Resort guests get free use of the chairs. Like many of the other Key West beaches, you can rent chairs for a small fee and hang out on the beach without eating if you’d prefer. You can eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner here, or you can just pop in and grab a drink while you take in the scenery. The Southernmost Cafe is right behind South Beach. The beach doesn’t have public restrooms and coolers aren’t allowed, so you probably won’t want to spend the whole day here (unless you’re staying at the resort), but it’s perfect for a dip in the ocean while you’re exploring the downtown area. In fact, South Beach is a great place for a midday dip. Though South Beach is small compared to many of the other beaches in Key West, it’s a favorite with locals. The sand is only 200 feet long and is bordered by the South Beach Pier and the Southernmost Beach Resort. If you walk all the way to the end of Duval Street, you’ll find one of the smallest Key West beaches: South Beach. Price: Free ($4/hour for nearby parking) 10. Not great for scuba diving or snorkeling (flat sandy bottom).The best classically “tropical” beach in Key West.Sunset is an especially beautiful time to visit, though you’ll need to get here early as the beach fills up quick, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll definitely see at least one wedding party during the weekends! Not on is Smathers one of the best swimming beaches in Key West, but it’s also a beautiful photo spot. However, the water is almost always the perfect temperature for swimming and is super clear. The beach tends to collect seaweed more during certain times of the year than others, so check online for updates before you go. I will say that, like any of the beaches in Key West, seaweed can be an issue at Smathers. Sunset Watersports is located right on Smathers, offering a variety of rentals including sailboats, windsurfers, paddle boards, kayaks, jetskis, and even parasailing experiences. This is one of the best free beaches in Key West and has a restroom that’s typically open to 4pm, as well as showers, bike paths, picnic tables, and a snack bar.

You can also rent chairs for super affordable prices. Smathers Beach has a gorgeous stretch of sand with volleyball courts and palm trees for shade. This is 100% a beach in Key West made for swimming. However, it’s probably not the best spot for someone who wants to snorkel or check out the reefs. The sand is nice and soft, making Smathers an ideal beach in Key West for relaxation or swimming. It’s perfect for kids and anyone who likes nice calm beach days!

The beach is manmade, so you can literally walk out 100 yards into the ocean and still touch the bottom. I personally think Smathers is one of the best beaches in Key West because the water is pretty calm. It does tend to get crowded during the day, so it’s best to arrive early, especially if you want a spot with shade under a tree. It probably won’t be the best beach you’ve ever been to, especially if you’re an avid traveler of the Caribbean, but it’s well-set up and enjoyable for Key West. If you’re looking for the classic sandy experience then you’ll want to check out Smathers. It’s located on the southern shore and is easily accessible by car or on foot. Smathers Beachįor a whole bunch of reasons, Smathers Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Key West. Most Key West beaches have rental stands for chair, umbrella, and water-sport rentals, so you shouldn’t need to bring a lot of equipment with you. I recommend that you look at where you’re staying and check out the beaches nearby. However, you’ll find the most swimmable beaches on the south side (like Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach), though there are a few on the other side if you know where to go. Like any island, Key West beaches are spread along all sides. Hopefully by the end of this blog post, you’ll know exactly where you want to go!Ī quick note on the location of beaches in Key West: Today, I’m listing my favorite 11+ beaches in Key West along with a list of pros and cons for each. Some are tucked in near relics or state parks, while others are random patches of water with imported sand. Most Key West beaches tend to be hidden, so you really need to know where you’re going. You could spend a whole week in Key West and never encounter a beach! However, finding the best beaches in Key West isn’t intuitive. You probably won’t find a beach that you’ll want to lay on for your entire vacation, but you can definitely spend a day or two by the ocean. I like to visit Key West because I like the beach and the other activities. However, there are still some really beautiful beach spots if you know where to visit. This is because the Keys is more like a rocky coastline than a tropical beach area. In fact, many people discourage tourists from hitting up any of the beaches in Key West. Key West beaches don’t tend to be the highlight of a vacation in the Keys.

Key west beaches