Key West has something of a reputation as a beach town, but does it deserve it? The Florida Keys do not have miles of sprawling beach like the rest of Florida does. They’re low-lying coral islands that are, for the most part, covered in mangrove trees. The soil is rocky and inhospitable to bare feet…not the soft, pillowy sand that beachgoers are accustomed to.
So, is it possible to have a good beach day in Key West? You bet it is! Here are some of the top spots to drive to, along with some ideas of how to grab the most memorable beach trip of your life during your stay in Key West.
Best Key West Beaches That You Can Drive To
The Florida Keys are rocky islands, and sandy beaches are not their specialty. You can find patches of sand here and there, and some resorts have beautiful sandy beaches. But the truth is this: a lot of those beaches are man-made! The sand gets washed away by storms, and more sand is dumped in its place to “renourish” the beach.
If you’re visiting a maintained beach at a resort, they rake up the seaweed daily and make sure the sand is powdery and soft. But if you’re visiting an authentic beach, things might not be so postcard-perfect. Things to be ready for on an authentic Keys beach: smelly seaweed, chunky rocks that hurt your feet, biting mosquitoes and noseeums, and unimpressive visibility water.
Here are several public beaches on the island of Key West that you can check out during your stay.
Higgs Beach Key West
1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
Higgs Beach in Key West is one of the most famous stops you can easily get to. It’s a happening place on nice holiday weekends, and there are chair and umbrella rentals right on the beach. The water is clear, and (if you’re lucky) you might even see a spotted eagle ray cruising along.
The beach has public restrooms and showers. The park also has a fishing pier, dog park, tennis/pickleball courts, and a fitness trail. It’s located on the island’s south end at the intersection of Atlantic Blvd. and Reynolds.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach Key West
601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040
Fort Zach, as it’s known to the locals, lies on the island’s southwestern point. It’s home to a neat Civil War-era fortress, but the state park also has one of the nicest sandy beaches on the island. The beach is quieter than others — though still very popular on a busy day — and it’s a great spot to try snorkeling for the first time. With its location along the south jetty, it’s also a great spot to watch the boats and ships coming and going from Key West harbor.
To get to the beach, you do have to pay admission to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. It’s currently $6 per vehicle or $2.50 per person if you’re walking or biking in.
Smathers Beach Key West
2601 S. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
Smathers Beach is located on the south side of A1A across from the airport, so many people see it first when they come to Key West. There’s easy parking for the length of the highway and lots of room to spread out — even on busy holidays. There are palm trees to lounge under and jet ski and paddleboard rentals should you want to hit the water.
Simonton Street Beach Key West
0 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
If you’re strolling Duval and just need a break from the crowds (can I hear it for the introverts out there?!), then Simonton Street Beach is where to go. This tiny patch of sand lies at the end of the road on the northwest corner of Old Town, approximately halfway between Mallory Square and the marinas at Key West Bight.
Unfortunately, it’s not an introverts-only beach. It’s also the location of Loggerheads Beach Bar…so you and your thoughts may have company.
Dog Beach Key West
1500 Vernon Ave, Key West, FL 33040
Traveling with a four-legged furry friend? Head for Dog Beach at the south end of Vernon Avenue. It’s another very small spot but the only beach on the island that allows dogs. Dogs, it’s great to cool your fur after a long day of dragging your humans around the hot pavement!
So, Which Key West Beach Is The Best?
Spoiler alert: You’ll have difficulty convincing a local that any of these spots are the best in town. It’s convenient to be able to drive up and park, but for us, the fun of going to the beach involves combining it with a day on the boat.
You see, the best Key West beaches are sandbars — giant offshore beaches that you can only get to by small boat. There are dozens of incredible sandbars in Key West, and some are quite famous, like Snipes Point, Woman Key, and Boca Grande. The swing at Snipes Point is one of the island’s most Instagramed spots!
Call Captain Zak today and book a private sandbar charter to see what all the commotion is about.
