Key West and Dry Tortugas Beaches

Fort Jefferson Beach

The most remote and isolated beach in all of the Florida Keys, the Fort Jefferson Beach at the Dry Tortugas offers visitors a truly one of a kind beach experience. Garden Key and the rest of the Dry Tortugas are located 70 miles west from Key West, with only miles upon miles of water around the small islands. The water is always clear, warm, and inviting. The sand is always white and powdery. And the coral reef is only a matter of meters from the shore. This beach is perfect not only for swimming and sunbathing, but also provides the absolute best snorkeling in all of Florida. If you like beautiful beaches, you should definitely not miss your chance to head out to the Fort Jefferson Beach.

Key West Beaches

Fort Zachary Taylor

Out of all the beaches in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is the one that most combines all the unique elements of Key West. Here you will find history mixed with water sports missed with various recreational activities that will make for a fun day of beach activities. While the sand out here is usually very rocky, the beach provides its visitors with great snorkeling, excellent bird watching, and long scenic bike rides or hiking trails. There are picnic tables and barbecue facilities, snorkel gear rentals, and a delicious cafe called the Cayo Hueso Cafe. You can also walk over the fort and tour the exhibits to learn about the history of the fort and its position in American History.

South Beach

Despite its small size, South Beach remains one of the most popular beaches in Key West thanks to its location and its friendly island charm. The beach has no restaurant facilities, but it is located just a short walk from some of the best Duval Street restaurants that will not only allow you to use their facilities but treat you to authentic Key West island cuisine.

Dog Beach

Combine a beach with a dog park and you got Key West's one and only Dog Beach. People down in Key West love their dogs and many visitors enjoy bringing their own canine partners down the island. If you have your dog with you, do not let them miss out on all the puppy fun of Dog Beach. Make sure to clean after your dog and help keep Dog Beach clean for everyone to enjoy!

Higg's Beach

Popular among sunbathers and families, Higg's Beach on the end of Reynold's Street has playgrounds for kids, picnic tables, beach chairs for rental, restrooms, and various water sports and activities rentals. There is also a restaurant nearby and is open every day from 6 in the morning to 11PM.

Rest Beach

If you want to watch the sunset from out on a beach, Rest Beach is probably the best spot on Key West. Rest Beach is a relaxing beach that is more used as a lounging location than a bathing. The beach is accessible to wheelchairs and bathroom facilities are less than a block away.

Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is the most recognizable and largest of all the Key West Beaches. This is definitely a place to go if you like to be around a lot of people, especially if those people are those interesting Key West locals or enthusiastic visitors. The beach is a total of two miles long and is located on the south end of the island. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, beachgoers can enjoy snorkeling, picnic areas, parasailing, windsurfing, volleyball, bike paths, snacks and drinks vendors and clean restroom facilities.

Bahia Honda Beach

While not technically on the island of Key West, Bahia Honda Beach is one of the great nature beach locations in the keys. The beach park takes up a total of 524 acres and contains beautiful white beaches and several stretches of nature trails. You will also find some great snorkeling opportunities out here.