Your Ultimate Guide to Marathon, Florida: Making the Most of Weekend Activities
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Make the Most of Your Marathon Weekend
Whether you’re visiting for a quick weekend getaway or starting a longer Florida Keys adventure, Marathon offers the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. This comprehensive guide covers the best activities, dining, and attractions to maximize your Marathon experience—no matter how much time you have.
Saturday Morning: Start With the Ocean
Snorkeling at Sombrero Reef
Begin your weekend at one of the Florida Keys’ most spectacular coral reefs. Sombrero Reef, located about 5 miles offshore, offers:
- Crystal-clear visibility – Often 50+ feet on calm days
- Shallow depths – 6-25 feet, perfect for beginners
- Marine life – Parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and nurse sharks
- Historic lighthouse – Sombrero Key Light makes a great photo backdrop
Book with: Marathon Dive Center (305-743-5929) or Tilden’s Scuba Center (305-743-7255). Half-day trips depart around 8:30 AM and return by 12:30 PM. Cost: $60-80 per person including gear.
Alternative: Kayaking at Curry Hammock State Park
If you prefer to stay closer to shore, Curry Hammock State Park offers:
- Kayak rentals – $17.50/hour single, $21.50/hour tandem
- Mangrove trails – Protected paddling through natural waterways
- Wildlife spotting – Manatees, dolphins, and wading birds
- Beach access – One of the Keys’ few natural beaches
Location: 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon. Park opens at 8 AM.
Saturday Afternoon: Land-Based Adventures
Dolphin Research Center
No Marathon weekend is complete without visiting the world-famous Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key:
- Dolphin encounters – Structured swims starting at $199 (book 2+ weeks ahead)
- General admission – $28 adults, $23 children for educational presentations
- Sea lion programs – Unique interaction opportunities
- Behind-the-scenes tours – Learn about rescue and research
Location: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key. Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM daily.
The Turtle Hospital
Marathon’s most unique attraction offers 90-minute educational tours:
- Guided tours – $27 adults, $13 children (reservations required)
- Rescue stories – Learn about current patients and success stories
- Behind-the-scenes – See the hospital facilities and rehabilitation tanks
- Gift shop – Support the mission with turtle-themed merchandise
Location: 2396 Overseas Highway, Marathon. Tours at 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM.
Saturday Evening: Sunset and Dinner
Best Sunset Spots
- Sunset Park (Key Colony Beach) – Tiki huts, pier, panoramic views
- Old Seven Mile Bridge – Walk out on the historic bridge for 360° views
- Sunset Grille – Dinner with a front-row sunset seat
Top Dinner Restaurants
- Castaway Waterfront Restaurant – Fresh seafood, dockside dining, live music (305-743-6247)
- Barracuda Grill – Upscale Keys cuisine, reservations recommended (305-743-3314)
- Keys Fisheries – Casual waterfront, famous lobster reuben (305-743-4353)
- Lazy Days South – Oceanfront dining, excellent happy hour (305-289-0839)
Sunday Morning: Nature and Relaxation
Sombrero Beach
Marathon’s best public beach deserves a morning visit:
- Free admission – Parking lot opens at sunrise
- Calm waters – Protected swimming area perfect for families
- Picnic pavilions – First-come, first-served covered areas
- Volleyball courts – Beach sports equipment available
Location: Sombrero Beach Road (end of the road). Best to arrive before 10 AM for parking.
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
An interactive marine experience unlike typical aquariums:
- Touch tanks – Hands-on encounters with rays, sharks, and sea creatures
- Shark feeding – Feed reef sharks under expert supervision
- Snorkel lagoon – Swim with tropical fish ($75)
- Unlimited admission – $25 adults, $18 children for touch tanks
Location: 11710 Overseas Highway, Marathon. Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM.
Sunday Afternoon: Water Activities
Fishing Options
- Half-day charters – 4 hours offshore, $600-800 for up to 6 people
- Backcountry fishing – Flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit
- Bridge fishing – Free fishing from the Old Seven Mile Bridge
- Party boat – Marathon Lady offers affordable group trips ($65/person)
Paddleboarding and Jet Skis
- SUP rentals – $30-40/hour at various locations
- Jet ski tours – Guided tours to nearby islands ($175+ for 2 hours)
- Parasailing – Soar above the Keys ($85-125 per person)
Rainy Day Alternatives
In case of weather, Marathon still offers plenty to do:
- Crane Point Museum – 63 acres of nature trails, museum, and historic sites ($15 adults)
- Marathon Community Cinema – First-run movies in a small-town theater
- Spa day – Hawks Cay Resort offers day spa packages
- Shopping – Browse the shops at Overseas Highway
- Food tour – Hit multiple restaurants for a self-guided tasting
Weekend Itinerary at a Glance
| Time | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Snorkeling Sombrero Reef | Sombrero Beach |
| Afternoon | Dolphin Research Center or Turtle Hospital | Fishing or Aquarium Encounters |
| Evening | Sunset + Waterfront Dinner | Departure or Extended Stay |
Book Your Marathon Weekend Getaway
Experience Marathon from a Villa Paraiso luxury rental:
- Deep Blue – 4BR waterfront with pool and dock
- Azul Paradise – Premium canal-front retreat
- Seabreeze Cove – Key Colony Beach luxury
- Emerald Oasis – Waterfront paradise with private dock
