Here’s something most people don’t realize about the Florida Keys: this isn’t Miami Beach. You won’t find miles of wide, flat shoreline stretching to the horizon. The Keys are a chain of coral rock islands, and the beaches here are different — smaller, more intimate, and surrounded by water so clear and colorful it looks like someone turned up the saturation.
What Marathon’s beaches lack in size, they make up for in everything else: calm turquoise water perfect for swimming, soft sand shaded by palms, sea turtle nesting grounds, world-class snorkeling just offshore, and the kind of uncrowded, unhurried atmosphere that bigger beach towns lost decades ago.
Whether you’re looking for a family beach day with a playground and picnic pavilions, a quiet stretch of sand where it’s just you and the water, a hidden sandbar you can only reach by boat, or a dog-friendly beach where your pup can splash in the shallows — Marathon has a beach for you.
Here’s your complete guide to the best beaches in and around Marathon, FL.
Sombrero Beach — Marathon’s Crown Jewel
Sombrero Beach is the beach that puts Marathon on the map. Consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the entire Florida Keys, it’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever fought for towel space on a crowded mainland beach. Soft white sand, calm turquoise water, swaying palm trees, and enough space to spread out and breathe — this is what a Keys beach day is supposed to feel like.
The beach is well-maintained and loaded with amenities: shaded picnic pavilions with grills, a kids’ playground, volleyball courts, clean restrooms, outdoor showers, and full handicap accessibility. The water is shallow and calm near shore, making it ideal for families with young swimmers. Snorkeling along the rocky edges of the shoreline reveals tropical fish darting between the coral.
From April through October, Sombrero Beach serves as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. During nesting season, sections of the beach may be roped off to protect the nests — it’s a special experience to know that endangered turtles chose the same beach you’re sunbathing on.
- Location: Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon (off MM 50)
- Hours: 7:00 AM until dusk
- Parking: $5 for the first two hours, $2 per hour after. Free for Marathon residents
- Best for: Families, swimming, picnics, beach volleyball, snorkeling
- Amenities: Picnic pavilions, grills, playground, volleyball courts, restrooms, showers
- Pro tip: Arrive early on weekends and holidays — the parking lot fills up during peak season. Morning visits also mean freshly raked sand and fewer crowds
[Image: Families enjoying Sombrero Beach. Alt text: “Families enjoying the calm turquoise water and white sand at Sombrero Beach in Marathon FL”]
Coco Plum Beach — The Quiet, Natural Escape
If Sombrero Beach is Marathon’s polished gem, Coco Plum Beach is its natural, untouched counterpart. Located down Coco Plum Drive at MM 54, this quieter beach offers a longer stretch of sand, shallow water perfect for wading, and a laid-back atmosphere that attracts locals more than tourists.
Coco Plum Beach is adjacent to a wetland area, giving it a more natural, wild feel. The Atlantic-side location means you’ll often catch a cool ocean breeze, and the palm trees provide natural shade for relaxing without an umbrella. There’s a covered pavilion and restrooms, but beyond that it’s all nature.
The big bonus: Coco Plum is one of the only completely dog-friendly beaches in Marathon. If you’re traveling with your four-legged family member, this is where you want to be. There’s also a fantastic kayak launch point here for accessing the waterways around Deer Key and Curry Hammock State Park.
- Location: 109 Coco Plum Drive, Marathon (MM 54) — 1.4 miles down Coco Plum Drive
- Parking: Free public parking on the sand
- Best for: Dogs, solitude, beachcombing, kayak launching, nature lovers
- Amenities: Covered pavilion, restrooms
- Pro tip: Also a loggerhead turtle nesting beach — keep an eye out for marked nesting areas during April–October
Related: Traveling to Marathon with Pets? Here’s Your Complete Pet-Friendly Guide
Curry Hammock State Park — The Hidden Gem
Ask locals which beach they go to when they want to escape the tourists, and many will point you to Curry Hammock State Park. Located at MM 56 on Crawl Key, this 1,000-acre state park features roughly 1,000 feet of white sand beach that stretches along calm, shallow water — and it rarely feels crowded.
The water here is incredibly calm and shallow, making it one of the safest swimming spots in the Keys for young children. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on-site, and a nearby sandbar is reachable by paddling — it’s a favorite afternoon excursion. Beyond the beach, the park offers nature trails through wetlands and seagrass beds, excellent birdwatching (especially during fall raptor migration), and a 28-site oceanfront campground for families who want to spend the night under the stars.
- Location: 56200 Overseas Hwy (MM 56)
- Hours: 8:00 AM until sunset, year-round
- Parking/Entry: State park entrance fee applies
- Best for: Families with small kids, kayaking, paddleboarding, nature walks, camping
- Pro tip: Bring bug spray for the nature trails. The beach itself is usually breezy enough to keep the bugs away
Bahia Honda State Park — The Best Beach in the Keys
About a 20-minute drive south of Marathon at MM 37, Bahia Honda State Park is regularly ranked as one of the best beaches in all of Florida — and frequently makes national “best beaches in America” lists. If you’re staying in Marathon and can only take one day trip for a beach experience, this is it.
The beach features pristine white sand, crystal-clear water that rivals the Caribbean, and stunning views of the historic Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge arching over the coastline. The snorkeling here is some of the best shore-accessible snorkeling in the Keys, with coral and tropical fish visible in shallow water right off the beach. Kayak rentals, a snack bar, gift shop, and snorkeling tours to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary are all available on-site.
- Location: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key (MM 37) — about 20 minutes south of Marathon
- Hours: 8:00 AM until sunset daily
- Parking/Entry: State park entrance fee ($4.50 per vehicle with single occupant, $8 per vehicle with 2–8 people)
- Best for: Snorkeling, photography, beach lovers, kayaking, camping
- Pro tip: The park often fills to capacity on weekends and holidays during peak season. Arrive before 10 AM or you may not get in. Once it’s full, they close the gates until cars leave
[Image: Bahia Honda State Park beach with railroad bridge. Alt text: “Pristine beach at Bahia Honda State Park with historic railroad bridge in the Florida Keys”]
Blackfin Resort’s Private Beach — Your Personal Slice of Paradise
One of the best perks of staying at Blackfin Resort & Marina is having your own private beach steps from your room. No parking fees, no crowds, no driving anywhere. The resort’s Gulf-side beach offers calm water, gorgeous sunset views, and the kind of peace that public beaches can’t match.
It’s the perfect spot for morning walks, afternoon lounging, sunset cocktails from the Hurricane Grille, or just sitting with your feet in the water watching the boats come and go from the marina. For families, having a beach right at the resort means you can go back and forth between the pool, the beach, and your room without the logistics of packing up and driving somewhere.
- Best for: Sunset watching, relaxation, convenience, morning beach walks
- Bonus: The resort is pet-friendly ($25/night), so your dog can join you on the beach too
Key Colony Beach — The Charming Neighbor
The small community of Key Colony Beach, just across the Sadowski Causeway from Marathon at MM 53.5, has a few beach spots worth knowing about:
Sunset Park is a local favorite for — you guessed it — watching the sunset. While swimming isn’t allowed here, the scenic dock with tiki umbrellas and daily sunset ritual (complete with local singers ending each evening with a song) makes it one of the most charming spots in the Marathon area. It’s a perfect stop on your way to or from dinner at Sparky’s Landing.
Inch Beach is a private, gated beach located between 10th and 11th Street in Key Colony Beach. With sugar sand, crystal-clear water, a tiki hut, and freshwater showers, it’s pristine and uncrowded. Access is typically limited to Key Colony Beach vacation rental guests.
Marathon’s Secret Beaches: Sandbars You Can Only Reach by Boat
Some of the best “beaches” near Marathon aren’t on any island at all — they’re sandbars that emerge at low tide in the shallow Gulf waters. These ankle-deep islands of white sand surrounded by impossibly clear turquoise water are the Florida Keys’ best-kept secret, and they’re accessible only by boat or paddleboard.
The most popular sandbar is near Curry Hammock State Park, easily reachable by kayak or paddleboard from the park’s beach. On weekends, you’ll see pontoon boats and jet skis anchored around the sandbar while families swim, snorkel, and wade in water so shallow kids can stand. Renting a pontoon boat from one of Marathon’s rental companies and spending a day sandbar hopping is one of the quintessential Keys experiences.
Blackfin Resort’s marina makes sandbar trips easy — launch your own boat from the boat ramp, rent from a local operator, or book a charter that includes sandbar stops.
Related: Boating & Kayaking in Marathon, FL: Your Complete Guide
[Image: Boats anchored at a Marathon sandbar. Alt text: “Boats anchored at a white sandbar in turquoise water near Marathon Florida Keys”]
What to Do at Marathon’s Beaches
Swimming & Wading
Marathon’s beaches are known for calm, warm water that’s perfect for swimming. Sombrero Beach and Curry Hammock offer the calmest conditions, with shallow water near shore that’s ideal for families with young children. Water temperatures range from the mid-70s in winter to the mid-80s in summer — comfortable year-round.
Snorkeling
Sombrero Beach offers decent snorkeling right from shore along the rocky edges, but the real snorkeling is offshore at Sombrero Reef — one of the best coral reefs in the Keys, about four miles out. Several charter operators run trips daily from Marathon. Bahia Honda State Park also offers excellent shore-accessible snorkeling.
Related: Snorkeling Sombrero Reef: Your Guide to Marathon’s Underwater Paradise
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Hourly kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at Sombrero Beach and Curry Hammock State Park. The calm Gulf-side waters near Blackfin Resort are also excellent for paddleboarding. For a guided experience, kayak eco-tours through the Boot Key mangrove tunnels are a must.
Beachcombing & Shelling
Coco Plum Beach and Bahia Honda are the best spots for beachcombing. Look for sea glass, small shells, and coral fragments along the tide line. Early morning after a high tide typically yields the best finds.
Sea Turtle Watching
During nesting season (April–October), both Sombrero Beach and Coco Plum Beach host loggerhead sea turtle nests. Look for the marked and roped-off areas along the beach. Turtle hatchlings typically emerge at night from July through October. If you’re lucky enough to witness a hatching, remember: keep your distance, don’t use flashlights or phone screens, and let nature take its course.
Quick Beach Comparison: Which Beach Is Right for You?
Best all-around family beach: Sombrero Beach — amenities, calm water, playground, parking
Best for dogs: Coco Plum Beach — dog-friendly, natural, free parking
Best for avoiding crowds: Curry Hammock State Park — uncrowded, shallow water, kayak rentals
Most beautiful beach: Bahia Honda State Park — nationally ranked, stunning photography
Most convenient from Blackfin: Blackfin’s private beach — steps from your room, zero hassle
Best snorkeling from shore: Bahia Honda State Park — coral and fish in shallow water right off the beach
Best for sunset: Blackfin’s beach or Sunset Park in Key Colony Beach
Best “secret” beach experience: A sandbar trip by boat — the ultimate Keys beach day
Beach Tips for Marathon Visitors
- Use reef-safe sunscreen. The Florida Keys are surrounded by the third-largest barrier reef in the world. Regular sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate harm coral. Use mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and the reef
- Bring water shoes. Some beach areas have rocky or coral-lined bottoms near the waterline. Water shoes protect your feet and make entering the water easier
- Arrive early for the best spots. Sombrero Beach and Bahia Honda fill up fast on weekends and holidays during peak season (December–April). Morning visits mean better parking and freshly maintained beaches
- Pack a cooler. There are no beachside food vendors at most Marathon beaches (Bahia Honda has a snack bar). Bring your own food and drinks, and use the picnic pavilions with grills at Sombrero Beach
- Check the tides. Low tide exposes more sand and shallower water for wading and beachcombing. High tide is better for swimming and snorkeling. Sandbar visits are best timed around low tide
- Respect nesting turtles. Never disturb marked turtle nests, and avoid using bright lights on the beach at night during nesting season (April–October)
- Shade is limited. Most Keys beaches have some palm trees but limited natural shade. Bring an umbrella or pop-up tent if you plan to spend the full day, especially with kids
Best Time for Beach Days in Marathon
Marathon’s beaches are enjoyable year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
- Winter (December–February): The most comfortable air temperatures (70s–low 80s). Water is cooler but still swimmable (mid-70s). Peak tourist season — beaches are busier
- Spring (March–May): The sweet spot. Warm air, warm water, and slightly fewer crowds than winter. Perfect beach weather
- Summer (June–August): Hottest temperatures and warmest water (mid-80s). Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually brief. Fewer tourists and lower hotel rates
- Fall (September–November): Fewest crowds and best deals. Hurricane season through November adds some weather uncertainty. The water stays warm into November
Related: Florida Keys in Spring: Why March–May Is the Best Time to Visit
Your Beach Vacation Starts at Blackfin
Marathon’s beaches may not be the widest or longest in Florida, but they’re among the most beautiful, the most uncrowded, and the most connected to the natural wonder that makes the Keys special. When you stay at Blackfin Resort & Marina, you have your own private beach for lazy mornings and stunning sunsets, plus easy access to every public beach on this list. Sombrero Beach is minutes away. Bahia Honda is a scenic drive. And the sandbars are a boat ride from the marina.
Combine your beach days with snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, dolphin encounters, and some of the best waterfront dining in the Keys, and you have a vacation that goes far beyond a typical beach trip.
Ready to find your perfect beach? Book your stay at Blackfin Resort & Marina.
Related Posts from Blackfin Resort:
- Snorkeling Sombrero Reef: Your Guide to Marathon’s Underwater Paradise
- Boating & Kayaking in Marathon, FL: Your Complete Guide
- Traveling to Marathon with Pets? Here’s Your Complete Pet-Friendly Guide
- Family-Friendly Things to Do in Marathon, FL: The Ultimate Guide for Kids of All Ages
- The Best Sunset Spots in Marathon, Florida
- Florida Keys in Spring: Why March–May Is the Best Time to Visit
- Top Fishing Spots Near Blackfin Resort in Marathon, FL
- Where to Eat in Marathon, FL: The Complete Restaurant Guide
- Marathon vs. Key West: Where to Stay in the Florida Keys