Shady picnic areas, a carpet of white sand and dive sites just meters from the shore have helped cement this popular beach’s reputation as one of the best in the Florida Keys. Bring the family to Sombrero Beach to frolic in the calm water and enjoy beach activities or a barbecue.

Sombrero Beach is a stretch of public beach just off the Overseas Highway and has been developed to allow a range of activities to take place. Dive or snorkel in the pristine water or rent a kayak and set out exploring. Join in a game of beach soccer on the sand. Take notice of the unusual shapes of the grains of sand when you relax in shady groves provided by the coconut palms that line the beach.

As one of Marathon’s main beaches, Sombrero Beach is particularly busy on weekends. While this makes for a festive atmosphere, you’ll want to arrive early to secure a good spot by the water. Rent a banana lounge and an umbrella for some added comfort. During the week, the beach is much quieter.

In the evenings Sombrero Beach is one of the best places to watch the sun set in Marathon. Its location on the ocean side of the key means you have an unobstructed view of the sun descending beyond the horizon. Use the barbecue pits provided to enjoy some fresh seafood or a steak as you watch the sun go down.

While the beach is not patrolled for most of the year, the gentle conditions make it perfect for swimming with children. Experienced swimmers will love exploring the deeper water, where tropical fish and turtles swim around. From April until October, Sombrero Beach is a nesting site for loggerhead turtles, and some areas of the beach are protected.

Sombrero Beach is located in the heart of Marathon and can easily be reached on foot or bike from the town. Visitors coming by car from other Keys will find free parking at the top of the beach. The beach is closed at night.