Sombrero Beach

Just a short dinghy ride away from Boot Key Harbor in Marathon is Sombrero Beach and Park. The waters are nice, the beaches are sandy and it is on the leeward side, which provides protection from the strong winds. It is also near a reef that you can go to snorkel and they have mooring balls that you can tie up your small vessel while you are diving. I have yet to visit the reef, but I plan to make a trip out there one day before leaving Marathon. If for no other reason than to compare it with our snorkel experience in Key West at the 9 ft. reef, which was not good at all. We went to the beach yesterday when the weather was kinda cool, but they had a sand sculpture contest on the beach. Jessica & Gia were participating in the contest and I helped them finish it. It was fun as I can't recall when I ever made a sand castle or sculpture due to the very little time I spent at the beach while I was growing up. Usually I read, people watch, go in the water, or just look at the water and the things in and around it (birds & boats) while I am at the beach. I came to this beach before when the weather was much warmer and I found the water to be quite cool so I could only get in the water up to my thighs at the most. Even still it is nice to go chill out at the beach. The beach is nice because it is right next to a park with a couple volleyball courts, a play ground, and etc. Sometimes they have organized events like the Sand Sculpture contest and Volleyball tournaments, which is nice.