If you have done any research on visiting Islamorada, then you’ve probably come across the Islamorada sandbar (more formerly known as the Whale Harbor Sandbar) at some point.
It’s one of the best things to do in Islamorada and it isn’t just for visitors. Locals spend their time at the sandbar, too. The Islamorada sandbar is a stretch of shallow waters and soft sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
Where is the Islamorada Sandbar?
The Islamorada Sandbar is located just under a mile offshore. It’s around Mile Marker 84 and you can see it from the Overseas Highway on the Atlantic side. It is right outside the Whale Harbor Channel.
Side note – if you didn’t already know, directions in the Keys are usually given by mile markers. And also, the Keys have a “Gulf side” (on the right hand side of the highway if you are driving south from Key Largo to Key West) and the “Atlantic side” (on the left hand side of the highway if you are driving south from Key Largo to Key West).
How do I get to the Islamorada Sandbar?
The sandbar is only accessible by boat. There are plenty of charters in the Islamorada area that can bring you there.
Some people do kayak out to the sandbar, but this isn’t recommended unless you’re a very good kayaker and know the local waters. The boat traffic can be heavy and you need to make sure you good weather conditions.
Activities on the Islamorada Sandbar
The sandbar is amazing because you can basically do whatever you want. The water is shallow, so you can even bring lounge chairs. You’ll also see people bring their umbrellas and barbecue grills. Some people bring paddle boards while others relax in a floatie.
And of course, bring your drink of choice.
How Crowded is the Islamorada Sandbar?
Because the sandbar is one of the best things to do in Islamorada, it definitely gets busy. It’s visited year-round, but is most popular in the summer months, especially on weekends and holidays. There can be up to 300 boats there during busy days.
During the week, it is typically more calm.
It is a huge party on the water. Yes, it can absolutely get rowdy. But it is surprisingly kid friendly, too. If you don’t want to be at the center of the party, it’s easy to just anchor a little farther away.
It’s also dog friendly!
Another thing I love about the sandbar is that you’ll see people with very fancy boats and others with more humble boats. Everyone belongs and everyone is welcome at he sandbar.
About the Sandbar
The beauty of the sandbar is so unique. There’s no place like it, really. It has crystal clear water (unless it’s an especially windy day or there has recently been a big storm) and it has a fine, white sandy bottom.
The water depth varies depending on the tide, but is generally anywhere knee to waist deep (generally somewhere between zero depth to 3 feet deep). In the below picture, we showed up when the tide was higher, but it didn’t take long for the water to be very shallow.
Next time you visit Islamorada, you may want to make a plan to visit the famous Islamorada sandbar. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect place to experience pure paradise. It is a popular spot for a reason!
