Snorkeling trips and private charters exploring
the beautiful reefs of Marathon

Marathon Snorkeling

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CHOOSE YOUR TIME

9 a.m. to 12 noon
$49.00 +tax (other tour fees may apply)

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$49.00 +tax (other tour fees may apply)

Sunset tours (seasonal)
$59.00 +tax (other fees may apply)

*snorkel equipment included
*prices subject to change without notice

Marathon Snorkeling Tours

Would you like to enjoy a day snorkeling on the most famous part of the third largest barrier reef in the world? Join the fun and friendly crew at Starfish Marathon Snorkeling Tours for a day trip to magnificent Sombrero Reef, where you can enjoy a leisurely swim among the many fish and corals in a protected underwater paradise.

We will make your Marathon snorkeling adventure comfortable, exciting, and unforgettable aboard our shaded catamaran, outfitted with a freshwater shower and concessions. We offer a family-friendly environment suitable for all ages, and we even include your snorkeling gear. Join one of our snorkel tours in Marathon and discover one of Florida’s most hidden natural jewels.

Marathon Snorkeling Tours On Board ‘The Starfish’

  • Sombrero Reef National Marine Sanctuary and Lighthouse is the #1 rated spot to snorkel in the Florida Keys
  • We offer a safe and spacious boat environment for our snorkel tours in Marathon
  • The Sombrero Reef is a spectacular 30 acre garden of colorful living boulder and branching corals
  • Our Marathon snorkel crew will go out of their way to make your excursion unforgettable
  • Family friendly – riders welcome – snorkeling gear included – Join us when you visit Marathon
  • U.S. Coast Guard certified and inspected vessel with the capacity to carry 49 passengers

The planet’s great barrier reefs are world renowned for their colorful corals and teeming underwater wildlife. Sombrero reef is alive with activity – a submerged tropical paradise where angelfish glide among the living branches of pristine staghorn coral. Because the entire area is protected, large grouper and snapper thrive in the deep, while stingrays take wing overhead as though flying through the current.

At Starfish Marathon Snorkeling Tours we place you front-and-center in the action while ensuring that your ride on our custom catamaran is safe and comfortable. We don’t allow coolers or scuba gear on our Marathon snorkel tours because we want our guests to be able to move freely on deck without worrying about falling over obstructions or stubbing their toes. Our vessel is entirely covered so everyone on board is protected from the unforgiving Florida sun.

Bring your entire family on one of our fun-filled Marathon snorkel tours. See one of the planet’s most magnificent barrier reefs with your own eyes, and enjoy a wonderland of sights and sounds.

Marathon Snorkeling Tours at World-Famous Sombrero Reef

People travel from all over the world to snorkel in the Florida Keys. No snorkeling destination in the region is more famous than Marathon’s own Sombrero Reef, and with good reason. The 30 acre reef is thriving, and filled with incredible coral formations and massive schools of neon-colored tropical fish.

One of the reasons so many people join us on our snorkel adventures in Marathon is because Sombrero Reef is only 2 to 30 feet deep, so it can be thoroughly enjoyed without any fancy diving gear. Located in the Atlantic Ocean only six miles from Marathon’s shores, it’s easy to access and makes for an enjoyable ride where dolphins, turtles, and stingrays are often spotted en route.

Marathon Snorkel Tours

We urge all of our snorkeling guests to be aware of the rules that govern the reef, so that this treasure can be enjoyed by future generations. Coral is a living animal, and the clicking sounds you hear while snorkeling is the multitude of wildlife feeding in, around, and on the coral itself. Enjoy your snorkel adventure, but remember these basic rules:

  • NEVER stand on the coral while snorkeling
  • Use the buddy system – snorkel with a partner
  • Swimming is a prerequisite for this activity – if you can not swim, ride along passengers are welcome
  • Do not touch or take coral – it is against the law
  • Weight restrictions apply: Maximum 275 pounds per USCG Title-46 Code of Federal Regulations 178.330
  • Other restrictions: No coolers please and no spray sun lotion onboard
  • There are no age restrictions. Please purchase tickets for all passengers, including riders

Information About Our Marathon Snorkeling Vessel – The Starfish

We keep our boat obstruction-free so all of our passengers, both large and small, can fully enjoy their Marathon snorkel adventure. We operate three snorkeling trips throughout the season, so that you can choose a time of day that best suits your lifestyle.

The Starfish is a spacious, fully covered, luxuriously powered catamaran with a freshwater shower and a shaded lounging area. Your snorkeling gear is provided, but we also offer the following extras for your comfort and enjoyment:

  • Underwater cameras
  • Prescription mask rental (nearsighted only)
  • Wetsuit Rental
  • Earplugs
  • New mouthpieces
  • Sun lotion
  • Motion sickness tablets
  • Refreshments

We do not allow spray-on lotions of any kind on our Marathon snorkeling tours. The reason is because the overspray from these aerosols cause the deck to get slippery, and we don’t want an injury to ruin anyone’s snorkeling trip. This is also why we do not allow coolers or scuba gear onboard, because we want plenty of room for adults and kids to be able to fully utilize the deck.

Would You Like to Inquire about Our Specialty Cruises?

We proudly make The Starfish available for private Marathon charters, so that you and your friends, family, or business associates can enjoy the Sunshine Coast on your own terms. We’ve handled private marathon charters for:

  • Weddings
  • Birthdays
  • Corporate events
  • Special occasions

While snorkeling is definitely our passion, your charter can focus on dolphin watching, a sunset cruise, or even a memorable picnic on an uninhabited island. If you have any questions about private Marathon charters, contact us to find out more information.

A Few Other Words about Our Marathon Snorkel Tours

Sometimes the weather makes it impossible to get to Sombrero Reef. When this happens, we take you to one of our other prime Marathon snorkeling destinations away from rough seas. We leave these decisions in the Captain’s competent hands.

We should also mention:

  • No refund if canceled within 24 hours of your tour. Alternate locations are utilized based on real-time conditions, a 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all trips regardless of destination.
  • Weight restrictions apply:  Maximum 275 pounds per USCG Title-46 Code of Federal Regulations 178.330
  • Other restrictions:  No coolers please and no spray sun lotion onboard.
  • There are no age restrictions. Please purchase tickets for all passengers, including riders.
  • We reserve the right to cancel the snorkeling trip for any reason, in this case, you will be provided a full refund.
  • Check in AT LEAST 30 minutes prior to your snorkeling trip or reservation will be forfeited
  • Check in cut off times are 8:30am and 12:30am

We run three snorkeling trips daily from Marathon during full season – 9am to 12pm – 1pm to 4pm – Sunset Tours (when in season). We are open year round. Located just north of the famous 7-Mile Bridge in Marathon, in the Sea Dog Charters Marina, we are eager to show you the unrivaled beauty of the reef. Alternate locations include Pirates Cove or East Sisters Rock. These are both nice, shallow snorkeling locations.

OUR ACTIVITIES

Snorkel Tour

Marathon Snorkeling
Morning : $49.00 – Afternoon : $49.00
+ tax (other tour fees may apply)

Large Party

Private Charter • Starting at $2,000.00
+ tax (other tour fees may apply)
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• All prices are in US dollars

• Prices subject to change without notice