#Florida keys beaches full
#Florida keys beaches free

Or just post pictures of yourself with a fruity drink so everyone knows you’re in Florida. If you’re the type who likes to meet other travelers when you’re on vacation, this is the place to do it. The rest of the year it’s the most popular public beach on the island, a wide-ish strip of sand lined with palm trees and right next to the calming water.

Head here for Spring Break, and it’s the closest thing to an all-out, '80s movie-style beach party you’ll find in Key West. Smathers Beach | Chuck Wagner/shutterstock Know before you go: The turnoff to this beach around Mile Marker 56 is REAL easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled to find one of the country’s best beaches hidden in plain sight. The Hurricane Grille also offers live music on its breezy patio and a solid menu inside. Because you’re a little further north, the Island Fish Company is worth a meal, with all the caught-that-day fresh fish you'd expect in this part of Florida.

Where to eat/drink: Much like Sombrero Beach, hitting Sunset Grill or Herbie’s is never a bad idea. It’s a popular spot for kayakers, hikers, and cyclists as the park offers trails throughout with stunning views of the water. The campsites here all have electrical and water hookups, so you’ll feel remote while still having modern amenities.

#Florida keys beaches full

So you can plan for a full day and not worry about leaving.Ī long stretch of sand that’s surprisingly easy to missĪt 1,200 feet, it’s one of the longer beaches in the Keys, and if you’re looking to camp this is the best beach to do it at. And even on weekends it’s not tough to find a space.

#Florida keys beaches free

Know before you go: The beach has volleyball courts, picnic areas, and free parking. For a classic Keys dive, stop in for a drink and shoot some pool at JJ’s Dog House. For a great selection of beer and a surprisingly eclectic menu, head to Herbie’s where the staff isn’t afraid to entertain you with a joke… or four. Where to eat/drink: A few miles down the road you’ll find the Sunset Grill, the perfect place to enjoy a piña colada with a view of the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s a short trip through mangroves and palm trees to the sand, where you can watch the sun rise from one side, enjoy your day, then return at night to a set of rock formations further down the beach to watch the sunset. This curvy, windy beach near Mile Marker 50 in Marathon is often empty during slow times of the year, as its remote location (for the Keys) at the end of Sombrero Beach Road keeps visitors at bay. So the tip here is to go even earlier than you thought you needed to. Parking here is ample, but gets filled up early on weekends.

And it’s the odd state park in the island chain with beaches on both the Atlantic and bay sides. Know before you go: The park offers two of the biggest stretches of sand in the Keys - Sandspur and Calusa beaches. When you leave the park, The No Name Pub is your best bet, a dollar-bill-filled biker dive with the best pizza in the Keys. There’s also a small concession stand with sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream. Where to eat/drink: There ain’t much around Bahia Honda, so your best bet is to pack a lunch and eat on the sand. The sand straddles the Overseas Highway, with views of the partially-demolished bridge from the old road to one side, and the fancy new bridge in the other. Beach, this state park off Big Pine Key is a relaxing roadside paradise with unrivaled snorkeling. Once rated the greatest beach in America by the esteemed Dr. A tranquil slice of nature with perfect views of the highway