Flights and drive times
Three options for flying towards the wedding:
- Miami International
Bit of a quagmire to get in/out of but generally the most economical. It will be a 2-2.5 hour drive from the airport.
- Fort Lauderdale
Pretty easy to get in/out. It will be a 2.5-3 hour drive from the airport.
- Key West
May involve an extra flight (depending on where you're coming from). Only about a 1 hour picturesque drive from the airport.
Transport from the Airport
Rental Cars:
Likely your best option for getting around, as the Keys (like most of the USA) are designed for driving. You'll find options at all the airports listed, but may find Key West a little pricier.
Shuttles/Other Transport:
MIA/FLL: 2.5-3h
Shuttle: https://www.keysshuttle.com/schedule/floridakeys
Key West: 1h
Local bus: https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Key-West/Marathon-FL-USA#r/Bus/s/0
Uber: (about $150) www.uber.com/global/en/price-estimate/
For Australians: A full license and passport are sufficient to rent a car in the States
What to check out on the drive
There are some cool things to check out on your drive, here's a list of our favourites!
MIA/FLL to Marathon:
Quality old school farm stand with tropical fruits and veg. Famous for their fruit milkshakes with the bonus of an exotic petting zoo out back.
Apparently awesome for reptiles and airboat rides. We've never been, so let us know if it's any good!
We always stop for lunch here, and it is fantastic. Cuban Dolphin Sandwich is a must!
Great spot for authentic Cuban coffee, pastries and sandwiches. Drive thru option is a plus!
Stop for a delicious taste of a Florida Keys classic!
Delicious local beers in a tropical psychedelic brewery!
- Islamorada Brewery & Distillery
Another great local keys brewery & distillery with tasty Rum!
Key West to Marathon:
Incredible spot for lunch, though disappointingly "square grouper" is not quite legal in Florida yet and will be off the menu.
Go check out some Keys Deer, clear swamps, and gators. Worth a boo-peep, please drive super slow as the deer really love cars.
Stop by for a drink here, food is iffy, but the beer is cold and its a super fun spot to drop in and pin up your name on a dollar $
Beautiful area to go snorkeling or chilling on the beach. Go see where they got the Conch in "Conch Republic" from.
Cool Places to See!
Dolphin Rescue Centre
Costs: $28 for day visit, $210 for dolphin encounter
dolphins.org/
Go swim with some dolphins in the wild, ethical dolphin center
Turtle Hospital
$30 for the day
www.turtlehospital.org/
Turtle-ly awesome experience. Rehab center for turtles who have been hit by jet-skiing douchebags.
Aquarium Encounters
$25 for the day
$130-95 to dive/swim with the fishes
Don’t miss this place, super fun. Lot’s of interesting animals and good for young and old (also has a cafe on the water serving beer in the back)
Eats/Drinks
Bongos- Bongos Botanical Beer Garden — The Lagoon Adventure Park
Awesome botanical garden and brewery, excellent food too.
Food For Thought- https://foodforthoughtflkeys.com/about
Food for Thought is a organic café and natural foods store with great natural lifestyle products. At the café, you’ll find a variety of breakfast, lunch dishes, smoothies and expresso drinks including plenty of vegan and gluten-free.
Curly's Coffee and Marina- curly's marathon fl
Drive-up coffee hut crafting hot & cold drinks & smoothies by the water, with outdoor seating. Curly's Coffee and Marina offers freshly ground coffee, fishing charters, and affordable kayak and paddleboard rentals in the Florida Keys.
Fish Tales- Seafood | Fish Tales Market & Eatery | United States
This family-owned favourite. Serving up the freshest, tastiest fish sandwiches around with a unique menu of Florida-inspired plates, original signature dishes and lots of daily specials.
Great German & Craft beers on tap, along with a terrific retail market featuring fresh seafood, meats & Certified Hand-Cut Angus Beef.
Florida Keys Steak & Lobster House- Florida Keys Steak and Lobster
Great seafood
Keys Fisheries- Florida Keys Seafood Restaurant, Market & Marina | Keys Fisheries
Best and freshest seafood - it's a fishery with a tiki bar
The Island- The Island Fish Co. Tiki Bar and Restaurant – great food can be found all in one place in the heart of the Florida Keys at Mile Marker 54 Bayside, Marathon.Sunsets, Florida Bay views
Sparky’s - Sparky's Landing - Fish n Cocktails - Bar & Grill in Marathon, FL
Sparky's is a fun party place, more for drinking than eating
La Niña- la nina restaurant marathon
Great cuban food!
Isla Latte- isla latte
Coffee, apparently?
Kayaking
Costs: Daily $30ish-weekly $100ish
Most providers will drop off and pick up kayaks for $10 a load. Plenty of places to go kayaking around Marathon, including:
- Curry Hammock
- Sisters Creek
- Coco Plum
Rent A Bike
Costs: $20-$40 per day depending if you want to hire a beach cruiser or road bike, much cheaper for weekly
- marathonbikerentals.com/rates
- wheels-2-go.com/wp/bike-rentals/
Just to get around, pretty easy cycling with bike paths all over the place. For the brave there is the 7 mile bridge out to Pine Key.
Diving and Snorkeling
Diving and Snorkelling - off-shore
Costs: $30-50 snorkel, $100-130 diving
Marathon-ish
- Captain Hooks, Looe key, healthy vibrant reef - leave from Pine Key
- Captain Hooks, Sombrero Reef, fairly healthy reef with a lighthouse- leave from Marathon
- Tonnes of other companies to go with, we’ve had good experiences with the above pirates
Snorkelling - on-shore
- Bahia Honda, State park, coral and conches
- Sombrero Beach, grassy flats