Bahia Honda State Park
Henry Flagler’s bold effort to build a railroad to Key West in the early 1900's turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination.
Known for its iconic Florida scenery — palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets — visitors to the park enjoy balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented, and boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions are available.
The park is an excellent place to observe wading birds and shorebirds, while the Sand and Sea Nature Center introduces nature lovers to the island’s plants and animals.
Location: 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key FL 33043
Website: www.bahiahondapark.com
Admission Fee to Enter
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
On the southern edge of Key West, Fort Taylor predates the Civil War and is a National Historic Monument housing the largest cache of Civil War armament in the world. Beyond its historical importance, the park is the southernmost state park in the continental United States.
Walk the red-brick corridors of Fort Zachary Taylor, past cannon and gun ports, and history becomes more real than books and photos can depict. One better grasps how soldiers lived as they defended the nation’s southeastern coastline. Tour guides and interpretive panels explain how the fort played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War.
History is front and center the third weekend of each month as local re-enactors conduct historic demonstrations.
The park also boasts Key West’s favorite beach, located at the southern end of the park, providing opportunities for picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, paddling and fishing.
Location: 601 Howard England Way, Key West FL 33040
Website: www.fortzacharytaylor.com
Admission Fee to Enter
Smathers Beach
Smathers Beach is one of the largest of the 4 beaches within the city and is well known for its spring breaks. Amenities include restrooms, shower facilities and volleyball courts.
Location: 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
Website: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/egov/apps/locations/facilities.egov?view=detail;id=24
Pay For Parking Only
Veterans Park
Veterans Park, located at the lower end of the 7-Mile Bridge, is a great place to stretch your legs, as well as your pets, on the way to Key West. Here you will find a small rocky beach with a picnic area and restrooms.
Location: 39900 Overseas Highway, Little Duck Key, FL 33043
Website: http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/facilities/Facility/Details/278
Free Parking - Free Admission
Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach is a beautiful park and sandy beach. In 2001 the City redeveloped Sombrero Beach to include total handicap accessibility. A lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean frames a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers.
Sombrero Beach is a turtle nesting beach. From April through October it is not unusual to have Loggerhead Turtles (primarily) coming on to the beach at night to lay their eggs. During active turtle nesting season the City limits human activities in the vicinity of active turtle nest establishments. Turtle nest areas typically represents less than 10% of the available beach area. The remainder of the beach is open for our visitors and residents to enjoy. The City regularly surveys the beach for new turtle nesting. Walking the beach first thing in the morning looking for turtle nests is an awesome experience.
Location: 200 36th St Ocean, Marathon, FL 33050
Website: www.ci.marathon.fl.us/parksrec/page/sombrero-beach
Free Parking - Free Admission
Casa Marina Resort
Enjoy luxury resort recreation and relaxation at the legendary Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Nestled along the southern edge of the island – overlooking more than 1,100 feet of beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests – our Key West accommodations provide an elegant yet refreshingly simple hideaway for travelers. Listed in the National Register for Historic Places, this landmark Key West resort has attracted generations of business tycoons, artists, and dignitaries for nearly a century.
Location: 1500 Reynolds Street, Key West, Florida 33040
Website: www.casamarinaresort.com
Please Inquire with me to book at this resort.
Horseshoe Beach
It's called the "Horseshoe" located at Mile Marker 35 in Big Pine Key. It was an old quarry which the dugout coral was used to build the Overseas Highway. It is about 30 feet deep in the middle, and supposedly there is an ambulance sunk there that acts like a wreck. Divers and Snorkelers will use the location when weather makes for poor visibility on the open waters.
Location: 1969 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Free Parking - Free Admission
Isla Bella Beach Resort
Setting a new standard for modern luxury resorts in the Florida Keys, also with exquisite white sand and vibrant blue sea.Perfectly located in the middle of the beautiful Florida Keys, you’ll find Isla Bella Beach Resort midway between Key West and Key Largo. Here you are in the best location for spectacular sailing, world-class fishing, snorkeling and diving, Sombrero Beach, and the famous Seven Mile Bridge.
Location: 1 Knights Key Boulevard, Marathon, FL, 33050
Website: www.islabellabeachresort.com
Please Inquire with me to book at this resort.
Sunset Key
Just off of Key West. A private island only accessible by boat (a 10 minute boat ride only) and location of the delicious Lattitudes Restaurant. At Sunset Key Cottages, every luxury oceanfront cottage captures the unique charm of Key West, from upscale interiors to panoramic views of blue water. Take pleasure in the panoramic views of the turquoise blue waters or gardens filled with jasmine scented courtyards, bright colored hibiscus and frangipanis.
Location: 245 Front St, Key West, FL 33040
Website: www.sunsetkeycottages.com
Please Inquire with me to book at this resort.
