
The restaurant’s view can’t be beat, and the mussels and other seafood are excellent, but be sure to save room for their famous Key Lime Pie. Tropical Water Sports will rent kayaks and paddleboards to those who want to get on the water, and chairs and umbrellas for those who want to relax. There’s a restaurant right on the beach, appropriately named Salute! on the Beach. The beach has a children’s playground, beach volleyball and tennis courts, lots of room for swimming and snorkeling, and a bike path along the beach.

Higgs is very popular because of the variety of activities you can do there. Higgs Beach Beach is the go-to beach when Smathers Beach gets too crowded, but it’s also a great choice if you brought your dog on vacation. Best for: Everyone Book a rental: On Key West If you want a little break from the sand and water, or if you’d like a little culture, stop at historic Fort Zachary Taylor for a fascinating look at the history of the Keys. Additionally, it’s very convenient as you can even bike there from downtown Key West.
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Fully equipped with bathrooms, a snack bar, picnic areas, barbecue grills, and places to rent beach equipment, Zachary Taylor Beach has all the facilities you need to plan a full beach day. It’s also the southernmost beach in the US. Best for: Good swimmers Book a rental: In Marathon near the beachįort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park popularity of Zachary Taylor State Park Beach makes it one of the top 10 beaches in the Florida Keys. There are also washrooms and a nice playground. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards, but the conditions are generally good. Right in the heart of Marathon, the water at Sombrero Beach is a little deeper than at most beaches in the Florida Keys, so it’s best for strong swimmers. Best for: Anyone seeking fewer crowds and more beach Book a rental: On Key West Back on dry land, you’ll relish the serenity of drying off on the soft white sand of a beach you have practically all to yourself. Bring an underwater camera to get pictures of the great sea life you’ll see while snorkeling or scuba diving. The trek is well worth it, as the waters around the seven islands of the Dry Tortugas are full of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, shipwrecks, stunning reefs, and lovely shoals. Best for: People watchers Book a rental: On Key Westĭesiring something more quiet and secluded? You can only get to Dry Tortugas National Park by taking a two-hour catamaran ride from Key West.
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The soft sand and shady coconut trees at Smathers give it an island paradise feeling, plus the food trucks will keep you fed and there are plenty of bathrooms. Vendors up and down the beach rent beach chairs, umbrellas, and any type of activity equipment you need. And if you want to stay on the beach, you can play volleyball or just people watch, because when it’s busy, it’s full of beautiful people. On the water, you can windsurf, kite surf, kayak, or jet ski. The beach is right next to Roosevelt Boulevard, with a wide sidewalk packed with bikers, inline skaters, and people out for a stroll. Smathers is Key West’s biggest public beach, and it’s brimming with activity. Smathers Beach Beach has virtually everything you could want on a beach, except lifeguards. Best for: Family picnics Book a rental: On Big Pine Key There’s also a nature center for those who want to learn about the local plants and animals.

It has excellent snorkeling because there are tons of fish in the water and a reef close to shore. Calusa is a great beach for families with young children, because the water is very calm, but the shore does slope off quickly just past the beach, so keep an eye on young swimmers. It’s one of the top 10 beaches in the Florida Keys for a picnic because it’s sheltered, calm, and tremendously pretty, and it has a covered picnic area and lots of parking. Best for: Families with little kids Book a rental: On Big Pine KeyĬalusa Beach Beach is on the Gulf side of the Bahia Honda State Park, between Big Pine Key and Marathon. You can rent kayaks in the park for another fun family activity, and there are picnic areas, public washrooms, lots of bike paths, and a snack bar that sells pizza and ice cream. The offshore reefs keep the water shallow and calm, perfect for toddlers to splash in and play. Sandspur Beach Beach is a full mile of gorgeous beach and great swimming in the heart of Bahia Honda State Park, and some consider it one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. The colorful Florida Keys are for everyone! From families looking for some of the country’s most amazing snorkeling spots to singles looking for a street party in paradise, read on to discover the top 10 beaches this side of Margaritaville. You don’t have to be a “parrot head” or a pugilistic author to experience the place that drew in both Jimmy Buffett and Ernest Hemingway.

The 10 most amazing beaches along the colorful Florida Keys
