There is just something about a Key West beach. The turquoise waters, the palm trees, the salty ocean breeze just does something for my soul.
I also love that Key West beaches have shallow waters, making them great for families and lounging!
If you’ve been looking for the best places in Key West to spend the day at the beach, you’re in the right spot. Here are the best beaches in Key West:
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Disclaimer About Beaches in Key West
I know that when you think about islands, you probably automatically assume nice beaches with long stretches of soft sand. But Key West (and all of the Florida Keys, for that matter) is not known for its nice beaches (sorry, beach lovers!)
This is for a couple of reasons:
First, most beaches in the Florida Keys have a lot of coral so instead of long stretches of white sand, it’s kind of like stepping on a bunch of little rocks (I recommend bringing water shoes to make this more comfortable, which I mention in my Florida Keys packing guide).
Another thing to mention about beaches in the Florida Keys is that it’s pretty common for there to be seagrass buildup along the beach. This varies and perhaps you’ll visit when there isn’t any but when there is a lot, it can be pretty smelly.
I am not sharing this with you to discourage you. I personally still find the beaches in the Florida Keys to be very enjoyable. But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard visitors say they had no idea and end up disappointed because they were hoping for a beach vacation.
One thing beaches in the Florida Keys do have are crystal-clear waters with unreal shades of blue. This makes it all worth it to me.
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is one of the most popular Key West Beaches. It’s also the largest public beach in Key West with two miles of beach area.
You’ll find water sports here like paddleboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and parasailing. You can also play volleyball, enjoy the walking/biking paths, or lay out and enjoy the sun. There are lounge chairs and umbrellas available for rent as well as snorkel equipment. So pretty much whatever you want, you’ll find it here. There are on-site restrooms here as well.
It is free to visit, but there is a parking fee if you’re driving.
This is a really popular beach during spring break and can get pretty crowded.
📍 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach
This is my personal favorite beach in Key West. Though it’s a tad more work to get to, I promise its worth it. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is located in a state park so not only can you enjoy one of the best beaches in Key West, you can also enjoy nature trails and a historic fort while you’re there.
The beach here seriously is breathtaking and there are amenities such as picnic tables, bathrooms, and showers. You can also rent beach chairs here for more comfort. And if you plan on staying all day, the Cayo Hueso Café has some food options.
Because it’s a state park, there is a small fee to enter.
📍 Address: 601 Howard England Way
Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park
Mostly known as Higgs Beach, this is a classic beach with volleyball courts and kayak rentals. There’s a wooden pier with good views and nearby is Salute on the Beach, a waterfront restaurant.
If you happen to be visiting Key West with kids, there is a nearby playground and if you are visiting Key West with a dog, there’s a nearby dog park.
📍 1000 Atlantic Blvd
Simonton Beach
Simonton Beach is popular now mostly because of Lagerheads Beach Bar (which I recommend visiting) which is right on the beach. This is the only public beach in downtown Key West, just steps from Mallory Square.
It’s a really small, but absolutely beautiful, beach.
You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and of course, grab a drink or food from Lagerheads.
📍 There isn’t necessarily an address to Simonton Beach, but the address to Lagerheads Beach Bar is 0 Simonton Street and it’s essentially the same place
South Beach
South Beach is located right at the end of Duval Street. There is a nice, long pier here for some nice views and photo opportunities.
There are no public amenities such as restrooms or showers here but there is a restaurant, Southernmost Beach Café. It’s also just steps from Seaside Cafe at the Mansion (one of my favorite Key West restaurants!)
Fun fact: Did you know that Tennessee Williams lived in Key West? It’s said that he came to South Beach for a swim almost every day when he was in town.
📍 1319 Duval St
Dog Beach
Dog Beach is what it sounds like – a beach for dogs and their humans! It’s a small beach but a perfect spot for letting your furry friends to enjoy the beach. This is the only public beach that allows dogs without a leash in Key West.
It’s located basically in the same spot as Louie’s Backyard (one of the most popular restaurants in Key West).
📍 700 Waddell Street
Bonus: Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is not in Key West, it’s about 45 minutes away, depending on traffic. This is what makes it a bonus beach! You’d really need a car to go visit from Key West, but if you have one then it’s worth visiting for a day trip from Key West.
I have an entire blog post dedicated to visiting Bahia Honda State Park to help you plan your visit if you’d like to go. The beaches are stunning. You can also walk up a portion of the old Overseas Railroad bridge for incredible views.
A couple of other options:
Some Key West hotels also have private beaches (Casa Marina has the largest, nicest one) so that’s another option.
You can also take the Dry Tortugas Ferry to Fort Jefferson. It’s a fort around 70 miles west of Key West in the middle of the water! This is not a cheap option, and it’s an all-day adventure. But the beaches there are absolutely stunning and it’s definitely a bucket list adventure.
Final Thoughts
I really hope this guide helped you plan your Key West vacation! I love how many options you can find – from beaches with plenty of water activities to small, quaint beaches with nothing more than the coastline and the water.
