Marathon, Florida, is situated in the Middle Keys on Key Vaca. It's the underrated halfway point of the Florida Keys archipelago, as perfect for honeymooning couples as it is for solo travelers wanting some tropical downtime. For half the year, Sombrero Beach has been the nesting ground for loggerhead turtles, but the rich biodiversity here extends well beyond these adorable reptiles. Snorkel, snuba, or dive, and you'll be hooked.
Visit conservation facilities for heartwarming aquatic animal encounters. This is a place for leisurely swims, enthralling fishing charters, mangrove tunnel kayaking, delicious seafood lunches, and pure R&R.
01 Visit the Turtle Hospital
Thanks to the efforts of Richie Moretti, a local eco-warrior, a motel became a turtle clinic in 1986. Since then, hundreds of turtles have been on the receiving end of tender ministrations, and visiting this well-maintained turtle hospital is a highlight of many Florida Keys family trips. Tours begin with a presentation highlighting the center's rehabilitation and conservation work. Then, affable guides take visitors around the facility to see how the turtles are nursed back to health after being found with tumors, plastic bags in their stomachs, or cracked shells from speedboat collisions.
There's an opportunity to feed these cuties and adopt ones that can't be released into the wild. A gift shop stocked with turtle merch makes for a fantastic souvenir, and it's all for a good cause.
02 Explore the Dolphin Research Center
Over in Grassy Key, the Dolphin Research Center, founded by Jayne and Armando Rodriguez in 1984, also prioritizes animal welfare. You'll find 90,000 square feet of lagoons that house California sea lions and bottlenose dolphins, and the center assists manatees and whales in distress, too. Watch trainers at work and witness the fruits of their efforts during trick-filled shows that demonstrate the various dolphins' personalities. The shows are educational, and the dolphins will put a smile on your face as wide as their own.
You can also pay extra to swim with these intelligent aquatic mammals. With a splash pad for little ones to enjoy on hot days while parents lounge under shade, ample parking, and food trucks, you're sorted for a fun excursion.
03 Relax at Sombrero Beach
Marathon's main beach, Sombrero Beach, is mangrove-free and the stuff of your white sand dancing palm dreams. Lather on the sunblock, lay down your mat, and sink into the soft grains, or go swimming in idyllic, lukewarm waters. The beach is dog-friendly and has amenities such as a small playground, picnic tables, restrooms with showers, a beach volleyball area, a dock for fishing, and handicap access. Take in the sailboats, join a yoga class, and unwind. There are no food or beverage stands, so pack snacks or make your way to eateries like the Cracked Conch Cafe when you start to feel peckish.
The public has access to Sombrero Beach throughout the year, and entry is free. Stinky seaweed season is between April and August. On the upside, there's lots of room for summer crowds to spread out on busy days.
04 Discover Crane Point Hammock and Nature Center
Crane Point is an ecological gem with multiple ecosystems, including a woodland full of distinct hardwood species and excellent Gulf of Mexico viewpoints. The beautiful trails that meander through this preserve are short and sweet but mentally prepare for sightings of golden orb weavers. Guided trolley tours by passionate volunteers provide insight into the flora, fauna, and historical buildings.
Pop into the bird sanctuary and butterfly conservatory, avail yourself of a fish pedicure, and check out the museum and turn-of-the-century house, which was owned by the Adderleys, a black immigrant couple, before being sold to the Crane family in 1949. Don't forget to carry quarters for fish food.
05 Walk or bike across the Seven Mile Bridge
The must-see Seven Mile Bridge is a landmark of the Lower Keys and one of the longest-segmented bridges in the world. The OG trestle railroad bridge of more than a century ago transformed the local economy but was devastated by a 1935 hurricane and has long been closed to motor vehicles. It's now a 2.2-mile gathering place for cycling, jogging, and chilling. For awesome photos, go at sunset and carry a tripod to capture the best shots of the structures and surrounding scenery.
Look up for birds and down for marine life, and look out for the resilient Australian pine tree, Fred. If you struggle to find parking, check near the Sunset Grille and Raw Bar.
06 Tour Pigeon Key
The Old Seven Mile Bridge is in the Pigeon Key area, where the workers who built and operated the Overseas Railroad resided. Guided tram tours to the 5-acre island, a National Historic District, take place daily and will whisk you back to the time of visionary Henry Flagler at the end of the 19th century. The museum will give you a new appreciation for the blood and sweat poured into engineering marvels.
You can also take a ferry to the island from the Visitors' Center at 2010 Overseas Highway if you don't want to walk or bike. Pigeon Island is a cool spot for snorkeling, and you can feed the wildlife in the saltwater pool in the afternoon.
07 Flex your watersport muscles
Keen on zipping around on a jet ski or getting out on a paddleboard or boat? How about spearfishing, lobstering, a deep dive into underwater photography, or a morning as a merperson? The options are endless in Marathon. You can easily rent equipment or book memorable experiences from reputable operators such as Captain Hooks Marina and Dive Center or Solé Watersports. Looe Key, with its 210-foot-long wreck, is an amazing scuba diving site, as is Coffin's Patch, where the pillar coral is threatened.
Bahia Honda State Park is heavenly if you love exploring underwater or from the perch of a kayak. Stumble across fireworms, comb jellies, and more critters. You can book adventures at the park concession. It's worth noting that Florida Keys waters can be tricky, so educate yourself and adhere to protocols for your safety and the safety of the environment.
08 Snorkel or dive at Sombrero Reef
Sombrero Reef deserves a special shoutout. If you like your beach holidays with a freeing dose of colorful sea creature encounters, or you're a newbie who wants to get into scuba diving, you have to push this sun-dappled shallow reef to the top of your vacation itinerary. From the hard-to-distinguish Flagler's Barge to the 140-foot Sombrero Key Light, there's plenty to absorb here.
Visibility is generally good, and depths don't exceed 30 feet—just keep an eye out for boat traffic. For family-friendly snorkeling, consider three-hour guided tours from Spirit Snorkeling at Captain Pips or Starfish Marathon Snorkeling.
09 Visit Curry Hammock State Park
Curry Hammock is a 12-minute drive from Crane Point Hammock and features many of the same attractions—minnow pedis, an easy 1.5-mile hike, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and canoeing through mangroves. See how the kite surfers are getting on, get a workout while SUPing, and settle down in spacious beach campsites with ADA accessibility to stargaze. There's also the paved 90-mile Overseas Heritage Trail for cycling and running.
You can expect to see tarpons, migrating raptors, and many other members of the animal kingdom. Ranger-led tours promise to deepen your knowledge of the habitat.
10 Dine at Brutus Seafood Market
Brutus Seafood Market's salt-of-the-earth facade belies its stellar food. Come for tuna tacos, beef brisket, mahi sandwiches, lobster po boys, chowder, and spicy black bean salad, and you'll get big, flavorsome portions coupled with a laidback ambiance. In addition to embarking on cooking exploits with wild-caught seafood that is as fresh as can be, this establishment can also pack your hard-earned catches for shipping. PS Meal prices add up, so keep an eye on the amounts.
11 Go on a fishing charter with Catch 'Em All
Roll up your sleeves for a satisfying day on a fishing charter. Marathon affords visitors world-class sport fishing with many reliable companies, and you can hunt for dinner and encounter a huge variety of species, including yellow tail snappers, mackerel, amberjacks, groupers, and marlins. Catch Em All is helmed by Captain Jeff Shelar, a patient expert on local waters and a tarpon specialist. The company offers different types of fishing charters, from family-friendly reef fishing to longer offshore fishing day trips and Big Fish quests amidst wrecks.
Peak fishing season takes place between June and August, but Catch Em All has a "No fish, no pay" policy, so you're guaranteed to leave happy.
12 Explore the Marathon Air Museum
This chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association is a worthwhile stop for aviation fundis holidaying in the Keys. Chat with pilots, watch small plane takeoffs and landings, and get familiar with full-size aircraft such as a DC-3 and Beech 18 in the hangar. A flight simulator adds to the appeal of this free museum.
13 Visit the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Admission to this aquarium includes live and interactive feeding demos, five touch tanks where you can pet sea creatures such as charming baby sting rays, and guided tours with marine biologists. Rest at the cafe while munchkins dig for shark teeth in the sandbox. For an extra fee, you can swim with coral reef dwellers or do a behind-the-scenes tour.
14 Enjoy sweet treats at Sweet Savannah's Bake Shop
Your next sugar high beckons at Sweet Savannah's, a pastel-hued bake shop famous for its creative cake pops, cupcakes, cookies, ice creams, and other delectable sweet treats. Try the warm bread pudding, lava cake, and gluten-free offerings with tea or coffee on the side. Of course, Sunshine State beach vacays are best served with a slice of key lime pie, and the signature flavor here is nice and tart. The free arcade games and toddler play area are a bonus, and you can grab yourself some key lime body products as well.
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