Nestled on the southern shore of Key West, this gorgeous 3,000-foot long stretch is the citys largest public beach. On the contrary, this 200-foot-long public stretch is quite laid-back and ideal for a relaxing day at the beach. Dogs are allowed at the nature center beach but must be on-leash. For those seeking the less crowded option, head over to Higgs Beach in the Florida Keys. There is also a boat ramp where you can park your boat for a fee. Scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing are the Water quality varies a lot depending on wind and wave conditions, and the presence of sargassum. Best Beaches in Key West, FL South Beach is located at the south end of Simonton Street, at the intersection of South Street. There is some on-street parking nearby. Be on the lookout for debris in the water while swimming. No beach water entry because it has rocks and seawall instead, with stairs to the water. Parking is scarce. Behind senior Javon Ross' four touchdowns, DeLand took down West Orange in a preseason exhibition Friday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. Excellent. | Contact Us. The Pier House beach is private and is only accessible via the Pier House Hotel for use by guests. South Beach is usually packed with tourists. Simonton Beach is located on the north west side of the island, as opposed to the southern shores where almost all of the other beaches are located. South Beach. Pack everything you are going to need for the day, including food, although some ferry tours include breakfast and lunch, there is nothing available on the island. Due to the shallowness of the waters, South Beach is quite popular among families with kids. Smathers Beach is the best beach in Key West. Rest Beach/C.B. It was the first home of Dade County government and foundations of those buildings can be found here. These natural beaches are absolutely stunning. Calusa Beach, a part of Bahia Honda State Park and adjacent to the Bahia Honda Bridge, is a feast for the eyes as well as the toes. Smathers Beach is located on the southern shores of Key West, along S. Roosevelt Blvd. The sand at The Reach beach is quite nice. Two kind of played together in the water catching balls and the third loved his solo Frisbee fun. It features a variety of water sports rentals, providing you with more than you need for a fun day on the beach. South Beach. Lagerheads serves Cuban coffee, snacks, and a full menu. Theres no shortage of fantastic amenities at this resort too. Kayaks and bikes can be rented to explore the park, and boat trips take snorkelers out to the reef at nearby Looe Key. One other disappointment was that the adjacent playground was closed for renovations. Decent beach, but its tiny and often crowded. Dolphins are often seen. But, guess what? The water is partially protected by a series of offshore rock barriers which protect against waves and beach erosion. Higgs Memorial Beach Park is truly a unique experience in Key West. South Beach A favorite of locals. Its about 37 miles from Key West, which is about a 45-minute car ride, and it is well worth the trip. One of the only downsides is that the state park closes relatively early, and some people may think the bike ride or walk might be too long, depending on where youre going. If you want some action, youll find tons of watersport rentals, beach volleyball, and food vendors at this beach. The water quality at The Reach beach is good, and is equal to that of other beaches on the south shores of Key West. 1. Beaches Higgs Beach gives the best shore snorkeling access to the Key West Marine Park via the beach and Reynolds Street Pier, which extends far out into the water. The second-best beach in Key West. When hunger strikes, make your way to the Lagerheads Beach Bar and Watersports shack. There is not any on-site parking. It isnt exactly a secret beach, but most people dont know its there. Fort Taylor State Park is one of the best beaches for snorkeling in Key West, especially when the water is calm and clear. West The state park is relatively large (54 acres) but the beaches can feel crowded because its such a popular spot. Not to mention, its shoreline is 100% natural, meaning it doesnt use imported Caribbean sands. Local favorite. One of the best beaches in Key West, though a bit rocky. The beach at Harry Harris Park in Tavernier features a man-made lagoon with clear ocean water for swimming, a playground, restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue grills. The fee is $2.50 for pedestrians. The biggest downside is that the beaches are not publicly accessible, and are only available to people who stay at the resort or have island access. Amazing beach, but very limited and expensive access, for resort guests only. The Best Beaches In Key West These public beaches and parks are listed geographically, from northeast to southwest. Frequently Asked Questions about Key West. Situated near Duval Street, this cove is significantly smaller than the other beaches on Key West. Many of the beaches in Key West boast incredible sunset views where people will gather each night to watch Mother Nature put on a show. The beach at Casa Marina is private and is exclusively used by hotel guests. County Beach is larger, and is usually less crowded than Higgs Beach because there is not a traditional beach water entry. Like all beaches in the Keys, sargassum can be a major problem. The whole place is easy to miss, but there is a sign. Visibility is best when water conditions are calm, but it can be cloudy and murky when there is a lot of wave action, or when large cruise ships cause damage to the sea floor. On land, visitors will also lay eyes on the highly endangered and rare Miami Blue butterfly. 964 Beaches By barryolly. Maybe decent for water access like kiteboarding or launching a kayak, but few people hang out on this beach. For non-residents of the property, Chef Todd Holender at Latitude Caf serves some of the best Caribbean delicacies out of a seasonal menu. By far the most popular beach on the island, Smathers Beach is the place to go for all-day action. Rest Beach. Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels in Key West, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Key West, Hotels near The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Hotels near Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Hotels near Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Hotels near Harry S. 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Truman Little White House: Tickets & Tours, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Tickets & Tours, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum: Tickets & Tours, Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum: Tickets & Tours, Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum: Tickets & Tours, Key West Historic Seaport: Tickets & Tours, Things to do near Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Things to do near Hemingway Rum -Papa's Pilar Distillery, Things to do near Stock Island Marina Village, Things to do near Statue Of Bishop Albert Kee, Things to do near Florida Keys Historical Military Memorial, Things to do near Sails to Rails Museum Key West, Things to do near Hidden Key West Walking Tours, Things to do near Key West Intl Airport (EYW), Things to do near Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West, Things to do near The Perry Hotel & Marina Key West, Things to do near Havana Cabana at Key West, Things to do near Margaritaville Beach House Key West, Things to do near Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, Things to do near Southernmost Beach Resort, Things to do near Opal Key Resort & Marina, Things to do near Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel, Things to do near DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key - Key West, Things to do near Hilton Garden Inn Key West / The Keys Collection, Things to do near The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton, Things to do near 24 North Hotel Key West, Shore Excursion: Jost Van Dyke Island Escape with Optional Snorkeling, Morning Access to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona, Trace the Roots of Christianity: Private Tour of Athens & Corinth, Volcano National Park Adventure from Waikoloa, Review of: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, See more beaches in Key West on Tripadvisor, See more beaches for kids in Key West on Tripadvisor, See more beaches for couples in Key West on Tripadvisor, See more budget-friendly beaches in Key West on Tripadvisor, See more romantic beaches in Key West on Tripadvisor. Only public beach near Mallory Square. Many people wear sandals or water shoes on the beach and in the water. The Pier House beach is small, so it can feel crowded when many guests are present. Although its just a mile wide and four miles long, this island city boasts some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Florida Keys. If you want some action, youll find tons of watersport rentals, beach volleyball, and food vendors at this beach. This is the best spot in all of Key West to snorkel right from the shore, and you can rent snorkel gear, beach chairs, and umbrellas from a nearby kiosk. Key West is a beach bum magnet. Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach is set between White Street and Reynolds piers. One downside of Smathers Beach is that its located relatively far from hotel areas. Smathers Beach is accessible via city bus. The island city is famous among visitors for its range of beautifully natural as well as man-made beaches. Kayaking is a popular activity, here since the waters are so shallow and calm. Lots of fish and wildlife in the area. One of the biggest advantages that Higgs has over Smathers is the availability of free parking. We already have this email. The cafe serves sandwiches, wraps, snacks, drinks, beer, wine and cocktails. This is a fun area to visit to let dogs go in. The biggest downside is that the beach is tiny and other pet owners can be inconsiderate. There is also a playground and a Dog Park across the beach. The beach is open from 7am to 11pm and does not have lifeguards. There are some palm trees on Smathers beach, but they dont provide much shade. Rest Beach is a public beach, owned and maintained by the City of Key West. Due to its stature as a state national park, a ranger accompanies you for the tour as they explain the history and background of the area. There are outdoor beach showers to rinse off salt water after ocean swimming. Drive about 50 miles back toward Key Largo and Miami to reach this scenic swath of beach on Marathon Key locals treat this one like a backyard hangout spot. Its also interesting to see cruise ships sail into the Key West cruise terminal. The park is open from 8 am until sunset, 365 days a year. The Casa Marina Resort itself is also really pretty. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 4. This is the only public beach in Key West that allows dogs to be off-leash. Visibility can be excellent, or poor, depending on tide, wind and wave conditions. Reserved exclusively for guests at the resort, Sunset Key comprises charming cottages that are dotted along the shoreline. A long walk may be required depending on parking availability. There are daily tours of the fort that begin at 12:00 noon. Fun vibe, but its a tourist trap. Parking at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is excellent. If you are an early-riser and a guest at this quaint boutique property, you will be treated with gorgeous sunrises almost every morning. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. At 300 yards long, Rest Beach is pretty small, even when compared to the other best beaches on Key West. At the end of Duval Street, youll run right into South Beach. Though the Keys don't boast the wide, expansive stretches of beach that other parts of the state are famous for, there is an abundance of small, sandy beaches shaded by palms. South Beach. You can also ask the resort staff to arrange some thirst-quenching drinks, popsicles, wet towels, and lounge chairs. Listed in National Register for Historic Places, residents of the hotel get to enjoy lavish services such as beach concierge setting up your beach chair, umbrella, and towel, serving you with refreshingly delicious cocktails, and cool cucumber slices to soothe your eyes. The sand at the Pier House beach is nice, white and soft. The white sand that gives way to perfectly clear blue waters is the stuff that island dreams are made of. And, when you ache for some action, youll find a bunch of shops nearby offering rentals for watersports equipment and snorkeling gear. 6:37 a.m. Sunset Key is a small, exclusive private island near Key West. The path is filled with lizards and iguanas, giving it an adventurous, tropical feel. The preserve is sandwiched between two fancy condominiums, the Casa Caselles and the Coconut Palms of Key West. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. The beach itself is small, but on KW this is expected. Snorkelers at the beach can easily spot rays, small reef fish, barracuda and even the small nurse shark. Be aware, bring water & snacks if you have small kids. These are also some of the only remaining mangroves in Key West. But, the actual water and swimming experience is pretty similar since the two beaches are right next door. With its palm-fringed shore and tropical vibe, its quite easy on the eyes too. There are a few condos and hotels near Smathers Beach, including Margaritaville, but its not directly in the action near Duval Street, so keep that in mind while trip planning. The beachfront at Casa Marina is known to offer some of the best sunrise views in the region. This is probably not where most people would go to swim or use the beach, but there is some additional water access besides the main beach area. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. The Reach Resort in Key West has one of the nicest private beaches in Key West. It has a natural Smathers Beach. The sandy beach is approximately .6 miles long (1,000 meters), and is about 50 feet wide, depending on the tide line. Set up your beach gear at Calusa Beach, near the Bahia Honda Bridge, or the mile-long Sandspur Beach near the parks entrance, Both are great for swimming and snorkeling. There are no places to buy those from. Approximately 90 miles from Key West, Dry Tortugas Beach is located within the Fort Jefferson National Park. The beach is actually quite large and wide, but there is a large seawall and rock breakwater instead of a beach entry. Dog Beach. Key West Beaches This 12.6-acre public beach is located about 3/4 of the way down the keys in Marathon and slopes gradually into the Atlantic Ocean. $454,000. The 8 Best Beaches in Key West. Harvey Park is a great place to chill out. Expect first-class facilities and services at this resort island. The park also happens to have long stretches of beautiful natural beachfront, making it great for sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming. Key West: Beaches WebKey West , like the rest of the Florida Keys is not known as a 'beach destination' There is a good reason for this: Americas only living coral reef (and the worlds third longest barrier reef). Of course, there are a few nice spots for those who want to lounge, unwind, sunbathe, and escape their frenzied lifestyle. The beach for The Reach Resort is located on the southern shores of Key West, roughly between South Beach and Dog Beach. The water quality is good. It feels very crowded because it often has large crowds packed into a very small beach area. Not because its best but mostly because its convenient to visit, and is very close to Duval Street. There is a restaurant and bar on-site, called Lagerheads bar and restaurant. The Pier House is located on the north side of the island, just around the corner from the cruise ship pier and Key West Harbor. Weve visited nearly 100 countries on all 7 continents. The exclusive private island of Sunet Key is located just offshore from Key West. Most of them are free! The beach is a bit over 300 feet long and its about 60 feet wide, from the waters edge up to the building boundary. The state park is one of the best wedding venues in Key West. Located on Atlantic Boulevard is Rest Beach. With its crystal-clear water, South Beach is also quite good for swimming. 1. Depending on your priorities and preferences it could easily be the best beach, and even better than Smathers Beach. The chic boutique hotel features a striking pier with a pavilion that extends over the Atlantic Ocean. The white sand that gives way to perfectly clear blue waters is the stuff that island dreams are made of. Smathers Beach is the biggest public beach in Key West and, understandably, also one of the most popular. The waters around the islands and flats are prime locations for fishing, snorkeling and wildlife observation. This particular beach is not frequented as often by tourists because of its size, so if you dont mind a smaller beach as a trade-off for fewer people, this is the spot. Theres no public restroom on this beach, but there are some makeshift food stalls available here. Its often possible to see a variety of tropical fish, especially among the rocks. Rest Beach is only approximately 300 yards long but what it lacks in size and grandeur, it makes up for it during sunrises and sunsets. Address: 1500 Vernon Avenue, Key West, Florida. Beautiful beach, but very small. But the city does work hard to rake the beaches daily and clean up any floating driftwood, so chances are it wont bother you. Quite a bit of the beach is actually seawall or rock, rather than sandy beach entry. And, quite the contrary to the famous Miami locale, this Key West beach is actually very popular among families due to its calm and shallow waters. Entrance through Truman Annex at Southard Street. Kind of rocky but saw handful of snorkelers nearby. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has great amenities. You've come to the nation's southernmost paradise to party at Its squeezed between the Southernmost Resort on one side and a pier on the other side. This diminutive Key West beach draws in-the-know locals, and tourists whove stumbled upon it while exploring the island. There is a larger section of sand further back away from the waterfront, beneath palm trees. Stingrays are frequently spotted. Excellent. Simonton Beach is a very small beach in downtown Key West. If youre traveling with your furry friend, youre going to want to visit Dog Beach. No matter where you are on the island, beaches in Key West are easily accessible by car, foot, or trolly, and each one offers something unique, from water sports to family-friendly national parks worth exploring. Higgs Beach has a moderate amount of free on-site parking, although RV parking is not allowed. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, though concessions close at 5 p.m. Public amenities available at the beach include restrooms, lounge chairs, and several shops for renting water sports gear and equipment. Most people visit and spend time at Higgs Beach instead. The sand at Fort Zachary Taylor is mixed. Free, but parking can get expensive. These are the eight best beaches in Key West. The Florida Keys are a chain of barrier islands extending off the southern tip of Florida in warm, tropical waters. The official name of Higgs Beach is Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park, but most people call it Higgs Beach for short. For an adventurous day trip from Key West, head about 70 miles west to the remote beaches of Dry Tortugas National Park. It also contains the remains of ancient coral reefs that were formed 100,000 years ago when the sea level was 20 to 30 feet higher. Key West. Sun worshippers, you're in for a treat.
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