Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach Key West: Everything You Need to Know
Located along Atlantic Boulevard, Higgs Beach is one of Key West’s most convenient public beaches, especially if you’re staying in or near Old Town.
Higgs is part of the 16.5-acre Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park and offers much more than just sand and water. You’ll find the Reynolds Street Pier, beach volleyball, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, dog park, historic sites, the Key West Garden Club at Fort West Martello, and Salute! On The Beach all in the same area.
What Is Higgs Beach Like?
Higgs Beach is smaller than Smathers, but that's part of its appeal. It's easy to spend a few hours here without committing to an entire beach day.
There's a sandy swimming area, palm trees and plenty to explore nearby. The 400-foot Reynolds Street Pier extends out over the Atlantic and is one of my favorite places in this area for a walk and views over the water.
Higgs is also a great choice if your group wants different things to do. Some people can relax on the beach while others walk the pier, visit the gardens, play pickleball or take the kids to the playground.
Christina's Local Tip
One of the things I like most about Higgs is that you can easily combine the beach with lunch or dinner at Salute! On The Beach. You can sit outside overlooking the water without having to leave the beach area.
Swimming & Snorkeling at Higgs Beach
Swimming is allowed at Higgs Beach, and snorkeling is also a popular activity. Monroe County specifically lists both swimming and snorkeling among the activities available at the park.
As with all Key West beaches, water clarity can vary depending on wind, weather and tides.
And remember: Key West's best snorkeling isn't necessarily directly off the beach. If snorkeling is a priority for your vacation, consider booking a boat trip to explore areas farther offshore or in the backcountry.
EXPLORE KEY WEST SNORKELING TRIPS
What About Sargassum?
Higgs Beach is located on the Atlantic side of Key West, so it can be affected by seasonal sargassum with peak season being June - August.
Conditions change throughout the season depending on winds, currents and cleanup efforts. You may find very little sargassum one day and considerably more at another time.
Most importantly, conditions at Higgs Beach do not represent water conditions everywhere around Key West. Gulf-side areas, the backcountry and offshore sandbars can look completely different.
(Summer)
(Winter)
Best Time of Year to Visit Higgs Beach
If avoiding sargassum is important to you, late fall through early spring—especially November through April—is generally your best bet.
Sargassum typically becomes more noticeable along Atlantic-facing shorelines during the warmer months, although conditions vary from year to year.
Visiting during summer? Check current beach conditions before you go and keep another beach—or better yet, a day on the water—as a backup plan.
Getting to Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach is located at 1040 Atlantic Boulevard, just southeast of Old Town.
Compared with Smathers, Higgs is much more accessible from many Old Town hotels and guesthouses. Depending on exactly where you're staying, you may be able to walk, although biking is often much more comfortable in the Key West heat.
It's also an easy bike, golf-cart, taxi or rideshare trip from the Duval Street area.
If you're staying around the southern end of Duval Street, Upper Duval or the Casa Marina area, Higgs is particularly convenient.
Local Tip
If you're staying downtown and want a beach you can reach without traveling across the island, Higgs may make more sense than Smathers.
Parking at Higgs Beach
Free parking is available around the Higgs Beach area.
Because Higgs also has the pier, restaurant, playground, dog park, courts and gardens nearby, the area can become busier during popular times and events.
If you're staying nearby, walking or biking is an easy alternative to bringing a car.
Amenities & Things to Do
This is where Higgs really stands out.
The Higgs Beach area includes:
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Beach volleyball
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Children's playground
- Reynolds Street Pier
- Dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs
- Beachside restaurant
- Chair and umbrella rentals
- Kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Fort West Martello
- Key West Garden Club
- African Refugee Memorial and burial site
- AIDS Memorial
The Key West Garden Club occupies historic Fort West Martello and offers free self-guided visits through nearly two acres of gardens.
Where to Eat at Higgs Beach
One of the biggest advantages of Higgs is having Salute! On The Beach right there.
It's a casual beachfront restaurant where you can grab lunch, dinner or drinks overlooking the water, making Higgs an easy place to turn a couple of hours at the beach into an afternoon.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SALUTE! ON THE BEACH
Beach Rentals
A beach concessionaire at Higgs offers rentals including chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and paddleboards.
That makes Higgs a good option if you're visiting Key West without beach gear and don't want to haul chairs or equipment from your hotel.
Is Higgs Beach Good for Kids?
Yes. Higgs is one of my favorite beach areas to recommend to families.
Kids can enjoy the beach, and there's also a children's playground nearby, giving families another option when little ones have had enough swimming. The park's amenities also make it easy to spend several hours in the area.
What About Dogs?
Higgs Beach Park includes a large dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs.
Monroe County parks generally allow leashed pets but do not allow pets to run loose outside designated areas, so visitors traveling with dogs should follow the posted rules for the beach and dog-park areas.
Accessibility at Higgs Beach
Higgs is also worth considering for visitors with mobility concerns. Monroe County has installed ADA beach access at Higgs Beach, making it one of the Key West beach areas specifically improved for accessibility.
As always, accessibility needs vary, so visitors with specific mobility requirements may want to verify current conditions before their visit.
Don't Miss Fort West Martello
Right beside Higgs Beach is Fort West Martello, a Civil War-era fort that's now home to the Key West Garden Club.
The gardens cover nearly two acres and are free to explore, making this an easy addition to a Higgs Beach visit.
This is one of those little Key West spots visitors can easily miss if they only come for the beach.
Higgs Beach Quick Guide
Location: 1040 Atlantic Boulevard, Key West
Beach: Public
Admission: Free
Swimming: Yes
Snorkeling: Yes
Beach Rentals: Yes
Kayak/Paddleboard Rentals: Yes
Restaurant: Salute! On The Beach
Pier: Reynolds Street Pier
Playground: Yes
Dog Park: Yes
ADA Beach Access: Yes
Sargassum: Can be affected seasonally
Best For: Families, swimming, relaxing, easy access from Old Town and combining a beach day with other activities
Hours: Currently listed as 7:30 AM to sunset
Beach Details
Questions? Contact us