Marathon, FL

Travel Guide
Marathon as well as a small group of people
Visit this thriving coastal community in the heart of the Middle Keys for old-fashioned family fun, seafood festivals, kayak adventures and sandy beaches.

Join the “snowbirds” from the northern United States and Canada who annually escape the cold northern winters by flying or sailing to Marathon. The coastal settlement is one of the best places to relax in the Florida Keys. Lounge on the beach or take long fishing trips and get to know the friendly locals.

Marathon is a community that covers a 10-mile (16-kilometer) long group of islands in the middle of the Florida Keys. It is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that charms visitors of all ages from far and wide.

Head to Sombrero Beach for some of the best fishing, swimming and diving in the region. Explore the protected waters of the Curry Hammock State Park on a kayak to meet local wildlife. Marathon is a boating paradise with extensive marina facilities so investigate your options for getting out on the water on a charter or rented vessel. While you’re out on the water, dive or snorkel on the colorful coral reef that runs along this coast.

Drive, walk or cycle along the Seven Mile Bridge, a spectacular feat of engineering that crosses the junction between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, running all the way to Little Duck Key. Back in the Marathon area, stop by Dolphin Research Center for education and entertainment for the whole family.

Dine on delicious seafood while looking out on the sparkling ocean at one of Marathon’s many restaurants. Each day, boatloads of freshly caught fish arrive. A seafood festival is held in March each year, allowing you to taste stone crab and other delicacies.

Reach Marathon by air via private plane or charter, car or boat through the Boot Key Harbor. Boaters should be aware of the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and use the provided mooring buoys to protect the reefs.

Come during January or February to enjoy warm sun, as the temperature never reaches freezing in Marathon. If you visit in the summer season, cool breezes keep even the most tropical days pleasant in temperature.

Where to stay in Marathon

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Marathon Shores

Though Marathon Shores might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach.

Marathon Shores
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Coral Lagoon

5/5(1 area review)

While Coral Lagoon might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach.

Coral Lagoon
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Little Venice

When in Little Venice, you can plan a visit to Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Little Venice
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Farara Shores

When in Farara Shores, you can plan a visit to Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Farara Shores
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
4 out of 5
1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
The price is ¥37,339 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥37,339
per night
May 16 - May 17
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,459 reviews)
"Very clean and quiet. Beautiful surroundings and gorgeous yachts to view. Nice walkway to enjoy. Close to all kinds of activities and shopping along with great restaurants."

Reviewed on May 10, 2024

Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
Hawks Cay Resort
Hawks Cay Resort
4 out of 5
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL
The price is ¥46,752 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥46,752
per night
May 16 - May 17
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the family amenities ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"The dolphins"

Reviewed on May 12, 2024

Hawks Cay Resort
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
5 out of 5
1 Knights Key Boulevard, MM 47, Marathon, FL
The price is ¥49,869 per night from May 22 to May 23
¥49,869
per night
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Location was excellent, views were amazing! Live singers were not great but atmosphere was relaxing. Staff was friendly and rooms and grounds were kept extremely clean and neat."

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tropical Cottages
Tropical Cottages
3 out of 5
243 61st Street Gulf, Marathon, FL
Stay at this cottage in Marathon. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Sombrero Beach and Seven Mile Bridge are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (680 reviews)
"Room was great, shopping,gas,coffee and restaurants very close and you have tiki bar and taco wagon on site you will love this place"

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Tropical Cottages
Skipjack Resort & Marina
Skipjack Resort & Marina
3 out of 5
19 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon, FL
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Marathon. Enjoy free parking, a marina, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,089 reviews)
"Remodeled and very nice. Just wish our balcony overlooked the water and nit a torn up parking lot. Room was great and staff was very friendly. Breakfast was very good"

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

Skipjack Resort & Marina
Aqua Lodge Rentals At Coconut Cay
Aqua Lodge Rentals At Coconut Cay
3.5 out of 5
7200 Aviation Blvd, Marathon, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (101 reviews)
"Very clean, comfortable and relaxing."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Aqua Lodge Rentals At Coconut Cay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Marathon

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
552
" "5 - Excellent 43.705463182897866%
4 - Good
551
" "4 - Good 43.62628661916073%
3 - Okay
139
" "3 - Okay 11.0055423594616%
2 - Disappointing
13
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0292953285827395%
1 - Terrible
8
" "1 - Terrible 0.6334125098970704%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 5, 2020

Very nice pace to stay on the way to Key West.

5/5 - Excellent

Jon
Mar 27, 2020

Great location midway through the Keys.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 26, 2020

Restaurant across street From king sail Resort was excellent for breakfast.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Mar 21, 2020

Didn't stay long enough to explore. We went right to Key West

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

Nice and clean, comfortable. Convenient to US-1.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

Nice and peaceful beach area. Didn’t get a chance to see much since our stay was short.

Cities near Marathon