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Float, watch, repeat: the Aquabana floating lounge gives parents a shaded base while kids sprint the Rhum Runner Aquapark. It’s an easy, family-first way to enjoy Marathon’s shallow reefs and bright marine life.
Float, watch, repeat: the Aquabana floating lounge gives parents a shaded base while kids sprint the Rhum Runner Aquapark. It’s an easy, family-first way to enjoy Marathon’s shallow reefs and bright marine life.
Book with The Lagoon
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
238 ratings
Operated by The Lagoon · Marathon, Florida
On a sun-drenched shelf of the Florida Keys, the Aquabana floating lounge offers a low-key counterpoint to high-energy family play. Located off Marathon, Florida, the Aquabana 1HR gives parents a shaded perch while children launch themselves into the Rhum Runner Aquapark—an inflatable playground tethered to clear, warm Atlantic water. The setup is simple: a stable, buoyant platform with cushioned seating, canopy shade and room to stow coolers, surrounded by the turquoise shallows and waving seagrass beds that frame this part of the Keys.
The experience balances relaxation and supervision. From your lounge you can watch kids climb slides, leap from ladders and scramble across obstacle modules, all within an easy swim back to the Aquabana. Lifeguards on duty and clear sightlines make this one of the most parent-friendly aquapark options in Marathon. For swimmers and snorkelers there’s an added bonus: the Keys’ nearshore reef structures and seagrass flats mean you may drift past small coral heads, parrotfish and juvenile snapper while the park hums behind you.
What sets this offering apart is its local fit: this floating lounge is designed for the Keys’ unique marine environment—shallow, warm, and biologically active—plus it keeps the action mobile. The Aquabana’s canopy and deck arrangement create a comfortable base when sun and salt demand a break, and its proximity to shore means an easy return to Marathon for lunch or to replenish supplies. Marathon itself has long been a working Keys community where fishing, boatbuilding and reef conservation coexist; the nearby Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, designated in 1990, helps protect the coral and fisheries that make days like this possible.
Practical details: the booking is typically sold by the hour, making it easy to slot into a morning of snorkeling or an afternoon boat cruise. Expect playful noise, splashes and sun—bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for the ladder, and a dry bag for phones. This is not a remote, wilderness outing but a social, family-first slice of Keys boating culture: equal parts playground and porch on the water.
If you want a day that mixes child-friendly thrills with true Florida Keys atmospherics—warm current, bright fish and a horizon of low islands—the Aquabana floating lounge is a strong, simple way to enjoy it. It’s a local-flavored alternative to crowded beaches and a practical basecamp for anyone exploring Marathon’s waters.
Arrive at the marina 15 to 20 minutes early to check in, secure shade, and stow valuables in the dry storage. Most operators provide life vests for all ages; verify sizes for toddlers before booking. On calmer days the platform is almost motionless; when trade winds pick up the lounge rocks gently, which kids love but less steady swimmers might find tiring. No glass, please.
Bookings are typically sold by the hour; the listed option lasts one hour but check availability for multi-hour slots.
Most operators supply life vests for all ages—confirm sizing for toddlers when you book.
Yes; the arrangement is family-focused with lifeguards on duty and easy swim-backs, but toddlers should wear appropriate flotation and be supervised.
Yes—nearshore reef structures and seagrass flats are nearby, but snorkelers should stay clear of the busy play area and follow staff guidance.
Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a dry bag, and a refillable water bottle are recommended.
Some operators allow coolers on the lounge; check rules on alcohol and glass with your booking provider.
The Lagoon in Marathon, Florida, is a watersports center offering a broad selection of lessons, rentals, and guided experiences across the Florida Keys. It provides cable wakeboarding with unique 2-point cable systems, kiteboarding and kite-flying courses, wingboarding, E-Foiling lessons, basic sailing instruction, and stand-up paddle activities including guided downwinders. The site also hosts a large floating aqua park, Rhum Runner at The Lagoon on Grassy Key, featuring floating trampolines and climbing walls for family-friendly fun. Instruction spans beginner to advanced levels with options for private one-on-one lessons, goal-oriented advanced coaching, and combined classroom and on-water sessions. Specific programs include beginner cable reservations that mimic the feel of boat-towed wakeboarding, intro and advanced kite lessons with ground school, and tailored advanced cable reservations that allow riders to use larger features such as XL kickers and rails. Guided downwinders target experienced paddlers and kiteboarders and run with a small-group limit and shuttle service. Safety and skill progression are emphasized through structured ground school, self-rescue techniques, and controlled practice sessions. Scheduling depends on weather for many offerings, and several experiences combine shore-side instruction with water time. Courses teach kite setup, control, board starts, upwind riding, power strokes, and self-rescue to promote safe progression on the water. Private and group bookings are available for families, solo travelers, and experienced athletes looking for targeted sessions. Advance reservations are recommended.
Book with The Lagoon