Best Beach in Key West

Key West is a lovely place, but it’s not known for its beaches. However, there’s one place that is perfect. It’s the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
I’ll even call this beach “secret” — ok, not really. But it wasn’t particularly crowded and there was plenty of room to spread out on the beach.
Why am I calling it a “secret’? Well for one thing, you need a good map to get you there. It’s an easy walk from the Duval Street area, but not well marked. Walk or drive to the end of Southard Street. Be careful not to enter the active naval installation!
There’s also a small entrance fee (since it’s a state park) that may keep some people away–but totally worth it! It’s only $2.00 if you enter on foot, or $6.00 for a vehicle.
The beach includes a nice snack bar, plus umbrellas, chairs, and snorkel gear available for rent. Just off of the beach are some nice nature trails, plus the fort itself. Give yourself some time to explore Fort Taylor!
Fort Taylor beach is a nice respite from the hub-bub of Duval Street. If you’re looking to do a “beach day” in Key West–this is the place to go.