Treasure Harbor Resort: a Houseboat Vacation in Islamorada

I love when we get to share about unique places to stay, and you know the Keys are full of cool accommodations, and the Treasure Harbor Resort is really one of the coolest places. Treasure Harbor… yes, it’s on the water… yes, it’s a houseboat resort! Getting to stay at the Treasure Harbor Resort is such a treat, and being in Islamorada just adds to the joy of it. If you haven’t had a houseboat vacation, consider this your invitation to plan one.

We’ve got the scoop on staying at the Treasure Harbor Resort and how to plan a houseboat vacation in the Florida Keys. There’s nothing quite like waking up on the water and enjoying the vibes of the Keys, so if you have any questions about either staying here at the Treasure Harbor Resort or planning your own adventure, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you put together a wonderful trip to the Florida Keys

Why Stay at the Treasure Harbor Resort

It’s so simple and basic to find a usual resort or hotel and just book it. You’ll have all the standard amenities for a standard experience. Or you coud try to be a bit out of the ordinary and stay on a houseboat! The Treasure Harbor Resort houseboats are a fun and different way to have a Florida Keys vacation, and if the most basic nature of being on the water isn’t enough, you have all the convenience of being in your own unit to make it even better. People that don’t book a hotel usually are looking for a vacation rental because they want more space or to be able to cook and live like they do at home. If that’s you, renting a houseboat is a great option because you have the conveniences AND a totally different sort of stay.

I’ve got to say though, a houseboat isn’t for everyone. If you like to be in a stuffy hotel, donning you resort wear and having champagne poured for you, then this isn’t going to meet that need. Staying at the Treasure Harbor Resort meets every other need though, from a nice swimming pool to helpful staff, from an amazing location to activities. That’s why I think staying here is such a wonderful option.

You also can’t beat the location. At the end of the street you have great restaurants, you’ve got the really fun Rain Barrell Village across the Overseas Highways, and then you’re walking distance to Founders Park, which also has a beach. The blend of staying someplace really cool directly on the water and having some of the best elements of Islamorada nearby all make the Treasure Harbor Resort a top pick for a unique Florida Keys vacation.

Book a Treasure Harbor houseboat here!

Houseboat Options at the Treasure Harbor Resort

There are a dozen “aqua lodges” at the Treasure Harbor Resort, and each is a little bit different. Sleeping from four to eight people, there are options for nearly any group size, and if you book enough in advance you can get multiple houseboats for a bigger group and have them all in a row. Each houseboat is a little different, either in its layout or its decor, with different themes and furnishings. We stayed in the Hemingway, which was perfect for us since we’re big fans and always stop by Worldwide Sportsman in Islamorada to see Hemingway’s boat and visit the tarpon.

Within each houseboat at the Treasure Harbor Resort you have a living area with a sofa bed, a dining counter/nook, a kitchenette with a two-burner stove. Each one also has a full bathroom with a shower, and then at minimum a queen bedroom with its own little deck. Some houseboats have another middle sleeping area with a double bed, and then there is also loft space in most aqua lodge units for sleeping kiddos. Also, each houseboat has a deck on the front so you can always enjoy being on the water and watching the fish, birds, and even manatees in the marina. The houseboats are airconditioned and well maintained, so even if you’re visiting in the heat of summer you can be comfortable.

When you book your houseboat at the Treasure Harbor Resort you’ll see that you have a hefty cleaning fee on top of your nightly rate. If you’re staying for one night or five nights it’s the same, so keep that in mind when you’re budgeting for your stay. The aqua lodges are wonderful to stay in, so to us the cleaning fee policy isn’t a big inconvenience since that’s how they choose to manage their business. Remember, it’s not a hotel but is a small operation akin to a vacation rental, but it’s the unique houseboat setup so it’s different.

Treasure Harbor Resort and Marina Amenities

Yes, there are amenities for guests staying at the Treasure Harbor Resort! The houseboats are really cool and comfortable, but there’s more! There’s a wonderful swimming pool and deck area that’s well maintained with plenty of chairs, there are lounge spaces all about the property, and there’s even a picnic area with barbecues for guest use. You’ve got everything you need to check in and enjoy several days having a Florida Keys houseboat vacation… and you don’t even have to leave if you don’t want to.

Besides the things that make you comfortable and keep you fed, you’ll also see that there are kayak rentals here at the Treasure Harbor Resort. You can arrange these through the front desk and they’ll help you get launched in the marina. Kayaking from the houseboats out through the canal is really cool, and then as you’re paddling through the grassy flats you’ll have the chance to skirt the mangrove shore. The birding and wildlife is awesome and you can enjoy it directly from the marina. You can also bring your own paddling gear if you like.

I know that a lot of people come to the Florida Keys, and Islamorada specifically, for boating and renting a boat. The Treasure Harbor Marina is a part of Florida Keys Boat Rentals, which we’ve used before, and they can get you set up with different sorts of watercraft. If this is something you’re interested in, look at the boat options online in advance of booking, and then reserve as soon as you know what you’ll want. Boats are limited, but they have several rental locations, so they may need to set you up with a boat rental from a different marina.

Will I Get Seasick on a Houseboat?

The first thing we were asked after staying at the Treasure Harbor Resort on a houseboat was whether or not we got seasick or could feel the motion. You can feel the motion of the water just a bit, it’s true, and when there’s lots of activity in the marina or people walking on your dock area, you’ll feel it a little. It’s not bad though. When you go to sleep it’s kind of nice because you do feel a gentle rocking sometimes. If you’re really sensitive to it, you may not like it, but if you sleep well on boats, you’re going to love it.

Also, keep in mind that the houseboats / aqua lodges are stationary. They are indeed boats, so they do and motors and steering equipment, but they are docked and guests are NOT authorized to take them out of the marina. You’ll sign lots of boat related waivers when you check in, but you still do not get to drive the boat out into the open sea, so just get that idea out of your mind right now.

Dining Options Near Treasure Harbor Resort and Marina

Islamorada is right up there with Key West in terms of food and great places to eat. If you’re staying at the Treasure Harbor Resort you’ve got your kitchen and barbecues to use, but if you don’t want to cook you have lots of other options too. Walking distance from the marina is our favorite Mexican food in the Florida Keys, Puerto Vallarta Mexican Bar & Grill, as well as the Marathon Bagel Co, which is great. Not too much further (a drive) you’ll get to lots of other good dining options. We really love Market 88 for a nicer meal or cocktails, or to the south there are the Island Grill and Wahoo’s, which are both quintessential Florida Keys spots. Keep going and you’ll come to Islamorada Brewing Co and Lorelei, which are both awesome for an evening, and then Morada Bay which I love for lowkey dining on the sand. You’ve really got so many options when you’re staying in Islamorada.

Location of Treasure Harbor Resort, Islamorada

When you are heading to the Treasure Harbor Resort, from Key Largo you’ll be turning left off the Overseas Highway, and from Marathon you’ll be turning right. it’s on the south side of the highway, midway through Islamorada on Plantation Key. Islamorada is name of the town which is a collective of several keys, but this specific spot is Plantation Key. It’s the northern end of the Islamorada area, almost to the town of Tavernier. Parking at the Treasure Harbor Resort is included, and there’s lots of it. Keep in mind that staying on a houseboat means that you’ll be walking down from above the marina, so you’ll have stairs to carry luggage down, but not a ton. Also, because you’re staying on a boat you’ll have to walk on a dock, which can feel uneven at times, so just be wise.

Activities and Sights Near Treasure Harbor

Islamorada is one of the most fun and most mellow places to visit in the Florida Keys. There’s lots to do or no do, and you’ll have a great stay, especially if you decide to stay in one of the houseboats. Here are some of our recommendations for things to do in Islamorada.

• Robbie’s of Islamorada – fun for souvenirs, feeding the tarpon, lunch and more
• Florida Keys Boat Rentals for easy watercraft days and self-guided trips
• History of Diving Museum – I think it’s really interesting
• Visit World Wide Sportsman for Hemingway’s boat and more
• do a sandbar tour with one of the local guides (book Clearly Unique Charters here!)
• check out Windley Key Fossil State Park
• kayaking the mangrove shoreline
• visit Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park (ferry from Robbie’s)

There’s lots more to do including fishing and biking, but you get the idea. Islamorada is a wonderful destination and is always fun, especially when you get to be based from a houseboat.