Poppa WahooFrom Miami

The best fishing day trip from Miami is 90 minutes south.

Miami has charters. The Keys have THE fishing. Islamorada is close enough to leave South Beach at dawn and be trolling the humps by mid-morning.

Drive from MiamiAbout 90 minutes via US-1

DockThree Waters Marina, mile marker 84

Morning departure7 am deep sea trips

BookHalf day from $1,475

The math is simple. Leave Miami or Miami Beach around 5:15 am, roll down the Turnpike to US-1, cross Jewfish Creek as the sun comes up, and step aboard a 55 foot Hatteras at mile marker 84 in time for the 7 am departure. You fish the edge and the humps that made Islamorada the sportfishing capital of the world, not a crowded party-boat lane.

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, which travels perfectly in a cooler for the drive home, and the evening shark trip at 5 pm works as the reverse itinerary: beach all day, fight sharks at sunset, dinner in the Keys.

Make a day of it

Pair a morning half day with lunch at one of Islamorada's dockside fish houses, or bring the non-fishing half of your group and put them on the sunset cruise while you fish. One dock, four boats, everyone gets their day.

Quick answers

How long is the drive from Miami to Islamorada?

About 90 minutes from downtown or the beaches in normal traffic, straight down the Turnpike and US-1. Leave by 5:15 am for a 7 am charter comfortably.

Where do we park?

At Three Waters Resort and Marina, 84001 Overseas Highway. Your confirmation spells out exactly where to walk from the lot.

Can we bring our catch back to Miami?

Yes. Fillets are cleaned and bagged at the dock. Bring a cooler with ice and it rides home perfectly.