Beaches in Key West

Unlike the rest of the Keys, Key West actually has a few small beaches, although they don't compare with the state's wide natural wonders up the coast; the Keys' beaches are typically narrow and rocky. Here are your options: Smathers Beach, off South Roosevelt Boulevard, west of the airport; Higgs Beach, along Atlantic Boulevard, between White Street and Reynolds Road; and Fort Zachary Beach, located off the western end of Southard Boulevard.

A magnet for partying teenagers, Smathers Beach is Key West's largest and most overpopulated. Despite the number of rowdy teens, the beach is actually quite clean and looks lovely since its renovation in the spring of 2000. If you go early enough in the morning, you may notice people sleeping on the beach from the night before.

Higgs Beach is a favorite among Key West's gay crowds, but what many people don't know is that beneath the sand is an unmarked cemetery of African slaves who died while waiting for freedom. Higgs has a playground and tennis courts, and is near the minute Rest Beach, which is actually hidden by the White Street pier. The sand here is coarse and rocky and the water tends to be a bit mucky but if you can bear it, Higgs is known as a great snorkeling beach. If it's sunbathing you want, skip Higgs and go to Smathers.

Although there is an entrance fee ($6 per car of two to eight plus 50 cents per person for Monroe County Surcharge, $4.50 single-occupant vehicle, $2.50 pedestrians and bicyclists,), we most recommend the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, 601 Howard England Way (tel. 305/292-6713) located off the western end of Southard Boulevard. Beyond the sands it has a historic fort; a museum; and a large picnic area with tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, and showers. Large trees scattered across 87 acres provide shade for those who are reluctant to bake in the sun.

Biking & Mopeding in Key West

A popular mode of transportation for locals and visitors, bikes and mopeds are available at many rental outlets in the city. Escape the hectic downtown scene and explore the island's scenic side streets by heading away from Duval Street toward South Roosevelt Boulevard and the beachside enclaves along the way.

Diving in Key West

One of the area’s largest scuba schools, Captain Hook’s Dive Key West, 3128 N. Roosevelt Blvd.  (tel. 800/426-0707 or 305/296-3823), offers instruction at all levels; its dive boats take participants to scuba and snorkel sites on nearby reefs.

Key West Marine Park and Snorkel Trail (tel. 305/294-3100;), a 40-acre dive park along the island’s Atlantic shore, incorporates no-motor “swim-only” lanes marked by buoys, providing swimmers and snorkelers with a safe way to explore the waters. The park’s boundaries stretch from the foot of Duval Street to Higgs Beach.

Wreck dives and night dives are two of the special offerings of Lost Reef Adventures, 261 Margaret St. (tel. 305/296-9737). Regularly scheduled runs and private charters can be arranged. Phone for departure information.


Download a map of the Florida Keys Shipwreck Heritage Trail, an entire network of nine wrecks from Key Largo to Key West. It should include the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a 524-foot former U.S. Air Force missile tracking ship, that was sunk 6 miles south of Key West in 2009 to create an artificial reef.

For hard-core and high-tech wreck divers, check out the Wreck Trek Passport Program, spotlighting the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail from Key Largo to Key West and allowing certified divers to explore the trail and be rewarded with bragging rights for logging back-to-back wreck dives. Dive passport highlights nine shipwrecks. Even if you don’t compete, it’s worth a look just for the trail information alone.

Fishing in Key West

As any angler will tell you, there's no fishing like Keys fishing. Key West has it all: bonefish, tarpon, dolphin, tuna, grouper, cobia, and more -- sharks, too.

Step aboard a small exposed skiff for an incredibly diverse day of fishing. In the morning, you can head offshore for sailfish or dolphin (the fish, not the mammal), and then by afternoon get closer to land for a shot at tarpon, permit, grouper, or snapper. Here in Key West, you can probably pick up more cobia -- one of the best fighting and eating fish around -- than anywhere else in the world. For a real fight, ask your skipper to go for the tarpon -- the greatest fighting fish there is, famous for its dramatic "tail walk" on the water after it's hooked. Shark fishing is also popular.

You'll find plenty of competition among the charter-fishing boats in and around Mallory Square and elsewhere. When looking for the best deals on fishing excursions, know that the bookers from the kiosks in town generally take a large chunk of a captain’s fee in addition to an extra monthly fee. You can usually save yourself money by booking directly with a captain in advance (just search for "Fishing Charters Key West) or by going straight to one of the docks. For reviews on charters, we recommend checking captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/key-west

The advantage of the smaller, more expensive charter boats is that you can call the shots. They'll take you where you want to go, to fish for what you want to catch. These "light tackles" are also easier to maneuver, which means you can go to backcountry spots for tarpon and bonefish, as well as out to the open ocean for tuna and dolphinfish. You'll really be able to feel the fish, and you'll get some good fights, too. Larger boats, for up to six or seven people, are cheaper and are best for kingfish, billfish, and sailfish. FIf you’re not comfortable wading through web reviews, the experts at Southbound Sportfishing (tel. 305/780-6281) can book for you, and will take responsibility for finding the right boat, though you will pay more going through them than you would simply booking direct.

The huge commercial party boats are more for sightseeing than serious angling, though you can be lucky enough to get a few bites at one of the fishing holes. One especially good deal is the Gulfstream IV (tel. 305/296-8494), an all-day charter that goes out daily from 10am to 4pm. You’ll pay $67.95 for adults, $42.95 for kids 11 and under, $42.95 for children 5 and under, and for riders not fishing $45.95. Price includes parking, bait, tackle, and license. Rod rentals are $5. This 58-foot party boat usually is licensed for 67 passengers, but they keep it at 45 anglers max. There’s a full-service galley on board.

Serious anglers should consider the light-tackle boats that leave from Stock Island 1.5 miles off U.S. 1 (tel. 305/509-2201). It’s a 20-minute drive from Old Town on the Atlantic side. There are more than 30 light-tackle guides, which range from flatbed, backcountry skiffs to 28-foot open boats. There are also a few larger charters and a party boat that goes to the Dry Tortugas.

Golf in Key West

The area’s only public golf club is Key West Golf Club (tel. 305/294-5232), an 18-hole course at the entrance to the island of Key West at MM 4.5 (turn onto College Rd. to the course entrance). Designed by Rees Jones, the 200-acre course has plenty of mangroves and water hazards on its 6,526 yards. It’s open to the public and has a pro shop. Call ahead for tee-time reservations. Rates range from $75 to $140 for adults and $49 to $64 for those 18 and under. Rates include cart. Club rental is $55.

Kayaking in Key West

Lazy Dog Adventure, 5114 Overseas Hwy. (tel. 305/295-9898), operates first-rate, 2-hour daily kayaking tours through the backcountry of Key West ($35). For the really adventurous, they also offer a 4-hour kayak and snorkel tour combo through the mangroves and backcountry ($60/ person ages 12 and over).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.