Best Beaches In The Florida Keys

Dreaming of enjoying the beach while traveling in the Florida Keys? Although the Keys aren’t known for their beaches, you can still find some really nice beaches here to enjoy.

From Key Largo to Key West and even beyond, the islands are dotted with inviting spots to sunbathe, swim, and snorkel. You’ll find a mix of natural beaches with soft sand and clear water, as well as man-made beaches that were created for relaxation and fun.

Thanks to the warm climate and stunning water, beach days are possible here year-round. Whether you visit some of the public beaches or choose to enjoy a private beach at a resort, there are plenty of beaches to explore in the Florida Keys.

Key Largo

Key Largo is the closest island to the main land which makes it a great getaway. Not only does it have world class diving and snorkeling, you can enjoy the beaches in Key Largo too.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is known for its famous underwater attractions and is one of the best places to visit in Key Largo. While most people visit this park for the diving and snorkeling, it actually has some nice coastline to enjoy too.

One of these beaches around the park is Cannon Beach. It’s one of the main beaches that people visit at this park as it provides a nice place to enjoy the water. The water starts out pretty shallow and there is a roped off place specifically for swimming. There you can swim or snorkel close to beach while still exploring the underwater world.

Another beach you can go to is Far Beach but that one is much smaller. Around the area, there are short trails and the beaches where visitors can swim or just lounge and picnic. There is a park fee entrance of $8 per vehicle plus 50 cents per person up to eight people.

Harry Harris Beach & Park

The Harry Harris Beach and Park, that is technically located in Tavernier, a stones throw away from Key Largo, is a family favorite. One of the most distinguishing features of this beach is that there is a lagoon of protected water. It’s lined with big rocks that create a calm water environment that is perfect for the kids and adults to swim in.

Not only is it a great place for swimming, but it’s a 21-acre oceanfront park that has pavilions, picnic tables and grills, playground and a boat ramp for those who want to take their boat out. It even has two baseball fields and basketball courts for those who want to enjoy some games outside.

There is an admission fee to the park of $15 per vehicle for the day, but it’s worth it with all of the amenities if you want a nice beach escape near Key Largo.

Rowell’s Waterfront Park

(It’s temporarily closed for renovations)

Rowell’s Waterfront Park is located right in Key Largo but it’s a much smaller park coming in at 8 acres. There is also a small lagoon for swimming, some beach area and a good amount of green space for recreational activities. It’s a great place to launch a kayak or canoe to go exploring out on the water.

With a spacious parking space, you don’t need to worry about where to leave your car. The park opens at 7:30am and closes at sunset.

Private Beaches In Key Largo

Kona Kai Resort – This resort that’s nestled in the beautiful tropical landscape of Key Largo, is one of the island’s best resorts. Staying at this resort will give you access to a private beach with beach chairs and towels along with a waterfront freshwater pool and jacuzzi.

Baker’s Cay Resort Beach – If you choose to stay at this resort, you will find yourself surrounded by a luscious landscape that includes access to the beach. Another option is to purchase their day pass that gives you access to the resort including the beach, their pools and dining options.

Playa Largo Resort Beach – Staying at this very large resort on a secluded paradise of 14.5 acres gives you access to their beach. Enjoy a white sandy beach and access to the crystal clear water where you can relax or go for a swim. They also have a pool overlooking the water for added enjoyment.

Sunset Cove Beach Resort – This affordable and charming accommodation is a great place to stay in Key Largo if you are looking for more private waterfront access. It’s the perfect place for watching sunsets in private and you even get a complimentary kayak or paddleboard use with your stay.

Islamorada

Known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, Islamorada is a laid-back village offering the perfect opportunity for relaxation and outdoor adventure. Here, you will find Islamorada’s scenic shorelines and many peaceful beach experiences.

Anne’s Beach

Anne’s Beach is a blissful place to stop and enjoy one of the many beaches in the Florida Keys. It’s a natural sandy beach with very shallow water that stretch far out creating a calm shore. The warm water is perfect for wading or for kids to splash around in and makes it easy to push off on a paddle board or kayak.

Unlike many parks in the area, this park is completely free and includes amenities like restroom facilities, pavilions with picnic tables and a boardwalk that winds through the mangroves. There is also a parking lot space that makes parking easy and it’s right on the Overseas Highway with easy access.

Founder’s Park Beach

From sunrise to sunset, you can visit the Founder’s Park beach. It’s a park with an entry fee that not only has a great beach but many other amenities. There is an Olympic Size Swimming Pool with diving boards, splash pad for children, picnic area with large pavilions, a pirate ship-themed playground. More amenities include a tennis complex, fitness park and walking trails, basketball and pickleball courts, baseball and softball fields, golf driving cage, and amphitheater.

If you’re there just for the beach, then you have a beautiful area to enjoy with shallow water and a closed off swimming area. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach but there is a one-acre dog park where they can run around. Volleyballs are available for rent to enjoy games on the sand and restrooms facilities are nearby.

Library Beach Park

Library Beach Park in Islamorada is a smaller and quieter beach for those looking for a peaceful beach experience. The park features a small beach overlooking a mangrove-lined coastline of an intercoastal waterway.

It’s located behind the Helen Wadley Branch Library which gives it its name. It’s a good beach to be able to get out into nature and launch any water sport equipment for some recreation.

Private Beaches In Islamorada

Cheeca Lodge & Spa – This resort is one of the best stays in Islamorada. It features luxurious accommodations and amenities allowing visitors to indulge themselves at this famous destination. The rooms not only have stunning views of the ocean but you get access to the sandy beach you see from your window.

Islander Resort – A stay at this resort puts you in the proximity of a great beach in Islamorada. But a stay here isn’t necessary to enjoy this beach even though doing so will provide you with complimentary beach chairs and towels. You can park next door and walk to the beach from there.

Amara Cay Resort – Closer to the south of the island is Amara Cay Resort that brings beach relaxation to you. Here, the beach is elevated with lounge chairs and thatched huts. There is a rail and stairs if you want to walk down into the water.

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

This island is only accessible by boat or kayak, but it’s a great place to go for a more remote beach experience. The small beaches there tucked away between mangroves are rugged but offer serene spots to enjoy the nature.

If you take a kayak instead of a boat tour you can paddle around the island to find these spots. This island isn’t for everyone, but for those looking to find a beach away from the crowds and for a little bit of an adventure, it’s a great place to explore. With good weather and minimal winds, it takes about 40 minutes to get to Lignumvitae Island on a kayak but do take weather into consideration since weather conditions can change fast.

Long Key State Park

Part of the Middle Keys, Long Key State Park is a 965-acre park that offers not only beaches but opportunities for hiking, kayaking, birding, fishing, snorkeling and picnicking.

In the early 20th century, this area was Henry Flagler’s Long Key Fishing Camp that was a popular luxury destination to explore the habitats of the island. Celebrities, presidents, and world class anglers all came here to try their luck fishing.

Today, it’s a quiet destination in the Florida Keys with recreational opportunities for the day. If you’d like to spend the night at the park to enjoy the beaches for a few days, the park offers hike-in, tent-only campsites for their guests.

Marathon

Marathon is the main hub of the Middle Florida Keys. It’s a quieter destination with laid-back charm where you will find a mix of Marathon’s sandy shorelines, scenic parks, and plenty of boating opportunities.

Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Beach located in Marathon is considered one of the island’s best beaches. This is because it’s a classic beach, of which you won’t find too many in the Florida Keys. It has soft white sand that has plenty of space for sunbathing and swimming without feeling too crowded.

There are also nice amenities including restrooms and filtered water stations, showers and feet rinsing areas. Sheltered picnic table and grills provide a nice place to enjoy a day at the beach and grill. For families, there is a playground right next to the beach entrance and a volleyball court.

From April to October there is a turtle nesting season on this beach for Loggerhead Turtles. A small part of the beach gets blocked off since the turtle nests are protected.

Curry Hammock State Park

As the largest undeveloped piece of land between Key Largo and Big Pine Key, Curry Hammock State Park is worth a visit if you’re looking for beaches in the Florida Keys. This untouched sanctuary provides a habitat for many different species of the local ecosystem.

This beach in the Florida Keys is a hidden gem that allows visitors to experience nice beach days on the islands. There are designated areas to swim with shallow waters by the shore with deeper water by the kayak launch.

With the Overseas Heritage Trail running through, it’s a great place for biking and walking. Along the way, you will see a variety of wildlife and if you get out on the water, plenty of marine life too.

Camping is an option here with spacious campsites and close beach access. There are 28 sites that includes electrical service, water, dump station and a bathhouse.

Coco Plum Beach

The Coco Plum Beach area is a small, quiet beach next to an adjacent wetland area. There you can enjoy some sun in a relaxed atmosphere on a natural beach. The beach is popular for strolls along the coast, beachcombing, spotting birds and other wildlife and in the right season, seeing the turtle nests.

Swimming conditions can vary with weather and the amount of seaweed that ends up close to the beach. But its a lovely spot for a sunrise and beautiful views of the water.

Sunset Park

Sunset Park is one of those picture perfect places that have sandy shores, stunning blue water and a pier going out on the water. It’s not ideal to swim since there is a rock lined shore but on a lovely day swimming there is possible because of the perfect water condiotions.

More so, it’s a nice place to spend an evening strolling on the beach or sitting at many of the benches facing the water and enjoying the views.

Private Beaches In Marathon

Cabana Beach Club – With a membership to the Cabana Beach Club or another rental that includes membership here which many vacation rentals in the area do, you can enjoy a blissful vacation complete with beach access. There’s a private sandy beach, dining, bar, and a heated/cooled pool.

Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort – As the name implies, you can experience a peaceful stay here at this resort that is complete with beautiful rooms, manicured lawns, pool and a nice beach. The beach has chairs for relaxation and closed off swimming area.

Isla Bella Beach Resort – This huge resort is the perfect place to escape to if you want to enjoy the serenity of the Florida Keys. With beach access, beach chairs and umbrellas, daybeds, plenty of outdoor space for strolls and lounging, this place offers an exceptional stay.

Bahia Honda State Park – Top Pick

Bahia Honda State Park easily has the best beaches in all of the Florida Keys. Located on Big Pine Key, the park is home to several beaches that are natural and beautiful. If you’re dreaming of beach days in the Florida Keys that are most similar to the incredible beaches in other parts of Florida, the beaches here offer pristine sandy shores and beautiful turquoise water.

The park has three main beaches including Sandspur Beach, Calusa Beach and Loggerhead Beach. Sandspur Beach is on the Atlantic side that is known for its long stretch of perfectly soft white sand and water ideal for swimming that is sure to impress.

The Calusa Beach is on the Gulf side tucked in a cove offering calmer shallow water that are perfect for families or those who want to launch kayaks. At the Loggerhead Beach, you will also find a slightly quieter beach that’s just as stunning at the center of the park.

There are restroom facilities at the park and an option to rent kayaks. If you want to stay overnight and enjoy the beaches at this park for a few days, there are options to rent a cabin or camp but it needs to be booked ahead of time especially in the high season.

Veteran’s Memorial Beach

Veteran’s Memorial Beach is a small beach right off of the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s a good place to stop by for a quick dip or to launch a kayak out into the water. There is a parking right by the beach and right across the road for some extra spaces and a public boat ramp.

You might see people windsurfing or kiteboarding along with other watersports in the area. There are great views of the Seven Mile Bridge and stunning views of the water.

It’s located on Little Duck Key which is part of Big Pine Key (it’ll have a Big Pine Key address if that’s what you use).

Key West

As the ultimate destination in the Florida Keys, Key West has some beach gems too. If you want to explore the beaches in Key West, here are some of the top beaches this island has to offer.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the most popular beaches in Key West for a reason. It’s a blissful escape from the busyness of the town and has some of the most stunning views from the island. Anywhere you look, the water is a bright turquoise blue and the swimming conditions are ideal.

The swimming area is blocked off by rocks making a little cove and the water is the perfect depth being not too shallow and not too deep. Around the rocks, you can do snorkeling to see some tropical fish and coral.

Whether you want to sunbathe on the sand, or stay in the shade under the trees, there is plenty of space to do both. Around the park, you will find picnic tables and benches where you can enjoy a bite to eat. There is a concession stand where you can buy snacks and drinks if you didn’t bring any with you.

The park is named after the fort that you can also visit at the park. There, you can learn about the historical significance of the fort and the Civil War-era cannons that are still on display.

Smathers Beach

Smathers is the largest and most popular beach in Key West that doesn’t require a fee (there’s a fee to enter Fort Zachary Taylor State Park). It has a long shoreline and a lively atmosphere with plenty of sand, water, and space.

Here you can try kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or even go out on your own boat with a boat access ramp. Nearby, Sunset Watersports has a day beach pass that gets you a parasail trip or beach chairs and umbrella as well as unlimited kayaks, paddleboard, and a variety of floats.

Other amenities include restrooms, showers, volleyball nets and a variety of food trucks.

Higgs Beach

Clarence S. Higgs Beach is another option to splash around the water in Key West. It includes 16.5 acres of oceanfront views and a 400-foot pier that’s right at the end of Reynolds Street. Within the bounds of Higgs Beach is located a Civil-War era fort, West Martello Tower, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Enjoy beach volleyball, tennis, and pickleball or water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Higgs Beach is located a block away from stop No. 10 on the Old Town Trolley Key West tour. There is also free parking available outside of the Garden Club if you prefer to drive.

South Beach

South beach may be small, but it’s a nice place to go for a quick swim. It’s conveniently located by the Southernmost Point buoy at the southern end of Duval Street so if you want to take a break from exploring and cool off a bit, South Beach is the place to be.

The beach has calm and warm water for a swim and after, you can get back to the shopping and restaurants within walking distance.

Lagerheads Beach

This small beach is part of the Lagerheads Beach Bar where you can grab a bite to eat or drinks head over to relax on the beach. It’s a great spot to unwind with palm trees, lounge chairs that are available for rent and frequent live music nearby.

Private Beaches In Key West

Casa Marina Resort – Casa Marine Resort is one of the most historic and luxurious places you can stay in Key West. There, you can disconnect on a private beach while enjoying all of their other amenities.

Sunset Key Beach – On this luxury private island off of Key West, you get an exclusive 27-acre private island getaway and white sand beaches. The crescent beach has beach chairs and umbrellas to make your beach experience better.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Past Key West, is the beautiful Dry Tortugas National Park with stunning beaches. It has some of the most pristine and secluded beaches in the Florida Keys. These remote beaches surround the historic Fort Jefferson and are only accessible by ferry, seaplane or your own boat.

The sand here is white and soft and the water is some of the clearest turquoise water you will see. These beaches are perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling with vibrant marine life.