Are Key West beaches good for swimming?

Far and away the best beach in Key West for a refreshing swim and snorkel (thanks to its relatively deep waters), the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, on the southwest tip of the island, is considered one of the top beaches in all of the Florida Keys.



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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park Beach Located at the southern tip of Key West, this sun-soaked spot is the ultimate place for a picnic, swim, snorkel, or paddle. And while you're at it, you can squeeze in a little history.

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The Florida Keys have a year-round swimming season from January to December. The water temperature in the Florida Keys does not fall below 68°F throughout those months, making swimming enjoyable.

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Key West Weather & Climate Key West has to be one of the sunniest and warmest places in the United States year round. Our climate in the winter maintains at around 75-80 degrees with warmer days mixed in.

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Runoff and spills have periodically resulted in high levels of fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria in the Florida Keys, resulting in swimming advisories for nearshore waters and beaches.

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Are there Sharks in the Florida Keys? You bet. It is common to catch nurse sharks while fishing on the flats. These bottom dwellers are generally docile and will only act defensively if provoked, so if you see one out snorkeling or diving there is no need for alarm as long as you do not disturb it.

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Occasionally, Key West gets American Crocodiles. Croc's feel more at-home in our saltwater canals than 'gators. However, if you drive about 45 minutes up the Keys to an island called Big Pine, which has the largest freshwater lense in the Lower Keys, and head to the “Blue Hole,” you'll probably see American alligators.

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The 20 best clear-water beaches in Florida are:
  • St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach.
  • Bean Point Beach, Anna Maria Island.
  • Inlet Beach, South Walton.
  • Clearwater Beach, Clearwater.
  • Destin Beach, Emerald Coast.
  • Smathers Beach, Key West.
  • Navarre Beach, Florida Gulf Coast.
  • Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach.


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Key West is a great destination filled with culture, natural beauty, and unique experiences. Whether it's relaxing on a beach or exploring historical landmarks such as Fort Zachary Taylor, you will never get bored in Key West.

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As sargassum washes ashore every year in Key West, locals and visitors alike are primarily annoyed by the smell of the sargassum quantity on the beach. This giant blob of seaweed breaks up along the shore to create a mess on public beaches in Monroe County, but there's not too much danger involved.

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“Don't go swimming far out. Stay in close. Stay near people,” Hueter said. Despite Florida being the shark bite capital of the world, the risk is still incredibly low.

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Usually just a couple of degrees warmer in Key West, but the beaches there are not as nice as the ones in Miami so I'd choose Miami if you want to sunbathe in that warm weather- most Key West beaches are small, rocky and often filled with smelly seaweed because of their position in relation to the reef.

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Key West, Florida: Not only has Key West never experienced snow, it's never seen frost, ice, or sleet either.

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