The Florida Keys are known for a lot of things, but great beaches may not be one of them. Sombrero beach in Marathon begs to differ.
Florida offers so many opportunities for family fun. From Florida beaches which offer golden sand and a great swimming area for beach lovers to enjoy, to theme parks to please any thrill seeker. But don’t snooze on Sombrero Beach.
Sombrero Beach is located in the town of Marathon, which is in the middle Keys. If you’ve ever been to the Florida Keys, you know they speak in mile markers, so Sombrero Beach is located near Mile Marker 50. It’s about a mile off US 1 and is a great place to spend a day with your family.
The beach has soft sand and the water is glassy near the shore and a very deep emerald color as you decide to swim further out.
Sombrero Beach is in the middle of Marathon in a residential neighborhood with plenty of free parking. There is no entrance fee.
The only reason it came in at #2 on our list of the Top 10 Beaches in The Florida Keys is because #1 just isn’t fair.
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST WATERSPORTS TOURS IN KEY WEST, INCLUDING SOME ON SOMBRERO BEACH!
SOMBRERO BEACH THINGS TO DO
BEACH AMENITIES
The beach has several covered picnic areas to enjoy lunch while getting out of the sun. There is also a bathhouse and outdoor showers to rinse off the sand.
There’s also a play area near the covered picnic pavilion shelters that our kids loved playing on. A word of advice though, don’t go down the big slide with a wet bathing suit. You shoot down at the speed of light and fly right off the end! There is also a volleyball court if you and your friends want to start a game.
The road to the beach off of US 1 mile bridge, Sombrero Beach Road, goes right past a Publix as well as Winn-Dixie so you can stock up on any refreshments or beach toys you may need before getting there.
And guess what? Fido is welcome! Did you know that all of City of Marathon’s Parks are dog friendly? With the exception of the Community Park soccer and baseball fields your pup is welcome.
They just ask that you please keep your dogs on a leash and pick up behind them.
SNORKLING
The palm tree-lined, white sand shores of Sombrero Beach is a great place to snorkel. It’s great for both young and old and regardless of experience level.
There is a roped off swimming area that goes out about 50 yards and after about the first 10 yards into the water, the sea grass starts and you can see some amazing fish swimming around.
KAYAKING
Another fun thing to do is kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. The water is usually pretty calm at Sombrero Beach, which is great for kayaking and SUP’ing.
If you don’t have your own, you can rent a kayak or SUP at Keys Kayak LLC. They have a bunch of options for kayaks and rates are very reasonable. They even deliver to the Marathon area!
SEA TURTLES
From April to October Sombrero Beach is a common spot for Loggerhead turtle nesting. You’ll see the nesting areas marked off with yellow tape, so be careful near that.
If you’re lucky enough to see the turtles hatch and head to sea, it’s really an amazing experience. This is usually coordinate with the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, which is just a few miles from Sombrero Beach. If you like marine life, you’ll really like the Turtle Hospital.
CUBAN COFFEE
Another great stop on your way to the beach is at Juice Paradise Cuban Café and Restaurant, located about two blocks from the Turtle Hospital.
Grab a couple of Cuban Coffees to enjoy while you’re sitting at the beach. You’ll thank me later. Cuban coffee is made from espresso and a special sugar mixture that makes it sweet with just the right amount of foam. A fantastic addition to a day at the beach in a lawn chair under an umbrella!
When in the Florida Keys and you get that beach feeling, be sure to check out Sombrero Beach in Marathon.
OTHER SPOTS IN THE KEYS
The Keys are their own special place. While Marathon should be on your list of places to visit, we also recommend checking out Bahia Honda State Park. This park offers more than just iconic Florida scenery, but also palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets.
Key Largo is the first island within the Florida Keys, so you have to pass through to get to Sombrero Beach so be sure an make time to visit. Known as the Diving Capital of the World, Key Largo is a dream dive destination where natural coral reefs lie only a few miles from the shore. There are shallow reefs for snorkelers and deeper coral-encrusted wrecks for experienced divers.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA
- YOUR FLORIDA VACATION
- ROAD TRIP GAMES: 45+ Brilliant Road Trip Games That Make Time Fly
- SOUTH FLORIDA: 27 Things to do in South Florida on the Ultimate Road Trip
- THE KEYS: Things to do in Florida Keys: 33+ Fun Options You’ll Adore
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