Restaurants, Attractions, On the Water, Rentals and Boat Ramps
Since the Keys have one main road (US Hwy 1 or Overseas Hwy), many locations are referred to by their mile marker. Using mile markers allows us to quickly know how far the drive will be. For reference, our properties are located in Marathon at Mile Marker 53.5 and Cudjoe Key at Mile Marker 23.
Breakfast Recommendations
Baby’s Coffee
@ Mile Marker 15
3180 US Hwy 1, Key West, FL
Great place for coffee, tea, and smoothies. Gets busy in the mornings but that's because their coffee is delicious.
The Marathon Bagel Company
@ Mile Marker 51
11090 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Great bagels, coffee, and basic breakfast selections.
The Stuffed Pig
http://www.thestuffedpig.com/index.php
@ Mile Marker 49
3520 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Delicious breakfast food. It is likely to be busy in the mornings.
Lunch & Dinner Recommendations
Burdines Waterfront
http://www.burdineswaterfront.com/
@ Mile Marker 48
1200 Ocean View Ave, Marathon, FL (at the end of 15th St)
This is the place to eat on the water in Marathon. Most items on the menu are reasonably priced. Mostly Sandwiches and salads, fresh squeezed lemonade. Located on an elevated tiki bar, overlooking Boot Key Harbor.
Conch Republic Seafood Company
http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/
631 Greene St, Key West, FL
Conch Republic Seafood Company is a fancier restaurant with delicious seafood options. It's located along a marina where you can see tarpon swimming.
Gilbert’s Tiki Bar
http://www.gilbertsresort.com/tiki-bar.php
@ Mile Marker 107.9
107900 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
Gilbert’s in Key Largo is one of the first places as you arrive in the keys from the mainland. It’s a tiki bar on the water. A great place for a frozen drink or lunch rather than stopping on the mainland.
Hogfish Bar and Grill
@ Mile Marker 4.6
6810 Front St, Stock Island, FL
Always a great place to eat. Tucked away on Stock Island, not many know about it.
Hurricane Hole
https://www.hurricaneholekeywest.com/restaurant.php
@ Mile Marker 4.5
5110 Overseas Hwy, Key West, FL
Great place to grab a bite to eat if you're around Key West. Relaxed atmosphere with delicious food and drinks.
Island Fish Company
@ Mile Marker 54
12648 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Great place for dinner, fresh fish, steak, and burgers. They have something for everyone! Can't go wrong here!
Little Palm Island Ferry
https://www.littlepalmisland.com/
@ Mile Marker 28.5
28500 Overseas Hwy, Little Torch Key, FL
This is a super upscale restaurant on Little Palm Island that can only be reached by a free motor yacht shuttle that is on Little Torch Key. Reservations are required and it is not recommended that children under the age of eighteen years old be brought along. You can dine outdoors while the Key Deer approach your table. The food is excellent, but very pricey. However, you must experience this restaurant once during your life, and you will not regret doing so.
Lorelei Cabana Bar
https://www.loreleicabanabar.com/
@ Mile Marker 82
96 Madeira Rd, Islamorada, FL
Lorelei in Islamorada is a great place for eats and drinks while driving down from the mainland. Try their Key Lime Colada! Reasonable prices.
No Name Pub
@ Mile Marker 30
30813 Watson Blvd, Big Pine Key, FL
This local watering hole used to be a local secret. Now it has become as popular with the tourists as it is with the locals. It has really, really cold beer, and decent pizza. It is found on No Name Key on the bay side, you will need to look up directions, because it is back in there a bit.
Schooner Wharf
https://www.schoonerwharf.com/
202 William St, Key West, FL
Great place along the marina. You can walk along the harbor on your way to the restaurant. Great live music. We love their drinks here.
Sparky’s Landing
https://www.sparkyslanding.com/
@ Mile Marker 54
13205 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Waterfront restaurant that has an amazing view, if you sit at the bar. The food is good, the view is better!
Sunset Grille
https://sunsetgrille7milebridge.com/
@ Mile Marker 47
7 Knights Key Blvd, Marathon, FL
This is a waterfront restaurant on Marathon. They have a dock, pool, great food and drinks!
The Square Grouper
https://squaregrouperbarandgrill.com/
@ Mile Marker 22.5
22658 Overseas Hwy, Cudjoe Key, FL
Upscale, yet casual dining. Never disappoints, but it can be busy on weekends and certain weeknights.
Attraction Recommendations
Bahia Honda State Park
https://www.floridastateparks.org/BahiaHonda
@ Mile Marker 36.8
36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL
The park is just south of the 7-mile bridge. This beach is consistently voted in the top twenty-five beaches in the world. It is pristine, and the snorkeling is good when conditions are calm. There is a snorkeling operator that departs from the park (reservations required). Kayak Rentals available.
If you just want to go for a walk/picnic, make a left at the ocean after you enter the park and go down to Sandspur parking area. Continue down the beach to where it turns and ends. On a nice day, this is like heaven on earth in this very spot.
Coco Plum Beach
https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/parksrec/page/coco-plum-beach
@ Mile Marker 54.5
109 Coco Plum Dr, Marathon, FL
More of a natural beach. Grab a coffee on the way and watch the sunrise.
Curry Hammock State Park
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park
@ Mile Marker 56.2
56200 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Beach and kayak rentals. Kayak through mangrove paths or venture out to the sandbar on a calm day.
Dolphin Research Center
@ Mile Marker 58.9
58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL
Take a tour or a swim with the dolphins. A fantastic way to spend a day! Family entertainment that is also educational. There is a continuous schedule of shows & events throughout the day.
Dry Tortugas Ferry
100 Grinnell St, Key West, FL
Take a 70-mile daytrip on a ferry to the Dry Tortugas. You'll see Fort Jefferson, snorkel, bird watch and explore secluded beaches.
Duval Crawl
Duval St, Key West, FL
Duval Street is very popular with vacationers. Lots of restaurants nearby as well as entertainment and shopping along the strip.
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounter
https://floridakeysaquariumencounters.com/
@ Mile Marker 53
11710 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
A great way to view and learn more about the local wildlife. Perfect way to spend part of a breezy day when you cannot be on the water.
Fort Zachary Taylor
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-zachary-taylor-historic-state-park
601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL
Fort Zachary Taylor was an old fort used in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. They have historical reenactments on the third weekend of each month. It is the southernmost state park in the continental United States. The fort is not the only offering. There is also a popular beach here.
Horseshoe Beach
@ Mile Marker 35
1969 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL
If you can't get out to the reef, Horseshoe Beach offers some pretty decent snorkeling from the shore. The beach is not quite a beach because it's made of gravel, but it's certainly a great option for snorkeling.
Jumping Bridge
https://www.facebook.com/JumpingBridge/about
@ Mile Marker 17
24°37'08.9"N 81°32'10.5"W
Drive up US1 N and turn right at MM17 onto Sugarloaf Blvd (Sugarloaf Shores neighborhood). Follow the road until it takes a sharp right. To your left you will see a yellow barrier. Park and walk through the yellow fence barrier to the bridge. The water is about 15 – 20 feet deep. You will probably find a bunch of locals already there jumping in and having a blast! Beware of the bugs because they can be brutal at times.
Mallory Square
https://www.mallorysquare.com/
400 Wall Street, Key West, FL
Although Mallory Square isn't a local secret, it's definitely a great place to end your day. Beautiful sunsets, lots of shopping nearby, and street performs for entertainment.
Marathon Mermaid Charters
https://www.marathonmermaid.com/
@ Mile Marker 48
1688 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Sandbar experience, reef snorkel, and sunset cruise.
National Key Deer Refuge
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/national-key-deer
@ Mile Marker 30
30587 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL
The Blue Hole & Key Deer Refuge is a very interesting stopover for an hour or so where you may see the local Key deer and an alligator. It is located on Big Pine Key on the bay side about 1 mile past the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza.
Robbie’s Marina
@ Mile Marker 77.5
77522 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL
This full-service marina hosts a restaurant and vendors as well as the unique experience of hand feeding Tarpon off the dock. These fantastic creatures are so used to being hand fed that they will actually leap out of the water to grab your fish from your hands. So don’t forget your cameras because this is a must see and do for everyone in your family!
Sombrero Beach
https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/parksrec/page/sombrero-beach
@ Mile Marker 50
Sombrero Beach Rd, Marathon, FL
A great little spot with outdoor showers and a bathhouse.
The Lagoon on Grassy Key
@ Mile Marker 59.3
59300 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
A tropical adventure park, marketplace, and day resort. A wakeboard park with Kiteboarding and Foilboarding.
Turtle Hospital
https://www.turtlehospital.org/
@ Mile Marker 48.5
2396 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
Take a tour of the sea turtle hospital. Their passionate and educated staff provides an educational tour about sea turtles and how their facility operates on rehab and release. A great way to support local efforts to help sea turtles. A moving experience for all ages.
On the Water
Curry Hammock State Park Sandbar
24°44'31.3"N 80°58'17.3"W
The sandbar is on the oceanside. Nice place to hang out when the tide is low.
Bahia Honda Sandbar
24° 39' 59.997", 81° 14' 59.406"
The Bahia Honda sandbar is just south of the Ohio-Bahia Honda Channel Bridge. It runs for about 300 yards and is at the easternmost tip of Bahia Honda State Park. This sandbar is easily accessed from Marathon, Big Pine Key, and the Lower Keys.
Boca Grande Key
24°32'05.4"N 82°00'36.2"W
Boca Grande is a beautiful island to explore. It's located 14 miles west of Key West. You can trailer the boat down to Key West and make the trip.
Looe Key Reef
https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/zones/spas/looekey.html
24°32'46.2"N 81°24'21.8"W
A diversity of fish congregate here – parrots and surgeonfish on the north side; barracudas and jacks on top of the reef; grunts, butterflyfish, and angelfish on the reef crest. Great place to dive with the Looe Key Reef Dive Resort providing charters. It is a preservation area where you may not fish, feed or touch the animals/coral, or anchor. Make sure to use a mooring buoy and bring your dive flag!
Marvin Key Sandbar
24.7115° N, 81.6445° W
Although it's a long boat ride away, this beautiful island has a beach that becomes more exposed with low tide. You'll be navigating through very shallow water to get there, so it's best recommended to those with a charter plot and depth finder. Definitely worth the trip!
If you're not too comfortable with a boat, you can rent a pontoon from Sugarloaf Marina, and they'll set you up with directions. Snipe Point is nearby, and we highly recommend motoring a little further to hang out at its sandbar.
Newfound Harbor Marine Sanctuary
https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/zones/spas/newfound.html
24.615°N 81.392°W
Easily accessible by boaters as it is just off Little Palm Island. There is great snorkeling to be done here with large coral boulders in the water. Be aware as you motor through that there are some coral boulders that nearly rise to the surface. You may not fish, touch or feed the animals/coral, or anchor in the preservation area.
Picnic Island
24°38'10.5"N 81°23'40.9"W
Located near Ramrod Key and Little Palm, this tiny island is a super popular spot on sunny days. The water is shallow, and the island is great for exploring. Great hangout spot!
Snipe Point Sandbar
24.6982° N, 81.6740° W
Snipe Point is only accessible by boat. It's a beautiful sandbar to hang out at and have a couple drinks. We love to grill out and relax here. You can also hit Marvin Key on the way to Snipe Point.
If you're not too comfortable with a boat, you can rent a pontoon from Sugarloaf Marina, and they'll set you up with directions. We highly recommend making the trip out if you’re able!
Sombrero Key National Marine Sanctuary
24°37′36″N 81°06′39″W / 24.62667°N 81.11083°W
An underwater state park approximately 3.5 miles offshore, ocean side from Boot Key. The state park is clearly marked on the local navigational charts. Please know that there is absolutely no fishing, trapping, or spearing inside the confines of the park. Please be mindful of your boat’s bottom and props. The fines for damaging coral are very expensive! While this may sound ominous, the water is very clear and the visibility on almost any given day is 50 feet to the bottom. The park is relatively shallow and conducive to snorkeling. The wildlife underneath the sea is amazing and plentiful. One of the Best Reefs to Dive or Snorkel! There are many local tour operators that provide snorkeling and diving trips.
Rental Recommendations
Big Pine Key Boat Rentals
https://www.bigpinekeyboatrentals.com/
@ Mile Marker 24.5
24356 Overseas Hwy, Summerland Key, FL
(305) 849-0130
Bike Marathon Bike Rentals
https://marathonpontoonrental.com/
@ Mile Marker 49.5
2994 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
(305) 743-3204
They have bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Coco’s Boat Rental
https://www.cocosboatrentals.com/
@ Mile Marker 54.5
50 Coco Plum Dr, Marathon, FL
(305) 407-7721
Cudjoe Key Boat Rentals
https://www.cudjoekeyboatrentals.com/
@ Mile Marker 21
477 Drost Dr, Cudjoe Key, FL
(305) 587-1614
Island Time Boat Rental
https://www.islandtimeboatrental.com/
(305) 998-8592
Free Delivery to your dock from Conch Key to 7 Mile Bridge.
Florida Keys Kayak and Paddle Board Rentals and Tours
@ Mile Marker 49.5
19 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon, FL
(305) 998-6500
They offer free delivery if you're staying on Marathon!
Marathon Pontoon Rental
https://www.marathonpontoonrental.com/
@ Mile Marker 49.5
19 Sombrero Blvd, Marathon, FL
(305) 539-9990
Sugarloaf Marina Boat Rentals
https://www.sugarloafkeymarina.com/key-west-boat-rentals
@ Mile Marker 17
17015 Overseas Hwy, Sugarloaf Shores, FL
(305) 745-3135
This marina offers pontoon boat rentals and they'll set you up with a charter plot to Marvin Key and Snipe Point!
Tropical Boat Rentals
https://www.tropicalboatrentals.com/
@ Mile Marker 54.6
91 Ave A, Marathon, FL
(305) 481-7006
Vacation Boat Rentals
http://vacationboatrentals.com/
@ Mile Marker 50
4681 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
(866) 420-1515
Boat Ramps
Cudjoe Gardens Marina
@ Mile Marker 21
477 Drost Dr, Cudjoe Key, FL
(305) 745-2352
Little Duck Key Wayside Park Public Boat Ramp
@ Mile Marker 40 (Bayside)
Free
Boat Ramp on Little Torch
@ Mile Marker 28.5
751 FL-4A, Little Torch Key, FL 33042
Free, but limited parking for trailers.
The Quay on Overseas Highway
@ Mile Marker 54
12650 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
(305) 289-1810
Ocean View Marina
@ Mile Marker 50
4681 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
(305) 517-1232
Marina with a boat ramp