Marathon

Travel Guide
Marathon featuring swimming, a beach and tropical scenes
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-kilometre) 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 colourful 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 Centre 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 Harbour. 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

If you're spending some time in Marathon Shores, Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Marathon Air Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Marathon Shores
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Coral Lagoon

Coral Lagoon might not have many top sights, but Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Coral Lagoon
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Little Venice

While there might not be top attractions in Little Venice, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach.

Little Venice
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Farara Shores

Farara Shores might not have many top sights, but Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center and Sunset Park Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Farara Shores
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 RM1,162 per night from 19 Nov to 20 Nov
RM1,162
RM1,578 total
includes taxes & fees
19 Nov - 20 Nov
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)
"Thank you Amanda and Tetra for going above and beyond to make us coming back again and again!"

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2024

Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club Marathon, Curio by Hilton
Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club Marathon, Curio by Hilton
4 out of 5
1996 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
The price is RM565 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
RM565
RM811 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,440 reviews)
"Very nice setting the staff was great!"

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2024

Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club Marathon, Curio by Hilton
Banana Bay Resort & Marina
Banana Bay Resort & Marina
3 out of 5
4590 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL
The price is RM671 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
RM671
RM996 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Nov - 21 Nov
Stay at this 3-star golf hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a marina. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Great friendly staff. Id highly recommend."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2024

Banana Bay Resort & Marina
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.
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 helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (124 reviews)
"Clean, quiet. Balcony to the sea was a big plus. Everything was excellent."

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2024

Aqua Lodge Rentals At Coconut Cay
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! (1,131 reviews)
"The food is great and at the bar Carmen, Able, and Jason who took our dinner order inside on Friday night were the best ever. The construction was Mon-Friday 9am-4pm was terrible noisy and you could feel the vibration under your feet!!!@Very Bad!!!"

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2024

Skipjack Resort & Marina
Yacht Haven Marina
Yacht Haven Marina
3.5 out of 5
5 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star houseboat in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (91 reviews)
"Spent most of a week in one of the houseboats, it was super clean and comfortable. It was a real nice alternative to a hotel room, fun to watch the fish and manatee from the balcony and the view was awesome too, we will return!"

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2024

Yacht Haven Marina
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

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
" "5 - Excellent 30%
4 - Good
22
" "4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2.5%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 2.5%

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

It would have been nice to have had my deposit back to use on a future trip when we were allowed to travel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great point in the keys with lots to do and excellent amenities

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Turtle Hospital is a must!!

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Nothing There ! and we saw teenagers walk in to McDonalds stealing drinks and the staff ignored it.