Families looking for an easy vacation destination with plenty to keep the kids busy will love visiting Three Waters Resort and Marina in the Florida Keys. The property is located in Islamorada, a group of six islands that are known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” for the tarpon, bonefish, sailfish, and mahi fishing. Just over 60 miles from Miami, you’ll feel miles away as soon as you arrive at this family-friendly property that offers the perfect balance of relaxation and activities.
Three Waters Resort and Marina
Accommodations
Whether you choose an ocean-front room with easy access to the sand or one of the cottages tucked in a quiet corner of the resort, you’ll find the accommodations bright and airy. I stayed in an ocean view guestroom with my teen son, and we enjoyed lounging on the balcony after a day in the sun.
Adults looking for a more chill experience can book rooms in The Cove, the property’s 21+ section with a pool, workout room, and beach. Families who want some extra space will love The Cottages, some of which have kitchenettes. The property is dog-friendly, and rooms cost about $400-600 a night.
Dining
After dropping our luggage off at our room, we headed straight for the Tiki Bar, where the Rum Runner cocktail was invented in 1969. This casual spot is just one of the nine dining options at Three Waters Resort, and a favorite for quick bites and fruity drinks. For breakfast, we dined at Mercado Morada, an open-air spot just steps from the Tiki Bar. The breakfast empanada and fresh fruit did not disappoint, and the views could not be beat. There’s even a Starbucks on site for all the caffeine addicts in your crew.
Guests looking for an upscale meal should head to Kindler Wood-Fire Fare, located near the lobby. Seafood and steaks are the mainstays of Kindler’s menu—we particularly enjoyed the corn and lump crab fritters and the flame-roasted snapper.
Looking for a quick bite poolside? You’ll find a swim-up bar at the Kokomo Pool where you can order wings and wraps without having to leave your lounge chair. The Hideaway Pool in the 21+ section of the resort also has a poolside restaurant. When the pizza cravings hit, Islamorada Pizza Co. is waiting with whole pizzas and pizza by the slice available (order in the app to have your pizza waiting for you). Right next door is an arcade, that’s perfect for those extra-hot afternoons.
With so many dining options available, we never felt the need to leave the property during our four-day stay.
Things to Do at Three Waters Resort
The activities calendar at Three Waters Resort is packed to the gills with kid-friendly and adult-focused activities. Start your morning off with oceanfront yoga before heading to the dock for the Fish-Like-a-Local experience that’s fun for all ages. The property has bikes you can check out if you want to explore off property, or you can rent a floating water hammock for the perfect day on the water.
We spent one day enjoying an oceanfront cabana, and the next day we headed out on a snorkeling tour with Captain Sue of Allergic to Land Charters. She took us to a few snorkeling spots and through the mangroves in search of wildlife. We stopped at the Islamorada Sandbar to take in the festive party atmosphere before heading back to the dock. Captain Sue offers private tours that you can customize to your group’s interests.
Other bookable activities at the property include fishing charters, Tiki Party Boat cruises, CatBoat tours, scuba diving excursions, and Jet-Ski tours. If you have your own boat, there’s a marina on site.
Three Waters is part of the Islamorada Resort Collection, and that means guests have access to two sister properties and their activities. The Rum Runner Water Taxi will take you between three properties from the marina, or you can use the lobby shuttle.
Final Thoughts
Three Waters Resort is about a two-hour drive from Miami International Airport. We took an Uber to the resort to avoid having to rent a car, but you can also book a seaplane that will drop you off in style. This family-friendly property offers plenty to keep the kids busy and the adults well-fed and relaxed.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
My stay at Three Waters Resort was sponsored (paid for) by the property. The opinions expressed are my own.
