Fishing charters from Key Largo: the offshore boats are 30 minutes south.

Shortest drive of any Keys town. Key Largo runs from about mile marker 100 to 106. The dock is at mile marker 84. Leave the resort at 6:15 am, follow US-1 south through Tavernier, and you are stepping aboard a 55 foot Hatteras for the 7 am departure. You fish the reef edge and the humps that made Islamorada the sportfishing capital of the world, from a boat with an air conditioned salon and a real head.

The dock sits at Three Waters Resort and Marina, 84001 Overseas Highway, with parking on site. Your catch is cleaned and bagged at the dock and rides the half hour back to your fridge without a thought. The evening shark trip at 5 pm works as the reverse itinerary: pool all day, sharks at sunset, back in Key Largo for a late dinner.

Make a day of it

Fish the morning, then eat your catch: the Collective owns the Islamorada Shrimp Shack on the Overseas Highway, and the kitchen will cook what you bring in. Or split the group, anglers on the Hatteras and everyone else on the sunset cruise, and meet back at the same marina. Half an hour home to Key Largo either way.