Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Sombrero Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
49 within 3 miles
Attractions
24 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,620 reviews
Excellent
2,035
Very good
1,033
Average
404
Poor
102
Terrible
46
krocking123
New York City, NY912 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Unlike many other states…New Jersey.. this beach was free and everyone knows it.. many people bring coolers and drink beer or lady beers(seltzer’s) the water is nice and the bathroom are good too.. you have to bring your own beach gear. Can’t rent chairs here. Parking was free too.. can’t beat the place or the price. Even has a great playground.. I can imagine that it must get really hot here in the summer. April. It was perfect.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Valdes
Richmond, TX13 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Great clean beach. There are two buildings with restrooms and outdoor showers. There’s a park between the parking and beach that has picnic tables, a playground, and sand volleyball. Make sure to bring your own chairs or umbrellas no vendors are allowed. If you have a young one with sensitive feet bring swim shoes there are a lot of shells at the edge of the water.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kathryn C
Mukwonago, WI168 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We went to the beach with 2 teenage girls. The beach was busy due to spring break, but plenty of room to spread out. The water is beautiful. Bring your own cooler, no food or beverage stands nearby. Considering there are very few beaches in the Keys, this is a gem.
Written April 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mikeej99
Santa Barbara, CA135 contributions
Feb 2020
First the good. Free public access. More than a beach. It is a park with childrens playsets. Beautiful sandy setting with low surf. Very clean and nice facilities with wonderful children's play areas. Freshwater showers and very nice restroom facilities. Impeccably maintained.
Now the bad. Free means crowded. Parking was an issue when we visited. No shade anywhere on the beach, so bring a beach umbrella. Beach is fairly narrow at high tide which also makes it feel crowded. While beach is sandy the ocean floor is rocky and even with water shoes it can be difficult to walk in most areas.
Worth a visit but I would recommend spending the entrance fee and a day at Bahia Honda state park where you can choose between an uncrowded sandy and long Atlantic beach or a calmer gulf beach literally 300 yards apart. Bahia Honda is located on a narrow key that separates the Atlantic and the gulf and you have full access to both. It was $9 for my wife and me.
Now the bad. Free means crowded. Parking was an issue when we visited. No shade anywhere on the beach, so bring a beach umbrella. Beach is fairly narrow at high tide which also makes it feel crowded. While beach is sandy the ocean floor is rocky and even with water shoes it can be difficult to walk in most areas.
Worth a visit but I would recommend spending the entrance fee and a day at Bahia Honda state park where you can choose between an uncrowded sandy and long Atlantic beach or a calmer gulf beach literally 300 yards apart. Bahia Honda is located on a narrow key that separates the Atlantic and the gulf and you have full access to both. It was $9 for my wife and me.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LinzRada
Blue Ridge, GA108 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
This beach (and many other beaches in the keys) are unfortunately inundated with seaweed this summer. The keys aren’t known for long, beautiful stretches of beaches anyways ... and Sombrero is a couple hundred yards of sand with loads of seaweed and tons of people. If you’re coming to Florida for beaches, go elsewhere. Instead, go snorkeling, take a sunset cruise, or kayak to a sandbar. Pass on this beach this summer.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim B
12 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
This beach was hurt by Irma but is piece by piece being put back together. When fully operational it has picnic huts, volleyball nets, sidewalks, grills, and restrooms with outdoor showers.
Much of it is back in service and the landscaping is almost repaired. For views, this is one of the nicest beaches in Florida, and close to two groceries for refreshments!
Much of it is back in service and the landscaping is almost repaired. For views, this is one of the nicest beaches in Florida, and close to two groceries for refreshments!
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
delnlarry
Reston, VA43 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We were looking for a beach to hang out for a couple hours but didn’t want to pay to go back to a State Park in case it wasn’t what we wanted. Someone told us about this city park and what a nice park. Plenty of parking, nice restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, playground and a nice clean beach with pretty water. We got there at 10:30 Am and there were not many people, but by noon it was pretty full.
Written February 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bolkin
New York City, NY203 contributions
Mar 2022
We went on a very windy day. The beach was crowded, parking was hard to find, and once we got there we couldn't really enjoy the swimming. Make sure to bring your own beach chair and umbrella (if weather allows).
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bruce C
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Couples
We wanted to visit this beach during our Key West vacation - - we had visited it last year, and it was lovely. We travel in a small Class C camper, 24 ft. long. Last year it was difficult to find a suitable place to park, but we did find a corner that worked.
Today we went and found “No Parking RVs or Buses” signs posted every 20 feet, all along every side of the parking area. While there were quite a few open spots where we could have parked, but we are now prohibited from parking anywhere near or at the beach. The signs were everywhere.
We turned around and went back to the campground, 8 miles away. Not a reasonable Uber or taxi distance to try to visit with different transportation.
Our advice, if you are traveling in a RV, don’t waste your time with this beach. We campers are not welcome there.
Today we went and found “No Parking RVs or Buses” signs posted every 20 feet, all along every side of the parking area. While there were quite a few open spots where we could have parked, but we are now prohibited from parking anywhere near or at the beach. The signs were everywhere.
We turned around and went back to the campground, 8 miles away. Not a reasonable Uber or taxi distance to try to visit with different transportation.
Our advice, if you are traveling in a RV, don’t waste your time with this beach. We campers are not welcome there.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thebachars
5 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
While I know the Florida Keys are not known for their beaches I also know there are little jewels of white sands and aqua beaches tucked away just waiting to be discovered and that is how it was with Sombrero Beach in Marathon Key.
It is in the middle of Marathon in a residential neighborhood with plenty of free parking.
There is no entrance fee. The bathrooms are clean and relatively new. The park like grounds are lovely with shading palm trees. Plenty of stations to rinse off sand and sea.
The water is beautiful and fairly shallow with no waves. It was fun to watch the pelicans dive in the distance as well as watch the dolphin cruise by. Your kids can walk practically from end to end without you losing sight of them. Not very crowded and social distance was no problem. We went during spring break during the week. Don’t know if it would be more or less crowded after the break or on weekends.
There was a nice balance of families and couples as well as families with teenagers.
There is a playground and volleyball court.
A definite must do for a leisurely day at the beach on a beautiful island. Bring your towel or chair, pack your lunch and get ready to relax!
It is in the middle of Marathon in a residential neighborhood with plenty of free parking.
There is no entrance fee. The bathrooms are clean and relatively new. The park like grounds are lovely with shading palm trees. Plenty of stations to rinse off sand and sea.
The water is beautiful and fairly shallow with no waves. It was fun to watch the pelicans dive in the distance as well as watch the dolphin cruise by. Your kids can walk practically from end to end without you losing sight of them. Not very crowded and social distance was no problem. We went during spring break during the week. Don’t know if it would be more or less crowded after the break or on weekends.
There was a nice balance of families and couples as well as families with teenagers.
There is a playground and volleyball court.
A definite must do for a leisurely day at the beach on a beautiful island. Bring your towel or chair, pack your lunch and get ready to relax!
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CMA
5 contributions
Is this beach swimmable? Looking for calm and clear water that's safe for young children to swim in.
Jennifer K
Oak Ridge, New Jersey, United States230 contributions
Yes. Lots of people swim here
myrtlesue
North Myrtle Beach, SC4 contributions
Is it safe to go kayaking from Sombrero Beach on our own through the mangroves? Or is it possible to get lost?
Austin
Port Orange, FL18 contributions
The possibility of getting lost is always possible if you aren’t familiar with the area. My wife and I visited the beach and from the looks of it, it seemed fairly safe to kayak.
Sir Arthur
Weston, FL
is the beach pet friendly?
TheGirls2018
Rochester, MI9 contributions
Yes, saw many dogs during March 2021 walking and swimming and sun bathing!
VooDooMonster
Doylestown, PA21 contributions
When will the construction end?
John L
Detroit, MI163 contributions
I am not sure but I have a contact number 305-743-6598
Park@ci.marathon.fl.us
Can I bring a portable small tent? My bulldog needs shade.
jasonshell1
Cordele, GA18 contributions
Yes but there is also little shelters
Tod W
5 contributions
How long is sombrero beach for walking?
Travel Girl
18 contributions
Sombrero beach is a very big beach so I would estimate it is very long for walking
epacse2018
Fort Myers, FL31 contributions
Does the annoying ice cream truck ruin the beautiful Sombrero Beach all day, every day?!?
WHAT A NUISANCE!!
Ever heard of noise pollution ?!?!!!
Absolutely. VERY annoying.
Sombrero Beach (Marathon) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Sombrero Beach
- Sombrero Beach is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Sombrero Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Sombrero Beach tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Sombrero Beach:
- (0.13 mi) SPRING 2023 OPENINGS~POOL/HOT TUB/COM ICE MACHINE /DOCK~BOOK NOW~WON'T LAST LONG
- (0.15 mi) Family Canalfront Home w/ Private Pool, Dock, Gas Grill, & Balcony - One Dog OK!
- (0.17 mi) Beach NutsSingle Family, Private Pool and Boat Dock, Walk-in Tide Alcove
- (0.18 mi) Beachy Keen House 3/2 Water View Pool Home with Dock
- (0.19 mi) Beachy-Keen Large Pool home steps From Sombrero Beach
- Restaurants near Sombrero Beach:
- (1.47 mi) Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House
- (1.98 mi) Food for Thought
- (1.49 mi) Barracuda Grill
- (1.59 mi) Butterfly Cafe
- (1.53 mi) Irie Island Eats
- Attractions near Sombrero Beach:
- (0.11 mi) Marathon Kayak
- (0.10 mi) Florida Keys Kayak and Paddleboard
- (0.76 mi) Captain Doug Kelley Florida Keys Fishing Charter
- (1.76 mi) Better Than Most Scuba
- (1.86 mi) Marathon Mermaid Charters