There simply is no better way to appreciate the beauty of the Islands of Marathon than an aerial tour.
The only living coral barrier reef in North America
Hit the sky for a bird’s eye view of the hard and soft corals that comprise the only living coral barrier reef in North America. The third largest coral barrier reef in the world, the Florida Keys Reef Tract stretches roughly 220 miles down the southeast coast of Florida and runs parallel to the Florida Keys from Key Biscayne off Miami to the Dry Tortugas 70 miles west of Key West hugging the islands from one to seven miles offshore.
Sombrero Key Lighthouse
Completed in 1858, Sombrero Key Lighthouse was designed by engineer George Meade who later became General George Mead, the leader of the Union forces responsible for the defeat of Robert E. Lee’s Confederates at Gettysburg.
The site selected for the lighthouse had been named Cayo Sombrero by the Spanish, but was also known as Dry Bank since part of the reef frequently protruded above the water. Today, it is popular with divers and snorkelers, and dozens of boats can be seen on a daily basis dotting the waters surrounding the lighthouse.
The Seven Mile Bridge and Pigeon Key
A Marathon landmark known around the world is the Seven Mile Bridge. Its 65-foot high span provides boaters with easy access from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Henry Flagler built the original Seven Mile Bridge as part of his Overseas Highway that was later destroyed by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
In the early part of the twentieth century, Pigeon Key was used as a base camp and later for bridge maintenance by Flagler’s railroad workers. Today, many of the original structures still exist and tourists can visit the island via a short ferry ride from the Pigeon Key Visitors Center located on Knight’s Key.
Sombrero Beach and Sisters Creek
Located at MM 50 at the end of Sombrero Beach Road, Sombrero Beach is a pristine sandy beach and park on the Atlantic Ocean. It includes picnic areas, a playground and bathroom facilities. It is also a turtle nesting beach, and from April through October it is not unusual to Have loggerhead turtles coming onto the beach during the night to lay their eggs.
Sisters Creek winds its way from the Atlantic Ocean to Boot Key Harbor.
Boot Key Harbor
Home to international cruisers and Marathon locals alike, Boot Key Harbor boats a mooring field with over 200 buoys administered by the City of Marathon. Well protected from severe sea conditions, Boot Key Harbor is accessible via two inlets on the Atlantic side.
Key Colony Beach
Not just a beach, Key Colony Beach is a small town located at MM 53.5 on the oceanside of the Overseas Highway (US 1). Known for its abundance of vacation rental properties, most residences in Key Colony Beach are situated on canals with easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico fishing, diving and snorkeling grounds.
Coco Plum Beach
Also situated on the Atlantic Ocean, Coco Plum Beach is more of a natural area with adjacent wetlands. It is also a turtle nesting beach. It is located just east of Key Colony Beach and there is an inlet that leads to Shelter Bay.
Conch Air
Enjoy an aerial tour of the Islands of Marathon with open air exhilaration in a luxurious classic Waco Biplane with Conch Air.
You and a friend can experience the nostalgia and romantic allure of flight in a recent re-creation of a classic open biplane as you fly over the crystal clear water of the Florida Keys with the Gulf of Mexico on one side of the island chain and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
