suite.

Things to do in the Islamorada area

Known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World,” Islamorada is filled with all kinds of exciting backcountry and offshore fishing opportunities. However, fishing is not the only game in town as Islamorada offers a wide variety of island adventures. Some of our visitor favorites include kayaking, water sports, snorkeling, diving, swimming with the dolphins, sunset cruises, shopping, dining, museums and more!

Popular dive sites in the Upper Keys

Alligator Reef
One of the most popular reef dive sites in Islamorada, this incredible reef is marked by a 136-foot lighthouse that was built in 1873 to commemorate the wreck of a Navy schooner. The reef is intermittently sliced with canyon-like channels, called the Gullies, that shelter endless schools of fish in depths from 5 to 60 feet. Guests to Alligator Reef witness a variety of grunts, porkfish, and morays, as well as the occasional and inevitably curious barracuda.

Cheeca Rocks
Straight out from Cheeca Lodge’s namesake resort, “the Rocks” are the largest of the inshore patch reefs. Ideal for snorkelers, this shallow reef covers several acres, and offers a variety of dive sites in waters with depths ranging from 12 to 15 feet. Known for their diverse marine life, the Rocks host colorful parrotfish, queen triggers, and graceful angelfish, not to mention frequent visitors like spotted rays and schools of tarpon and snook.

The Eagle
Sunk as part of the artificial reef system in 1985, this 287-foot freighter lies in 65 to 110 feet of water on its starboard side and gives divers four decks and cavernous hold to explore. Home to a spectacular array of marine life, this is one of the most popular dive sites in all of the Keys.

Night dives to Davis Reef
In depths of 25 feet, this coral ledge runs for approximately 300 yards and is famous for its moray eels that greet all divers.

Hens and Chickens
Southeast of Snake Creek Pass, marked with a 35-foot tower and buoy No. 40 on Hawk’s Channel, lies a beautiful patch reef system named for its unusual coral head formations. With over 10 popular dive sites, the system varies in depths from virtually nothing to over 20 feet. The reef comprises layered star coral heads that are accented with brain corals, sea fans, and sponges. Inhabitants include grey snapper, blue stripe grunts and an occasional docile nurse shark.

The USS Spiegel Grove
This Landing Ship Dock (LSD 32) is the largest vessel ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef. The vessel is 510 feet in length and 84 feet wide. She resides at a depth of 130 feet near Dixie Shoals in Key Largo. About 400 feet of the ship’s length is accessible at a depth of 48 – 50 feet. Most of the Spiegel Grove can be explored at depths of 50 – 85 feet.

Museums, Shopping and Attractions

There are a number of delightful shops and galleries to explore in the Upper Florida Keys as well as numerous attractions perfect for all ages.

Theater of the Sea
Theater of the Sea is an educational and entertaining marine animal park. Enjoy a two-hour bottomless boat ride featuring a wide variety of marine life from sharks to colorful tropical fish. Enjoy a performing dolphin show as well where you can even swim with the sea-going mammals. www.theaterofthesea.com

History of Diving Museum
The Florida Keys History of Diving Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, displaying and interpreting artifacts, antiques, books, documents, photographs and oral history relative to the history of diving. The museum aims to tell the international story of man’s attempts to explore, understand and venture under the sea. The facility also celebrates the special role that South Florida and the Florida Keys have played in this untold story. www.divingmuseum.com

Dolphins Plus
Dolphins Plus is an education and research facility located in Key Largo. Dolphins Plus houses ten Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and two California sea lions. Swimmers can go in the water and interact with the dolphins “up close and personal.” Dolphins Plus is at the forefront of dolphin-assisted therapy, is run by Island Dolphin Care, and is an active member of the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
www.dolphinsplus.com

Dolphin Cove
Set on a five-acre natural lagoon, Dolphin Cove offers a wide range of marine learning programs designed for the education and enjoyment of those interested in the marine environmental systems which are so important to our future. Visit Dolphin Cove and swim with the dolphins! www.dolphinscove.com

Dolphin Research Center
The DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Over half of the family was born at the center, while the other members came from other facilities or have been collected by previous management. The Dolphin Research Center is located on Grassy Key in the heart of the Florida Keys. www.dolphins.org

Lignumvitae and Indian Keys
“Off-the-beaten-track” boat rides offering an unusual contrast to the more traveled Keys. Here, you’ll find rare, 10,000-year-old trees, other ancient plant life, and a state historic site that was Dade County’s first county seat (now reverted to its original natural landscape). Walking tours are available. www.floridastateparks.org

Feed the Tarpons at Robbie's
Imagine 100 or more of these beautiful, silver game fish gathered at the docks for you to see and feed. Bring the whole family to share this real Keys experience. www.robbies.com

John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park
Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park created in the United States. The park, combined with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, encompasses 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangrove swamps. These areas were established to protect and preserve the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The Coral Reef Park now enjoys over a million visitors per year from around the world. www.pennekamppark.com

Crane Point Hammock
In the heart of the Florida Keys, virtually untouched by time, lay 63 acres of hardwood hammock known as the Tropical Crane Point. Located at mile marker 50, in Marathon on Vaca Key, the Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys presents our fascinating natural and cultural heritage through innovative techniques and state-of-the-art exhibitory.

Key West
The southernmost city in the continental U.S., Key West is located 82 miles south of Islamorada. Residents include a wonderful mix of natives (called conchs), artists, writers, and treasure-hunters. There are dozens of unusual art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques, as well as the Hemingway and Audubon Houses.

Shopping

Worldwide Sportsman
81576 Overseas Highway
Two stories of everything you need to enjoy the outdoors. Huge saltwater fish tank, Zane Grey Lounge and beautiful view of Florida Bay.

Rain Barrel Gallery
86700 Overseas Highway
A Working Artisan Village featuring numerous local artists specializing in a variety of mediums set in a peaceful natural hammock.