Almost every section of Florida has wider and sandier beaches than you’ll find in the Keys.
But the turquoise Caribbean water? And the fish and sea life you see snorkeling right off shore? And the whole Keys atmosphere and attitude? Yeah, you can’t find that anywhere else.
The Keys don’t have wide sandy beaches because the coral reefs we enjoy as snorkelers and scuba divers prevent the erosion and sand from building up along the shore.
So while the beaches aren’t what make the Keys special, there are still some pretty special beaches in the Keys. You just have to know where to go.
Best beach
There is widespread agreement that the best beach in the Keys is Bahia Honda State Park. It’s long – 2.5 miles – with white sand and water so shallow that you can wade far out before you even get your swimsuit wet. This beach was named the best in America in 1992, when Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, called it “a piece of the Caribbean” because of its “crystal clear, turquoise water and white coral beach lined with coconut palms.” It’s a natural beach, not a man made one. There are two beaches in the park – Sandspur, on the Atlantic, and Loggerhead, at the sound end of the park. The biggest negatives? The parking lot fills up on summer weekends and to help build up the dunes, sea grass on the beach is left in place.
Bahia Honda State Park, 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key. Info: floridastateparks.org/park/Bahia-Honda. Admission: $8 per vehicle up to eight people per vehicle.
Best free beach
Sombrero Beach in Marathon is also a “real” beach, and it’s free. The beach is a white sand arc with lots of amenities: grassy lawns shaded with palm trees, changing rooms, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, grills, a playground. This is a good place to do a little snorkeling from shore. The beach, which is two miles off the main road, is a favorite with locals because many visitors don’t know it’s there.
Directions: Turn south at MM 50 at the light (Publix Shopping Center) and follow Sombrero Beach Road for about two miles to the end. There is plenty of parking. Info: ci.marathon.fl.us/government/parks/city-parks-and-beaches/Admission: free
Best snorkeling beach
The best beach in Key West is off-the-beaten-path. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach is located where Gulf waters meet the Atlantic, hidden from the Key West hubbub by the Truman Annex. The water is clear and the bottom is rocky, which makes this a good place to snorkel and see tropical fish and live coral. Because of those rocks it’s smart to bring water shoes. You’ll find shade here and a snack bar with affordable sandwiches and pizza slices, making this a bargain in expensive Key West.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach, 601 Howard England Way, Key West. Info: floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Taylor Admission: $6 per vehicle up to eight people per vehicle.
Other Keys beaches
Long Key State Park, 67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key. A favorite among campers, Long Key also has an appealing beach for day-use visitors, too. Long Key’s beach can be shallow for about 100 yards, depending on the tide, and it has pockets of deeper water that rarely are over your head. It’s a perfect beach for kids. Admission: $5 per vehicle up to eight people per vehicle. Info: floridastateparks.org/park/Long-Key
Curry Hammock State Park, 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon. A 1,200-foot beach. Although shallow, it has more of a slope than most Keys beaches, so you can get into deeper water faster. Admission: $5 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. Info: floridastateparks.org/park/Curry-Hammock
Anne’s Beach, at MM 73.4, is a lovely, sandy beach, shallow for a long ways out, and it’s free. It’s a great place to stop on a roadtrip. Parking is limited.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at MM 102.8 is all about what’s underwater, not on the beach. The park’s Cannon Beach is quite small, but if you bring your snorkeling gear, it’s a great place to snorkel from shore. Admission: $8 per vehicle for two to eight people per vehicle. Info: pennekamppark.com
Harry Harris Park in Tavernier off of MM 92.6 on Burton Drive is a small park with a man-made beach with a shallow lagoon that is good for kids, picnic tables, a picnic shelter and a playground. Admission: Free weekdays; $5 for those over 16 on Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays.
Smathers Beach is a rare stretch of sand in Key West, even though the sand has to be imported. The free beach, on South Roosevelt Boulevard, is the longest in Key West. It’s lined with palm trees and has restrooms, volleyball courts and picnic areas. It’s a shallow beach and the water is sometimes lacking in clarity.
For a comprehensive guide to beaches in the Keys go to floridarambler.com/florida-best-beaches/best-florida-keys-beaches
Bonnie Gross gives tips on visiting the natural and authentic Florida at www.FloridaRambler.com
