Marathon Fl Sandbar Cruise & Sightseeing Adventure

We had an amazing day with Marathin Mermaid Charter team. Everything was smooth and on time; the experience was great, and the organization, organizers, friendliness, and even the weather were A1. I really recommend the tour and the company. We'll be back with the rest of the family.

We had an absolutely wonderful time! The captain and first mate went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. They were attentive, accommodating, and couldn’t do enough to make sure we had the best experience possible. They took us to a breathtaking sandbar with beautiful, crystal-clear turquoise water. The water was warm, the depth was perfect, and we had floats to relax and enjoy the water. The entire experience was outstanding from beginning to end! We highly recommend this trip and will definitely be doing it again the next time we visit the Florida Keys!

The experience was the highlight of our trip! The captain and first mate were amazing, and attentive. Our group ages ranged from 19 to 72 and everyone loved it!

Captain Kenzie and Andrew were amazing! We had the best time & the sandbar cruise was our favorite experience of our stay in Marathon! From Andrew’s playlist on our cruise, paddling out in the kayak to offer us champagne to Captain K fighting the wind to anchor the boat in just the right spot! Highly recommend🏝️🩵

Smooth boat ride out to a sandbar with Shallow water, fish, starfish, Lilly pad, paddle boat, kayaks with lots of snacks and drinks. Four kids ages 12, eight, six, six had a great time.

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Captain Bermie and First Mate O’Ryan were excellent hosts. It was the highlight of our trip.

This was a great excursion. It was beautiful sandbar. There were plenty of pool noodles etc… to use. We especially loved that Andrew floated around in a kayak refilling drinks and handing out snacks. I would highly recommend!!

For pirates, Cap’n Kerry and his 1st Mate Orion did a commendable job and are due their share rum and plunder. Many thanks!

Capt Orion and Capt Kerry are the best! We booked this last minute during and off week in August and had a great time. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun day just lounging in the sandbars.

An amazing crew made this a fantastic experience for myself and granddaughter.

Unfortunately it is not the best time of year to go to the sand bar we went to because the water turned an ugly brown, but the guides made the most of it by giving us a great party time full of champagne. We did get to enjoy some time in light greenish water on the paddle boards and lily pad :) it was a great, safe boat, I just wish we had gone after this bad sargassum season

Really great experience. The sandbar was so much fun!! The guides Orion & kinsy were so great and it was just beautiful!

It was a fun experience - relaxing and anybody can do this! So fun! They have kayaks and paddle boards - plenty of activities to do-

We had a great excursion with this company. The crew went over the safety rules and procedures. The ride was enjoyable. We saw nine dolphins that were jumping and playing in the water…So cool! The sandbar was so relaxing. The crew kept us informed when the waters changed and served drinks continuously while chilling in the water. The food was not my cup of tea but that is because I have to be careful what I eat and I cook almost all of my meals. So no judgment on the food. But they did have fruit and vegetarian choices! The boat can hold up to 125 people. Glad there was only 65 on this trip!!!! Just enough people. This excursion is a must book!

Very friendly and made it a joyful trip

Great excursion for the price. I made several calls trying to book a snorkeling trip for my 5 year old. The people were eager to meet my needs and steer us in the right direction for a fantastic experience. Will definitely book with this company in the future.

An excellent adventure! Loved all the activities on the sandbar!

This is an awesome day on the water. Both the captain and his first mate were awesome. Drinks were plentiful and they had a great personality.Highly recommend this cruise. Mother nature can play a part in it, but they made the best of it.

Great trip! Boat ride was fun and the crew is talented and knowledgeable. The snacks and drinks were good and continuous. Bring water shoes if you don’t like the sea grasses as we had to walk through it to get to the sandbar. Highly recommend this awesome outing!

We had the best time! And Captain Orion and Kinsey were great with our kids and adults. We had a big group of 8! We would definitely do this again.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip.

As a business owner myself, I appreciate a well run Company. This one is Is The Best! They are friendly, courteous, professional, and easy to work with. Highly highly recommend! Their captains and first mates are also all very friendly and nice to get to know.

Location is behind the hotel. Arrive early paperwork and waivers must be signed. No spay sunblock on the boat.

Our family of four had a wonderful day with Captain Kinsey and First Mate Orion on the Marathon Mermaid sandbar trip. It can be tough to find activities that the four of us can enjoy together, with an 11yo son and a 21yo daughter, but this was perfect. The boat itself was comfortable, with plenty of shade if you wanted it and sun if you didn’t. The ride out to the sandbar was smooth and relaxing. They were very careful about safety and counted us several times. There were 40 passengers but somehow it felt like a lot less and like we were all in it together. Part of that was due to a party of 13, an extended family from Texas who were so fun and friendly and included everyone around them. Part of it was due to the attitudes and attentiveness of Kinsey and Orion. My husband noticed Kinsey and Orion keeping an eye out for our son when we were at the sandbar; it was nice to know we had backup. There were only two kayaks and two SUPs, which I was a little worried about before we got to the sandbar, but it turned out to be plenty. As far as I could tell, no one monopolized the equipment and everyone who wanted to got plenty of opportunity to use them over the two hours we had at the sandbar. They had several noodles and one “lily pad,” the big floating mat thing, which was my favorite. I would have spent longer on the lily pad but I actually got a little cold in the breeze. The water at the sandbar was AMAZING. We come from the Seattle area, where you can’t spend more than five minutes in salt water, even in the summer, because it’s too cold. There were some shallow places at the sandbar where the water was actually hot! The Texans wanted to play their own music on the ride back, like early 2000s dance club hip hop, and after a while the captain checked with other passengers (including my husband and me) to make sure we were okay with it. I’d rather have had some other genre I could have gotten into more, but it wasn’t bothering us. On the other hand, it was nice to have a break from Jimmy Buffett. You can’t walk two blocks in the Keys without hearing Margaritaville floating out of some business or other. 😂 I literally heard that song more than once EVERY DAY of our 9-day trip, just walking down the street. Those poor Keys-based service providers. They must want to stab butter knives in their ears every time it comes on. Anyway, back to the Mermaid … there was a lot of sargassum at the sandbar, and Orion said they’d been getting some bad reviews lately because of it. I felt so bad for them. Come on, people, do your research. If you go to the Florida Keys in July, you’re going to have to deal with sargassum. It didn’t stink, and it wasn’t gross or slimy. It just doesn’t look that great in your photos. I found if I mostly ignored it, a patch would float around me but the tides would move it along within a very few minutes. Orion told me that they chose this particular sandbar because it would be less crowded than the one with less seaweed, that we could have gone to the other one but it would have been packed (it was a Sunday) and hard to relax and have a good time. I appreciated their choice. Orion is in a captain training program so he took the helm a few times, and Kinsey seemed to be a good trainer, specific and laid back. Even when he corrected Orion, it didn’t come across as negative. Overall, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be worth $113/person to take this excursion, given that we could have done much the same at a beach. I’m glad we went. It was definitely worth it to me. Even aside from the beautiful and very pleasant boat rides there and back, there were some definite benefits: the parking was plentiful and much easier than at a beach on a Sunday; we didn’t have to bother with getting dry sand all over us; we had the option to use the equipment without having to transport it or feel like we needed to use it the whole time to get our money’s worth out of a rental; there were items we wouldn’t have brought on the plane or bothered renting, like the noodles, lily pad, and kick boards; the social aspect was fun, getting to know other travelers and the crew a little bit. It was easy to just relax and have fun without worrying about logistics. My husband, on the other hand, who hates spending money, has more mixed feelings about it. He enjoyed it, but isn’t sure it was worth quite that much. Still, when I polled my family at the end of the trip, we all said this was our second-favorite day, only losing out to the day in Key West that we went out with Fury on their Ultimate H2.O tour for parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boating. A couple things to keep in mind—first, they mentioned that the head wasn’t a “comfortable experience,” and suggested we use the bathroom at the launch location before we left. They mentioned a bucket, but I’m not sure if that was a joke because I never tried it out. Also, be aware that you can’t use spray sunscreen on the boat. That was the only kind we had, so I sprayed myself before getting on, but if I hadn’t gotten a seat in the shaded area and had my hooded, long-sleeved SPF shirt, I would have had a problem because I wasn’t able to re-apply. Because of how the tides were that day, we had to anchor in a bit deeper water, which meant it was hard to take anything off the boat with you. It could have been done (I did it with my phone so I could take pictures) but it would have been a hassle. One last little thing for Kinsey to know—I wasn’t sure one other time if he was joking about something. He told some young boys once we’d anchored that there was “absolutely no jumping off the boat.” He repeated it a couple times in a way that made me think he was teasing them, that he absolutely expected them to jump, but I wasn’t sure and I don’t think they were sure, either. I’ve always been taught that you listen to the captain and follow their direction, no exceptions, so this was a little confusing to me. I’m sure my son would have loved to jump off the boat, again and again, but he didn’t, and I didn’t notice anyone else jumping, either. Yes, we could have just asked for clarification, but that can get embarrassing. Okay, now one final, final note: Captain Kinsey mentioned that his boss is the best boss he’s ever had in this industry. When a person is lucky enough to have a great boss, that usually results in a happy and good worker. From what I observed, that phenomenon is happening with the Marathon Mermaid. Good work, everyone! Thanks for an awesome memory.

If you are looking for the perfect way to spend a day in the Florida Keys, look no further than a sandbar cruise on the Marathon Mermaid. Our family took an excursion with Captain Dave and first mate O’Ryan and it was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip. From the moment we arrived to check in, the service was friendly and welcoming. Captain Dave and O’Ryan were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and engaged throughout the duration of the tour. One of the things we appreciated most was the crew’s expertise. I believe the tour was originally supposed to visit Sombrero Reef, but Captain Dave proactively explained that due to the excessive sargassum this year, he believed heading to Molasses Key would offer a significantly better, clearer experience for everyone. He was absolutely right! The water at Molasses Key was beautiful, and it was clear that the crew truly cares about curating the best possible experience for their guests rather than just following a standard route. The boat was perfectly equipped for a day of fun. They provided a great selection of snacks, soft drinks, and water which kept us fueled and hydrated. For those who wanted more than wading or swimming, there was an array of gear available, including kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. We cannot recommend this tour enough. Whether you are looking to relax in the crystal-clear water or get out and explore, Marathon Mermaid delivers. A great time was had by our family, and we are already looking forward to our next visit to Marathon!

Just husband and I. We did both the sunset and sandbar. Definitely recommend and will definitely do again. We were scheduled for the reef but due to high winds the earlier trip was cancelled. The company made the decision in plenty of notice and we had the option of refund or rescheduling. The staff are very friendly and accommodating they go above and beyond to try to make sure everyone is having a good time but safe at the same time.

Brilliant trip! Just the perfect amount of time to spend as you like. We loved the kayaks! Free snacks like crisps, Coke etc. lots of fresh cold water!

Captains were very friendly. They made sure we went to a nice area with less seaweed. There was no rush. Very relaxing. Would recommend to anyone coming to the keys!!!!!!!!!

Amazing, Captain Kinsey and first mate Orion explained everything in detail. They had noodles to float with for extra help. I would definitely go again with them. The fish were so pretty and clear that day. Couldn’t have asked for a better morning.

Took the afternoon sandbar cruise. Captain David and Jake the first mate were great! They made sure everyone was happy and having a good time. Even moving locations to find clearer water. The boat is comfy and a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon catching some rays and seeing the Keys from different perspective than just driving around! Snacks and drinks on board were definitely a plus.

The first place we went to at the sandbar was not very good so they took us to another place and that was much better.

We had a great time yesterday! Both the David and Mandy were fantastic and made sure the trip was fun, safe, and that we had everything we needed to have great time at the sandbar.

Great time! Great crew!! Awesome!

I took my teen daughter and we had a fantastic time! The staff was friendly and helpful, the boat was clean and spacious, the sandbar was just gorgeous. Perfect afternoon!

We had a wonderful experience with Marathon Mermaid. Originally I had booked a snorkeling tour but the weather conditions were not suitable. The tour company had excellent communication about conditions and rescheduling options. We chose to do the sandbar tour and it did not disappoint! Our captain and guide were friendly and safety conscious. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone wanting a fun experience on the water.

We had a wonderful cruise to the sandbar with Capt. David and Brandon. They were very entraining and made sure everyone had a great time. Lisa did an excellent job helping us book our tour. She went above and beyond to keep us updated when we had to change plans due to weather. I highly recommend Marathon Mermaid!

We had a wonderful sandbar trip with Marathon Mermaid over Memorial Day weekend. The crew were friendly and helpful. We loved that they provided the accessories like paddle boards, kayaks and noodles so you just need to bring your towel! This was the highlight of our trip. Highly recommended!

The tour was great. Wish we could do it every weekend. Captain David and Mandy were very welcoming and funny. We had snacks and drinks. The sandbar was absolutely stunning. I felt so safe on the tour. Thank you for such a wonderful afternoon.

What a blast this was! We booked super last minute (day of) and Lisa was beyond helpful getting us booked & informed for our excursion! Despite a little “weather” (its Florida!) we all had a wonderful time. Captain Dawn (& Bradnon) got us out in front the rain clouds safely and efficiently! While at the Sandbar, some clouds & rain rolled in, but they wouldn’t let that ruin our time! Music was jammin', snacks were flowing, the water was warm, and the beach toys were fun for all! I highly recommend the Marathon Mermaid for an amazing on the water adventure-you can’t come to the Keys and NOT get on a boat!! Thank you Dawn & Brandon-We will most definitely be back!

Sandbar Adventure was amazing….so fun…100% recommend!

Overall we had a great time. The boat ride to & from the sandbar was lovely. One note, the website says "light snacks including fruit" and our trip only had chips, water, & sodas. It was enough, just not as advertised. Remember your sunscreen and you'll have a great time!

Awesome experience! Captain, first mate, and the mate's daughter were great! So friendly and made sure everyone had a great time! The boat's ladder was the best we experienced to climb out of the water unlike others in the area!

We had a beautiful day sightseeing and hanging out at the sandbar. Captain Dawn and Brenden were knowledgeable, courteous and fun! We truly enjoyed our excursion. The water was perfect and we saw dolphins, manatees and a variety of birds.

Awesome sand bar excursion experience from beginning to end. Staff was wonderful and would definitely use same charter in future.

Awesome sandbar excursion experience and very reasonably priced. The crew was super and would definitely go with same charter.

The Marathon Mermaid Sandbar Cruise was an absolute blast! Captain Dawn and her crew went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt safe, well-informed, and, most importantly, had a great time. Their energy and professionalism really made the experience stand out. I highly recommend this crew and their tour if you’re looking for a fun and memorable day on the water!

7 of us went on the sandbar trip and it was a great time. Awesome captain and mates! Everyone on the boat had an amazing time! We will book again for next year.

Our group of 12, originally wanted to snorkel, but wind was too high. Instead, we did the Sandbar experience out of Islamorada with Marathon Mermaid and had a fantastic time. The boat was very comfortable and well equipped. The crew was great and helpful. The sandbar (dog beach) was fun. We all had a great day, I would certainly recommend.

Do not look any further and get on the MARATHON MERMAID! Mandy made our entire trip so much fun! If you want to spend the day laughing and dancing and seeing the most beautiful sites come here! I’m obsessed! Will be back over and over!