Marathon Mermaid: the Best Sandbar Tour in the Middle Keys

The sandbars of the Florida Keys is what gives them their beautiful colors, the varied views as you go from island to island, and what makes for some of the most fun places to appreciate the Florida Keys. We went out with the Marathon Mermaid for a sandbar adventure and it was the MOST time we’ve gotten to spend out in the water on our own. From the beautiful boat ride to the hours wading through the turquoise shallows, their sandbar tour from Marathon is exceptional.

We’ve got the full scoop on why you need to be sure to go out with the Marathon Mermaid, including tips for having a wonderful sandbar trip in the Florida Keys. If you have any questions about this tour or planning your time on Marathon, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you have an incredible adventure as you explore the Florida Keys.

Why Choose the Marathon Mermaid Sandbar Tour

What makes the Marathon Mermaid sandbar tour stand out among all the different activities you can do in the Middle Keys is two things: the awesome boat for the tour and the incredible amount of time you get out on the sandbar. Let’s start with the boat, because let’s be real – too rough of water or too much sun can really have a big impact on how much anyone enjoys an adventure.

The Marathon Mermaid boat is quite broad and long, making it a very stable watercraft to go out on. The flooring is soft and actually makes walking around easier. There is also a huge shaded area which makes it easier to enjoy the longer trip (they go out for around 4 hours). Plenty of seating in both the sun and the shade make the Marathon Mermaid boat one of my favorites to be out on across the Florida Keys.

The other element I mentioned that sets the Marathon Mermaid sandbar tour apart from others is the amount of time you actually get out on the sandbar. For our particular adventure we went out to the Valhalla Sandbar just north of Curry Hammock State Park. This wide, gorgeous sandbar is epic and truly is the quintessential Florida Keys sandbar. Some areas are shin deep and some can be a bit deeper, but for most adults and kids nearly everywhere is standing depth and it’s awesome. Getting to have so much time on the sandbar is lovely because you can explore at your own leisure or you can use the time for activities. We like to snorkel about, and even though there’s no reef or rocks at most sandbar areas, there are seagrass spots and unique spots where the current has made it a bit deeper and often you get to see wildlife. With enough time to wander and just enjoy, the Marathon Mermaid sandbar trip really gets to be whatever you want it to be.

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Tips for a Great Sandbar Trip

When you’re planning your Marathon Mermaid sandbar tour, of course the best idea is to do it when you’re staying on Marathon, maybe at the Faro Blanco Resort or Grassy Flats, but if you’re just passing through, you can book at tour leaving late morning so you have time to get there in case you’re coming from Key West or Key Largo. Since they have this wonderful option for a sandbar trip that is in the middle of the day, you can actually plan it as your primary activity for the day and not feel stressed either about getting there late since you’ll have plenty of time for the drive in the morning or needing to make plans for the rest of the day.

Apply your reef-safe sunscreen in advance of your sandbar tour so that you can be protected and relax from the time you step onboard. Also, you’ll want to allow your sunblock time to absorb so it’s as effective as possible. Your crew will tell you this too, but I’ll tell you now: DO NOT use spray sunscreen onboard a boat, as it makes things slippery and just goes into the water. Also, most spray sunscreens aren’t considered reef safe, so you’ll need to be smart and considerate about this.

If you’re bringing smaller kids along on the Marathon Mermaid for a sandbar tour, you’ll want to think about how you imagine they’ll stay occupied for your time on the sandbar. You’ll likely have two hours of free play out on the water, so if your kids are fish (mine always have been) you’ll likely be fine and they’ll just roll with it, but if you have city kids or little ones that either don’t swim or can’t really be in the sun much, you’ll need to have a plan to keep them busy or chill during the tour. It’s fun and beautiful on the water and most people really will love it, but if you’ve got a youngster that’s not going to be into it, be ready to make the trip fun for them too.

Note: there is a marine bathroom on board, but it’s only for pee emergencies. The captain will tell ya’, it ain’t for #2s at sea.

Being Prepared for the Marathon Mermaid Sandbar Tour

Be ready with your towels and snorkel gear when you have your sandbar day. The Marathon Mermaid provides SUPs and a floating mat and such, but not all the gear you’ll need if you plan on snorkeling or having a football game out on the sandbar. You’ll need to bring whatever sort of sun protection you want as well, from sunglasses to hats. Nobody wants to end their awesome day on the water with a sunburn.

Since you’ll be out on the Marathon Mermaid for so long, you also may need to bring some snacks and such. Simple snacks like chips and fruit are provided, and then non-alcoholic drinks are on board too, but if there’s anything else you want to bring you need to pack that yourself. Our sandbar tour also had beer and wine on it, but that’s not listed as an inclusion when you’re booking your tour. You can bring your own beverages (non-hard alcohol) within reason, so if you want to do that and have questions, you should call the Marathon Mermaid in advance and clarify your plans.

When it comes to cameras onboard, bring them! If you want to use a big camera, there are safe places to keep it while you’re in the water, and you just need to be responsible. For photography while you’re on the sandbar, you can easily just use a waterproof case on your phone and be able to get great shots A GoPro works well too. The water clarity on the sandbar is exceptional, especially on a calm day with wonderful visibility. If you’re hoping to spot some fish, or if you’re like me and are permanently on the lookout for seahorses, you’ll love the clarity!

Parking for the Marathon Mermaid Tours

There is free parking at the departure marina for the Marathon Mermaid. If you’re coming from Key Largo or Islamorada, it’ll be on the right. If you’re driving from Key West or Big Pine Key you’ll turn left into the parking area. It’s just north of where you go out on the Starfish Catamaran (one of our favorite snorkeling trips) and just south of the sea turtle hospital. Parking is in front of a condo hotel, so pay attention to the signs and park in one of the unrestricted spots. This is also the parking area for Barnacle Billy’s restaurant, which we enjoy and is great for a meal or drinks after your sandbar trip.

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