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

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Marathon Florida Keys
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Marathon Florida Keys
2.5 out of 5
13201 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
The price is $139 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
$139
per night
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Pet friendly area, we were able to bring our pup to the restaurant right across the street. Marathon is a very Pup friendly key with parks and little beaches. We had a great stay! Thank you!"

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Marathon Florida Keys
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
4.5 out of 5
1 Knights Key Boulevard, MM 47, Marathon, FL
The price is $222 per night from Oct 17 to Oct 18
$222
per night
Oct 17 - Oct 18
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 outdoor pools, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,024 reviews)
"Clean and well maintained. Drinks and food are quite expensive. Beach is marginal."

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

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 $146 per night from Oct 11 to Oct 12
$146
per night
Oct 11 - Oct 12
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,358 reviews)
Nice hotel
"Nice place. Real shame they charge so much money for parking ($15 per day). Their car park is huge so this is unnecessary and means I wouldn’t return here. Bar and waiting staff were lovely."

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

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.
Tropical Cottages
Tropical Cottages
3 out of 5
243 61st Street Gulf, Marathon, FL
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Marathon. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Crane Point Museum and Nature Center ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (564 reviews)
"Hotel with some years but in good conditions, clean and easy and good price"

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Tropical Cottages
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. Popular attractions Florida Keys Country Club and Crane ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Everything you need"

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2023

Skipjack Resort & Marina
Knight's Key Suites
Knight's Key Suites
3 out of 5
40 Kyle Way W, Marathon, FL
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marathon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and free bicycles on site. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (950 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2023

Knight's Key Suites
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

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
Apr 5, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Jon
Mar 27, 2020

Great location midway through the Keys.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 26, 2020

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

3/5 - Okay

JLitz
Mar 21, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

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

Cities near Marathon