Marathon, FL

Travel Guide

Marathon featuring tropical scenes, a sandy beach and swimming
Marathon as well as a small group of people
Sombrero Beach featuring a beach as well as a small group of people
St Maarten and St Martin featuring signage
Marathon showing a bay or harbor, tropical scenes and a beach
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

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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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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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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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
Hawks Cay Resort
Hawks Cay Resort
4 out of 5
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL
The price is $352 per night from May 21 to May 22
$352
includes taxes & fees
$314 per night
May 21 - May 22
Book a stay at this beach 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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Family vacation that I wish could have lasted longer. Can’t wait to return. Bar service, housekeeping, everyone we interacted with was wonderful. Family room was the perfect size, I just wish it would have had a balcony."

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

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 $343 per night from May 18 to May 19
$343
includes taxes & fees
$305 per night
May 18 - May 19
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"True island experience and feel. Wonderful for families considering good food right on site with a variety of great kids activities all day long. We’ll be back!"

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2025

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 $249 per night from May 4 to May 5
$249
includes taxes & fees
$222 per night
May 4 - May 5
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,323 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2025

Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club Marathon, Curio by Hilton
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! (1,176 reviews)
"Incredibl"

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2025

Skipjack Resort & Marina
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 garden. Popular attractions Sombrero Beach and Crane Point Museum and Nature ...
"Always a pleasant and comfy stay. Great staff."

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2025

Tropical Cottages
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! (138 reviews)
Love the boat
"Perfect location, perfect accommodations, fun place to stay"

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2025

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

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
552
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
551
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
139
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
13
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
8
1 - Terrible 1%

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

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