Mini season in Marathon isn’t just about snagging spiny lobster limits. It’s 48 hours packed with reef dives at sunrise, family-friendly wildlife encounters by afternoon, and dockside eats at sunset. Whether you’re a first-timer wondering “what are the best things to do during mini season in Marathon?” or a seasoned bug-hunter planning a tighter schedule, this guide highlights every must-do activity, local tip, and safety check so you can enjoy the rush without the guesswork.
Quick-Look Cheat Sheet – Mini-Season Facts & Rules
| What | 2025 Details |
|---|---|
| Mini-season dates | Wed & Thu, July 30 – 31 (opens 12:01 a.m. Wed, closes midnight Thu) |
| Daily bag limit (Monroe Co.) | 6 lobsters per person |
| Minimum size | 3″ carapace (must fit in FWC gauge underwater) |
| Required gear | FL Saltwater License + Lobster Permit, dive flag, tickle stick/net, measuring gauge |
| No-take zones | All SPAs, John Pennekamp, Dry Tortugas |
Early Activities: Beat the Crowds at Top Dive & Snorkel Sites
- Various Reefs: Many reefs are accessible in less than 10 minutes by boat. Shallow coral teems with bugs on morning trips.
- Delta Shoal: Lobsters love the Patch-reef fingers and structure.
- Coffins Patch and Sombrero Reef: These are both no-take zones, but for divers and snorkelers just wanting to look, there will be an abundance of lobsters and other marine life.
Tip from the Captain: the “pre-dawn” trip is one of the best times to grab some lobsters. Bring a light and your lobster gear to find bugs crawling in plain site before the sub comes up.
Best Dive Shops to Book with During Mini Season (Hurry they fill fast)
For mini-season charters, go straight to Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center in Marathon. We have two dive and snorkel trips every day and our crew knows every productive nook across the reef. Reserve your spot on lobster charter before boats fill up.
Fishing Charters Between Lobster Dives
Lobsters aren’t the only fun. Marathon’s reef line explodes with mangrove snapper in July and Mahi do well offshore. There are a number of options for fishing in Marathon from party boats to private charters. Here are some the top options for fishing:
- Best Party Fishing Boat: Marathon Lady
- Best private fishing charters: There a number of options here for full day or half day fishing charters, in shore and off shore. Give us a call to see which of our top rated captains are available. You can also view some options here: Marathon fishing charters
Things to Do with Kids During Mini Season in Marathon
Turtle Hospital
Take a 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour of this world-famous sea-turtle rehab center. Kids love hand-feeding convalescing greens and loggerheads, and you’ll walk away knowing exactly how boat-strike and entanglement injuries are treated before the animals return to the wild.
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters
Aquarium Encounters lets the whole family snorkel face-to-face with stingrays and bonnethead sharks inside a salt-water lagoon. Dry-deck viewing windows keep non-swimmers close to the action, while touch tanks and coral labs add hands-on education between lobster dives.
Crane Point Nature Center
Stretch your legs on 64 acres of hardwood hammock trails, a butterfly garden, and a pirate-ship playground at Crane Point, perfect for younger adventurers. The elevated boardwalk offers shady afternoon relief and frequent sightings of white-crowned pigeons and mangrove cuckoos.
Daily Fish Feeding at Captain Hook’s
Every day at 4PM, the crew feeds the fish in our pond. These aren’t goldfish either! We have a wide array of fish including tarpon, snapper, grouper, moray eels and more. Plus, you’ll see multiple nurse sharks over 4-5ft long!
Eat Like You Caught It – Some of Our Favorite Restaurants in Marathon
After you tail & bag your limit, these spots will “cook your catch” (or serve stellar Keys seafood if you struck out):
- Keys Fisheries – stone-crab empire, legendary lobster Reuben, sunset upstairs bar
- Burdine’s Waterfront – best fries in the Keys, hush puppies w/ raspberry-jalapeño dip, dockside vibe
- Sparky’s Landing – routinely wins the best happy hour in Marathon, waterside bar
- Island Fish Co. – great sunset views, raw-bar platters & frozen daiquiris
- Frank’s Grill – Cook your catch options and some of the tastiest meals in Marathon
Lobster Showdown Tournament
Slide your biggest “bug” onto the scales at the Krazy Bones Lobster Showdown hosted by Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center. The free, family-friendly contest runs July 30 – 31 with weigh-ins from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, live sets by DJ Homer, on-site raffles, and prize divisions for Overall, Teen (13 – 17), and Junior (12 & under) hunters. Even spectators enjoy the festival vibe with food tents, giveaways, and plenty of photo-ops as trophy tails hit the board. See all the details here: Lobster Showdown Event