Anyone familiar with Marathon Florida Keys

[TropicalDiver]

Flights - if you fly into Melbourne, FL, there is a VERY SMALL charter that goes from there to both Key West and Marathon airports, I believe....sorry, don't remember their name - cost around $250 pp to go from Melbourne there though, so not very cheap.

Best bet would be to fly into Miami and rent a car for the week

 

[archman]

Bahia Honda State Park is between Marathon and Big Pine Key. You can get there from Marathon in 15-20 minutes. It's one of the top ranked beaches in the continental United States. There's a couple nature walks, an overlook, and they might still be doing boat charters to Looe Key. That might just be for snorkelers rather than divers, though.

 

[Fishermark]

Marathon is usually where we go when we go to the Keys. We have stayed at Blackfin Resort. Don't let the word "resort" fool you - it is an older style motel, but it has it's own little beach area. It's reasonably priced. (www.blackfinresort.com) Tilden's Dive shop is next door and uses the dock at the resort, so it is very convenient. The thing I like is that they will take snorklers and divers on the same trip. Perfect for a family of divers and non-divers. The non-divers can use the styofoam "noodles" and snorkle while the divers enjoy the reef. I personally like Sombrero Reef - especially if snorklers are going, and for beginner divers - it is shallow and has plenty of life and color.

If you want to stay longer, you might want to look into renting a home for a week. That's what we did for our last visit, and were able to trailer the boat down for extended diving and fishing.

 

[Bob3]

Well... the time of year that you DON'T want to go to the Keys is the last week of July & the first couple-few weeks of August. It's the opening of bug season (spiny crayfish) & all the hotels are filled.
Other than that, Sombrero Light/Reef (as already mentioned) off of Marathon is good for snorkeling & shallow diving, & also as mentioned, Looe Key is likewise a classic, both for snorkel & shallow diving. If you want to hit Looe Key (not a Key at all, just a reef) run down to at least Big Pine, or else Little Torch, the run is a lot shorter.
Bahia Honda State Park (again as already mentioned), is a good beach, and if you're CAREFUL about the tide, you can get some diving around the bridge. If you're not careful, you can be on your way to Cuba pretty quickly.
Key West on Halloween would be a visit your kids would be telling their grandkids about.
Keep blindfolds handy.