What is the best beach in Key West?

Beaches: Key West offers some of the best sandy beach shorelines with clear water, sun-kissed sand, palm trees, and tropical ambiance. Given the availability of many beautiful shores in Key West, it becomes a difficult task to determine which our best beach in Key West is. After having read extensively on the subject and after visiting Key West several times I can confidently declare that the title of the best beach belongs to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.

Here the question arises; What makes Fort Zachary Taylor Beach stand out? First of all, the beach is located within a mid-1800s fort, or at least a good part of it is. The fort built during the Civil War enhances the vast beach used for sunbathing, which is located inside the fort. It is not a crowded beach, like some of the other beaches in Key West and this makes Fort Zach more appealing. Even though we were there during the peak of the summer vacation, there was enough space on the beach for everyone to take their piece of sand during the water, and not overlap with others.

Once you have set foot into the state park, take your time to explore the old fort and the tunnels to have a glimpse of the history before setting your vantage along the shore. The beach area has some simple facilities for visitors to rent oddities such as umbrellas and chairs, toilet and shower facilities. Several small barbecues help you to do barbecuing of lunch that may be eaten under the shelters near the beach.

As you sit comfortably on the fine white sand of the beach, admire the azure color of the water and the waves. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is extended in the main stretch of the beach that faces west, which means that the beach gets to see stunning sunsets every evening. However, several lists indicate that Fort Zachary is the best place to sit early every day to view colorful sunsets over the horizon in Key West. This park attracts masses during the evening when people wait impatiently to take pictures and even cheer the sunset.

Besides the beach, there is much to do in Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to keep you engaged. Take a stroll down the hiking trails that are surrounded by plantations of tropical greenery, challenge yourself to a game of chess on the giant outdoor boards, or for the adventurous – engage in saltwater fishing on the old jetty. It also gives snorkeling and scuba diving advantage in the coral reefs and shipwrecks that are found in the park.

While waiting to get hungry, take some food from the food truck that is most often available in the building or cafe. The free BBQ grills also help grill burgers and dogs on the spot. After refueling then it is advisable to rent a kayak, paddle, or bicycle from the park concession to cover more of the beauty of the 88 acres of Florida.

There is an admission fee to get into Fort Zachary Taylor State Park itself, which keeps the number of beach-goers low enough to avoid the beach feeling crowded. There are also specific environmental codes and regulations followed within the park no loud music or alcohol, no littering among them. Still, the area of Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is not very populated, however, it is located near restaurants, bars, shops, and tourist attractions of the Key West Historic Seaport, if necessary.

Some of the lesser-known shores of Key West are either too crowded by the numerous tourists or lack amenities, but Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has it all. The architecture of the old fort walls offers the added advantage of a setting that is hardly comparable with any other beach. It is a very large beach area, meaning that there is enough space for everyone; however, basic needs are within reach. As for the breathtaking view of the sun setting over the ocean that is in store for every visitor to Fort Zach each day, there are hardly any other places that may challenge it.

If you are planning your day and have time to go to one beach in Key West then it is best to head to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Sunbathe on the sand, read engaging history, swim and snorkel the coral reefs, and be in for a grand closing – the sunset. The waters are calm and shallow, the sand soft and cool underfoot, palm trees for shade, and majestic sunsets, it is the picture-perfect Keys beach getaway that every traveler imagines. It is enough just to come early, to take a piece of the sandy beach oasis located in this lovely and rather ancient fortification.