"Vaca Key and Boot Key Harbor" Top 5 Page for this destination Marathon by grandmaR

Marathon Travel Guide: 238 reviews and 384 photos

Above is a trawler going out the entrance channel at sunset across the Marathon Marina's new docks - taken in 2002 while they were still under construction. We were impressed by the new docks, which have phone jacks and pumpout facilities at each slip.

Child chasing birds on Sombrero Beach

There is no such key in the Florida Keys as Marathon. Marathon was named by Henry Flagler's railroad workers who were rushing to finish the railroad to Key West while Flagler was still alive. They were working 10 hour days 7 days a week, and one of them called it 'a marathon'.

The actual keys included in the City of Marathon, starting at Vaca Cut are Vaca Key where I have pictures of the Crane Point Museum, and next to it Boot Key. Off Boot Key on the ocean side are East Sister Rock and West Sister Rock, Treasure Key and Tingler Island. Between Vaca Key and Boot Key is Boot Key Harbor which is where many cruisers wait out the winter or wait for a weather window to the Bahamas. On the bay side of Vaca Key are the small Fanny Keys and Stirrup Key - the latter attached by road to Vaca Key. West of Vaca Key (i.e. towards Key West) is Knight Key which is primarly the location of a large campground, and then about 2 miles west of Knights Key is Pigeon Key and then at the other end of the Seven Mile bridge is Bahia Honda where there is a lovely state park. East (toward Miami) is Key Colony Beach, Grassy Key and Fat Deer Key.

When the railroad was being built, the local inhabitants lived at Crane Point.

We've been to Marathon by boat several times. On the first occasion - January 2001 we tied up at a friends dock for a few days before going to Marathon Marina. Then on the way back, we anchored off Fat Deer Key, and had a scary experience.

SIL's boat fueling at 'new' fuel dock

On the next trip down ( December 2001), we anchored twice on the way down to Key West (Stock Island), and the second time we were just off Hawk Channel north of Marathon. On the way back ( January 2002) we were in Marathon Marina for a week on our way to the Bahamas.

This time, we are based in Marathon for the winter. We would have been quite happy here, except for the major irritation of the marina policies. So when we come back to the Florida Keys, it won't be to this marina.

Our trip back started on March 21, when we went to Indian Key

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful laid back place for water sports
Cons:Expensive in season- hurricanes off season

Last visit to Marathon: Mar 2004
Intro Updated Sep 15, 2008
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Reviews (92)

Fishy Food & Souvenirs Shopping (2)

In addition to their restaurant and marina business the Keys Fish Market has a small gift shop on site, and of course... more travel advice

Dinghy Dangers Warnings Or Dangers (6)

There are three main dinghy docks in Boot Key Harbor. The one pictured is the Dockside Lounge dinghy dock is which... more travel advice

Bait, Tackle, Rods, Ice Shopping (2)

There are many places in the Florida Keys where you can buy or rent fishing tackle, and also many places where you can... more travel advice

Greeter at Burdines Local Customs (2)

No, the clothing of this lady is not the norm for Marathon!! She is a mannequin that stands at the bottom of the stairs... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (15)
See All Tilden's Dive Center
Favorites (10)
See All Beach Playground
Off The Beaten Path (6)
See All Sombrero Beach
Things to Do (7)
See All Historic Adderley House

Nightlife (2)
See All Watching for the Green Flash
Transportation (3)
See All Local Greyhound
Hotels (6)
See All Golf, and Fishing
Restaurants (33)
See All MM 52 Fresh Roasted Coffee

Travelogues (6)

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Comments (10)

iandsmith Sep 15, 2008 at 10:47 AM Report Abuse

You must spend all of your time in port writing tips! Thank you for sharing - liked the bridge story.
carrottop21 Jun 26, 2008 at 2:35 PM Report Abuse

Sparkeys has a great happy hour on Thursday and Fridays. Beers are cheap and there is music.
Jim_Eliason Aug 6, 2007 at 6:41 AM Report Abuse

great page!
hammersc Mar 7, 2007 at 11:01 AM Report Abuse

The Keys Fisheries is well known up here in Toronto. I have had a craving for a lobster reuben since my stay in the Keys. We sat at a picnic table overlooking the gulf and washed down the Reuben with a few Key West Lagers, the overall experience was 5*.
XenoHumph Jul 5, 2005 at 11:10 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful sunset! Excellent page! I know Marathon, Texas, which is very dry in the middle of the desert... very different from that one!
sprdak11 Sep 17, 2004 at 9:30 AM Report Abuse

Great information and pictures! Greetings!
mafootje Aug 10, 2004 at 10:06 AM Report Abuse

Well...that's a more extensive page as mine :-). Good tips
sinequanon Feb 25, 2004 at 8:44 AM Report Abuse

good to know there is a Marathon in the US which (most probably) looks much better than the original Marathon.
deecat Feb 24, 2004 at 9:44 PM Report Abuse

You must eat out a great deal! This is an impressive list of restaurant tips. Detailed, informtive, and a unique kind of travel. Sounds heavenly.
JudyinPA Jan 28, 2004 at 2:09 PM Report Abuse

Ah, the life of boat people. Sounds like a fantastic way to travel. We stayed at a condo on the beach and traveled by bikes from there.