Unearth The Voyage
There is a private island sitting about a mile offshore in the Florida Keys where you can wake up to sunrise colors painted across open water, hear waves lapping against coral rocks, and not see another soul unless you invited them. No crowded resort pools, no noisy neighbors, no checkout lines.
Just you, the ocean, and a beautifully furnished island home that runs almost entirely on solar power. The best part?
This kind of escape does not require a billionaire’s budget. East Sister Rock Island in Marathon, Florida, rents for around $223 per person per night, making it one of the most surprisingly affordable private island experiences in the country.
Whether you are planning a family trip, a group getaway, or a honeymoon, this place delivers something rare: total privacy with real comfort, all wrapped in the wild beauty of the Florida Keys.
The Island and Its Location
East Sister Rock Island sits at 99 Ocean Dr E, Marathon, FL 33050, roughly one mile offshore in the Atlantic Ocean near the heart of the Florida Keys. Getting there involves a short three-minute boat ride from a secure, gated parking area on the mainland, which makes the journey feel like a proper adventure without being inconvenient.
Marathon sits almost perfectly between Miami and Key West, putting you within easy reach of both without the tourist crowds. The island itself is surrounded entirely by open water, giving guests a 360-degree ocean view that is hard to find anywhere else at this price point.
The location also keeps you close to grocery stores, bait shops, and local restaurants, so stocking up before your stay is simple. Once you arrive on the island, though, most guests find they never want to leave.
The House and Its Layout
The house on East Sister Rock Island is spacious, beautifully furnished, and stocked with everything a group could need for a full week. High-quality mattresses, luxury appliances, a fully equipped kitchen, a pool table on the deck, and high-speed internet are all part of the package.
The wraparound porch is one of the most talked-about features of the property. It circles the entire home, giving guests access to different sun angles, sea breezes, and views throughout the day.
Comfortable Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and chaise lounges are scattered across it, making it easy to claim your own quiet corner.
The bedrooms are cooled by split AC units, while the main living area stays naturally comfortable thanks to the steady ocean breeze flowing through the many sliding glass doors. It feels like a high-end home rather than a rental, and that distinction matters when you are staying for a full week.
The Cost Breakdown
Renting an entire private island for around $223 per person per night sounds almost too good to be true, but the math works out when you split the cost among a group. The island accommodates multiple guests, and dividing the nightly rate among family or friends brings the price down to something genuinely reasonable for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Compare that to a mid-range hotel room in Key West or Miami Beach, and the value becomes obvious fast. You are not just paying for a bed and a pool view.
You are getting an entire private island with no shared amenities, no resort fees, and no strangers at the next table.
Guests can also save money by cooking their own meals in the fully equipped kitchen and grilling fresh catches on the porch. That combination of privacy, space, and self-sufficiency makes the cost feel even more justified by checkout day.
The Moat Around the Island
One of the most unique features of East Sister Rock Island is the natural moat that encircles it. This shallow channel of water acts like a protected swimming area, calm enough for kids and beginners while still full of incredible marine life just beneath the surface.
Guests have spotted barracuda, parrot fish, moray eels, angel fish, stingrays, starfish, puffer fish, and even manatees in the moat. The water is clear enough that you can see everything without even putting on a mask, though snorkeling gear takes the experience to a completely different level.
One reviewer described swimming in the moat as feeling like floating inside a tropical fish tank, and that comparison is spot on. Water shoes are a smart idea since sea urchins do live along the rocky edges.
The moat also flows with enough current to make a lazy circuit around the island feel effortless and fun.
The Pool and Outdoor Relaxation
The in-ground pool on East Sister Rock Island runs from waist-deep at one end to just over five feet at the other, making it comfortable for both lounging and actual swimming. It sits outdoors with open views of the surrounding ocean, and the pool deck is lined with resort-style chaise lounges that practically beg you to do absolutely nothing productive.
After a morning of snorkeling or kayaking in the moat, cooling off in the pool is the natural next move. The pool area also overlooks the helipad and a stretch of open ocean, so the scenery never gets old no matter how many hours you spend out there.
Hammocks are strung up in several spots around the property, offering shaded alternatives for afternoon naps when the Florida sun is at its peak. The combination of pool, loungers, and hammocks means there is always a perfect place to recharge between activities.
Sunrise and Sunset Views
Few vacation experiences match watching a Florida Keys sunrise from a private island with no buildings, no traffic, and no distractions blocking the horizon. The sky shifts from deep navy to soft pink to full orange gold, and because the island sits offshore with water on every side, the colors reflect across the surface in every direction.
Guests who have stayed at East Sister Rock Island consistently describe waking up before 6 AM just to catch the transition from dark to light. The wraparound porch makes it easy to find the perfect angle for both sunrise and sunset without ever leaving the property.
Sunsets on the western side of the island are equally dramatic, turning the horizon into what one guest called a living painting. Watching the sky change colors while sitting in an Adirondack chair with a fresh cup of coffee is the kind of simple moment that stays with you long after the trip ends.
Water Sports and Activities
East Sister Rock Island comes equipped with kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use freely during their stay. Paddling around the perimeter of the island gives you a close-up look at the coral reef structure, the sea life in the moat, and the open water stretching out in every direction beyond the rocks.
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities, and the water right off the dock delivers encounters with colorful reef fish, sharks, rays, tarpon, and flounder in conditions that are clear enough to feel almost unreal. Guests who bring their own underwater scooters report being able to circle the island daily without the experience ever feeling repetitive.
For those who want to venture further out, Sombrero Reef is a short boat ride away and is widely considered one of the most stunning reef dive sites in the entire Keys. The island is a genuinely ideal base for water exploration at every skill level.
Fishing Off the Dock and Rocks
The fishing at East Sister Rock Island is the kind that makes serious anglers rethink their entire vacation calendar. Guests have caught tarpon, pompano, barracuda, grouper, snapper, mahi mahi, red drum, and grunts right off the dock and from the rocks surrounding the moat, often without even getting on a boat.
The island sits within reach of productive offshore fishing grounds, and the moat itself holds enough reef fish to keep a rod busy for hours. Families with kids who are just learning to fish have reported landing impressive catches within minutes of dropping a line, which makes for some genuinely memorable moments.
Lobster and conch can also be found in the waters around the island, adding a foraging element to the fishing experience. Several guests have cooked their fresh catches directly on the porch grill the same evening, turning a morning on the water into a full-circle meal that no restaurant could replicate.
Wildlife Encounters
The wildlife around East Sister Rock Island shows up without any scheduling. Dolphins have greeted guests almost every morning, circling the dock and cruising through the surrounding water with an ease that suggests they consider the island part of their regular route.
Stingrays glide through the moat with surprising frequency, and nurse sharks have been spotted patrolling the outer edges of the reef. Guests have also encountered manatees, octopus, moray eels, and a wide variety of reef fish that make every snorkel session feel like a new discovery.
At night, the moat continues to deliver. The marine life does not clock out when the sun goes down, and guests who bring underwater lights report seeing creatures that stay hidden during daylight hours.
The stars above the island are equally spectacular, with zero light pollution from the mainland competing with the night sky.
The Solar-Powered Sustainability
East Sister Rock Island operates almost entirely off the grid, powered by a solar energy system that handles the majority of the property’s electricity needs. A backup generator kicks in during rare occasions when solar production falls short, but most guests never hear it run at all during a typical stay.
The bedrooms are cooled by efficient split AC units, while the main living areas rely on the constant ocean breeze flowing through the wide sliding glass doors. That natural ventilation keeps the common spaces comfortable without burning unnecessary energy, and it also means the house always smells like the sea.
This commitment to sustainability is not just a talking point. It is a genuine part of what makes the island feel removed from ordinary life.
Staying somewhere that generates its own power, surrounded by nothing but water and sky, adds a layer of authenticity to the experience that a conventional resort simply cannot offer.
Cooking and Dining on the Island
The kitchen inside the East Sister Rock Island home is fully stocked and outfitted with quality appliances that make cooking for a large group genuinely enjoyable rather than stressful. Guests have prepared full family dinners, grilled fresh-caught fish on the porch, and shared meals around the table in a setting that feels completely unlike any restaurant experience.
The outdoor grill on the deck is a popular feature, especially for groups who have spent the morning fishing. Going from catching your own fish to grilling it an hour later while watching the sun drop toward the horizon is a kind of satisfaction that is hard to put into words.
Because the island is only a three-minute boat ride from the mainland, stocking up at a nearby grocery store or Publix before the stay is straightforward. Most guests arrive with a full week’s worth of supplies and never feel the need to make a mainland run once they settle in.
Host Wes and the Guest Experience
From the moment guests arrive at the mainland dock, host Wes sets the tone for the entire stay. He meets every group personally, takes them across to the island by boat, and gives a thorough walkthrough of the property, covering everything from the solar system and pool valves to the best spots for fishing and the safest water depth for larger boats.
His communication style is prompt and genuinely warm. Guests consistently note that he answers calls and texts quickly throughout the stay, which provides real peace of mind when you are living on a private island a mile from shore.
He has also helped guests navigate last-minute schedule changes due to family emergencies, showing a level of flexibility and care that is rare in the vacation rental world.
Wes and his family own and maintain the island themselves, which shows in the condition of the property. The personal investment is visible in every detail, from the quality of the furnishings to the thoughtfulness of the amenities provided.
Pet-Friendly Policy
With prior approval, East Sister Rock Island welcomes pets, which is a significant perk for travelers who hate leaving their animals behind. Dogs have reportedly spent their stays lapping happily around the wraparound porch, exploring the island perimeter, and generally behaving as if they were born for the Keys lifestyle.
The island’s layout is well suited for animals. The wraparound porch gives dogs room to move around safely, and the tropical landscaping provides shade and interesting smells in every direction.
The moat and surrounding water are also accessible for water-loving breeds who want to splash around alongside their owners.
Knowing that your dog is having as good a time as you are makes the whole experience feel more complete. It is one of those small policy details that separates a good rental from a truly great one, and Wes’s willingness to accommodate pets reflects the overall guest-first approach that defines the East Sister Rock Island experience.
Proximity to Key West and Marathon Attractions
East Sister Rock Island may feel like the edge of the world, but it sits within easy reach of some genuinely great Florida Keys destinations. Key West is less than an hour away by car from the mainland parking area, making a day trip entirely doable for guests who want to explore the shops, food spots, and historic sites that the island city is known for.
Marathon itself has plenty to offer without even leaving the area. Bait shops, grocery stores, local seafood restaurants, and boat rental services are all within a short drive of the mainland dock.
Sombrero Reef, one of the most celebrated snorkel and dive sites in the Keys, is also accessible by boat from the island.
Most guests who plan to take multiple day trips end up canceling them once they arrive on the island. The pull of the property is strong enough that leaving, even temporarily, starts to feel like a genuinely bad idea by day two.
