Escape to Marathon

Marathon in the Middle Keys is known as an easygoing, relaxed area for family and couples’ vacations that include sun, fun, nature exploration, renewal and relaxation.

The region has several full-service resorts perfect for both family vacations and romantic getaways, as well as charming boutique properties. Vacation rentals range from individual condo units to large homes that can accommodate multi-generational families or groups of friends. 

Throughout the Middle Keys and Marathon, options abound that enable individuals, couples, families and friends to dedicate time to the pursuit of relaxation and personal renewal. 

Escape to Serenity: The pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly Old Seven Mile Bridge provides an only-in-the-Keys path to fitness and wellness. A restored two-mile span of the old bridge offers a four-mile roundtrip “course” with a view of crystal-clear waters below. During the walking workout, frequent stops are a must to peer into the water for an illuminating look at sea life swimming by. Sightings of sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, rays and other marine creatures are frequently reported. The span also provides spectacular views of both the sunrise and sunset. And if time allows, the tiny island of Pigeon Key at one end of the restored span awaits exploration. ci.marathon.fl.us/community/page/old-seven-mile-bridge 

Escape on the Water: Find a clear window on the undersea world while snorkeling on Sombrero Reef, a quick 3.5-mile boat trip from Marathon. Depths on the reef range from two to 30 feet with bordering seagrass beds and sand flats. Snorkelers can expect to see a wide range of sea life including turtles, rays and many species of colorful fish. Marathon dive and snorkel providers Captain Hooks and Dive Isla Bella are certified by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as Blue Star operators, committed to coral conservation and environmentally sound on-the-water practices. captainhooks.com, diveislabella.com

Escape into Renewal: Marathon is the perfect spot to support the Florida Keys’ marine ecosystem while embarking on a new culinary adventure. Diners can tempt their taste buds with lionfish, a specialty at Castaway Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar, located on the waterfront at 1406 Ocean View Ave. Restaurant owner John Mirabella led the charge to feature invasive lionfish on restaurant menus to help remove them from the delicate reef ecosystem, where they are aggressive predators of native Keys fish species. Luckily lionfish are also tasty table fare — so consuming them not only satisfies culinary curiosity, but it also helps sustain local fish populations. castawayfloridakeys.com

Escape into Nature: Curry Hammock State Park is home to Florida Keys Hawkwatch, whose volunteer members monitor the migration of avian species — especially birds of prey. Each fall it’s possible to view or count thousands of falcons, raptors and eagles that fly through the Keys on their annual migratory path. The park is known as the peregrine falcon migration capital of the world. Located at mile marker 56.2 on Little Crawl Key, Curry Hammock is also a favorite spot for kayakers, paddleboarders and kiteboarders to launch from shore. There are paddling routes through mangrove tunnels with sandbars and open ocean within easy reach. floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park

Escape to a Hidden Haven: Tucked away at the end of Sombrero Beach Boulevard is Sombrero Beach, a lovely sandy beach framing a shady public park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers. The park is open from sunrise to dusk and is an ideal spot for watching both sunrises and sunsets in waterfront tranquility. Marathon’s Turtle Hospital sometimes schedules public turtle releases at the beach, drawing wildlife supporters who cheer enthusiastically as rehabilitated sea turtles swim back to their ocean home. ci.marathon.fl.us/parksrec/page/sombrero-beach