🏖️ Beach · ✓ Verified
Smathers Beach
Monroe County · Keys
LivelyTropicalWatersports
Key West's largest beach — a half-mile of soft sand (barged in from the Bahamas) along South Roosevelt Blvd, palm-lined, with food trucks, watersports, and the rare chance to see both sunrise and sunset from one shore.
Best for: YoungstersWatersportsCouples
Water quality
A
100% of days clean
Excellent · 0% of days under an EPA advisory
Live now loading…
…
Surf
…
Water °F
…
Air °F
…
Wind
…
UV index
…
Air quality
Sand & beauty Verified
Sand colourSoft imported (Bahamian) Brought in by barge; clear water
Beauty★★★★★★★★☆☆ 80/100 Key West's biggest, most accessible beach; clear water and big-sky sunsets
🌳 Picnic / grassNo Palm-lined promenade rather than grass
Facilities
Parking200 spaces · Paid
RestroomsYes
Lifeguard—
ADA accessYes
Dogs allowed—
🌳 Picnic / grass—
Break typeSandy beach break
🧘 Yoga & wellness nearby Overture
New Leaf SkincareSpa / wellness · 1.2 km
Island EntSpa / wellness · 1.2 km
🎭 Events & culture nearby Overture
Sheraton Suites Key WestEvent space · 0.3 km
Key West TODAYEvent space · 1.1 km
🎉 Parties nearby sourced
Annual, last ~10 days of October · Old Town Key West, centered on Duval Street, FL
Annual, early May (multi-day, island-wide venues) · Multiple venues island-wide, Key West, FL
🎪 Festivals nearby sourced
Annual, early-to-mid August · Duval Street (100-500 blocks), Key West, FL
🤝 Community sourced
Nightly year-round; gathering ~1-2 hours before sunset · Mallory Square, Old Town, Key West, FL
Weekly, Thursdays 1-6pm, year-round · Truman Waterfront Park, end of Southard Street, Key West, FL
Activities Verified notes
One of Key West's best; open south-facing shore.
Sunset Watersports rents jet ski/parasail/Hobie Cats.
Calm; SUP/kayak rentals on the beach.
Soft sand, clear water.
Better on offshore reef tours.
Explore nearby real rows + distances
📍 Nearby scenes
🤿Monroe Artificial Reef #9Dive site10.2 km🤿Monroe Artificial Reef #24Dive site10.8 km🤿Monroe Artificial Reef #27Dive site12.7 km🎣White Street PierPier / jetty1.7 km🎣Shark Key Fishing BridgePier / jetty14.2 km🎣Saddlebunch Keys Fishing Bridge 2Pier / jetty16.8 km🏖️Key West Beach ClubBeach0.5 km🏖️Smathers Beach EastBeach1.1 km🏖️Kennedy Dr & N RooseveltBeach1.9 km🛥️City of Key West 11th Street Public Boat RampBoat ramp0.9 km🛥️Key West City Marina at Garrison BightBoat ramp1.9 km🛥️Simonton Street Beach Public Boat RampBoat ramp3.9 km
🎉 Happenings nearby cc_events
Apr 19 · Watson Field & Big Pine Dog Park - 30150 South St Big Pine Key FL · Key West Beach Club, 0.5 km
Apr 19 · Watson Field & Big Pine Dog Park - 30150 South St Big Pine Key FL · South Beach, 3.2 km
Apr 19 · Watson Field & Big Pine Dog Park - 30150 South St Big Pine Key FL · Smathers Beach East, 1.1 km
Apr 19 · Watson Field & Big Pine Dog Park - 30150 South St Big Pine Key FL · Atlanta Shores, 1.2 km
🧘 Lifestyle nearby cc_venues
Sheraton Suites Key WestEvent space · 0.3 km
Key West TODAYEvent space · 1.1 km
New Leaf SkincareSpa / wellness · 1.2 km
Island EntSpa / wellness · 1.2 km
Pilates Key WestPilates · 1.5 km
Asian Massage Key WestSpa / wellness · 1.5 km
Story of this place Verified
Key West has little natural beach, so Smathers' soft sand was barged in from the Bahamas; its wide, south-facing shore is the island's go-to for watersports and sunsets.
7 local tips Verified
- Parking is $5/hr (Mon-Sat 8am-12am); look for free street parking along S Roosevelt Blvd if you're early. source
- Arrive early — the lot fills and parking is limited. source
- A Sunset Watersports beach pass bundles parasail OR chairs/umbrella + unlimited kayak/SUP/Hobie Cats. source
- Rare perk: you can watch BOTH sunrise and sunset from this same beach. source
- The soft sand is imported from the Bahamas — water is clear and calm. source
- Food trucks line the road; bring chairs, umbrella and snacks. source
- Many walk or bike in from nearby hotels in high season. source
Verified sources
Sunset Watersports Key West · Dwell Key West · Visit Florida