Sunset Harbor: Key Colony Beach Waterfront Vacation Rental
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Sunset Harbor Review: Is This Key Colony Beach Vacation Rental Worth It?
Sunset Harbor, Key Colony Beach waterfront vacation rental, is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom waterfront property in Key Colony Beach, Florida, part of the Marathon area in the Middle Florida Keys. It sleeps up to 7 guests and comes with a private dock, kayaks, a screened lanai, and full Cabana Club membership including a private beach, heated pool, tiki bar, and tennis courts. For families or small groups who want direct water access without paying resort prices, this property checks almost every box.
Quick Answer: Sunset Harbor is the right pick for guests who want a private dock, canal-front sunset views, and resort-style Cabana Club perks, all in a quiet, residential island community that most tourists drive right past.
At Villa Paraiso Vacation Rentals, we manage 16+ waterfront properties across Marathon and the Florida Keys. We know which properties fit which guests. This review covers everything you need to decide whether Sunset Harbor is right for your trip: layout, amenities, neighborhood, nearby activities, and how to book direct and save.
Where Is Sunset Harbor Located, and Why Does Key Colony Beach Matter?
Key Colony Beach is a small, self-contained island community tucked just off US-1 near Mile Marker 53.5, about halfway between Key Largo and Key West. It has its own city government, golf course, and marina, which makes it quieter than Marathon proper but still close enough (a 5-minute drive) to reach grocery stores, charters, and restaurants.
Most vacation rentals in the area sit on the main drag or in noisier commercial zones. Key Colony Beach is different. The streets are narrow, mostly residential, and canal-lined. You can walk or bike to the water from almost anywhere. There are no big box stores, no strip malls, and no traffic jams.
Sunset Harbor sits directly on a canal in this community. That means the sunsets guests keep talking about in reviews are not filtered through parking lots or beach crowds. They’re watched from the private dock, from the screened lanai, or from the balcony off the master suite.
For the Florida Keys experience guests imagine when they first search for “waterfront vacation rental Marathon FL,” this neighborhood delivers it with less noise and more water.
What Are the Sleeping Arrangements at Sunset Harbor?
Sunset Harbor sleeps up to 7 guests across three bedrooms and a flexible air mattress option.
- Master Suite (Bedroom 1): King-size bed, ensuite bathroom, Smart TV, and private balcony access. This is the standout room. Wake up, slide open the balcony door, and you’re looking at the canal before your first cup of coffee.
- Queen Room 1 (Bedroom 2): Queen-size bed, Smart TV, and closet storage. Comfortable for couples or older kids.
- Queen Room 2 (Bedroom 3): Queen-size bed and closet. Simple, clean, and well-suited for an extra adult or teenager.
- Air Mattress (on request): Accommodates a 7th guest in the living room. Works best for kids or flexible travelers.
All beds come with premium linens, pillows, night stands with reading lamps, and dressers with spacious drawers. The bathrooms include walk-in shower, tub/shower combo, lighted mirrors, hair dryer, and essential toiletries.
For groups of 4 to 6, Sunset Harbor is ideal. For the full 7, the air mattress guest will want to plan their use of the living room space accordingly.
What Outdoor Amenities Does Sunset Harbor Include?
This is where the property earns its name. Sunset Harbor’s outdoor spaces are layered across three levels, each serving a different part of the Keys day.
The Screened Lanai is accessible from the living area and the master suite. It has a dining table, lounge seating, and a screen that keeps the bugs out while keeping the breeze in. Most guests migrate here for morning coffee, afternoon shade, and evening meals. It faces the canal, which means golden-hour light hits it perfectly.
The Ground-Level Patio has Adirondack chairs, a picnic table, and direct dock access. This is where you’ll want to be after a day on the water, barefoot, cold drink in hand, watching the boats idle past.
The Private Dock is the real headline feature. It fits a boat up to approximately 30 feet (confirm specifics before arrival), includes shore power and water, and has a dedicated fish-cleaning station with a seating bench. Guests can tie up their own vessel, launch locally, and head out to the flats or offshore without dealing with marina logistics. The kayaks are stored dockside and available for canal exploring at any time.
The BBQ Grill is set up on the patio for grilling fresh catch or just keeping the party outside where it belongs.
Cabana Club Membership is included with every stay. This is not a typical perk. Key Colony Beach’s Cabana Club offers a private sandy beach, a heated and cooled pool, a tiki bar and grill, and tennis and pickleball courts. Guests need to provide all guest names at booking for pass setup. The Cabana Club is a short walk or bike ride from Sunset Harbor and adds a full resort layer to what is otherwise a private residential stay.
What’s Inside Sunset Harbor? A Room-by-Room Look
The interior follows an open-concept layout that connects the kitchen, breakfast bar, and living area in a single uninterrupted flow. Large sliding glass doors along the back wall pull the canal view indoors during the day and frame the lanai at night.
Living Room and Lanai: A comfortable sectional with pillows and throw blankets anchors the main room, along with a Smart TV, coffee table, and reading lamps. The coastal decor is unpretentious. This is Keys living, not a design hotel. Everything is built for relaxing, not impressing.
Kitchen and Dining: The kitchen is fully equipped with granite countertops, stainless appliances (microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher, full-size refrigerator/freezer), and all the tools a group needs to cook actual meals: blender, coffee maker, hot water kettle, pots and pans, plates, glasses, silverware. The breakfast bar seats 3 and connects directly to the living area. The dining table seats 6. Both are real meal-ready spaces, not decorative furniture.
Extra Amenities: High-speed Wi-Fi, cable TV, washer/dryer, iron/board, air conditioning and heating, hair dryer, crib (available), children’s dinnerware, board games, children’s books and toys, and a laptop-friendly workspace. Pets are welcome with a $250 fee and advance notice.
What Can You Do Near Sunset Harbor in Key Colony Beach?
Key Colony Beach is quieter than Marathon, but its location gives guests access to nearly everything the Middle Keys offer.
On the Water (From the Dock)
The private dock is the gateway. Kayak the canal network immediately. Key Colony Beach’s waterways connect easily and offer close-up views of mangroves, bird life, and the occasional manatee. For boaters, the canals lead out to open water in minutes. From open water, guests can reach flats fishing spots, reef snorkeling sites, and sandbar anchorages within a short run.
Charter options nearby cover both deep-sea and flats fishing, plus sunset cruises and snorkeling reef trips at Sombrero Reef, one of the best patch reefs in the Middle Keys.
Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach is Marathon’s most popular public beach, a wide, white-sand stretch with calm shallow water, picnic tables, and free parking. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Sunset Harbor and one of the few genuinely swimmable beaches in the Middle Keys. Good for families with younger kids.
The Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital (2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL) is open daily from 9am to 6pm, with guided tours running every hour from 9am to 4pm. Admission is $27 for adults and $13 for children ages 4 to 12. Reservations are strongly recommended. Tours fill quickly, especially in peak season. This is the only state-licensed veterinary hospital in the world dedicated to sea turtle rehabilitation, and it’s a genuinely moving, educational 90-minute experience. Guests with kids consistently rate it as a trip highlight.
Seven Mile Bridge
One of the most recognizable landmarks in the Florida Keys, the Seven Mile Bridge is a 10-minute drive from Key Colony Beach. The old bridge is now a pedestrian path and fishing pier. The view from the new bridge while driving is one of the most striking stretches of road in Florida. Worth a morning walk or a drive-through at sunset.
Local Dining
Havana Jack’s Oceanside Restaurant and Bar is the closest waterfront dining option to Sunset Harbor, and one of the most interesting in the Middle Keys. It sits at MM 53.5, 401 Ocean Dr East in Key Colony Beach, right on the Atlantic side with an oceanfront patio, tiki bar, and a pier that stretches over the water. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 11pm. The menu leans American Caribbean: fresh local seafood, sauces and chowders made in-house daily, plus a full cocktail and cigar program. Live music most evenings. Reservations are recommended on weekends. Guests staying at Sunset Harbor can walk or bike there.
For a broader dining guide across Marathon, see our things to do in Marathon, Florida page.
Who Is Sunset Harbor Right For?
After managing dozens of stays at waterfront properties across Marathon, we’ve found that Sunset Harbor fits a fairly specific guest profile. Here’s an honest breakdown:
Best for:
- Families of 4 to 6 looking for a waterfront home base with water activities built in
- Couples or pairs traveling together who want separate rooms and shared living space
- Boaters or fishing enthusiasts who need a real dock with power and water
- Guests who want Cabana Club access without booking a resort
- Pet owners looking for a Keys rental that accepts dogs ($250 fee applies)
Consider alternatives if:
- You need a private pool (Sunset Harbor does not have one. The Cabana Club pool is communal)
- Your group is larger than 7 guests (consider Blue Pearl for 10 guests with a 70-foot dock, or Isla Luna which sleeps 10 with 4 bedrooms)
- You prefer ocean-front views over canal views (check Luna Light or Ocean Muse)
- You want to be closer to Marathon’s restaurants and marinas without driving
For guests who fit the profile above, Sunset Harbor is hard to beat at its price point. The Cabana Club membership alone adds significant value: private beach, heated pool, tennis, and a tiki bar included in the nightly rate is not something most vacation rentals in this area can offer.
How Do You Book Sunset Harbor?
Sunset Harbor is a 7-night minimum property. During peak season, reservations run Saturday to Saturday. Off-peak stays may have more flexibility, so reach out directly to confirm.
Weekly and monthly discounts apply: 10% off weekly stays, 10% off monthly stays.
Booking directly through paraisovacationrentals.com skips the platform fees charged by Airbnb and VRBO, putting more of your travel budget toward the trip itself.
Save on your stay with these direct booking codes:
- DIRECT15: Use this code when booking direct for the first time to save 15% on your stay
- DIRECT5: Returning guest? Use this code on your next booking for an additional 5% off
Both codes apply at checkout on our website. No middleman, no markup.
Pets are welcome with advance notice and a $250 fee. For boat trailer parking, one trailer is accommodated on site. Call us at (786) 348-1396 to confirm dock specs before arrival if you’re bringing a vessel over 25 feet.
Cabana Club membership is included with your stay. Provide all guest names at time of booking to ensure passes are ready on arrival day.
Check Availability and Book Sunset Harbor Direct →
FAQ’s
Does Sunset Harbor have a private pool?
No. Sunset Harbor does not have a private pool. Guests have full Cabana Club membership included, which provides access to a heated and cooled community pool, private sandy beach, tiki bar and grill, and tennis and pickleball courts throughout the stay.
How big is the private dock at Sunset Harbor?
The dock accommodates boats up to approximately 30 feet in length and includes shore power and water connections. It also features a fish-cleaning station. Please confirm your vessel’s specific dimensions with the host before arrival.
Are pets allowed at Sunset Harbor?
Yes. Pets are allowed with a $250 pet fee and advance notice. No smoking is permitted inside the property.
What is the Cabana Club?
The Cabana Club is a private recreational facility in Key Colony Beach. Sunset Harbor guests receive included membership for the duration of their stay. Amenities include a private sandy beach, a heated and air-cooled pool, a tiki bar and grill, and tennis and pickleball courts. All guest names must be provided at booking for pass setup.
What is the minimum stay at Sunset Harbor?
Sunset Harbor requires a minimum 7-night stay year-round. During peak season, arrivals typically follow a Saturday-to-Saturday schedule.
Is Sunset Harbor pet-friendly?
Yes, with a $250 pet fee and advance notice required. Evidence of unauthorized pets may result in additional cleaning fees.
What does Key Colony Beach offer that Marathon doesn’t?
Key Colony Beach is a quieter, residential island community with its own beach, marina, and Cabana Club. It’s less commercial than Marathon proper but still within a 5-minute drive of US-1 amenities. For guests who want a local neighborhood feel over a resort feel, Key Colony Beach is the stronger choice.
Explore More VPVR Properties in Marathon
Looking for something different? Browse the full collection of waterfront vacation rentals in Marathon, FL:
- Blue Pearl: 4BR/3BA, sleeps 10, 70-foot dock, private pool
- Luna Light: Waterfront pool, dock, and elevated views
- Ocean Muse: Luxury waterfront escape with pool and dock
- Emerald Oasis: Heated pool, kayaks, canal access
- Aqua Verde: 3BR/2BA, heated pool, waterfront
- Vista Del Mar: 4BR, 50-foot dock, heated pool, luxury finishes
Not sure which property fits your group? Call us at (786) 348-1396 or browse the full list at paraisovacationrentals.com/properties.
