Florida · United States
Key West’s Atlantic swim sand sits on the island’s south shore along South Roosevelt Boulevard (A1A) and Atlantic Boulevard — Smathers, Higgs, Rest Beach, and South Beach — plus Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park at the southwest tip.
Smathers Beach (South Roosevelt Boulevard): on-street $5.00 per hour Mon–Sat 8:00 a.m.–midnight; Sunday noon–midnight. Residential permits: 4 hours, one time per day; no overnight. Passport Parking app zone 33053.
Higgs / Rest Beach / South Beach: park by the posted signs at each beach. The Smathers $5/hour rate doesn’t apply there.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (601 Howard England Way): $6 per vehicle (up to eight) and Monroe County 50¢ per person; $4.50 single-occupant / motorcycle; $2.50 pedestrians / bicyclists / extra (surcharge included in the $4.50 / $2.50 lines). Park open 8 a.m.–sundown, 365 days; fort closes 5 p.m.
Simonton Street Beach lot (0 Simonton Street — harbor / downtown): $6/hour, 10-hour max — separate from the Atlantic Smathers–Higgs spine.
Smathers Beach facilities · City Parking Department · Fort Zach hours & fees
South Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040. One of four City beaches; largest public beach (~half mile); Atlantic / A1A; begins at mile marker zero. Beach sunrise–sunset; restrooms 7:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Amenities: volleyball nets, restrooms, showers. Parking: $5.00/hour Mon–Sat 8:00 a.m.–midnight; Sunday noon–midnight; residential permit 4 hours once/day; no overnight; Passport zone 33053.
1040 Atlantic Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040. City copy: City-operated; ~16+ acres; Atlantic; end of Reynolds Street; pier; near Edward B. Knight White Street Pier / AIDS Memorial / African Cemetery. City hours listed 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Amenities: playgrounds, dog park (land amenity), restrooms, showers, tennis/volleyball, picnic, concessions. Monroe County page still lists 7:30 a.m.–sunset (may lag post–May 2026 ownership transfer). Park by the posted signs.
White Street and Atlantic Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040. Hours 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. daily. Soft sand / wading / shelling / picnic / shade; AIDS Memorial near Edward B. Knight Pier entrance. Park by the posted signs. The Smathers $5/hour rate doesn’t apply here.
Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040. Southern end of Duval; Emma Carrero Cates Pier; beach hours sunrise–sunset. Compact Old Town walk-up. Park by the posted meters and signs.
Florida State Parks: 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040; 305-292-6713. Park open 8 a.m.–sundown, 365 days; fort closes 5 p.m. Admission: $6/vehicle (up to eight) and Monroe County 50¢/person; $4.50 single-occupant / motorcycle; $2.50 ped/bike/extra. Beach at southern end: swimming, snorkeling, paddling, fishing; water shoes recommended; no lifeguards on duty; swim at your own risk. Pets not permitted on FSP beaches.
1500 Vernon Avenue, Key West, FL 33040. Small dog-friendly swim beach; hours sunrise–sunset. Distinct from Higgs dog park (land amenity at Higgs). Park by the posted signs.
Near Key West: sunset sails and cruises, snorkeling, dolphin and wildlife tours, kayak and paddle, and parasailing. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.