Info on Key West Activities |
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Key West Beaches
Key West beaches are mostly concentrated on the south side of the island, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Here, driving along South Roosevelt Boulevard, you will find the largest Key West beaches: Smathers Beach and Higgs Beach. Parking is easy at either beach, either along the beach in parking spots or across the street in dirt patches under palm trees. Parking overnight isn't allowed, however. South Roosevelt Boulevard hugs the south coast of Key West, essentially giving access to the beaches and providing an east-west route from Stock Island to Old Town. As you enter Key West, bear left. The signs at the entrance of the island will direct you either left or right. Going right will take you to the busienss section of Key West and the Historic Seaport. Going left will take you to the beaches.
The free public Key West beaches are also the largest and the easiest to find. Smathers, Higgs are the largest, and Dog Beach is free and in the same general area as Higgs and Smathers. The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Historical Park is also on the southern edge of Key West, but at the western-most end, on the tip. Entrance to the beach is through the park entrance, and there's a small fee. If you bicycle in, it's much cheaper. This most popular of Key West beaches has concession stand and more picnic tables, plus large pine trees behind the beach for shade. Higgs and Smathers have just a few palm trees and lots of sunny sand and water. If you plan to stay all day, the beach at Fort Taylor is better because you can get food and you can sit in the shade. There are food vendors who park on the street every day in front of Smathers beach but menu is limited.
BEACHES AT DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARKAbout 70 miles west of Key West, this park with beaches is accessible by scheduled ferry service or chartered seaplane. Activities include diving, snorkeling, bird watching and exploration of Fort Jefferson National Monument.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Historic ParkEnter through Truman Annex on Southard Street.
The fort is great inside (where you can step back into Key West's fascinating history) and out (where you can enjoy what locals call "the best beach in Key West"). Picnic or fish here. To learn more about this beautiful beach, visit our Fort Taylor page.
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| South Beach, Key west |
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| Smathers Beach |
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| Fort Zachary Taylor Beach |
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Dog Beach, where dogs are allowed,
located on Vernon and Waddell Streets |
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