The heart of the Florida Keys unfolds across a remarkable stretch of islands surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay. Anchored by Marathon and extending through communities including Duck Key and Key Colony Beach, the Middle Keys combine the relaxed character of island life with some of the Keys’ most memorable scenery.
Here, life naturally gravitates toward the water. Boats fill neighborhood canals and marinas, waterfront restaurants overlook the horizon, and bridges connect one small island to the next. Fishing, boating, snorkeling and days at the beach are simply part of the rhythm.
The Middle Keys are also home to some of the Florida Keys’ most recognizable landmarks and experiences — from the Seven Mile Bridge and Sombrero Beach to encounters with dolphins and sea turtles.
Whether you arrive for a day on the water or settle in for a longer stay, the Middle Keys offer a wonderful balance of adventure, community and laid-back island living.
Marathon: The Heart of the Keys
Located near the center of the island chain, Marathon brings together many of the experiences that define the Florida Keys. Boating, fishing, waterfront dining and an easygoing community atmosphere make it both a popular destination and a place many are proud to call home.
Marathon is also surrounded by natural attractions. Sombrero Beach offers a beautiful place to spend the day beside the Atlantic, while nearby waters provide countless opportunities for fishing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and boating.
Islands Made for the Water
Beyond Marathon, the Middle Keys are a collection of distinctive island communities. Key Colony Beach offers a waterfront setting filled with canals, boating access and tropical charm, while Duck Key is known for its peaceful surroundings and beautiful water views.
Throughout the region, the ocean is never simply scenery. It shapes daily life — from early-morning fishing trips and afternoons on the sand to boats returning home as the sun begins to set.
“In the Middle Keys, the water isn’t something you simply look at — it becomes part of the way you live.”
The Seven Mile Bridge
Few sights capture the Florida Keys quite like the Seven Mile Bridge. Stretching across brilliant blue water between Marathon and the Lower Keys, the bridge creates one of the most memorable drives along the Overseas Highway.
Beside it, the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge tells another chapter of the islands’ story. Today, a restored portion leads visitors toward Pigeon Key, offering extraordinary views across the surrounding water.
Crossing this stretch of the Keys is more than simply traveling from one island to another. With ocean seemingly extending in every direction, it is one of those moments when the geography of the Florida Keys — a narrow chain of islands surrounded by water — becomes beautifully clear.
More Than a Destination
The Middle Keys reward travelers who take time to explore. Visit Sombrero Beach, discover the story of rescued sea turtles, experience dolphins up close, wander across the Old Seven Mile Bridge or simply spend a day exploring the surrounding waters.
Stop for fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant. Watch fishing boats return to the marina. Explore the islands by boat, paddle through quiet mangroves or find a place along the water and watch the colors change as another Keys day comes to an end.
For visitors, the Middle Keys can become the part of the journey they never expected to love quite so much. For residents, these islands offer something even more special: the opportunity to make that experience part of everyday life.
Explore. Discover. Stay awhile. Welcome to the heart of the Florida Keys.
