So you are coming to Key West and you want to relax at the beach for some of your trip. Well if you are staying at one of the few hotels with a small beach area, such as the Casa Marina, the Reach, or the Pier House Resort & Caribbean Spa, then you are set! But if you are staying at one of the other eclectic Key West properties, then you’ll want to know where all of the best beaches are. Look no further!
Things to keep in mind about the Key West Beaches.
- lifeguards are not present at any of the island’s beaches
- nude and topless sunbathing are illegal
Key West Beaches
My favorite Key West beach is Fort Zachary Taylor State Park located at the end of Southard Street. The park itself is around 87 acres and has a pre-Cival War fort on the grounds. The beach is a little rocky, but it has some of the best views around. And since there is a nominal fee for entrance, it keeps a lot of the riffraff out. The park has public restrooms, concessions, and picnic tables and BBQ’s. Lot of parking available.
Higg’s Beach is another favorite, located at the end of Reynold’s Street. This is a wide sandy beach with onsite restrooms, covered picnic areas, volleyball, and a restaurant to enjoy. Lots of parking available.
Rest Beach is separated from Higg’s Beach by the White Street Pier. Here you can walk around, bike, practice yoga, and fish. Rest Beach / C.B. Harvey Park is a beach-front park located on Atlantic Boulevard. The Beach features soft sand which is perfect for wading and shell searching, and there are picnic tables as well. While there, be sure to check out the Key West Aids Memorial, located a few yards away.
Smather’s Beach is one of the most well know beaches on the island thanks to its location near the Key West International Airport on Roosevelt Blvd. and the flurry of activities available here. This sandy, man made beach stretches about a 1/2 mile long. There are restrooms, picnic tables, volleyball nets, and watersports rentals. Lots of parking available.
South Beach is a small, sandy beach with a concrete pier. It is located at the end of Duval Street. Thre are no facilities here.
Dog Beach, located on Wadell Street next to Louie’s Backyard, is rocky and slippery and there are no facilities here. But the doggies love it!!
Sandbars and Beaches by Boat
The Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park is 70 miles west of Key West and can only be gotten to by boat or seaplane. The white sand beach is great for sunbathing, and the snorkeling off the shore is some of the best in the Florida Keys.
There are also a number of beaches on deserted islands, such as Boca Grand Island, that can only be boat. If you are looking for someplace more private or a beach where you can go topless I suggest booking a private charter where one of our professional captains can take you out to enjoy a day on the water or to one of these beaches. You can also rent a boat. However, having a professional captain take you out while you relax and enjoy the experience is always a good idea when on vacation!
In the last few years, sandbar charters have exploded in popularity. Sandbars are the sandy, shallow waters in the backcountry exposed during low tides. There are many sandbars off of Key West. But, hiring a company such as Toon Time Charter which specializes in these trips will keep you safe and take all the stress out of the trip for you. Plus, as locals they know the best places to go!
For more information about how to book a trip to the Dry Tortugas or a private charter so that you can enjoy the day your way, give us a call at 1-305-292-7212.
Island Genn – Your Island Concierge
