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1Coffins Patch
This dive site is in the Sanctuary Preservation Area. 4 nm offshore of Marathon. 3.5 miles SE of Key Colony Beach.
BeginnerMax depth 9.8 ftBoat entry
Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Marathon
The top 9 dive and snorkel sites in Marathon, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Marathon guide
- dive sites
- 9
- dive shops
- 3
- reviews
- 2
Nearby areasKey Largo15Key West11Marathon9Islamorada9Naval Air Station Key West2Cudjoe Key1North Key Largo1Big Pine Key1
9 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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2Samantha's
Samantha's is most famous for the nurse shark giving this site its name. The 15- to 25-foot depth has plenty of ledges and remote coral patches offering great opportunities for photographers and casual divers alike. You can usually count on seeing a nurse shark or two here. Boat from Marathon Dive shops
BeginnerMax depth 18 ftBoat entry
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3Horseshoe reef
This reef gets its name from its curved shape. There's a bunch of large coral heads that grew in a semi circle shape. This formation is on the northeast corner of the reef. There's a large area of sand in the middle that's the perfect place to observe creatures of the reef on a night dive. It's not uncommon to see octopus scurrying about during these night dive. This reef has several sandy ledges running east to west. This is a likely place to catch a sea turtle sleeping during the day. Nurse sharks like to hang out here too. Just in case you don't know, Turtles are a protected species. It's illegal to disturb them in any way. So don't try to touch them. This is a great dive site to bring along an underwater camera. That way you can take pictures of the turtles and sharks that are posing under the ledges of this Florida Keys reef just waiting on you to drop in.
BeginnerMax depth 15.1 ftBoat entry
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4Delta Shoal & The Barge
Delta Shoals are home to several wrecks. The Barge (behind the east end of the reef), the Ivory Wreck... The reef also have great canyons and nice coral structures. 1.5 miles ENE of Sombrero Lighthouse. Delta Shoal & The Barge is also known as Delta Shoal, The Barge.
BeginnerMax depth 9.8 ftBoat entry
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5Thunderbolt Wreck
The Thunderbolt ia a 190-foot wreck. It was intentionally sunk in 1986. The wreck is sitting upright in 115 feet of water. This is a nice wreck, totally intact with full of marine life. 5 miles SE offshore of Marathon. S of Coffins Reef. Note that the buoy is 15 ft underwater... Thunderbolt Wreck is also known as USS Randolph.
IntermediateMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
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6Hermans Behind
Herman's Behind is a nice middle-keys reef with shallow slopes, a small drop-off, living coral, and many numerous and diverse species of fish.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftBoat entry
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7Sombrero Reef
Sombrero Reef has been designated a Sanctuary Preservation Area; fishing and lobstering are strictly prohibited. 8 miles SW of Key Colony Beach. The best part of the reef is on the S side of Lighthouse.
BeginnerMax depth 19.7 ftBoat entry
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8The Elbow
The Elbow is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in USA, Florida, Keys, Middle Keys which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
BeginnerMax depth 29.5 ftBoat entry
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9
Top dive shops in Marathon
All 3Captain Hook's Dive Center
Book4.4 (361) · Marathon
Discount Divers Bed & Breakfast
Book4.1 (14) · Marathon
Tilden's Scuba Center
Book4.0 (165) · Marathon
Marathon diving guide
Ready to check out the best sites in Marathon for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 9 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in Marathon?
The top-rated beginner sites are Coffins Patch (5.0 from 1 review) and Samantha's (5.0 from 1 review).
Are there dive shops in Marathon?
Zentacle lists 3 dive shops in Marathon. The top-rated are Captain Hook's Dive Center (4.4 from 361 reviews) and Discount Divers Bed & Breakfast (4.1 from 14 reviews).