Information
Landmark: Higgs BeachCity: Florida Keys
Country: USA Florida
Continent: North America
Higgs Beach, Florida Keys, USA Florida, North America
Overview
Higgs Beach, at 1000 Atlantic Boulevard in Key West, draws locals and visitors alike with its blend of history, laid‑back fun, and the sparkle of turquoise water against white sand.This beach isn’t just for laying in the sun or diving into the waves-it’s steeped in culture and history, with weathered stone steps leading down to the shore.Let’s take a closer look at what sets Higgs Beach apart in Key West-its calm, shallow waters, warm as bathwater, make it perfect for swimming or simply stretching out in the sun.The surf rolls in softly, making it ideal for families and anyone who likes their water gentle enough for a slow paddle.Palm trees fringe the beach, and there’s plenty of room to stretch out under the warm sun or feel the sand sift between your toes.Compared to the busier beaches in Key West, this one feels calm and open-you can hear the soft rush of waves instead of chatter-making it perfect for anyone craving a peaceful spot by the water.Just offshore, a coral reef stretches beneath the waves, drawing snorkelers to the beach for a close-up look at its bright fish and swaying sea fans.Just off the coast lies an underwater marine park, one of the rare U. S. beaches where you can slip on a mask and snorkel straight from the sand.With a mask and fins, snorkelers drift through a bright underwater world, spotting parrotfish nibbling coral, angelfish gliding past, and sea turtles cruising lazily by.You can rent gear if you’re heading out on the water, from sturdy kayaks to paddles that still smell faintly of salt.At Higgs Beach, visitors of all ages can dive into fun-from splashing in the calm, waist-deep water to exploring the vibrant reef just offshore, where schools of bright fish flicker in the sunlight.If you’re eager to explore beneath the waves, vibrant fish and swaying seaweed await just a few steps from the shore.Families with little ones will love this beach-the waves stay calm, and the clear water sparkles in the sun.Beach volleyball courts are ready for anyone up for a friendly game-just picture the thud of the ball against warm sand.People flock to beach volleyball, especially when the sun dips and the sand cools underfoot.The park offers both tennis and pickleball courts, perfect for anyone wanting to break a sweat-think the sharp pop of a ball off the racket and the quick dash to the net.The courts are free, and you’ll often see both locals and out-of-towners playing a quick match under the late-afternoon sun.Reynolds Street Pier stretches 400 feet from the sandy shore, where you can watch the Atlantic roll in under a wide, salt-scented sky.You can fish off the pier, watch the sun melt into the horizon, or just wander beside the gentle slap of waves against the wood.Locals and visitors alike gather here to unwind, breathing in the salty air and listening to the waves roll in.Dog Park: Pet owners flock to the spacious park at Higgs Beach, where dogs sprint across the grass and chase each other under the sun.The park has separate areas for small and large dogs, so they can run free and chase balls without worry.The beach welcomes pets, so it’s a favorite spot for dog owners to spend the day-tails wagging, paws kicking up sand.Children’s Playgrounds: The park offers two spots just for kids, each with bright swings and slides waiting to be explored.The playgrounds are kept in great shape, offering kids a safe place to laugh, climb, and run until they’re out of breath.The beach park offers plenty of picnic tables and sizzling barbecue grills, perfect for a family afternoon or a laid-back get‑together by the water.Cool shade under tiki huts or wide umbrellas makes a perfect spot to linger over lunch or simply soak in the salty breeze and easy beach vibe.Higgs Beach offers more than sun and sand-it’s home to Fort West Martello, a weathered Civil War–era fort once built to guard Key West, its brick walls still warm under the afternoon sun.Today, the old fort serves as home to the Key West Garden Club, where bright hibiscus spill over sun-warmed stone walls.You can wander the lovely garden around the fort at no cost, where bright hibiscus and lush palms fill the air with color and scent.Visitors can explore the island’s history in a quiet, shaded spot, surrounded by the scent of fresh leaves and deep green foliage.The African Refugee Memorial, just steps from the sand at Higgs Beach, honors the Africans brought to Key West in 1860 after their rescue from a slave ship.They spent their final days in quarantine, battling fevers and coughs, and in the end, they died from several illnesses.The burial site was found in 2002, and the memorial now stands as a quiet reminder of their lives and the hardships they endured.Near the entrance to Reynolds Street Pier, the AIDS Memorial honors those lost to AIDS-related complications, its stone etched with names that catch the afternoon sun.The memorial holds engraved names and quiet lines of poetry, offering a space where visitors can pause, remember, and reflect on lives touched by the disease.Higgs Beach welcomes everyone, including visitors with disabilities, and offers free parking just steps from the sand, so it’s easy to reach and enjoy all the park’s amenities.The parking lot sits just a short walk from the Key West Garden Club, right by the path that leads to the beach.Accessibility: The beach welcomes everyone, with smooth paths leading right to the sand.Paved paths wind through the area, and ramps and handrails make it easy for anyone with mobility challenges to get around.The beach offers wheelchairs designed for sand, so anyone who needs one can roll right to the water’s edge and feel the warm breeze.Public restrooms and outdoor showers are ready for visitors who want to rinse away the salt and sand after swimming or lounging on the beach.The beach offers plenty of shady spots-tiki huts with palm-frond roofs, colorful umbrellas, and breezy pavilions-perfect for stretching out and cooling off when the sun gets too intense.Higgs Beach sits in a prime spot in Key West, just minutes from the Southernmost Point Buoy, where the black-and-red marker stands against the ocean, signaling the farthest reach of the continental United States-a stop no visitor should miss.Just a few steps down the street, you can wander through Ernest Hemingway’s old house, where sunlit rooms still hold the writer’s books and battered typewriter.The house now serves as a museum, drawing history and literature lovers who linger over its creaking floors and sunlit reading rooms.At Mallory Square, the waterfront comes alive each evening with its famous sunset celebration-jugglers toss flaming torches, artists display their work, and vendors fill the air with the smell of fresh popcorn as the day slips away in a burst of color.Higgs Beach is lovely any time of year, but it’s at its best when the sun’s low-early morning with cool sand underfoot or late afternoon as shadows stretch across the water.They skip the midday rush and bring cooler air, perfect for a walk under the shade of the trees.Catch the sunrise in the still hush of early morning, and in the evening, watch the sun slip behind the horizon from the pier.In the end, Higgs Beach isn’t just sand and surf-it’s a lively park where turquoise waves meet shaded picnic tables, wrapped in layers of history and culture.Whether you’re into snorkeling, curious about local history, eager for a game of beach volleyball, or just want to stretch out in the sun with your toes in the sand, Higgs Beach has it all.It’s
