Marathon Travel Guide

Vacationers flock to the city of Marathon in the summer for the best of the Sunshine State. Perfect for a relaxing vacation away from the bright lights of the big cities and stresses of everyday life, Marathon is great for water activities, sunsets, and seafood. Local and fresh seafood is always on the menu at restaurants here and when possible, it's best to time a vacation with the Original Marathon Seafood Festival in March.

Things to Do in Marathon

Sombrero Beach is an idyllic spot to unwind and soak up some sun. The popular beach is home to golden sand and blue water, as well as volleyball courts for more active vactioners. Water activities like boating and fishing are also great in Marathon, while snorkeling in the Sombrero Reef is particularly beautiful, being one of the largest barrier reefs in the world!

Elsewhere, Crane Point is the place to be for hiking and to reconnect with nature. Alternatively, make your way to the Natural History Museum, complete with touch tanks and a turtle hospital.

Best Time to Visit Marathon

While summer is popular with vacationers, the spring is also a good time to visit Marathon.

A Local's Guide to Marathon

Conveniently located in the center of the Florida Keys islands, Marathon FL is a 10-mile long island community, made up of mainly Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key. The city is one of the Key's most marine-friendly cities, as it has 1,200 wet slips, day slips and other major facilities. The Marathon City Mariana offers a huge range of things to do, with many activities revolving around the water. For foodies, the annual seafood festivals and waterside restaurants has people booking up vacation rentals well in advance.

One of the best beaches in the town is Sombrero Beach. Picture pure white sands, gently waving palm trees and shady picnic spots. Despite the huge range of things to do that Marathon offers, sometimes there is nothing better than simply sitting back and enjoying beach life.

Located at the very west end of the city, you will find the Seven Mile Bridge, famous in the Keys area, it connects the Middle Leys to the Lower Keys. Today, this Marathon Key bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Halfway between Key Largo and Key West sits the 1000-acre Curry Hammock State Park. Just a short drive away from Marathon, this park makes for a great day trip, protecting a large area of mangrove swamp, rockland hammocks and seagrass beds, all of which are essential to the Florida Keys ecosystem.

There are spectacular sailing and fishing trips, either with an organized tour or by chartering your own boa,t as well as world-class wreck and reef diving and snorkeling. Also along the coast are iconic learning centers where visitors can enjoy interactive experiences in places such as the Turtle Hospital and the Dolphin Research Centre. This center is home to a collection of both dolphins and sea lions, and visitors can listen to narrated behavior sessions and educational talks about the animals. You can meet some of these Duck Key locals in their natural habitat at the Hawks Cay Resort. For an experience you will never forget, jump in and go for a swim with a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, or go diving in the section of coral reef that lie just a few miles offshore, and see the stunning formations of delta Shoals, Coffin Patch and Sombrero Reef -- all of which are rich in marine life.

There are a range of Marathon vacation rental options for visitors. You can take your pick from a private waterfront vacation home with ocean views, to a tropical family-style resort. For a more luxurious stay, look at the revered Coco Plum Beach and Tennis Club, where accommodation has stunning sea views, private beach access, multiple pools and an unparalleled service. Located in the heart the Florida Keys, the town is surrounded by some great day trips and attractions, making for a fantastic Marathon vacation. You may even opt to stay in Key Colony Beach, which is a good choice for travelers who are interested in boating and scenery.