10 Must-Do Activities for a Family Vacation in Marathon, Florida

Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission — for which we are deeply grateful! — at no cost to you.

Your Marathon Florida family vacation should most definitely include snorkeling

Family vacation in the Florida Keys

I long believed the Caribbean was a distant travel destination for romantic vacations for two.

A Marathon Florida family vacation proved me wrong.  

Totaling 13 islands, Marathon is known for their beaches and barrier reef. Loggerhead turtles makes their nests at both Coco Plum Beach and Sombrero Beach.

We spent one epic family vacation with our kids in the Florida Keys. 

While we love Cape San Blas, our family decided to try a different part of Florida over spring break one March. And we were so glad we did!

Our family of six spent the perfect week in a sweet three bedroom home with a wonderful porch in the Coral Lagoon Resort in Marathon, a boaters dream location. It was just right for our Florida Key family vacation!

RELATED READING: Whether you're considering a trip to beaches, hiking in national parks, or taking a road trip, here are our top 10 favorite spring break trips over the years.

Where are the Keys?

The Keys are a long string of tropical islands beginning 15 miles south of Miami. The keys split the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

Starting with Key Largo and ending at Key West, many of these islands are connected by the famous Seven-Mile Bridge that begins in Marathon. 

These laid-back Keys around Marathon are known for fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Key West is geared more towards adults and is a great destination for say a girls trip full of sun, fun, and food.

Things to do in Marathon Florida — the Middle Keys

Without further ado, here are the best things to do on a Marathon Florida family vacation.

Rent a boat on your Marathon Florida family vacation — you won’t regret it!

Rent a boat in the Keys

Jason over at Coco Plum Boat Rentals is your go-to guy for renting a boat, even if you’ve never driven one before. 

Jason and Wendy make the nervous amateur boat driver feel like a pro. They pointed out several great exploring spots, and provided fantastic tips for planning around wind and waves. 

Renting a boat enabled us to set out on open water adventures at our own pace. We snorkeled, went fishing, and explored the crystal-clear, shallow waters around sand bars. It was heavenly

Getting ready to jump in for snorkeling at Sombrero Reef

SNorkel at Sombrero Reef

One of the top things to do in Marathon, Florida is snorkeling at Sombrero Reef.

This beautiful coral reef is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional shark.

You can take a guided snorkeling tour or rent your own equipment and explore the reef on your own, which is what we did. Either way, it's an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Well worth the boat drive out, we spotted all sorts of angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, and much more! We swam and dove through steel girders and schools of fish until our flippers wore out.

Coffin’s Patch is a wonderful spot for snorkeling too, like Sombrero Reef. We had hoped to make it out to snorkel at this spot in the Atlantic, but the wind and waves weren't cooperating the day we had planned to go out there. Definitely next time!

We bought adult and kids snorkeling gear before the trip and easily packed it in our suitcases. Your own snorkel gear is definitely worth the investment for you Marathon Florida family vacation.

Practice in the pool with your kids putting on and using the snorkeling gear until they feel comfortable.

Visiting the Turtle Hospital

Another must-do activity for families in Marathon, Florida is visiting the Turtle Hospital.

This unique facility is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured sea turtles. Visitors can take a guided tour of the hospital and learn about the different species of sea turtles, their habitats, and the threats they face in the wild.

You can even watch the staff feed the turtles and see them swim in their tanks. It's a fun and educational experience for all ages.

Hunt for sea creatures

While on your Marathon Florida family vacation, make time to park your rented boat near a sandbar.

Then, using your boat's navigation system, locate a shallow spot of 3' waters near a sandbar, turn off the engine, and throw in the anchor.  

Don your snorkel gear, grab your net and tickle stick as you jump in to hunt for crabs, starfish, sand dollars, and seaglass.  

Using your live well, share your findings with everyone on the boat before you throw all of your live creatures back in! Easily turn this adventure into a scavenger hunt for young and old alike.

View fullsize

Go lobster hunting if you can on your Marathon Florida family vacation

Fishing at the Seven Mile Bridge

The Seven Mile Bridge is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts in Marathon, Florida.

This iconic bridge offers stunning views of the ocean and is home to a variety of fish species, including tarpon, snapper, and grouper.

You can rent a boat or hire a local guide to take you out on the water for a day of fishing.

Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the beautiful scenery and your catch of the day.

We lucked out and happened to be in Marathon during the final week of open lobster season. Fishing at the Seven Mile Bridge is a fun and exciting activity for the whole family to enjoy.

Our friends brought their nets and tickle sticks and caught eight lobster near the Seven-Mile Bridge our first full day there. What a scrumptious dinner we had that night! 

View fullsize

Sombrero Beach in Marathon Florida

Sombrero Beach  

Sombero Beach is Marathon's beautiful public beach.  Here you can play in shallow waters, sunbathe, or take advantage of the picnic shelters and grills. 

There are also two well-maintained sand volleyball courts, and a fantastic children's playground. Sunset views are fantastic, which makes for great family photos.

Visit the Dolphin Research Center

The Dolphin Research Center is a must-visit attraction for families in Marathon, Florida. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the study and conservation of dolphins and other marine mammals.

Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and learn about the different species of dolphins, their behaviors, and the research being done to protect them.

You can even watch the dolphins perform in shows and interact with them in the water. It's a unique and unforgettable experience for the whole family on your Marathon Florida family vacation.

Meeting a giant grouper at the Marathon Florida Keys Aquamarine Encounters

Florida Keys Aquamarine Encounters

Check out this staring competition with a large grouper.  

An aquarium is definitely the preferred way to meet a shark face-to-face.  Right in Marathon, Florida, we spent a couple of our hours here when we needed a break from the waves, sand, and sun. 

This modern outdoor, well-shaded aquamarine park boasts a huge predator reef tank filled with nurse sharks, sting rays, moray eels and more. 

There is also a tide pool touch tank and a sting ray touch pool (de-barbed)!  Feed the hungry tarpons in the canal area or watch the staff feed giant groupers.  

View fullsize

We enjoyed the food at Burdines so much, we ate there twice!

Eat at Burdines Waterfront

The day we had 4 adults and 8 kids on the boat (crazy but true!), we pulled into the Burdines Waterfront marina, docked our boat, and walked upstairs to the ChikiTiki Bar & Grille. 

Grilled shrimp, blackened mahi mahi, and the most tasty hush puppies washed down with a Floridian Hefeweisen fueled us up for an afternoon of more fantastic snorkeling and fishing.

You must order the key lime pie at Burdines. Twelve thumbs up.  

More things to do in Marathon Florida

Bahia Honda State Park

Spend a few hours practicing with your snorkeling gear here before you head out on the boat.

Bahia Honda State Park is great spot to camp and play on your Marathon Florida family vacation!

Bring your own SUP for Marathon Florida. ISLE inflatable paddle boards are the most versatile paddle boards you can travel and paddle anywhere with — so you can get on the lake when you want from sunup to sundown. 

Curry Hammock State Park

Isle inflatable paddle boards are the most versatile paddle boards you can travel and paddle anywhere with. 

Halfway between Key Largo and Key West you’ll find this 1,000-acre state park, the largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key.

The perfect place for kayaking and paddleboarding in the keys, Curry Hammock State Park protects large areas of mangrove swamp, rockland hammocks and seagrass beds imperative to the Florida Keys ecosystem. 

Kayaking through the mangroves

One of the most unique and adventurous activities to do in Marathon, Florida is kayaking through the mangroves.

The calm and shallow waters of the mangroves make it the perfect spot for beginners and experienced kayakers alike.

You can rent a kayak or book a guided tour to explore the diverse ecosystem of the mangroves, which is home to a variety of marine life, including manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles.

This is a great way to get up close and personal with nature and create unforgettable memories with your family.

Chartered Fishing Trip in the Florida Keys

If you really love to fish, a chartered fishing trip should be added to your Marathon Florida vacation itinerary.

Callion Fishing Charters won’t steer you wrong.

With over 25 years of experience, Callion Fishing Charters ranks among the most skilled and versatile professional guides in the Florida Keys and Costa Rica. Captain Jack Callion has helped his clients snag 5000 tarpon catches and so much more.

View fullsize

Where to stay in Marathon Florida

We spent the perfect week in a sweet three bedroom home with a wonderful porch in the Coral Lagoon Resort in Marathon. 

This beach style house was nestled with 25 others on a canal with a boat slip. 

A resort style pool sat steps away from our back porch. 

Coral Lagoon Resort and Marina is also your boaters dream location.

With a full service marina conveniently located in the heart of Marathon, Middle Keys, this small, quiet resort style property spread out over 6 acres of mature trees and lush landscape offers a beautiful stand alone villa with luxury finishes and open balconies for you to enjoy your ultimate Keys getaway.

The Publix grocery story and Sombrero Beach were both just 3 miles away.

Coral Lagoon was perfect with elementary aged kids and teens.

If you’d rather stay at a resort on the beach, Hawks Cay comes highly recommended by friends.

With a private beach and outdoor tennis court, this sweet resort also features a full-service spa and a marina.

At Hawk’s Cay, you can spend a day at the beach snorkeling, or relax with sun loungers and beach umbrellas.

There’s also a children's pool and a playground, and with all of the sand and sun, you will appreciate the onsite laundry facilities.

Can’t find a place in Marathon? Islamorada, Florida is another laid back, family-friendly beach destination on the East Coast that’s perfect for exploring the Keys with kids.

Get Expert Advice

Need help deciding or planning your next family vacation? Book a one hour consultation call with me. Ask me questions and gather tailored advice and next steps for putting together your next adventure.

Send Tanya an email to learn more

Pack for the Florida Keys

Have the best time in the Florida Keys when you are packed and ready to go for every kind of adventure:

• Personal snorkeling set — don’t waste your time renting snorkel gear as you will use it daily. We’ve been super happy with the U.S. Divers Snorkel + Gear Bag

• Hammock — you’re on vacation, so lay back, take a snooze or read a book in the shade after your time in the sun and the waves.

• Packable Lounging Chair for the beach - we love these Eno Lounging Chairs that pack up light and tight

• Shade Canopy — the Neso Gigante Sunshade is our go-to. This large, lightweight, portable sunshade is perfect for your next beach trip or other sunny destination. The best part: stakeless anchors let you use available materials such as sand or rocks.