Best Beaches in the Florida Keys: From Key Largo to Key West

Turquoise water, palm-fringed shores, and that unmistakable island breeze — the Florida Keys are a slice of paradise stretching 120 miles from Key Largo to Key West. While the Keys are famous for snorkeling, boating, and reef diving, finding a true sandy beach here is a rare treat thanks to the coral base of the islands.

But don’t worry — the beaches that do exist are some of the most scenic in Florida. From calm coves perfect for families to wild stretches of untouched nature, here are the best beaches in the Florida Keys — organized from north to south for your next island-hopping adventure.

I’ve been living in the Florida Keys for around 13 years, so I’ve tried them all! Each beach has a unique purpose and vibe, from local, to family-friendly, to watersports focused. Since the Florida Keys is organized by mile markers all down the overseas highway, up until mile 0 in Key West, I’ve added the mile markers (MM) of each park to help you map out your Keys Road Trip and see what’s closest to you.

This article is part of my complete Florida Keys travel guide, where I share itineraries, island guides, and essential tips for planning your Keys vacation.

Top 3 Beaches in the Florida Keys

Here’s the quick round up of the beaches you can’t miss in the Florida Keys:

• Sombero Beach (Marathon)
• Bahia Honda State Park (Lower Keys)
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (Key West)

Key Largo Beaches

Key Largo beaches serve as places for the community to gather and relax. The water isn’t the clearest and the amenities are not the most polished, but the beaches are accessible and are great gateways for other adventures. The top pick for beach quality would be Harry Harris here, but John Pennekamp for variety of amenities and tours. See my 3 day Key Largo itinerary for more things to do and for hotels with their own beach.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM102)

Best for: Easy snorkeling & kayaking

John Pennekamp is Florida’s first underwater state park — and it’s a must-visit for snorkelers. However, you won’t be able to snorkel much from shore (the water tends to stay dark and murky), so combine a beach visit with a reef snorkeling tour for a full day of adventure.

Far Beach is small but scenic, with shallow waters and access to restrooms close by. Far beach is currently closed for what I hope are renovations, as it has gotten very grassy and needs fresh sand.

Canon Beach (also in the park) has some shipwreck remnants you could look for under the water, although the best ones are the canons that sit right on the beach. Amenities include concessions, a small aquarium, kayak rentals, restrooms, and outdoor showers.

Food on-site is limited to a single food truck, which is good, but for a more varied array to pick on I recommend packing a lunch and snacks for your day here. There are two short trails, one through the mangroves and one through the forest that end in a grove.

John Pennekamp is popular camping spot with hookups for RVs and a separate bathroom with showers for campers, and projector/movie area (bring your own equipment, screen is set up with benches). Mosquitos can get bad during the summer since it is a wooded area, so bring bug repellent!

Harry Harris Park (MM 92)

Best for: Families and calm swimming

The beach is protected by a rocky ring barrier that keeps the waters calm (albeit a bit murky). Harry Harris is a very popular spot on the weekends, especially for boat launching, so they do charge non-Monroe County residents an entrance fee on weekends and holidays.

Harry Harris park is our go to for gatherings. There are several large covered picnic areas with barbecues and plenty of space for little ones to run and play. There are volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a baseball field. Think of this as a local park for the community, that also has a boat ramp and beach.

Located at the northern end of the Keys, close to Tavernier, Harry Harris Park offers one of the few sandy beaches in Key Largo. The protected lagoon keeps the water calm — ideal for kids. The park also has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and showers.

Local tip: Visit on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

 Islamorada Beaches

The beaches in Islamorada are mostly privately owned by sprawling estates or resorts. Likely the best beach you’ll find is the one right at your hotel, like at the Islander or Chica Lodge. See my full Islamorada guide for the best places to stay. Otherwise, the top pick here would be Anne’s Beach.

Founder’s Park (MM87)

Best for: Community events and sports

Founder’s Park has fitness classes, performances, festivals, a swimming pool, and a beach. There’s lots of areas for sports, such as the baseball field, basketball court, golf driving cage, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and workout stations along the sidewalk that runs the perimeter of the park.

This park is perfect for getting active and connecting with the community. Frequent classes and events encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the Florida sunshine. The beach is sandy, calm, and has a playground, making it popular with families. There is also a marina and dog park.

Park entrance is free for Islamorada residents, all other visitors must pay a fee ($8 adult, $5 child/senior, $3 for pool, increased fees on summer weekends and holidays).

Library Beach Park (MM81)

Best for: Hidden gem vibes

This tiny, tucked-away beach in Islamorada is ideal if you want to escape the crowds. It’s shaded, quiet, and popular among locals with kayaks and paddleboards. It’s called Library Beach Park because it’s located right behind the Islamorada public library. There’s a nice playground and swing set, so it’s great for families to stop by to let out some energy while on road trip. Conveniently, there are also restrooms

The only issue is that there really isn’t any sand on this ‘beach.’ Don’t be fooled by this little inlet though, it’s a popular spot for manatees and I had a friend who used to snorkel here all the time. Just watch out for boat traffic!

For more help planning your trip, visit my Florida Keys travel guide to explore island comparisons and sample itineraries.

Anne’s Beach (MM 73)

Best for: Wading and kiteboarding

Anne’s Beach is a local favorite — shallow, crystal-clear waters stretch for hundreds of feet, making it perfect for wading or lounging. This is the part of the Keys where the water starts to get that amazing clear aqua color you see in all the postcards! You’ll notice it better and better the more south you go.

A wooden boardwalk connects picnic shelters and scenic spots along the shore.The views are gorgeous from here, and it is definitely worth a quick stop while driving down the Keys, if you can find parking. There are only a few spots at the first entrance and a few more down at the end (the park runs parallel to overseas highway).

Anne’s beach is no longer a favorite of mine though for swimming, as it is very shallow and the sand is very mushy. Beautiful for a picnic, walk, or just dipping your toes in the water.

Local tip: Visit at high tide for the best swimming conditions; low tide is great for sandbar walks.

Marathon Beaches

Finally, an area with a great public beach! Marathon has several sandy beaches, with Sombrero beach and Bahia Honda being the best. Campers and kayakers should also check out Curry Hammock State Park, which is small but mighty, and has had a recent facelift. Beach lovers on a budget are very welcome in Marathon, just see my Marathon guide on how to make the most of your visit here.

Curry Hammock State Park (MM56)

Best for: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and camping

Curry Hammock State Park is a little island of peace. It has been newly refurbished, so there’s lovely fresh sand, new watersports equipment, and a nice picnic area. The area around the park is perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding, with the self service kiosk making it easier than ever. The launch area is right next to it and there is a large area that is protected from the waves.

The beach is fairly long with several areas to pick from. The campground area is very well kept, with some spots even getting ocean views. I think this is the perfect alternative to camping in Bahia Honda and avoiding the crowds.

Coco Plum Beach (MM55)

Best for: Tranquility and natural beauty

A quieter alternative to Sombrero, Coco Plum is a natural stretch of sand perfect for solitude, dog walks, or shell collecting. It’s less developed, so bring your own shade and water. There’s only a small restroom with a shaded picnic table next to it in terms of facilities.

When I visited, the water was very full of seaweed, which is seasonal, but I would definitely pick one of the other beaches on the list if you plan to get in the water.

Sombrero Beach (MM54)

Best for: Classic beach day

Sombrero Beach is one of the rare, true sandy beaches in the Florida Keys — and it’s stunning. Calm turquoise water, soft sand, picnic areas, and palm trees make this one a must-stop for anyone driving the Overseas Highway.

There’s a full covered playground, restrooms, showers, and a large paid parking area. Sombrero Beach hands-down beats any beach in the Upper Keys and is worth the drive if you are staying in Key Largo or Islamorada.

The Publix Supermarket nearby makes it easy to pack a picnic, or order something local to-go. I think it would feel like heaven to have one of the bowls from Irie Island Eats, a pizza from Leopoldo La Verace, or a sandwich from Barracuda Grill with this beach view!

Local tip: It’s also a turtle nesting site, so avoid roped-off areas during nesting season (May–October).

Lower Keys Beaches

Veterans Memorial Park Beach (Little Duck Key, MM39)

Best for: Quick swim stop on the drive south

Right after crossing the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, this small roadside beach offers stunning views and shallow waters — perfect for a spontaneous dip or picnic. Veterans Memorial Park Beach is a locals spot with clear water and picnic tables, but not much else, so pack a lunch for a this gorgeous spot.

Bahia Honda State Park (MM36)

Best for: The most beautiful beach in the Florida Keys

Just south of Marathon, Bahia Honda State Park frequently tops lists of the best beaches in the U.S. The park features three beaches — Calusa, Loggerhead, and Sandspur — each with soft white sand and gentle waves.

The views of the old and new highway are iconic, creating especially memorable sunset views. If you are camping here, then be sure to spend some time after dark stargazing. We camped out on our boat here and were amazed by the views of the Milky Way.

Bahia Honda is super popular for camping, snorkel and dive tours. Be sure to book way ahead of time to ensure availability. Snorkel tours from here go to Looe Key, which is one of my favorite spots for seeing a variety of fish and coral.

If there’s one beach you can’t miss in the Florida Keys, it’s Bahia Honda State Park.

Don’t miss: The view from the old Bahia Honda Bridge, especially at sunset.

Key West Beaches

I often laugh when I see cruise ship guests get off in the middle of Key West in swimwear, looking for the beach. Key West is not known for its beaches, nor is it anywhere near the historical center. If you’re staying close to Duval, likely the only body of water within walking distance is the pool.

The south side of the island offers more promise with a long stretch of sand that makes up both Higgs and Smathers beach, places where the locals love to hang out. For tourists, I would recommend Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, with its easy parking, concessions, and historic fort that is available to tour. There are also a couple of resorts with a sandy shoreline like the Casa Marina, Pier House, and the Southernmost Beach Resort that beach goers may want to prioritize staying at.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Best for: Snorkeling & history lovers

Often considered the best beach in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park combines history and natural beauty. The sand is coarse (coral-based), but the water is perfect for snorkeling with colorful fish just offshore. It’s plenty wide for the Keys with some shaded areas in the trees.

Tour the fort first, which is open from 8 am to 5 pm. You can do a self guided visit or join the 11 am tour. Then cool off in the water. Conveniently there is a rental counter for chairs, umbrellas, bikes, and snorkel gear. The Cayo Hueso Cafe is also there for you if you work up an appetite. This is also a popular wedding spot, and I’ve seen them set it up beautifully.

Higgs Beach

Best for: Family-friendly fun near town

Higgs Beach offers a mix of calm swimming, volleyball courts, a playground, and nearby restaurants — all within walking distance of Old Town Key West. There’s even a small pier for fishing.

Salute! On the Beach is one of the few restaurants that truly is right on the beach, but the fantastic view and having your toes in the sand doesn’t mean they skimp on the food. Their Italian inspired dishes are highly rated and their painkiller drink is the absolute best I’ve ever had.

Smathers Beach

Best for: Classic beach vibes & easy access

The largest beach in Key West, Smathers stretches along the southern shore with imported sand, palm trees, and calm water ideal for paddleboarding. Food trucks and beach rentals make it a fun, convenient stop. Parking can be limited as it is only metered street parking ($5 per hour).

Florida Keys Beaches I’d Skip

• Key Largo: Sunset Beach – Actually a very nice, sandy, shallow beach- but after major neighborhood backlash due to overcrowding, public hours have been cut to Tuesday thru Thursday, and no parking is allowed on the premises or in the neighborhood. Only works to visit if you know someone that lives here where you can park.
• Key Largo: Rowell’s Marina Park – This park has had a variety of lives, from marina, to hurricane trash heap, to dog park. It’s now in its latest phase of renovations, where it is planned that a splash pad and other facilities will be installed. There isn’t a beach here, but there are ladders where you can step right into the bay and swim in protected cove. I even went scuba diving here looking for seahorses, but the poor visibility made finding this tiny creatures hard. While this park is a pass for now while it is under construction, it has the potential to be a nice spot in the upper keys for sunset swims.
• Marathon/Islamorada: Long Key State Park – Majority is rocky shoreline, only one small inlet to launch a kayak or snorkel a bit. Kayaks are not rented on-site. Nice views with a few covered sitting areas if you just want to relax with the sea breeze in your hair.

Tips for Visiting Beaches in the Florida Keys

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen: It’s required in many areas to protect coral reefs.
• Expect seagrass: The Keys are natural habitats, not manicured beaches.
• Pack water shoes: Coral and rocks can make entry tricky.
• Check tides & currents: Especially for shallow beaches like Anne’s and Coco Plum.
• Plan your route: Many beaches are ideal stops on a Keys road trip from Key Largo to Key West.
• Use an insulated cup (YETI) to keep your drinks cold, keep the sand out, and avoid glass on the beach. This is totally a local move-fill with your beverage/concoction of choice.

Map Your Beach-Hopping Route

Wrap-Up

The Florida Keys might not have miles of coastline like Miami, but what they do have are some of the most unique beaches in the world — framed by turquoise waters, coral reefs, and endless sunshine. Whether you’re swimming at Sombrero Beach, snorkeling at Bahia Honda, or catching sunset at Fort Zachary Taylor, each stop adds a little magic to your Keys adventure

Ready to plan your full itinerary? Explore my complete Florida Keys travel guide for everything you need to know before you go.