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
$368 nightly
The price is $413 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$413 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Great vacation. We will be returning soon!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 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
$325 nightly
The price is $366 total per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
$366 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
Total includes taxes and fees
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Love it !!!!!!"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Isla Bella Beach Resort & Spa
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
$142 nightly
The price is $160 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$160 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Marathon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,010 reviews)
"Access to Marina"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Marathon Florida Keys
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.
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! (173 reviews)
"Really nice houseboats and in a central location. They are still getting the amenities and area around the property finished up. Will definitely be 5 stars when they do. Great idea for a key trip."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Yacht Haven Marina
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! (1,192 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (824 reviews)
"The tiki was never open for service. The food truck never opened for service. The beach area was not a swimming area, looked like a dumping ground. The cottage was nice and the air conditioning worked awesomely. If you are looking for just a place to sleep this is not bad."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Tropical Cottages
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