Islamorada to Alligator Reef (+ detour)
![Picture](/uploads/4/1/4/7/41475991/314573.jpg?298)
Finding your way to Alligator reef is one of the easier paddles to navigate, there is a massive lighthouse to guide you right there. On any clear day you can see all the way to your destination, but just to be safe, you should bring other navigating tools, GPS works best.
The lighthouse itself is pretty spectacular, I in no way advocate climbing it, but "my friend" told me that the doors are always open, there is a staircase to the top and the view from the top is spectacular. There are plenty of fish to see around it, loads of smaller corals. This is a great place to swim around on a sunny day, it's popularity with boaters is justified.
If you want to paddle here, chose a calm day with winds ideally less than 5 mph. Try going during the summer, when the winds are gentler.