Beaches · Key West · United States
The best beaches in and near Key West
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marc Averette, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Fort Zachary Taylor beach (On the western tip of Old Town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 31°C (88°F)
The beaches
On the western tip of Old Town · Snorkelling from shore and sunsets
1.Fort Zachary Taylor beach
A state-park beach with pine shade, picnic tables and snorkelling along the rocks; usually the island's clearest water.
About 5 km from Duval Street · Sunbathing and water sports
2.Smathers Beach
The longest stretch of sand on Key West, along South Roosevelt Boulevard, with water-sports rentals and food trucks.
About 1.5 km from Duval Street · Families and a quick swim
3.Higgs Beach
A small public beach with a pier, a playground nearby and calm, shallow water.
About 60 km, 50 minutes by car · A day at a natural beach
4.Bahia Honda beaches
Sandy beaches with clear shallow water in a state park in the Lower Keys.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C (73°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| February | 23°C (73°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| March | 24°C (75°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 31°C (88°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 30°C (86°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| December | 24°C (75°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for families, beach and luxury
Casa Marina and South Roosevelt
The south shore from Higgs Beach east to Smathers Beach has larger resort hotels, including the 1920s Casa Marina, with pools and beachfront. Old Town is a 15–25-minute walk or a short bike ride, and the area is calmer and more beach-focused.
- Good
- On the beach; Resort pools and space for children; Quieter evenings
- Watch out
- Bike or bus needed for Duval; Resort fees and high rates
- Nearby
- Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, Fort East Martello
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Key West Transit runs the free Duval Loop around Old Town and the Historic Seaport, plus city routes to New Town and a Lower Keys shuttle towards Marathon.
- Scooter — Mopeds and small electric cars can be rented by the hour or day for exploring beyond Old Town.
- Car — Driving down the Overseas Highway from Miami takes about 3.5–4.5 hours over 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in October–May. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Key West is generally relaxed for visitors, but bike theft is common, so always lock bikes, and drink-related incidents occur on Duval Street late at night. Sun and heat are intense year-round, and reef trips can be cancelled or rough in wind. Follow official evacuation orders if a hurricane approaches. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Key West have beaches?
Yes: Fort Zachary Taylor beach, Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach and Bahia Honda beaches.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Key West?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Key West?
Fort Zachary Taylor beach: A state-park beach with pine shade, picnic tables and snorkelling along the rocks; usually the island's clearest water.