Skip to content
Plan a Marathon day

Credits

Photo and film credits

The short answer

Every photograph on Visit Marathon FL is a real, credited image of Marathon and the Middle Keys, used under the license listed with it. The home page film is cut from those same photographs with slow camera moves and cross-fades; nothing in it is generated. Each credit below links to the original file and its license.

Last checked October 22, 2026

  • High oblique aerial looking north over Boot Key Harbor: a broad green-turquoise harbour packed with well over a hundred moored sailboats, lined on the far side by the canals, docks and buildings of Vaca Key along the Overseas Highway, with the open water of Florida Bay beyond. In the foreground is the dark-green mangrove forest of Boot Key cut by winding tidal creeks, and at right a fenced grassy field with a small building beside waterfront homes, canals and a golf course.

    High oblique aerial looking north over Boot Key Harbor: a broad green-turquoise harbour packed with well over a hundred moored sailboats, lined on the far side by the canals, docks and buildings of Vaca Key along the Overseas Highway, with the open water of Florida Bay beyond. In the foreground is the dark-green mangrove forest of Boot Key cut by winding tidal creeks, and at right a fenced grassy field with a small building beside waterfront homes, canals and a golf course.

    Photograph File:Boot Key Harbor, Looking North.jpg by Direnzoa (English Wikipedia), licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Wide, footprinted white-sand beach curving away to the right along a calm, pale-blue cove. Coconut palms, shade trees and low shelters line the left side; houses, a moored sailboat and more trees sit on the far shore under big white cumulus clouds. A small flock of shorebirds stands at the water's edge and vehicle tracks run along the sand.

    Wide, footprinted white-sand beach curving away to the right along a calm, pale-blue cove. Coconut palms, shade trees and low shelters line the left side; houses, a moored sailboat and more trees sit on the far shore under big white cumulus clouds. A small flock of shorebirds stands at the water's edge and vehicle tracks run along the sand.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Beach Florida Keys www.florida-infos.com – panoramio (5).jpg by Franz Stellbrink, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-05-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A cluster of three tall fan palms and one short palm stands on a broad, empty white-sand beach under a deep-blue sky with white clouds. Beside them are two rainbow-striped umbrellas over two striped beach chairs and a small cooler. Behind the beach is calm green-blue water and a long low line of dark-green mangroves.

    A cluster of three tall fan palms and one short palm stands on a broad, empty white-sand beach under a deep-blue sky with white clouds. Beside them are two rainbow-striped umbrellas over two striped beach chairs and a small cooler. Behind the beach is calm green-blue water and a long low line of dark-green mangroves.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Beach Florida Keys www.florida-infos.com – panoramio (8).jpg by Franz Stellbrink, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-05-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Two bright multicoloured beach umbrellas stand on pale, footprinted sand in front of calm turquoise water and a flat horizon under a pale-blue sky. Under the left umbrella a white-haired person lies back in a lounger draped with a striped towel, seen from behind; a second empty towel-draped lounger, a blue cooler with two drink bottles on top, pairs of plastic clogs, a black bag and pink and purple pool noodles lie around them.

    Two bright multicoloured beach umbrellas stand on pale, footprinted sand in front of calm turquoise water and a flat horizon under a pale-blue sky. Under the left umbrella a white-haired person lies back in a lounger draped with a striped towel, seen from behind; a second empty towel-draped lounger, a blue cooler with two drink bottles on top, pairs of plastic clogs, a black bag and pink and purple pool noodles lie around them.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Beach Florida Keys www.florida-infos.com – panoramio.jpg by Franz Stellbrink, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-05-07. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Three coconut palms silhouetted against a pale, streaky grey-and-cream evening sky, with tall dune grass in the foreground. Beyond them calm, silvery water reflects the light and a long low dark-green mangrove island runs across the frame; a single post sticks out of the water in the middle.

    Three coconut palms silhouetted against a pale, streaky grey-and-cream evening sky, with tall dune grass in the foreground. Beyond them calm, silvery water reflects the light and a long low dark-green mangrove island runs across the frame; a single post sticks out of the water in the middle.

    Photograph File:Sunset at Sombrero Beach – panoramio.jpg by AmberGirl, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2009-03-08. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A wide strip of white sand runs into the distance beside a shallow, weedy flat at low tide, with a dark line of washed-up seagrass along the edge. On the left are open-sided picnic shelters on grass, folded blue kites or gear on the sand and yellow kayaks in the background; a palm-covered point and a rock revetment sit at the far end under a blue sky with white clouds.

    A wide strip of white sand runs into the distance beside a shallow, weedy flat at low tide, with a dark line of washed-up seagrass along the edge. On the left are open-sided picnic shelters on grass, folded blue kites or gear on the sand and yellow kayaks in the background; a palm-covered point and a rock revetment sit at the far end under a blue sky with white clouds.

    Photograph File:Marathon FL Curry Hammock SP beach02.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • High view down a calm, dark-blue mangrove creek that mirrors the clouds. Dense green mangroves line the left bank and form small islands on the right. Two people paddle long wooden-toned sea kayaks with yellow paddles away from the camera: one in a wide-brimmed hat on the left, a woman with her hair tied back on the right. Above is a bright blue sky with wispy and puffy white clouds.

    High view down a calm, dark-blue mangrove creek that mirrors the clouds. Dense green mangroves line the left bank and form small islands on the right. Two people paddle long wooden-toned sea kayaks with yellow paddles away from the camera: one in a wide-brimmed hat on the left, a woman with her hair tied back on the right. Above is a bright blue sky with wispy and puffy white clouds.

    Photograph File:Florida Keys Scenic Highway – Kayaking in Curry Hammock State Park – NARA – 7718446.jpg by U.S. National Archives (Florida Keys Scenic Highway collection), licensed under Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Vertical view across clear, rippled shallow water over a pale sandy bottom, turning deep blue further out. At left, a point of land with tall coconut palms, red-mangrove roots and a white rock revetment runs out into the water; two channel-marker posts stand offshore and several small boats sit on the horizon. The upper half is a clean deep-blue sky with a band of white cumulus.

    Vertical view across clear, rippled shallow water over a pale sandy bottom, turning deep blue further out. At left, a point of land with tall coconut palms, red-mangrove roots and a white rock revetment runs out into the water; two channel-marker posts stand offshore and several small boats sit on the horizon. The upper half is a clean deep-blue sky with a band of white cumulus.

    Photograph File:Curry Hammock State Park view.jpg by Marvin The Paranoid, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2019-12. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Colour aerial from 1987 across a huge expanse of dark-green mangrove in the foreground to a sheltered harbour with marinas, piers, a boatyard, docked and anchored boats and low buildings among trees. A red-and-white lighthouse-shaped tower stands near the right of the shoreline, and the open, blue-green sea stretches to a hazy horizon. Dust specks and scratches from the film are visible, with a thin dark edge at the top right.

    Colour aerial from 1987 across a huge expanse of dark-green mangrove in the foreground to a sheltered harbour with marinas, piers, a boatyard, docked and anchored boats and low buildings among trees. A red-and-white lighthouse-shaped tower stands near the right of the shoreline, and the open, blue-green sea stretches to a hazy horizon. Dust specks and scratches from the film are visible, with a thin dark edge at the top right.

    Photograph File:Aerial photographs of Florida MM00034443x (7184642725).jpg by Florida Keys Public Libraries (Wright Langley Collection), licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 1987-10-07. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Top-down view of a sea turtle swimming at the surface of a bright turquoise tank with rippling light patterns. Its shell has brown, amber and cream radiating plates, with a name hand-painted on the shell in yellow (it appears to read 'Spot'); its head is just breaking the surface and its pale, scaly front flippers are spread. A few small food pellets float nearby.

    Top-down view of a sea turtle swimming at the surface of a bright turquoise tank with rippling light patterns. Its shell has brown, amber and cream radiating plates, with a name hand-painted on the shell in yellow (it appears to read 'Spot'); its head is just breaking the surface and its pale, scaly front flippers are spread. A few small food pellets float nearby.

    Photograph File:Sea Turtle in Marathon, Florida.jpg by Tori Siebecker, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2016-05-17. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • The Turtle Hospital's roadside sign, a mint-green panel reading 'Turtle Hospital' in red, with a carved sea turtle, a red-cross logo, 'Sea Turtle Center' and 'Rescue - Rehab - Release' on a blue band. It stands among trees under overhead power lines against a darkening sky. In the foreground are two white-and-orange vans lettered 'The Turtle Hospital Ambulance', one with a Florida plate reading 'TURTLE'.

    The Turtle Hospital's roadside sign, a mint-green panel reading 'Turtle Hospital' in red, with a carved sea turtle, a red-cross logo, 'Sea Turtle Center' and 'Rescue – Rehab – Release' on a blue band. It stands among trees under overhead power lines against a darkening sky. In the foreground are two white-and-orange vans lettered 'The Turtle Hospital Ambulance', one with a Florida plate reading 'TURTLE'.

    Photograph File:Turtle Hospital 018 (18234721802).jpg by Isles Yacht Club, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2015-05-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Roadside view of the Crane Point Hammock entrance building: a white structure with a tall glass tower, 'Crane Point Hammock' lettering, a teal leaf logo and murals of mangrove water, a sunset and a great blue heron. Shade trees and palms surround it, a US flag flies from a pole at right beside a small sandwich-board sign, and a paved path and grass strip run along the front under a blue sky with heavy white cloud.

    Roadside view of the Crane Point Hammock entrance building: a white structure with a tall glass tower, 'Crane Point Hammock' lettering, a teal leaf logo and murals of mangrove water, a sunset and a great blue heron. Shade trees and palms surround it, a US flag flies from a pole at right beside a small sandwich-board sign, and a paved path and grass strip run along the front under a blue sky with heavy white cloud.

    Photograph File:5550 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida – Crane Point Hammock.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Front entrance of the Crane Point Museum & Nature Center: a white building with teal lettering under a maroon roof edge, wide concrete steps up to a covered porch, decorated double doors, an arched admission sign and small posted signs. An old rusted cannon lies at lower left; palms and a leafy tree frame the entrance, with coral-rock boulders at right.

    Front entrance of the Crane Point Museum & Nature Center: a white building with teal lettering under a maroon roof edge, wide concrete steps up to a covered porch, decorated double doors, an arched admission sign and small posted signs. An old rusted cannon lies at lower left; palms and a leafy tree frame the entrance, with coral-rock boulders at right.

    Photograph File:Marathon FL Crane Point Museum01.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A white crushed-rock nature trail runs straight ahead through dense tropical hardwood hammock, with dappled sunlight and shade on the path. Thick green shrubs and small trees close in on both sides and nearly meet overhead, a fan-palm frond fills the left edge, and a patch of blue sky shows at the top.

    A white crushed-rock nature trail runs straight ahead through dense tropical hardwood hammock, with dappled sunlight and shade on the path. Thick green shrubs and small trees close in on both sides and nearly meet overhead, a fan-palm frond fills the left edge, and a patch of blue sky shows at the top.

    Photograph File:Marathon FL Crane Point Museum Crane Road01.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A white crushed-rock path curves along a rocky shoreline at Crane Point, edged with a low shrub dotted with small yellow flowers, a round-leaved sea grape bush and dense green mangrove-type trees on the right. To the left, choppy blue-green water stretches to a mangrove islet with a small boat and a flat horizon under a blue sky with light cloud.

    A white crushed-rock path curves along a rocky shoreline at Crane Point, edged with a low shrub dotted with small yellow flowers, a round-leaved sea grape bush and dense green mangrove-type trees on the right. To the left, choppy blue-green water stretches to a mangrove islet with a small boat and a flat horizon under a blue sky with light cloud.

    Photograph File:Marathon FL Crane Point Museum water01.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A small, single-storey house with a pale, hipped roof and thick white walls whose stucco has flaked away in patches to show the rough stone underneath. It has an open doorway with green-painted trim, and green wooden storm shutters propped open at the windows. A leafy tree with a reddish trunk leans across the front, with red-flowering shrubs, crotons and young plants in coral-rock-edged beds and a white gravel path in front.

    A small, single-storey house with a pale, hipped roof and thick white walls whose stucco has flaked away in patches to show the rough stone underneath. It has an open doorway with green-painted trim, and green wooden storm shutters propped open at the windows. A leafy tree with a reddish trunk leans across the front, with red-flowering shrubs, crotons and young plants in coral-rock-edged beds and a white gravel path in front.

    Photograph File:Marathon FL Crane Point Museum Adderley House01.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A long red railway passenger car lettered 'Florida East Coast Railway' in gold, with a banner along its side reading 'Crane Point Museum Hammock & Nature Trails', sits beside the road on a gravel bed planted with agaves and bromeliads, with a historical marker at its left end. Palms and leafy trees rise behind it under a blue sky full of white cloud; a grass verge and a path run across the foreground.

    A long red railway passenger car lettered 'Florida East Coast Railway' in gold, with a banner along its side reading 'Crane Point Museum Hammock & Nature Trails', sits beside the road on a gravel bed planted with agaves and bromeliads, with a historical marker at its left end. Palms and leafy trees rise behind it under a blue sky full of white cloud; a grass verge and a path run across the foreground.

    Photograph File:Marathon, Florida – Florida East Coast Railway Car.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A bottlenose dolphin leaps clear of calm greenish lagoon water, arching head-down toward the surface with a splash trailing from its tail. Behind it are wooden docks on pilings, a white floating platform with a blue tub and an orange bowl, chain-link fencing around the lagoon pens and a mangrove thicket at the upper right.

    A bottlenose dolphin leaps clear of calm greenish lagoon water, arching head-down toward the surface with a splash trailing from its tail. Behind it are wooden docks on pilings, a white floating platform with a blue tub and an orange bowl, chain-link fencing around the lagoon pens and a mangrove thicket at the upper right.

    Photograph File:Dolphin-Research-Center, Florida Key’s – a Bottlenose Dolphin (15835326416).jpg by Reinhard Link, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2013-01-08. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Roadside view of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters: a large thatched-roof building with an 'Aquarium Encounters' sign and a 'Hand Feed Sharks' banner behind a car park with SUVs, palms and flowering shrubs. At right a big blue billboard reads 'Aquarium Encounters Florida Keys' over a shark photo, with yellow side panels reading 'Alligators' and 'Stingrays', topped by a shark sculpture and a US flag. A chain-link fence and a grass verge run across the foreground under a bright blue sky with puffy cloud.

    Roadside view of Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters: a large thatched-roof building with an 'Aquarium Encounters' sign and a 'Hand Feed Sharks' banner behind a car park with SUVs, palms and flowering shrubs. At right a big blue billboard reads 'Aquarium Encounters Florida Keys' over a shark photo, with yellow side panels reading 'Alligators' and 'Stingrays', topped by a shark sculpture and a US flag. A chain-link fence and a grass verge run across the foreground under a bright blue sky with puffy cloud.

    Photograph File:Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, Marathon, Florida.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • High view from the Seven Mile Bridge of Pigeon Key: a small low island ringed by rock and very clear turquoise shallows. A curved ramp rises from the island to the old steel-truss bridge that runs across the background on concrete piers. On the island are a solar-panel canopy over a sign reading 'Tour Pigeon Key', a small walled boat basin, white historic buildings, palms and lawns. Power lines cross the blue sky with scattered white cloud.

    High view from the Seven Mile Bridge of Pigeon Key: a small low island ringed by rock and very clear turquoise shallows. A curved ramp rises from the island to the old steel-truss bridge that runs across the background on concrete piers. On the island are a solar-panel canopy over a sign reading 'Tour Pigeon Key', a small walled boat basin, white historic buildings, palms and lawns. Power lines cross the blue sky with scattered white cloud.

    Photograph File:Pigeon Key Island (24.7041475, -81.1551099) Florida.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Elevated view over two white wooden historic buildings with grey roofs on Pigeon Key, one with a brick chimney and propped-open awning shutters, set on mown grass among palms, a white-flowering shrub and silvery buttonwood. Beyond them a long wooden pier with a thatched shelter and a few boats runs out into brilliant turquoise water that stretches to a flat horizon under a pale-blue sky.

    Elevated view over two white wooden historic buildings with grey roofs on Pigeon Key, one with a brick chimney and propped-open awning shutters, set on mown grass among palms, a white-flowering shrub and silvery buttonwood. Beyond them a long wooden pier with a thatched shelter and a few boats runs out into brilliant turquoise water that stretches to a flat horizon under a pale-blue sky.

    Photograph File:Pigeon Key FL HD01.jpg by Ebyabe, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-03-21. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Strongly backlit view from under a thatched palapa on a fenced waterside deck: a long concrete highway bridge on tall piers runs from the right into the distance across calm, silvery water, with a line of utility poles standing in the water beside it. The low sun flares in red and white at upper right behind the thatch, with cumulus cloud on the horizon. A person in a cap is silhouetted at lower left.

    Strongly backlit view from under a thatched palapa on a fenced waterside deck: a long concrete highway bridge on tall piers runs from the right into the distance across calm, silvery water, with a line of utility poles standing in the water beside it. The low sun flares in red and white at upper right behind the thatch, with cumulus cloud on the horizon. A person in a cap is silhouetted at lower left.

    Photograph File:7 Mile Bridge www.florida-infos.com – panoramio.jpg by Franz Stellbrink, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2011-05-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Very wide panorama of the Seven Mile Bridge: a long, flat concrete span on paired piers runs from the rocky shore and a palm at the right edge to a far, faint rising hump near the left horizon. A line of tall utility poles with wires stands in the water alongside it. The water is choppy and grey-green under an overcast grey sky.

    Very wide panorama of the Seven Mile Bridge: a long, flat concrete span on paired piers runs from the rocky shore and a palm at the right edge to a far, faint rising hump near the left horizon. A line of tall utility poles with wires stands in the water alongside it. The water is choppy and grey-green under an overcast grey sky.

    Photograph File:7mi bridge pano.jpg by Daniel Schwen, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2008-11-05. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Driver's-eye view along a two-lane concrete highway bridge with a low concrete barrier at right, a few cars ahead, and a row of utility poles with wires running beside it over blue water. At the end of the bridge is a low shoreline of palms and trees with houses and a pink multi-storey apartment building at right, and at far left the deck of a parallel older bridge. The upper two-thirds is hazy blue sky with one soft cloud.

    Driver's-eye view along a two-lane concrete highway bridge with a low concrete barrier at right, a few cars ahead, and a row of utility poles with wires running beside it over blue water. At the end of the bridge is a low shoreline of palms and trees with houses and a pink multi-storey apartment building at right, and at far left the deck of a parallel older bridge. The upper two-thirds is hazy blue sky with one soft cloud.

    Photograph File:Knight’s Key.jpg by Marc Averette (Averette at English Wikipedia), licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2008-06-23. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Wide phone panorama from the stern of a fishing boat over brilliant green-turquoise water above a reef, with dark patches of reef visible below the surface. The rust-red iron skeleton of Sombrero Key Lighthouse stands on the horizon at left in front of a bank of white cumulus, and small boats are moored across the middle distance. In the foreground are an outboard engine, four upright fishing rods and a child in a blue life vest seen from behind.

    Wide phone panorama from the stern of a fishing boat over brilliant green-turquoise water above a reef, with dark patches of reef visible below the surface. The rust-red iron skeleton of Sombrero Key Lighthouse stands on the horizon at left in front of a bank of white cumulus, and small boats are moored across the middle distance. In the foreground are an outboard engine, four upright fishing rods and a child in a blue life vest seen from behind.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Lighthouse Panoramic.jpg by Haligator987, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-05-08. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Vertical view of the rust-red iron skeleton tower of Sombrero Key Lighthouse rising from open blue-green water: tall tapering legs with cross-bracing, a central column, a boxy platform part-way up and a lantern room with a gallery at the top. Behind it is a bank of white cumulus and a deep-blue sky, with a thin line of low, distant shoreline on the horizon at left.

    Vertical view of the rust-red iron skeleton tower of Sombrero Key Lighthouse rising from open blue-green water: tall tapering legs with cross-bracing, a central column, a boxy platform part-way up and a lantern room with a gallery at the top. Behind it is a bank of white cumulus and a deep-blue sky, with a thin line of low, distant shoreline on the horizon at left.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Key Lighthouse.jpg by Haligator987, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-10-05. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Straight-down aerial of the shallow reef: brilliant turquoise water with a pale sand tongue running diagonally to a small rust-coloured lighthouse structure at the centre, which casts a long shadow. Dark coral heads and patches cover the upper half, and at the bottom a row of dark finger-like spur-and-groove reef ridges runs into deep blue water, with about ten small white boats moored along it.

    Straight-down aerial of the shallow reef: brilliant turquoise water with a pale sand tongue running diagonally to a small rust-coloured lighthouse structure at the centre, which casts a long shadow. Dark coral heads and patches cover the upper half, and at the bottom a row of dark finger-like spur-and-groove reef ridges runs into deep blue water, with about ten small white boats moored along it.

    Photograph File:Sombrero Key 20191128.jpg by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), licensed under Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2019-11-28. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Through a gap in a chain-link fence, a sandy yard leads to the water at Vaca Key Marina: a white two-storey building with 'Vaca Key Marina' in big blue letters, white work boats tied up at the dock and a rusty dumpster. Tall stacks of weathered wooden slatted traps rise on both sides, and a sign on the right fence reads 'Carlos Seafood Inc'. Power lines cross a deep-blue sky with white clouds.

    Through a gap in a chain-link fence, a sandy yard leads to the water at Vaca Key Marina: a white two-storey building with 'Vaca Key Marina' in big blue letters, white work boats tied up at the dock and a rusty dumpster. Tall stacks of weathered wooden slatted traps rise on both sides, and a sign on the right fence reads 'Carlos Seafood Inc'. Power lines cross a deep-blue sky with white clouds.

    Photograph File:Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 2021 – Vaca Key Marina.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A rust-red iron skeleton-tower replica of a lighthouse, with a lantern room and railed galleries on top, carries an arched yellow-and-blue sign reading 'Welcome to Marathon'. It stands among dense green sea grape and silvery buttonwood shrubs with a glimpse of turquoise water behind, under a blue sky with wispy white cloud. A small blue plaque on the tower reads 'Please do not climb'.

    A rust-red iron skeleton-tower replica of a lighthouse, with a lantern room and railed galleries on top, carries an arched yellow-and-blue sign reading 'Welcome to Marathon'. It stands among dense green sea grape and silvery buttonwood shrubs with a glimpse of turquoise water behind, under a blue sky with wispy white cloud. A small blue plaque on the tower reads 'Please do not climb'.

    Photograph File:“Welcome to Marathon,” Marathon, Florida Keys.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • At dusk, a tapering white tower with red bands at its top and base, the words 'Faro Blanco' painted down its side and a black lantern cage on top, stands on a waterfront dock. A lit holiday wreath hangs near the top and warm lights glow at its base. To the right is a sailboat mast with rigging and a boat strung with coloured lights; four people stand on the dock in the foreground, seen from behind and in partial profile. The sky is a smooth slate grey-blue.

    At dusk, a tapering white tower with red bands at its top and base, the words 'Faro Blanco' painted down its side and a black lantern cage on top, stands on a waterfront dock. A lit holiday wreath hangs near the top and warm lights glow at its base. To the right is a sailboat mast with rigging and a boat strung with coloured lights; four people stand on the dock in the foreground, seen from behind and in partial profile. The sky is a smooth slate grey-blue.

    Photograph File:Faro Blanco Lighthouse.jpg by Roman Tokman, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2017-01-13. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Looking across a road and a grassy verge, through a chain-link fence, at the apron of Florida Keys Marathon Airport: a white twin-engine business jet seen from behind at centre, flanked by orange traffic cones, with two more white business jets parked beyond it at left and right. A low line of green trees sits behind the airfield under a blue sky with white cloud; a palm and a utility pole stand at right.

    Looking across a road and a grassy verge, through a chain-link fence, at the apron of Florida Keys Marathon Airport: a white twin-engine business jet seen from behind at centre, flanked by orange traffic cones, with two more white business jets parked beyond it at left and right. A low line of green trees sits behind the airfield under a blue sky with white cloud; a palm and a utility pole stand at right.

    Photograph File:Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida.jpg by Sharon Hahn Darlin, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-06-09. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Close, low-angle portrait of a nighthawk resting on pale gravel: its finely mottled black, grey, buff and white plumage blends into the stones, with a white patch showing on the wing, a large dark eye and a tiny bill. Red-and-green succulent stems rise behind it against a softly blurred background.

    Close, low-angle portrait of a nighthawk resting on pale gravel: its finely mottled black, grey, buff and white plumage blends into the stones, with a white patch showing on the wing, a large dark eye and a tiny bill. Red-and-green succulent stems rise behind it against a softly blurred background.

    Photograph File:Nighthawk 2.jpg by Gator954, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2021-05-10. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • A roseate spoonbill in flight, side-on against a plain soft lavender-blue sky: pale pink wings raised high with deeper pink at the shoulders and tail, a white neck stretched forward, a long flat spoon-tipped bill and dark legs trailing behind.

    A roseate spoonbill in flight, side-on against a plain soft lavender-blue sky: pale pink wings raised high with deeper pink at the shoulders and tail, a white neck stretched forward, a long flat spoon-tipped bill and dark legs trailing behind.

    Photograph File:Platalea ajaja – Adam Jackson – 709767632.jpeg by Adam Jackson, licensed under CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 2026-07-27. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Vertical 1973 colour slide of a tall, all-white heron with a long yellowish bill and long dark legs, standing at the edge of the water on wet sand, side-on and facing left. Small waves foam behind its legs, and the whole frame has a strong magenta cast typical of faded film. The slide's rounded black border shows at the edges.

    Vertical 1973 colour slide of a tall, all-white heron with a long yellowish bill and long dark legs, standing at the edge of the water on wet sand, side-on and facing left. Small waves foam behind its legs, and the whole frame has a strong magenta cast typical of faded film. The slide's rounded black border shows at the edges.

    Photograph File:WHITE HERON NEAR MARATHON IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA KEYS – NARA – 548732.jpg by Flip Schulke (NARA, DOCUMERICA), licensed under Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 1973-06. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • Black-and-white 1952 photograph of a flat-roofed roadside stand with 'The North Pole' in big letters and a 'Motel and Rooms' sign. Its walls are painted with 'Key Lime Pie Fresh!', 'Barbecue Sandwich', 'Fresh Orange Juice' and 'Home Made Candies - We Ship', and a freestanding sign at left reads 'North Pole - Fresh Orange Juice - We Make Our Own Key Lime Pies'. A man and a woman stand in the doorway, three early-1950s sedans are parked on the sand lot, and palms and utility poles rise behind under a clear sky.

    Black-and-white 1952 photograph of a flat-roofed roadside stand with 'The North Pole' in big letters and a 'Motel and Rooms' sign. Its walls are painted with 'Key Lime Pie Fresh!', 'Barbecue Sandwich', 'Fresh Orange Juice' and 'Home Made Candies – We Ship', and a freestanding sign at left reads 'North Pole – Fresh Orange Juice – We Make Our Own Key Lime Pies'. A man and a woman stand in the doorway, three early-1950s sedans are parked on the sand lot, and palms and utility poles rise behind under a clear sky.

    Photograph File:The North Pole, Marathon Florida, 1952.jpg by Florida Keys Public Libraries (Wright Langley Collection), licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 1952. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

  • 1985 colour slide of a big cut-out roadside sign shaped like a longhorn steer, lettered 'Longhorn', with smaller signs below on a picket fence: 'Longhorn Marina - beer, bait, ice, soda, boat ramp', 'Vacancy', '$20 and up', 'Daily Weekly Monthly', 'Efficiencies, 2 bedroom units' and 'TV, A/C, fresh water pool'. A phone booth stands at right beside yellow kerbing and flowering shrubs; behind are a gravel road with more business signs (including 'The Diving Site' and 'Coral Lagoon Resort'), utility poles, trees and a stormy blue sky. The slide's black border frames the image.

    1985 colour slide of a big cut-out roadside sign shaped like a longhorn steer, lettered 'Longhorn', with smaller signs below on a picket fence: 'Longhorn Marina – beer, bait, ice, soda, boat ramp', 'Vacancy', '$20 and up', 'Daily Weekly Monthly', 'Efficiencies, 2 bedroom units' and 'TV, A/C, fresh water pool'. A phone booth stands at right beside yellow kerbing and flowering shrubs; behind are a gravel road with more business signs (including 'The Diving Site' and 'Coral Lagoon Resort'), utility poles, trees and a stormy blue sky. The slide's black border frames the image.

    Photograph File:Longhorn Marina, Marathon, Florida LCCN2017712563.tif by John Margolies (Library of Congress), licensed under Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken 1985. Changes: cropped, resized and converted to WebP for this site; nothing added or removed.

Film

  • Home page film: The film at the top of the home page is cut from 9 of the photographs credited on this page (by AmberGirl, Direnzoa (English Wikipedia), Ebyabe, Franz Stellbrink, Reinhard Link, Sharon Hahn Darlin, Tori Siebecker, U.S. National Archives (Florida Keys Scenic Highway collection)), with slow pans, zooms and dissolves. Nothing in it is generated. Share-alike photographs keep their licenses.

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Marathon (official site)

When a trip becomes a plan

Came for the reef, keep thinking about a place on the water?

This guide is published by LPE Realty LLC, a licensed Florida real estate brokerage. If time in Marathon has you asking what owning in the Middle Keys would involve, phone or email us and start with your questions, not a sales pitch. If an answer needs someone who works the Keys every day, we will tell you that plainly, and your details go to nobody else unless you say yes.

Go to LPE Realty LLC Phone LPE Realty LLC (561) 652-6917

What is it like to live in Marathon? · Thinking of selling a home in Marathon?