Key West's beaches are small and rocky rather than powder-sand, but the water is warm and calm nearly year-round.
The longest beach in Key West, with a wide stretch of sand, watersports rentals (parasailing, jet skis, paddleboards), and plenty of room to spread out.
A calmer, more local beach with a fishing pier, picnic pavilions, and the sobering African Cemetery at Higgs Beach memorial nearby, marking the graves of rescued Africans from 1860 slave ships.
Tips for Beaches & Coastal Areas
- Bring water shoes — most Key West beaches have a rocky, not sandy, seabed.
- Fort Zachary Taylor's beach (listed under Landmarks) is generally rated the best for swimming and snorkeling.