Information
Landmark: Southernmost Point BuoyCity: Florida Keys
Country: USA Florida
Continent: North America
Southernmost Point Buoy, Florida Keys, USA Florida, North America
Overview
In Key West, Florida, the brightly painted Southernmost Point Buoy stands as a famous landmark, marking the farthest tip of the continental United States.At the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street, it’s a magnet for tourists from around the globe, many stopping to snap a photo beside the bright marker that claims its place in history.In 1983, the City of Key West put up the Southernmost Point Buoy to mark its spot at the very edge of the U. S., where ocean waves slap against the shore.Key West sits nearer to Cuba than to Florida’s mainland, yet it remains firmly within the United States.Built to stand out as a bright marker at this important spot, the buoy has, over the years, come to embody Key West’s place in the country-and the easy, sun-drenched rhythm of island life.The buoy stands tall and solid, splashed with bold red, black, and yellow, its concrete surface bearing the clear words: “Southernmost Point Continental U. S. A.”The buoy rises about twelve feet, its red and yellow paint catching the eye even from far across the water.The marker bears a sign that reads “Only 90 miles to Cuba,” a detail that makes it stand out and underscores just how close Key West sits to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean island.You’ll find the buoy at the corner of Whitehead and South Streets, a busy spot where tourists stream past on their way to Key West’s historic landmarks, the waterfront, and downtown’s colorful shops.For anyone visiting Key West, it’s a must‑see spot-tourists line up in the salty breeze to snap their perfect photo.People crowd into line for a snapshot by the big red-and-black buoy, and the air hums with laughter and chatter.The buoy marks the southern tip of the continental U. S., but Point Udall in the Virgin Islands sits even farther south, where the sea feels warmer and the light lingers.Even so, the Southernmost Point Buoy stands out as one of Key West’s most iconic spots, a bright, weather-worn marker that captures the island’s easygoing, one‑of‑a‑kind spirit.The Southernmost Point Buoy is likely the most photographed spot in Key West, drawing travelers from around the globe who line up to capture their own shot beside its bright red, yellow, and black stripes.It’s woven into the island’s identity and shapes every visitor’s experience, from the first salty breeze to the last sunset.Visitors arrive for the sweeping ocean views and the closeness of Cuba, pausing to let the salty breeze carry thoughts about the place’s deeper meaning.The buoy also stands as a reminder of Key West’s role in U. S. history, especially back when the island buzzed with activity as a strategic naval base.Today it draws crowds from around the world, yet locals and visitors still gather here to mark the island’s distinct culture and stunning seaside setting.You can visit the Southernmost Point Buoy any time, day or night, for free, though the spot draws the biggest crowds in daylight as people line up to snap a photo beside its bright red and yellow stripes.The spot around the buoy can fill up fast in peak tourist season, so it’s best to head there early, when the air’s still cool, or wait until evening for fewer people and calmer photos.In Key West, it’s easy to pair a stop at the Southernmost Point Buoy with other nearby sights-wander through the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, catch the sunset at Mallory Square, or step into the colorful flutter of the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.Ultimately, the Southernmost Point Buoy stands as a true Key West landmark, giving visitors a one-of-a-kind view framed by turquoise waves and bright, salty air.Whether you love history, chase the perfect shot, or just want to stand at the southernmost tip of the continental U. S. with the sea breeze in your hair, this spot belongs on every Key West itinerary.
