Million Air Fall 2024

MILLION AIR FLIGHT BRIEFING MARATHON, FLORIDA

Key to paradise KNOWN FOR ITS RICH MARITIME HISTORY, MARATHON CALLS TO SEAFARERS WITH ITS EXCELLENT SPORT FISHING AND FLOURISHING REEFS

WHERE TO STAY Only accessible by boat or seaplane, Little Palm Island is a magical private island resort in the Lower Florida Keys that o ff ers the utmost in luxury and seclusion. The resort has a collection of thatched-roof bungalows, o ff ering sublime ocean views and direct beach access. Be sure to visit the spa for a tropics-inspired treatment, or go snorkeling to see the marine life that surrounds the island. 28500 Overseas Highway, Little Torch Key, +1 888 413 0560, littlepalmisland.com WHERE TO EAT Seafood is understandably a popular choice in these parts — Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House serves juicy lobster tails in a nautical-themed eatery and bar, as well as steaks from a stone grill for those not as keen on seafood. Don’t miss the island mussels with chorizo, lemon garlic sauce and parmesan cheese. 3660 Overseas Highhway, +1 305 743 5516, fl keyssteakandlobster.com WHERE TO FLY Million Air Florida Keys is centrally located between Key Largo and Key West, o ff ering quick and easy access to all the islands of the archipelago. Located in the heart of the Florida Keys, the 5,008-ft runway and ample ramp space o ff er a less congested option than Key West, which is less than an hour away. The professional sta ff will provide everything necessary to make your stay a memorable experience.

Marathon is composed of 13 islands

Nestled in the middle of the Florida Keys, about an hour’s drive from Key West, Marathon is a charming 10-mile long community composed of 13 islands, including Grassy Key, Fat Deer Key and Vaca Key. Known for its rich maritime history, Marathon calls to seafarers with nearly 1,200 wet slips and 1,200 dry slips. It’s a major sport fi shing spot, with several charter fi shing boats departing from local marinas every morning to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The reefs around Marathon itself and the calm turquoise waters also make it a haven for divers and snorkelers. There’s plenty of wildlife to be seen on terra fi rma, too. The area surrounding the airport is one of the most reliable places in the US to see the elusive Antillean nighthawk. Gray kingbirds are often seen on telephone wires along US Highway 1, and Marathon also hosts burrowing owls. There’s also the Turtle Hospital, one of

only a few of its kind in the US, that rescues and releases injured sea turtles. The Dolphin Research Center is a nonpro fi t marine mammal education research facility that has been providing a safe haven for marine life since 1984. Ito ff ers a fun day out for the whole family; you can swim with dolphins and attend fascinating educational presentations. There's plenty to do — from hiking to kitesur fi ng—at the 1,000-acre Curry Hammock State Park, the largest undeveloped parcel of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. Visit the historic Old Seven-Mile Bridge. Located at the very west end of Marathon, it connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys and, when originally constructed in early 1900, it was one of the longest bridges in existence. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a world-famous fi shing pier and popular jogging route.

MILLION AIR MARATHON (MTH) Marathon International Airport 8800 Overseas Highway Marathon, FL 33050 T +1 305 743 1995 E info.mth@millionair.com W millionair.com

Beach of Curry Hammock StatePark

Old Seven-Mile Bridge

Photos Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock.com, Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com, Dean Fikar/Shutterstock.com, Noah Densmore/Shutterstock.com, 4kclips/Shutterstock.com