Wondering what makes the Middle Keys, and Marathon in particular, such a great place for a vacation? Marathon is considered the heart of the Keys. Located about 100 miles from Miami and about 50 miles from Key West, Marathon is the perfect spot to experience all that the Keys have to offer. There are a variety of options to play, dine, and shop in Marathon, so much you may need to book a return visit just to experience everything you may put on your wish list!
What is there to do in Marathon Key?
Marathon was built on the legacy of intrepid fishermen, and you can still find that spirit alive and well whether you’re looking to dine or get out on the water yourself. Book a half-day or full-day fishing charter. You have both the waters of the Gulf and the Atlantic to choose from so if you’re looking for that intense deep-sea fishing battle or a more laid-back family day on the water, you will be spoiled for choice.
Not a fisherman (or fisherwoman) but still want to get on the water? You have a variety of options: kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wake boarding, kite-boarding… basically if there’s a board that floats, there’s an operator who can get you outfitted with guides, equipment, and instruction.
Even landlubbers have a plethora of activities to choose from. A Villa Bella favorite is the Turtle Hospital, where staffers rescue and rehabilitate endangered sea turtles to release them back into the wild. The nearby Dolphin Research Center will let you get up close (and maybe even swim) with these intelligent creatures. The Little Pigeon Key Island and Museum offers tours showcasing Florida history as well as opportunities to picnic, take a train ride, and snorkel. Walk among nature at the Crane Hammock Museum and Nature Center.
Where can I shop in Marathon Key?
The answer is – pretty much everywhere in Marathon! It is one of the largest Keys and due to its halfway point in the island chain, it serves as a great base to find whatever it is that you’re looking for (and a lot that you probably weren’t until you saw and knew you had to bring it home as the perfect souvenir). Everything from bait shops, to cute boutiques selling beachwear and island decor, to furniture stores, to big box chains, to grocery stores – Marathon has it all.
Where can I dine in Marathon Key?
Marathon has an incredible variety of restaurants to suit pretty much every occasion: from fancy white tablecloth places with views over the ocean to family-friendly to literal shacks serving the freshest fish you’ll find anywhere on the planet. Honestly, as much as we love the fully equipped kitchen in Villa Bella, sometimes we find ourselves never even turning on the stove when we’re surrounded by the most amazing seafood options. And if you’ve spent the day in a fishing boat reeling in the day’s catch yourself, you can find places that are happy to grill, pan-fry, or steam it to your liking.