Islamorada

Many Florida Keys visitors and residents participate in the annual two-day spiny lobster sport season and the traditional lobster harvesting season, and Keys officials want everyone to have an enjoyable, safe and environmentally low-impact experience.

June through December 2022 Florida Keys Fishing Tournament Highlights

For Florida Keys leisure travelers and residents, both the two-day lobster sport season in July and the traditional lobster harvesting season that begins in early August are like annual holidays.

Divers interested in viewing the underwater phenomenon of coral spawning can join Florida Keys dive operators during select coral spawning charters — twilight trips to shallow reefs on or around the full moons in August and September to watch the reproductive action along the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef.

Anglers who crave catching the Florida Keys’ dolphin fish during the eagerly anticipated season can test their skills Friday through Sunday, July 8-9, at the inaugural Caloosa Cove Dolphin Tournament in Islamorada.

Golfers can enjoy a nine-hole round without greens fees, sand traps or golf carts during the popular Conch Scramble charity golf tournament. Set for Saturday, Oct. 1, the Islamorada event delivers a casual-play, unique on-the-water experience where the target greens float and biodegradable golf balls turn into fish food.

Local parades, beach parties and on-the-water fun topped off by fireworks displays are to highlight Independence Day celebrations throughout the Florida Keys. As well as an annual salute to the United States’ freedom, some activities surrounding the July 4 holiday also illustrate the island chain’s quirky independent spirit. Highlights include:

“Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!” provides female anglers a learn-on-the-water weekend of education combined with the fun Screamin’ Reels tournament. The distinctive event is to be held in the Florida Keys' sport fishing capital of Islamorada Friday through Sunday, June 24-26.

On May 17, 2002, a retired 510-foot Navy Landing Ship Dock named Spiegel Grove was sunk off Key Largo to become the backbone of a new ecosystem 6 miles offshore, providing sanctuary to hundreds of aquatic species.

A group of undersea “egg-splorers” gathered Easter eggs doled out by a scuba-diving ‘Easter bunny” in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Sunday off Islamorada.