Hundreds of years ago, Spanish explorers sailed by Islamorada, saw the purple hue of its coastline (from the lavender shells of sea snails) and gave it its name. Islamorada means "purple isles" in Spanish. It's not likely that you'll see any purple snails, but there's plenty of local color to take in.

Located southwest of Key Largo on Upper Matecumbe Key, Islamorada (pronounced EYE-la-mor-AH-da) is the self-proclaimed "Sportfishing Capital of the World." The world's most sought-after game fish: Sailfish, Marlin, tuna and dolphin in our Atlantic. People who visit here take their fishing seriously, and Islamorada fulfills its promise of excellent angling with the largest concentration of charter fishing boats in the entire island chain. Even former president George Bush can't resist the call of these blue-green waters. Searching for the elusive bonefish in Islamorada is one of his favorite sports.

Two offshore islands here have special pasts. On Indian Key, you can see the site where early settlers were attacked by raiding Indians. Set foot on Lignumvitae Key and you are walking on an ancient, modestly elevated patch of land where tropical hardwood trees, including the lignum vitae, have taken root. Both islands are accessible only by boat

Here, you can venture offshore on a charter boat for a chance at the beautiful, acrobatic sailfish or the magnificently colored dolphin fish, (mahi-mahi). Hire a guide and you can take to the shallow near-shore waters to catch the mysterious ghost of the flats, the bonefish, or venture into the backcountry to catch redfish and tarpon.

Keep heading southwest from Islamorada, and soon you will see Long Key State Park. Here, you can walk through undeveloped tropical forests that are representative of the Keys wilderness of a century ago. Get back on the road and you will come to Grassy Key. At the Dolphin Research Center here you will have a rare opportunity for one-on-one contact with these intelligent mammals.

The four islands of Islamorada, connected by Highway US 1, also offer numerous tranquil spots to relax under the sun. Once you're relaxed, the finest in shopping and dining await to satisfy the tastes of every member of your family.

Late night beachfront Full Moon Parties make sure relaxation does not turn into boredom.