Picolo recommends · Hotel in Islamorada, Florida Keys
Cheeca Lodge
A wooden pier running out over water so clear and shallow that you can watch fish from the boards before breakfast.
Stand at the end of the pier and the water below is pale and so shallow that you can see every shadow on the sand. Cheeca Lodge sits on the ocean side of Islamorada, about halfway along the road from Miami to Key West.
Islamorada calls itself the sport fishing capital of the world, and that sets the mood: early starts, boats heading out, quiet nights. The resort has its own beach and pools, so the days between trips on the water can be taken very slowly.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Cheeca Lodge
We chose Cheeca for travellers who want the Keys without the crowds of Key West. It is a calm, well-run base for snorkelling and fishing, and the pier gives you a front-row seat on the water every evening.
Evenings are quiet, and there is little nightlife nearby. If bars and late nights are part of the plan, Key West is a long drive further down the Overseas Highway, and you may be happier staying there.
What you get
- Own beach
- Pier over shallow water
- Pools
- Snorkelling and fishing trips
- Restaurant on site
A day at Cheeca Lodge
- Morning
- Coffee at the end of the pier as the boats head out.
- Midday
- Snorkelling on the reef off the Keys.
- Afternoon
- A nap in the shade by the pool.
- Evening
- Fresh fish for dinner and a quiet walk on the beach.
Location
Islamorada, Florida Keys, Florida, USA
Open in MapsQuestions about Cheeca Lodge
Where is Cheeca Lodge?
In Islamorada in the upper Florida Keys, on the ocean side, roughly halfway between Miami and Key West on the Overseas Highway.
Is Cheeca Lodge good for snorkelling?
Yes. The water by the resort is shallow and clear, and boat trips to the reefs off Islamorada are easy to arrange. Fishing charters are another local speciality.
Is Cheeca Lodge a good choice for nightlife?
Not really. Islamorada is quiet after dark. Come for the water and the calm, and drive to Key West if you want bars and street life.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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