The Local Perspective

Going for a long, scenic drive can be such a breath of fresh air. Traveling to Marlin Bay in the Florida Keys is a memorable experience you will love. We’ve put together a little itinerary for a road trip from mainland Florida to Marathon on historic US1. 

It’s one of the most unique drives in the country—you’ll have to see it for yourself.

US1 transforms into the Overseas Highway once you leave the Southern Glades. A first stop can be found at Key Largo, where John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park provides an expansive natural area for stretching your legs and exploring local ecology. You can even snorkel there.

Onward to Islamorada, where you’ll find the Florida Keys History of Diving museum, which exhibits evidence of humanity’s journeys under the sea over the past 4,000 years. Stop for a jump in the sky-bright tidal flats at Anne’s Beach, and let the kids play in the mudflats.

Islamorada also boasts a local artists’ village, signaled by a giant crustacean: a very photogenic, enormous red lobster statue. Go for a little artisanal shopping before arriving at Marlin Bay Resort & Marina in Marathon.

Now in its 44^th year, the Original Marathon Seafood Festival is the Keys’ premier annual gathering for fresh seafood and live musical entertainment.

On Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, over 20,000 people will pour into Marathon Community Park to indulge with family and friends in delicious, local seafood, ice-cold beers, frozen cocktails, and more. Browse over 220 vendors selling nautical gear, home décor, clothing, toys, jewelry, and many handcrafted items by local artists and artisans. Marvel at, and perhaps even purchase, one of the many boats or engines on display at the boat show. Kick back to the cool stylings of live musical acts performing throughout the weekend in a range of genres, including rock, country, reggae, and others. This seafood and music extravaganza isn’t just for adults, either. In addition to all the other fun, you'll find plenty of rides and games to entertain your little ones throughout the festival.

Address: 200 Ocean, 36th St, Marathon, FL 33050

With 74 boat slips and a dedicated staff of seasoned pros, our private marina makes Marlin Bay Resort the Keys’ top vacation destination among elite boating and fishing enthusiasts. Here are some helpful tips on where to go in Marathon to find all the things you’ll need for a successful fishing expedition.

1. First, the basics—hooks, lines, sinkers, lures, nets, and other essentials. For all the top-notch tackle and gear, head to any one of these trusted Marathon shops:
- Marathon Bait & Tackle, 3740 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-2248
- Big Time Discount Bait & Tackle, 11499 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-0199
- The Tackle Box, 1901 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-0540

2. Now that you’ve got your gear in order, you’re nearly ready to set out. The final item to add to your arsenal is a trove of live bait:
- Big Time Discount Bait & Tackle, 11499 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-0199
- Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center (11833 Overseas Hwy) 305-743-2444
- Marathon Bait & Tackle, 3740 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-2248

3. What if something goes wrong with your boat’s motor or navigational equipment? Not to worry. In Marathon, there’s no shortage of highly-skilled outboard/inboard mechanics and purveyors of state-of-the-art electronics:
- Marathon Boat Yard, 2059 Overseas Hwy, (305)735-4594
- Shelter Bay Marine, 77 Coco Plum Dr, (305) 743-7008
- S.A.L.T Services, Inc., 2992 Overseas Hwy, (305) 289-1150
- Florida Keys Diesel / All Keys Diesel, 531 107th St, (305) 289-2070

4. When its time to fuel up, you have several great dockside options for both gas and diesel:
- Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, 1996 Overseas Hwy, (305) 743-1234
- Marathon Marina & Boatyard, 1021 11th St Ocean, (305) 743-6575
- Captain Hook’s Marina & Dive Center, 11833 Overseas Hwy, (305) 743-2444
- Pancho’s Fuel Dock & Supplies, 1280 Oceanview Ave, (305) 743-2281

5. Finally, once you’ve made your catch, you’ll want to avail of yourself of the “Hook and Cook” services at one of Marathon’s many wonderful restaurants. These are some of our favorites:
- Sparky’s Landing, 13205 Overseas Hwy, (305) 363-2959
- Castaway Waterfront Restaurant, 1406 Oceanview Ave, (305) 743-6247
- Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House, 3660 Overseas Hwy, (305) 743-5516

From kayaking to kiteboarding, from snorkeling to scuba diving, there are plenty of ways to see the Florida Keys both above water and below. But how about a bird's-eye-view?

We’ve got the perfect tour company for you. From November through April, Coastal Biplane Tours carries countless lucky travelers up to the sky and back to the past for a thrilling open cockpit adventure that abounds with breathtaking panoramic views of the islands and plenty of sure-to-be iconic selfies. Your pilot, Phil Ulrich, is one of the friendliest, most seasoned professionals ever to fly the North American skies, with over 39 years of flying experience, 25,000 hours of flight time, 40,000 highly satisfied customers, and a lifetime love of aviation. All tours depart from and return to the Marathon Airport, just a quick seven-minute drive from the Marlin Bay Resort & Marina.

Address: Marathon Airport, 9400 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL

If you’d like to explore the marine life of the Keys up close in a fun and informative environment, we highly recommend checking out Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters during your stay with us.

Based at the Florida Keys Aquarium & Conservation Center, just a seven-minute drive from our resort, Aquarium Encounters offers both guided aquarium tours and a range of more unusual aquarium activities. At the Stingray Encounter, you’ll not only swim among the gorgeous gliding creatures; you’ll even be able to invite a trained stingray to sit on your lap. The Coral Reef Snorkel Encounter will give you a chance to explore the delightfully varied assortment of strange and wonderful animals in the unique coral reef immersion tank. The Big Shark Bay Encounter might sound scary, but in fact, it’s a very safe way to experience the aquarium’s amiable collection of nurse sharks as an expert marine biologist explains just how the aquarium staff goes about training these slow-moving members of the shark family. Private aquarium tours are also available.

Address: 11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050

Since at least the 1960s, when the popular TV series Flipper debuted on NBC, Americans have been in love with dolphins. Though the show is set in Key Largo, the best spot in the Keys to learn about and play with dolphins is actually located in Grassy Key, just a short 15-minute drive from the Marlin Bay Resort & Marina.

The Dolphin Research Center is a state-of-the-art research and rehabilitation facility dedicated to promoting the welfare of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. The center endeavors whenever possible to release its marine mammal residents back into the wild, but roughly half the permanent population of the center cannot be returned to the open ocean, as the creatures would not survive, and the other half were born at the center. During your visit to the facility, which is open daily from 9 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., you’ll learn all about the dolphins and sea lions from the center’s friendly and expert staff. You’ll also have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. The animals are never forced to do anything, however, so the timing of direct dolphin encounters varies from day to day.

Address: 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050-6019

The Crane Point Museum, Nature Center, and Historic Site is a 63-acre preserve nestled inside the Marathon shopping district. An absolute must-see for anyone visiting Vaca Key, Crane Point includes a Museum of Natural History, a Children’s Museum, the Marathon Wild Bird Center, and the George Adderley House.

The Museum of Natural History is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute and features stunning exhibits on Native-American inhabitants, early European explorers, and the ecology of the Keys. The Children’s Museum provides various interactive displays that let kids get up-close (and sometimes hands-on) with fish, rays, crustaceans, and even a nurse shark! The Marathon Wild Bird Center is a research institute and clinic that specializes in rehabilitating injured birds and educating the public about these majestic creatures. The George Adderley House (a.k.a., the Bahamian House) is a historic museum constructed as a home in 1903 by George Adderley, who had emigrated from the Bahamas. The Adderley House is the Keys’ only extant “tabby house.” And of course, the extensive nature trails and botanic gardens make Crane Point the perfect place to lose yourself in the natural splendor that makes the Keys a paradise on earth.

Address: 5550 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050