Marathon Sports & Outdoors Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

MM 1194.1 Boot Key Harbor City AKA Marathon Marina Boating and Marinas Review

The manager of this marina rents out the mooring balls, and supervises the pumpout boat. They also have a small amount of dock space long the wall. Seawall dockage is $15.00/ft/month in the winter plus $30 to $60 for electricity (higher rate for A/C)

Dinghy docks, showers, restrooms and laundry. The laundry is locked after 6 pm.

The marina has a number of restrictive rules and the renting of the mooring balls has been somewhat disorganized this year. This is partly because the marina manager cannot see the moorings from the marina.

Equipment: Mooring Rate Monthly $150.00
Includes
»Four (4) holding tank
pump outs per month
»Recycling center

Weekly $ 50.00
»One (1) holding tank
pump out per week
»Recycling center

Dinghy dockage is extra

Address: 800 35th St Oceanside

Directions: 24 42.531N 081 05.462W

Other Contact: 305-289-7788

Phone: 305-743-2331

Theme: Boating/Sailing

City Marina DInghy Dockage Boating and Marinas Review

In addition to $150/month or $50/week for a mooring ball, you also have to pay

Monthly $60 for the dinghy dock
Includes
»1 Vehicle parking space
»Bicycle space
»Port-a-potty disposal center
»Garbage disposal
»Recycling center
»Lounge-Library area
------------------

Weekly $20.00 or daily $4.00

Address: 800 35th Street

Directions: Lat. 24.42.531 N
Long. 81.05.472 W

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 1194.1 Faro Blanco Oceanside Boating and Marinas Review

This marina has slips, showers, and laundry. They do not have a pool (that is only at the Bayside facility) and they don't have a restaurant, but they are close to Burdines and Castaway

The Bayside and Oceanside facility do not talk to each other.

Equipment: The inset shows the Faro Blanco sign which has a white sign posted on it that says "No trailer parking" Immediately behind the sign is a boat trailer with a boat on it.

Address: 1996 Overseas Hwy

Directions: 24 42.203N 081 06.468W

Phone: 305-743-9018

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 1194.1 Marathon Cay Club Boating and Marinas Review

Marathon Cay Club (formerly Marina and Boatyard) has a gas dock (the first one on the left as you go in Boot Key channel). Be aware that the price on the sign does NOT include the 7.5% Florida tax.

In 2001, Marathon Marina (not Marathon Municipal Marina) charged $2.32/day for 30 amp, and the same for water. Cable was $3.00/day. Go figure.

They are quite *** about including the bow sprit and dinghy davits in the length you pay for, even though it makes no difference -it is the same length slip in any case.

Dockage Rates in 2006: $2.50/ft, including utilities
Hours: 8am-6pm, fuel dock until 7pm
Internet: Wireless & high speed

The daily rate in was $1.60/ft in 2002 and the weekly rate was $1.30/ft in 2002 . That's why we decided to stay for a week. They forbid the use of fenders on the wooden finger piers (on the pilings is OK).

The monthly rate in 2003 is $18 plus/ft (when you add all the taxes etc to the published rate of $16.50/ft. and includes 2 free pumpouts/month. Over 2 pumpouts you pay $20 per pumpout (v.s. $5.00 from the pumpout boat). Pumpouts are done only on Thursday.

They require a deposit of $150 for utilities - Electric is 10 cents/kwh and water is 3 cents a gallon and there is a minimum monthly charge for both water and electric.

If you come in the middle of the month, they pro-rate on the monthly rate by the day. If you leave in the middle of the month, they prorate by the weekly rate. They insist on billing from the first to the first. So when you leave, you can't get any money back because the weekly rate for 3 weeks is more than the monthly rate.

These fiscal policies which seem designed to get the maximum amount of money for the minimum service are the reason we will not go back, even though the marina is clean and the workers are efficient and cheerful.

Their new docks have phone connections at each. There is an expensive new restaurant. There is now also a grudgingly offered internet connection in the store. The pay phones only work intermittently with PocketMail.

Equipment: Hot water for the showers on the west dock side go cold when washers are filling or toilets are flushed. The east side is separate so it's better to shower over there - all the washers are on the west side.

The washers are open 24 hours a day for anyone to use - you do not have to have a slip at the marina. The washers are $2.00 each except for the big industrial one which is $3.50. This sometimes means there are no washers available because they are being used by local townfolks because they are cheaper than the local laundramat.

They say that they will not forward mail after you leave.

There's no dinghy dock, nor does there seem to be a free dock available for people that want to eat at the restaurant.

Address: 1021 Eleventh Street Ocean

Directions: 1 Mile from ICW St. Mile 1195 and the Seven Mile Bridge oceanside

Phone: 305-743-6575

Theme: Boating/Sailing

MM 1194.2 Marathon Boatyard Boating and Marinas Review

There are three facilities called Marathon something. Marathon City Marina, Marathon Cay Club, and Marathon Boatyard. This is Marathon Boatyard, and it is just past the Boot Key Bridge in Boot Key Harbor. There is a very long narrow channel down to the marina. At the end of the channel is a dinghy dock for people who want to go to West Marine.

Equipment: In addition to the dinghy dock, this is a full service boatyard, but has NO slips.

Address: 2059 Overseas Hwy, Oceanside

Directions: 24 42.286N 081 06.243W

Phone: 305-743-6641

Theme: Boating/Sailing

Tilden's Dive Center SCUBA and snorkeling Review

Tilden's has a place at Hawk's Cay resort and one in Marathon. It was one of the places recommended to me by someone at the marina (one of the guys who lived on a boat said his girl friend worked there.) I never actually got to dive with them myself.

OPEN 7 days a week, 8 am to 6 pm

Tilden’s Scuba Center is a full service dive facility. They also do snorkeling and snuba.

A two tank dive is $44 if you bring all your own equipment.

Equipment: You can rent most equipment from them.

Tank $10.00
Nitrox Tank $18.00
Weights & Belt $5.00
Regulators & Gauges $15.00
BC $15.00
Shorty Wetsuit $7.00
Full Wetsuit $14.00
Mask $5.00
Fins $5.00
Open heel fins $7.00
Snorkel $2.00
Prescription Mask $12.00
Booties $5.00
Float Flag $5.00
Dive Light $12.00
Dive Computer $15.00
Snorkel Vest $6.00
Hoods $5.00

Address: MM 49.5 - 4650 Overseas Hwy

Other Contact: 305-743-7255

Phone: 877-FUN DIVE

Theme: Scuba Diving

Website: http://www.tildensscubacenter.com/

Camping on Fleming Key near Marathon Camping Review

There are campgrounds in Marathon. It is not necessary to go to Bahia Honda as other Marathon tips suggest.

We see this campground from the stern of our boat - it looks like the campers are cheek by jowl. But my SIL had the boy scouts here, and he refused to consider it for his family.

Equipment: RATES (Off Season summer 2004)/(Season winter 03/04)

HARBOR SITES Dock your boat behind your camper. Maximum boat length on lettered sites is 28ft, others maximum 20ft.

Lettered $50.00/Lettered $70.00

Numbered $45.00/Numbered $65.00

OCEAN SITES On the shoreline. Many have a view of the Atlantic Ocean and Sombrero Lighthouse.

$35.00/ $55.00

INLAND SITES
Grassy sites centrally located, some shady. Close to shower rooms and laundry.

$30.00/ $45.00

TENT SITES
Located throughout the park. Tent sites do not have water and electric.

$25.00/ $35.00

All above prices are based on 2 persons and do not include 11.5% sales taxes
Extra people $7.00 off-season/ $8.00 in-season

Address: #1 Knights Key Blvd. (Mile Marker 47) PO Box 50052

Other Contact: (305) 743-4343

Phone: (800) 348-2267

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.keysdirectory.com/knightskeycampground/

The Reef Resort - Condo Tennis Golf and Tennis Review

The Reef Resort offers tennis courts, pool, marina, and bicycles to tour the island. They have 22 villas and 8 condos.

Address: 6800 Overseas Hwy. Marathon FL 33050

Directions: Next to Shucker's Raw Bar on the Bayside

Phone: (305)743-7900

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.thereefresort.com/

Captain Hooks SCUBA and snorkeling Review

I wanted to go scuba diving, so I asked around. There was a guy named Larry who works at this place, so I went up there to check it out.

I never did go diving - it was always too windy (not good visibility) or the water was too cold or I didn't have a car to get up there. It was about as far as possible from the marina as it was possible to get

Equipment: "Our custom dive boat goes to the reef twice a day. The Reef Hopper has a fresh water shower for refreshing after your dive and a long ladder to assist with your boarding needs.

"Capt. Hook's is a PADI 5 STAR CENTER. We specialize in small groups so you get personal attention and are never rushed. Come dive where you know you will be taken care of. "

Address: 11833 Overseas Highway

Directions: MM 53 - US1 at Vaca Cut

Phone: 1-800-278 4665

Theme: Scuba Diving

Website: http://www.captainhooks.com/

Marathon Community Park Golf and Tennis Review

Basketball, tennis, in-line skating hockey rink, softball, and jogging trails. There is a nature walk around the park leading from Highway U.S.1 to the entrance of the Marina and Harbor

Equipment: Marathon Alumni Athletic Association (adult softball league) - call Kevin Woodland- 305- 743-1853

Marathon Co-ed Senior Softball (over 50) League - Marathon Community Park, 3 pm Sundays

There is also an inline hockey league.

Directions: Mile Marker 49 Overseas Highway

Theme: Other