Marathon, Florida

Fishing & Travel Destination

Largest of the Middle Keys, Marathon is home to an airport, unique shops and galleries, convenient markets, and a multitude of diverse accommodations. The Seven Mile Bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and islands, making you feel truly ‘away from it all’. Swim with the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, or visit the only state-certified veterinary hospital in the world for turtles. Enjoy an afternoon of golf in paradise at Key Colony Beach’s nine-hole Par 3 course, or unwind on historic Pigeon Key Island, below the Old Seven Mile Bridge – one of the most photographed spots in the Florida Keys. Crane Point Museum and Nature Center lets you further discover the “natural Florida Keys” through nature trails and hands-on animal presentations. If you plan to visit during March, don’t miss the annual Marathon Seafood Festival - best in the Florida Keys. Sombrero Reef is just offshore, one of the best locations along the Keys’ barrier reef to snorkel, dive . . . and fish.

Marathon sits at a comfortable midpoint, “in the heart of the Florida Keys” – one hour from both Key Largo and Key West - making it convenient to dash back north to pick up where you left off (or what you may have left behind), or test the waters further south towards the tempting end of the road in Key West.

For a more direct route, you may spirit yourself to and from paradise much quicker than by auto or boat, utilizing the Florida Keys Marathon Airport. Morning, day, and night fishing charters may be adjusted to match all itineraries, whether you come for a quick fishing fix or for staying nights at a time.


Tarpon fishing in Marathon is second to none, as many giants choose to gather with friends near Seven Mile and Bahia Honda Bridges. Taking a charter for this purpose may easily lead to the reward of a large fish for even the least experienced angler. A virtual underwater platform, Marathon West Hump, rises offshore from 480 to 1,100 feet in the Gulfstream, attracting trophies like Blue and White Marlin, Mako Sharks, Blackfin Tuna, and Amberjacks, among many others. With the Gulf side of Marathon deeper and more open, Bay fishing is an outstanding, safe bet; especially when the waters offshore are rough. The result is a large concentration of species, including Mangrove Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Cobia.A visit to Marathon pays off in many ways, especially if you plan to explore a number of the Florida Keys. Marathon is centrally located and bursting with exciting places and things to see, explore, and do, especially fish! Unique underwater aspects offshore and around the popular local bridges and bays attract most of the popular gamefish, in great quantity; so many fishing charters make it easy to achieve great success above and in the water. Even for shorter visits, Marathon is a most convenient location from which to dabble elsewhere, north or south, without any significant investment of time.