Marathon FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Marathon, Florida.
1. Sombrero Beach
SANDY ATLANTIC OCEAN PARADISE
Sombrero Beach is a lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean that frames a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers. This popular family-friendly area features grassy knolls, volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and playgrounds where visitors can enjoy various recreational activities. Snorkeling is fabulous along the shoreline, with tropical fish dashing between the rocks, making it the most well-known beach in Marathon.
2. Coco Plum Beach
TRANQUIL KEYS GETAWAY
Coco Plum Beach stands as one of the most popular beaches in Marathon, offering a more secluded alternative to Sombrero Beach. Visitors can enjoy the pristine shoreline with fewer crowds, making it perfect for those seeking a peaceful day by the water. The beach provides beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean with opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing along its natural coastline.
3. Sunset Park
SCENIC SUNSET VIEWS
Sunset Park is an underrated waterfront escape in Marathon that offers spectacular views of the setting sun over the Gulf of Mexico. This small park provides a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy Florida's famous sunsets away from larger crowds. Its location makes it an ideal spot for photography, romantic evening strolls, and quiet contemplation of nature's beauty.
4. Curry Hammock State Park
NATURE LOVER'S PARADISE
Curry Hammock State Park features one of Marathon's underrated beaches with protected shoreline and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and paddling. The park encompasses mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and rockland hammocks that protect vital natural resources while providing recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and bird watching in this 1,000-acre park that represents the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key.
5. Crane Point Hammock
HISTORIC WATERFRONT PRESERVE
Crane Point Hammock offers a unique waterfront experience with a museum and nature center set on 63 acres of protected land in Marathon. The preserve features waterfront access points where visitors can observe marine life in its natural habitat among the mangroves and shallow waters. History and nature blend seamlessly as guests explore the historic Adderley House, nature trails, and the stunning coastal views that showcase the Florida Keys' distinctive ecosystem.
6. Bahia Honda State Park
AWARD-WINNING BEACH PARADISE
Bahia Honda State Park, located just a short drive from Marathon, is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida with white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The park offers excellent swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing opportunities along with panoramic views of the old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge. Visitors can enjoy camping, kayaking, fishing, and hiking while exploring the park's diverse natural habitats that include both Gulf and Atlantic facing beaches.
7. Long Key State Park
SERENE COASTAL WILDERNESS
Long Key State Park offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the Florida Keys with pristine beaches and shallow water areas perfect for wading and kayaking. The park's Golden Orb Trail leads through five natural communities where visitors can observe native wildlife and plants in their natural habitat. Once the site of a luxurious fishing resort destroyed by the 1935 hurricane, the park now provides a peaceful escape with camping facilities and excellent opportunities for birding, fishing, and paddling.
8. Anne's Beach
SHALLOW WATERS BOARDWALK BEACH
Anne's Beach in nearby Islamorada offers a unique Keys beach experience with its shallow, warm waters that stretch far from shore, making it perfect for wading rather than swimming. A scenic wooden boardwalk winds through the mangroves, connecting small sandy areas with picnic tables shaded by palm trees. Named after local environmentalist Anne Eaton, this free public beach provides restroom facilities, covered picnic areas, and is particularly popular with families and those traveling with pets.
9. Founders Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY BEACH PARK
Founders Park in Islamorada features a small but delightful beach area with calm, clear waters that are perfect for families with young children. The 40-acre community park offers numerous recreational facilities including sports fields, a pool, marina, and an amphitheater alongside its beach access. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, swimming, and various water activities while taking in the beautiful Florida Keys scenery in this well-maintained municipal park.
10. Sombrero Reef
SPECTACULAR UNDERWATER PLAYGROUND
Sombrero Reef is an accessible marine sanctuary located just offshore from Marathon, offering one of the most spectacular snorkeling and diving experiences in the Florida Keys. The reef features a vibrant underwater ecosystem with colorful coral formations, tropical fish, and other marine life in crystal-clear waters. Visitors can reach this underwater paradise via boat tours, charters, or private vessels, making it a must-visit waterfront destination for water recreation enthusiasts.