Key West Florida Beaches

The beaches of Key West are not the greatest in Florida. Nobody shall confuse these narrow strands of rock and sand for Miami Beach, Daytona Beach or Fort Lauderdale. The best local beach of any real quality is some 45 minutes up Highway 1 at Bahia Honda State Park Beach.

These beaches are small, the sand is coarse, rocks are abundant, the slope hardly exists, and the waves simply do not exist. Nevertheless, two Key West beaches will suffice. Those two beaches are Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Beach.

Smathers Beach easily is the biggest of the sandy beaches of Key West. Naturally it is the most popular beach. Unlike some of the other beaches, there is plenty of sand. Unfortunately, you will find seaweed on the beach. The clear water is wonderful for snorkeling. Under the surface of the water you will find rough coral reef footing. There are enough parking spaces, concessions, picnic tables, restrooms and showers for all. Beach chairs and water sports equipment for windsurfing or sailing can be rented. You also can take a boat ride or give parasailing a try.

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is not as well-known as Smathers Beach. If you search, you will find it within Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. This beach is bordered by pine trees and consists of rocks and sharp coral. If you want to picnic, you can take advantage of the grills, tables and refreshment stand. Restrooms and showers are there for your convenience. There are rentals of comfortable beach chairs, along with some snorkeling equipment and kayaks for the ocean lovers. You can take a quick little walk down the nature trail or you can observe the passing cruise ships.

Rest Beach is much smaller then Smathers Beach is and has far fewer amenities. Along with a patch of sand, you will find some picnic tables and one yoga deck. You have to go over to Higgs Beach to find restrooms. Rest Beach and Higgs Beach have the White Street Pier. This wooden pier provides good fishing and a base for snorkeling.

Higgs Beach also is smaller than Smathers Beach. Across the street is Astro Park, which is a park for children. Higgs Beach has some picnic tables, some concessions, restrooms and a shower. You can rent beach chairs or snorkeling equipment. Fine dining is available at the restaurant located right there on the beach.

Appropriately-named Dog Beach is rocky and messy and noteworthy because it does indeed allow dogs. For dog owners who love the beach, this is heaven by the ocean. For others, this is a beach to avoid.

There are two other public beaches. Since South Beach has no facilities, you will not see many people there who are not locals. With so little parking available, people walk to get to it. Simonton Street Beach is the smallest of them all. It is observed more than it is used.