Marathon Eco-tourism: The Heart of the Keys Marine Habitat

Glance at a chart and you'll notice that Marathon is situated on Vaca Key smack dab at the midpoint of the Keys island chain. Take a closer look, and you'll notice numerous large shoals and coral humps, some within just two miles of shore.

An experienced kayaker armed with a Global Positioning System navigation receiver can easily find these shallow-water coral patches. They are magnets for beautiful sea life from sea turtles to tiny tropical fish. Most of the areas are so shallow that snorkeling offers just as good a view as Scuba diving.

Less experienced kayakers can paddle to some of these areas on calm days with the help of a guide. Closer to the shore, kayakers can watch 5-foot sharks cruising the shallows or egrets and herons snatching tiny fish.

Marathon, perhaps more than anyplace else in the Keys, should attract the ecotourist who wants to visit a place with a purely marine feel to it. There are relatively few uninhabited mangrove islands or shallow-water flats here, but there is still plenty to experience.

In May and June, thousands of huge tarpon roll and shimmer in the natural channels passing under the famous Seven-Mile-Bridge. Stop your kayak or canoe at Bahia Honda State Park and walk slowly through the calf-deep shallows. With any luck, you'll spot a four-foot barracuda scouting the white sand for a careless needle fish. You might even see a school of bonefish rooting for crabs.

Terns and ruddy turnstones work the shoreline looking for food while above you hovers the black shape of a frigate bird.

If you need a break from the water, consider a hike through the 64-acre Crane Point Hammock which is not far from the center of Marathon. A hammock is a raised patch land with just enough soil on it to support an amazing variety of plant life, including tropical hardwood trees, which are the hallmark of Crane Point.

White crowned pigeons, raccoons, ibis, herons, clouds of dragonflies and butterflies are regular residents along the two miles of trails. Archeological evidence shows that Indians and prehistoric Indians called this place home. Anyone who visits can easily see why.

Ecotourists should remember Marathon when they plan a Keys vacation.