Key Largo to Marathon: 50+ Can’t-Miss Spots for a Florida Keys Wedding Weekend

A guest-friendly guide to the best beaches, snorkeling, wildlife, restaurants, bars, and rainy-day stops from Key Largo to Marathon—perfect for Florida Keys wedding weekends.
Last updated: January 2026

Welcome to wedding weekend… Keys-style 🌴

You came for the “I do.” Now let’s make the rest of the weekend feel like a vacation highlight reel.

This guide covers Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon with 50+ guest-approved stops—organized by vibe (sunset, adventure, family-friendly, rainy-day, etc.). Hours/fees can change, so treat the details as a starting point and double-check before you roll out.

How to use this guide (the cheat code)

• Friday (arrival / rehearsal energy): sunset + a casual waterfront dinner

• Saturday (wedding day): keep it easy—coffee, a short beach visit, be back early

• Sunday (recovery / farewell): brunch + one last “we actually did that” adventure

Beaches + sunset hangs 🌅

Perfect for pre-wedding calm, post-rehearsal decompression, and golden-hour photos.

1. Anne’s Beach (Islamorada) – boardwalks + mangroves + postcard water views. Marathon, Florida+1

2. Founders Park Beach (Islamorada) – calm swim lagoon + facilities; non-resident entry fees apply (and yes, rules matter—like alcohol restrictions). Islamorada+1

3. Harry Harris Park (Tavernier) – protected swim area + playground; non-resident vehicle fee applies. Monroe County

4. Rowell’s Waterfront Park (Key Largo) – bayside, picnic tables, swim-at-your-own-risk, kayak/paddle launch. Monroe County

5. Sombrero Beach (Marathon) – classic sandy beach with amenities; open 7:00am–dusk. Marathon, Florida

6. Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon) – quieter beach + kiteboard/watersports energy; 8am–sunset. Florida State Parks+1

7. Long Key State Park (Layton) – nature-first shoreline + trails; 8am–sunset. Florida State Parks+1

8. Cannon Beach (Key Largo / Pennekamp) – chill shoreline inside the park (easy add-on to snorkel day). Florida State Parks

9. Far Beach (Key Largo / Pennekamp) – more low-key “reset your nervous system” energy. Monroe County

10. Coco Plum Beach (Marathon) – quieter, local-feeling beach option (great for a walk). Marathon, Florida

Water adventures (snorkel, paddle, boat) 🤿🚤

Because nothing bonds a wedding crew like a shared boat day.

1. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Key Largo) – the big one: reefs, tours, beaches; open 8am–sunset. Florida State Parks+1

2. Pennekamp snorkel/glass-bottom boat tours – book ahead if your weekend is peak season. pennekamppark.com

3. “Christ of the Abyss” snorkel trips – iconic Keys bucket-list stop (via local operators). Tripadvisor

4. Molasses Reef (Key Largo area) – one of the most visited Upper Keys reef sites; clear water + fishy chaos (the good kind). floridakeys.noaa.gov

5. Grecian Rocks (Upper Keys) – often recommended for snorkeling conditions and marine life (ask your charter what’s best that day). seadwellers.com

6. Alligator Reef (Islamorada area) – a popular charter destination for reef time.

7. Sombrero Reef (Marathon area) – a go-to reef day option from Marathon. solewatersports.com

8. Coffins Patch Reef (Marathon area) – commonly cited as family/beginner-friendly snorkeling. Captain Hook's Marina and Dive Center+1

9. Robbie’s of Islamorada (tarpon feeding + marina vibes) – hilarious, loud, memorable. Robbie’s notes pricing like dock admission + bait bucket, and lists daily timing. Robbie's of Islamorada+1

10. Kayak to Indian Key Historic State Park – paddle to a ghost-town island (bring water; it’s undeveloped). Florida State Parks+1

11. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park – ranger-led tours (seasonal schedule); small visitor + tour fees apply. Florida State Parks+1

12. Sunset cruises (Islamorada or Marathon) – the easiest “group memory” you can buy.

13. Sandbar day – ask locals/your captain which sandbar is best that week (conditions change).

14. USS Spiegel Grove (Key Largo) – legendary shipwreck dive site (for certified divers). Florida Keys & Key West

Nature + wildlife (family-friendly gold) 🐢🦩

Great for mixed-age groups and people who want something meaningful between parties.

1. Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park – tropical hardwood hammock trails; small per-person entry fee. Florida State Parks+1

2. Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park (Islamorada) – short trails + exposed fossilized coral quarry. Florida Hikes

3. Crane Point (Marathon) – nature trails + historic site (excellent for a calmer afternoon).

4. Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center (Tavernier) – quick, memorable stop for animal lovers. Mission Wild Bird

5. The Turtle Hospital (Marathon) – tours are guided and education-forward; book in advance. Coco Plum Vacation Rentals

6. Dolphin Research Center (Grassy Key) – educational visits + encounters; check current ticket options. dolphins.org

7. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters (Marathon) – hands-on marine experiences for families. dolphins.org

8. Curry Hammock State Park trails – easy nature time without a big commitment. Florida State Parks

Rainy-day + culture stops ☔️🏛️

When the Keys throws a 20-minute squall (or a whole mood).

1. History of Diving Museum (Islamorada) – surprisingly cool, even for non-divers.

2. Florida Keys History & Discovery Center (Islamorada) – good “air-conditioned education break.”

3. Pigeon Key (Marathon / Old Seven Mile Bridge) – history + views + great photos. Pigeonkey

4. African Queen Canal Cruise (Key Largo) – old-school, charming, and very wedding-weekend appropriate. Morada Way Arts & Cultural District

5. Theater of the Sea (Islamorada) – shows + exhibits; 9:30am–5pm and general admission pricing is published online. Theater of the Sea+1

6. Morada Way Arts & Cultural District (Islamorada) – galleries + local art energy. Yelp

Eat + drink (the “group text MVP” list) 🍤🍹

Rather than 20+ paragraphs, here are the hits guests actually ask for.

Key Largo

• Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen – Keys classic comfort seafood.

• Caribbean Club – legendary, laid-back bar vibes. Florida State Parks

• Snappers – waterfront, easy group dinner energy.

Islamorada

• Marker 88 – sunset dinner spot.

• MEAT Eatery & Taproom – burgers + beers, crowd-pleaser.

• Square Grouper – fun nightlife and live music energy. shellworldflkeys.com

• Islamorada Brewery & Distillery – “one drink turns into two” kind of stop. Rain Barrel Village

Marathon

• Keys Fisheries – casual and famous for a reason. Florida State Parks

• Sunset Grille – sunset views + classic Keys dinner.

• Burdines – waterfront and relaxed.

(Tip: If you’re rolling in with 8+ people, call ahead. One highway + peak season = waits.)

Shopping + sweet souvenirs 🛍️🥧

For welcome-bag extras, beachy keepsakes, and “we should bring something home” moments.

1. Rain Barrel Village (Islamorada) – art shops + the iconic lobster statue photo op. Yelp

2. Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory (Tavernier) – key lime treats that travel well. Yelp

3. Shell World (Key Largo) – classic Keys souvenir chaos (in a fun way). shellworldflkeys.com

4. Local markets / boutiques along US-1 – great for last-minute gifts + beach reads.

A tiny wedding-weekend note from Seaside Setups 💛

If you’re a couple reading this: save your energy for the good part. We can help make the weekend feel smooth—welcome table styling, signage placement, décor setup and flips—so you and your people can actually enjoy the Keys.