Dolphin connection is an amazing experience for the whole family to enjoy. It is located on site at Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key. They have a few different package offerings.. Our favorite is the Dolphin Discovery experience. With the package, you learn about these fun creatures, watch them show off their skills, and you get some hands on fun with your new best friend. The staff members at Dolphin Connection are so much fun, and the experience is something you’ll never forget.

The Turtle Hospital is a must see. It’s about a 1 hour tour with the first 20 minutes in the classroom learning about sea turtles. After the classroom, they walk you through the facility. They show you the operation rooms (you may sneak a peek of an ongoing operation), the rehab tanks, and the full time resident turtles. You get plenty of time at each tank to admire these incredible animals. We recommend reservations, especially on rainy days. The hospital also does public releases at Sombrero Beach when turtles have fully rehabbed and are ready to be reintroduced into the wild. Check Facebook for upcoming releases.

This is one of our favorite public beaches! The palm trees and sand are straight out of a painting. It’s a great place to hang for the day and take a few family pictures. It is dog friendly, and our puppy loves it here! It also has a lot for kids. There are volley ball courts, play grounds, and picnic tables. Restrooms and outdoor showers are on site as well.

Little Palm Island is a private resort island in Little Torch Key. We recommend this experience for couples looking for a romantic lunch/brunch option. You catch their private ferry in Little Torch Key, and it is about a 10 minutes ride to the island. Once you arrive on the island, you are escorted to the restaurant. After your meal, you can grab a drink, shop in their boutique, or walk the beach, before catching the ferry back to Little Torch. The food is AMAZING, and the views are second to none. We recommend the tuna taco app, the fish and chips meal, and the Key Lime pie is a must! :-). We recommend making reservations a few months in advance, especially during peek season.

Key West Adventures is our go to for Sling Shot rentals in Marathon. However, they offer vehicles for all your transportation needs. We recommend renting a slingshot and driving down to Key West for lunch. It’s the best of both worlds. You get a fun ride down to Key West with the wind in your hair and beautiful views in all directions, and you get a wonderful lunch (and maybe some shopping) in Key West.

Hideaway Cafe is one of our favorite spots on the island. Chef Freda is one of Marathon’s precious gems! It is an intimate restaurant located above a local motel, and it overlooks one of the prettiest beaches of Marathon. They are known for their Duck l’Orange, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Our favorite items are the seafood crepe app, duck l’orange, lamb chops, and any of the local catch items (we love the hogfish francese). For dessert, the bananas foster is delicious! Be sure to call and make a reservation. For you early birds like us, they do offer a discounted rate for a short time after opening each day. Just ask about the sunset menu.

Bongos is a wonderful environment for everyone in the family. They have a cable park for wakeboarding and inflatable water obstacles. We would describe the food truck as a bit gourmet in the best way. We love their burger and bowls. They also have fabulous adult beverages. The hammocks and plants create the perfect island vibe, and there are a few walking trails to explore.

Irie is a local favorite and easily in our top 5 places to eat in Marathon! They have some of the best Caribbean flavors in town. Our go to is the Irie Kalua Pork bowl. Their food is amazing, but the atmosphere elevates the experience with a laid back hidden oasis to enjoy.

The stuffed pig is nothing fancy; however, they have one of the best breakfast and brunch menus on the island! If you are feeling the effects of the night before, you will definitely find the cure here! We love their benedicts and their chicken and waffle. They’re delicious! Also a friendly reminder that this place is CASH ONLY (that’s how you know that it’s good).

Dockside is the local spot for live music and stiff drinks. They have some great fish tacos, burgers, wings and more! For sure a good time to sit back or let loose on the dance floor!

Coco's General Store Is located on the way to our dock. They are a great stop to get some sandwiches to go for your trip! The Staff at Coco’s are super friendly and make awesome food!

Conch Custard is new to town, and we are so excited to welcome them. They offer homemade, naturally flavored Italian Ice, soft serve custard, and ice cream. Our favorites are the gelatis. You get the best of both worlds. We also love their home made poppy seed cake flavored ice-cream! This is definitely on of our favorite spots to treat ourselves.

Looking for something sweet? Look no further than Sweet Savannah’s! They have everything that could salsify a sweet tooth. Lucca’s favorite is the banana praline ice cream and Katie loves a banana split!

Need some snorkeling, freediving, or spearfishing gear? Check out Formula Freediving in Marathon. In addition to selling equipment, they also offer freediving classes!

Please check out our Marathon Camber of Commerce for any and all news about our slice of paradise.