During ourtrip to Florida, we stopped in the city of Marathon.
Marathon was part of our pre-planned vacation in the Florida Keys.
We flew to Miami, rented a car at the airport, and went on an unforgettable trip through the Keys of Florida—the coral islands and reefs that we have been dreaming of for many years.
After all, we got to these islands on the surface of the ancient coral reef, which are a unique creation of nature and definitely worth seeing, if not in the Maldives, then in Florida!
At last, we arrived at Marathon Key.
What is Marathon Key?
Marathon, Florida, is a small resort town near Miami Beach, which is located on an elongated chain of closely spaced 13 coral islands (the main ones are Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key, and Grassy Key) with a length of about 10 miles, located in the central part of the Florida keys along the Pacific coast on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.
Among the tourists who have been here, it is known for its wonderful white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, beautiful barrier reefs, and colorful inhabitants.
You can get to the city of Marathon from Miami or Key West on your own by car or by bus.
The distance from Miami to the city of Marathon, Florida, is 106 miles, and travel time is 2.
5–3 hours, depending on traffic.
Is Marathon Key Worth Visiting?
Definitely Yes!
It is a great place for families.
Recreation in Marathon is primarily a variety of family activities related to water.
There are no noisy bars, clubs, or youth entertainment, but there are many fishing boats and speedboats, trips on which are quite expensive.
Therefore, you should not go here just for the sake of idle interest;
it is better to prepare in advance and allocate a fairly tangible budget for a good rest with spa treatments, boat trips, fishing, and scuba diving along beautiful reefs.
It is customary here to enjoy a leisurely and measured life in the old Keys style, catch fresh fish, crabs, and lobsters, and also participate in culinary festivals with all kinds of seafood dishes.
Come here, do not rush, and devote more time to outdoor recreation.
At the same time, visit the best beaches of the Florida Keys: Sombrero Beach with sea turtles and Bahia Honda, known for excellent conditions for snorkeling on a coral reef.
Here are different ideas for what you can do in Marathon Key:
- Interact with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center.
- View marine life and feed reef fish, sharks, and rays at Aquarium Encounters.
- Take care of sea turtles at Turtle Hospital.
- Take a walk in nature at Curry Hammock State Park.
- Visit a tropical grove of trees and the home of an early XX settler family at the Crane Point Museum.
- Get to know the history of the local railroad at Pigeon Key Island (the Old 7 Mile Bridge).
- Sunbathe on Sombrero Beach, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
- Go on a snorkeling tour from Bahia Honda Park to beautiful reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Learn to scuba dive on a living barrier reef just a few miles from shore, then explore the Thunderbolt wreck.
What is Marathon in the Keys Known for?
Marathon in the Keys is known for its fishing, which is the best in the world.
Great fishing, stunning beaches, warm weather, and locals who are happy to call Marathon home are just a few of the attractions that attract tourists from across the world to Marathon.
Here is a bit of History:
The marathon is located in the Mid-Keys of Florida.
After the construction of the railroad from Miami to Key West at the beginning of the 20th century, there was a railway station and a small fishing village.
The opening of the highway passing through Marathon gave impetus to its gradual enlargement.
The development of the Mid Keys began in the late 1950s of the 20th century, when Floyd W.
Davis decided to actively develop this territory since its infrastructure was already significantly inferior to Key West due to the lack of amenities for guests who came to rest on the Florida Keys.
He dreamed of a harbor with piers and a lighthouse and his own yacht club, and along the coast, he would build apartments, restaurants with cocktail lounges, and a swimming pool.
In 1957, the main part of the Davis Docks project was implemented, which marked the beginning of the gradual enlargement of the small settlement of Marathon, which received city status in 1999.
Does Marathon Key have Nice Beaches?
The beaches and parks in Marathon are among the best in the Florida Keys.
You can find the ideal beach in Marathon, the Florida Keys, or anywhere from Bahia Honda to Sombrero Beach.
Yes, we also stopped at Sombrero Beach to see for ourselves how good it is and whether it matches the numerous laudatory reviews about it on the Internet.
To get there, you need to turn in at Marathon from Overseas Highway near K-Mart Plaza, head south at the sign for Sombrero Beach Road, and drive a couple more miles to free parking along the entire beach.
It is believed that Sombrero Beach is the most beautiful sandy beach in the city of Marathon, Florida.
It is also considered one of the best beaches in the US, and sea turtles come to it to lay their eggs in the sand.
Plus, a good location on the southern part of the island makes it possible to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets from Sombrero Beach, almost like on the beaches of the Maldives.
Despite the not very large size of Sombrero Beach (its length is less than a mile and the width is quite modest), there are not many crowds.
Can You Swim in the Ocean on Marathon Key?
Sure, you can!
We had the most pleasant impressions from visiting Marathon Beaches: clean sand, beautiful water, palm trees, and the absence of crowds of tourists really pleased us.
In general, the beach looks very natural, and the atmosphere is conducive to a relaxing holiday.
This is a good alternative to the bustling beaches in Key West, known for their evening parties and nightlife.
It is also a great place for diving because off the coast of Marathon Key there are some of the best dive sites in the region: Thunderbolt lies on an even keel at a depth of 115 feet, providing shelter for colored sponges, corals, and hydroids, as well as goliath groupers.
