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 Sunset Park Beach and Sombrero 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 Sunset Park Beach and Coco Plum Beach.

Coral Lagoon
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Little Venice

When in Little Venice, you can plan a visit to Sunset Park Beach and Coco Plum 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 Sunset Park Beach and Coco Plum Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Farara Shores
Hawks Cay Resort
Hawks Cay Resort
4 out of 5
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL
The price is $352 per night from Jun 19 to Jun 20
$352
$458 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 19 - Jun 20
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! (1,007 reviews)
"The hotel is perfect for family. They have a lot of outdoor activities and very good restaurants. Our room and bathroom are tiny. The shower was not good, and the water was cold. We stayed next to the elevator, so there was a lot of noise."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 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 $329 per night from Jun 10 to Jun 11
$329
$433 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 10 - Jun 11
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! (1,016 reviews)
"I wish it had better food and food service. Was lacking in that department. And beach area was not clean"

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2024

Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
4 out of 5
1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
The price is $179 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
$179
$241 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 9 - Jun 10
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! (1,463 reviews)
Nice stay!
"Nice hotel, convenient to middle keys. Fishing charters available on site at marina. Comfortable room. Used the gym next door at the sister hotel Mariott which was a little nicer. Would stay again for sure."

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024

Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club
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.
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! (1,098 reviews)
"Good hotel ! Rooms are in great condition"

Reviewed on May 30, 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! (105 reviews)
"Right on the water. Very neat place."

Reviewed on May 26, 2024

Aqua Lodge Rentals At Coconut Cay
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! (677 reviews)
"Cozy spot. Rooms were comfortable"

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2024

Tropical Cottages
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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Jon

Great location midway through the Keys.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

Cities near Marathon