- Attraction: Robbie’s Marina (Tarpon Feeding)
- Location: 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
- Industry: Marina
- Website: https://www.robbies.com/
Picture this: massive silver fish, some over 6 feet long and weighing up to 150 pounds, launching themselves out of crystal-clear water to snatch bait fish directly from your fingertips. Welcome to Robbie’s Marina, where feeding tarpon isn’t just an activity – it’s a rite of passage in the Florida Keys that transforms first-time visitors into lifelong fans.
This family-owned marina has been operating since 1976, starting with a heartwarming story about a injured tarpon named “Scarface” who was nursed back to health and returned with friends, eventually creating the daily spectacle that draws visitors from around the world. What began as an act of kindness has evolved into the #1 tourist destination in Islamorada, offering an authentic slice of Old Florida charm with modern amenities.
World-Famous Tarpon Feeding Experience
The Main Event: You’ll pay $2.50 per person to access the dock, then $5.00 for each bucket containing 5-8 fish. The experience is simultaneously thrilling and terrifying as these “Silver Kings” explode from the water with surprising speed and grace. You’ll see 50 to 100 enormous tarpon swimming around the dock in clear water only a few feet deep, creating a natural aquarium effect that’s mesmerizing even before you start feeding them.
Hand-Feeding Technique: You’ll hold the fish between your thumb and pointer finger, waiting for the explosion of water just under your hand, then the bump, then the adrenaline rush as the gape-mouthed tarpon inhales the minnow. It’s relatively safe because unlike many large fish, tarpon don’t have sharp teeth, though some visitors do get light scrapes from their rough mouths.
Pelican Comedy Show: The experience becomes even more entertaining thanks to the resident pelicans who’ve figured out this food source. You’ll need to watch out for these aggressive birds who will steal fish from your hand, bucket, or by hiding underneath the dock. There’s even a staff member who helps keep the pelicans at bay so you can focus on the tarpon, though the bird antics provide their own entertainment value.
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Keep Exploring →Best Times to Visit: Tarpon are present year-round, but the best time for large migratory tarpon is when water temperatures reach above 75 degrees, typically late March through September. The tarpon-feeding dock is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., so you can experience this magic during both sunrise and sunset hours.
The Legendary Hungry Tarpon Restaurant
Trailer Trash Bloody Mary: This locally awarded drink is voted the best Bloody Mary in the Upper Keys and features bleu cheese, pickles, pimento stuffed olives, pickled green beans, celery, bacon strip, cocktail shrimp, and a Slim Jim meat straw. It’s truly “lunch in a cup” – more solid than liquid and enough to serve as a meal replacement.
Fresh Seafood Menu: The restaurant specializes in signature dishes like Tuna Sliders, Mahi Reuben, and Pan Seared Salmon. Recent visitors rave about dishes like the Philly cheesesteak, hogfish sandwich, and shrimp burrito. You can also opt for lighter fare like fish tacos or the Cuban Press sandwich.
Waterfront Dining Experience: The restaurant operates from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, perfect for early birds and sunset chasers. You’ll dine almost entirely outdoors under tarps that provide shade, with gorgeous marina views. The bar is famously covered in dollar bills from visitors who write their names and try to find them on return visits.
Water Adventures & Activities
Diverse Boat Tours: Robbie’s offers snorkeling trips twice daily at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM, plus sunset cruises on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. You can book charter fishing boats, party fishing boats, and eco-tours.
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Discover MoreKayak Adventures: A favorite activity is renting kayaks to paddle to Indian Key Historic State Park, an uninhabited island ghost town that takes 30-45 minutes to reach. Kayakers often spot manatees, stingrays, and can explore mangrove tunnels.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours: A newer offering is glass-bottom boat tours aboard the 46-foot Seakeeper stabilized vessel Transparensea, visiting reefs like Cheeca Rocks and Alligator Reef.
Water Sports Rentals: You can rent jet skis (with guided tours), boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Jet ski tours cover 14-22 miles of beautiful turquoise waters where you might encounter dolphins and manatees.
Atmosphere & Shopping Village
Old Florida Charm: Robbie’s maintains its authentic “mom-and-pop” feel with weathered, kitschy buildings and corrugated tin roofs that look like they could blow down in a big wind. It’s described as a “plywood shack and dock supported by telephone poles” that perfectly captures Real Florida.
Open-Air Market: Eight shops fill the open-air market, including The Shop at Robbie’s with clothing and island home decor, and Niknax featuring antiques and collectibles from around the world. You’ll find handcrafted jewelry by local artisans, unique metal art, and live artists painting sea creatures.
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Keep Exploring →Laid-Back Vibe: The place exudes a laid-back atmosphere where you might find yourself in a rocking chair on the palm frond-covered deck, discussing tides and fishing holes with old-timers who come here to reminisce about simpler times. It’s the kind of place where you’ll struggle to get kids out without spending money on souvenirs.
Other Considerations
Pricing Value: At $2.50 for dock admission and $5.00 per fish bucket, tarpon feeding offers incredible entertainment value for just a few dollars. It might be the most entertainment you’ll find in the Keys for the money. Many families find they want multiple buckets since the experience is so addictive.
Parking & Accessibility: You’ll find ample parking in a dirt driveway area, and the location is easily visible from the Overseas Highway bridge. The facility is pet-friendly, though pets aren’t allowed on the tarpon feeding dock for safety reasons.
Crowds & Timing: Robbie’s has become more crowded and commercial over the years, so visiting during off-peak hours or weekdays provides a better experience. Some tour operators now include Robbie’s as a standard stop, calling it “the Disney World of the Florida Keys”.
Marine Life Bonus: You might also spot manatees or nurse sharks near the docks, adding extra wildlife viewing opportunities beyond the main tarpon attraction.
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Discover MoreRobbie’s Marina
📍 77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
