Local Guide

Things to do in Marathon & the Lower Keys.

Everything below is within a short drive of Aqua Keys Retreat. Tap any place to open it in Google Maps for directions, photos, hours and reviews.

Eat & Drink

Restaurants

Keys Fisheries Market & Marina

A waterfront seafood market and restaurant famous for its giant Lobster Reuben, fish & chips and fresh-off-the-boat seafood, eaten picnic-style at the dock.

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Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

Seafood and a raw bar right at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge, known for some of the best sunset views in Marathon.

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Herbie's Bar & Chowder House

A classic, no-frills Keys seafood shack that's been a local favorite for decades — casual, cash-friendly and always busy for a reason.

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The Wooden Spoon

A cozy diner for a hearty American breakfast before a day out on the water — a Marathon go-to for early risers.

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Castaway Waterfront Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Waterfront seafood and sushi with a lively dockside atmosphere — a nice option when the group can't agree between sushi and stone crab.

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Sweet Savannah's Bake Shop & Ice Cream Café

The spot for dessert — ice cream, cupcakes, and the essential slice of key lime pie to close out the day.

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On the Water

Water Activities

Snorkeling Sombrero Reef

A shallow, colorful reef just offshore and one of the most popular snorkel spots in the Middle Keys, reachable by local boat tours.

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Saltwater Seafari

Private snorkeling charters out to Looe Key Reef, sandbar trips, and seasonal lobster excursions with a local crew.

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Deep-Sea & Reef Fishing Charters

Marathon sits between the Atlantic and the Gulf, making it one of the best sportfishing bases in the Keys for marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna and more.

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Dolphin Research Center

Meet and learn about rescued dolphins and sea lions, with encounter programs for all ages — a favorite for families.

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Marathon Watersports

Jet ski rentals, paddleboards and kayaks for exploring the flats and mangroves at your own pace.

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Kayaking Curry Hammock & Long Key State Parks

Paddle quiet mangrove creeks and calm backcountry water — easygoing and great for spotting wildlife.

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Explore

Other Places

The Turtle Hospital

A working sea turtle rescue and rehab center offering behind-the-scenes tours of the hospital and its permanent resident turtles.

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Old Seven Mile Bridge

The historic former railway bridge, now a scenic 2.2-mile pedestrian and biking path stretching out over open water.

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Sombrero Beach

Marathon's best public beach — soft sand, calm swimming water, picnic pavilions and playgrounds, just minutes from the house.

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Curry Hammock State Park

1,000 acres of hammock and mangrove for hiking, camping, paddling and birdwatching.

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Bahia Honda State Park

One of the most photographed beaches in the Keys — well worth the scenic drive south into the Lower Keys.

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Crane Point Museum & Nature Center

A 63-acre nature preserve with hammock trails, a natural history museum, a touch tank and a historic pioneer homestead.

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Ready to plan your trip?

Home base for it all.

Aqua Keys Retreat puts you minutes from everything on this page. Check availability and book direct.

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