South Beach
White sand and turquoise water steps from Duval Street
About
South Beach sits at the southern edge of Key West's Old Town, a compact stretch of white sand lapped by calm, shallow turquoise water. At roughly 1,024 metres long, it punches above its size — a small wooden pier juts into the sea, the Southernmost Point Buoy is just 0.3 kilometres away, and a resort tiki bar sits right on the fringe. The water is gentle enough for easy wading, making it a natural gathering point for visitors exploring the island on foot. It's lively, it's convenient, and it wears its tourist-area status without apology.
How to get there
South Beach is an easy five-minute walk from Duval Street in Old Town — no car needed. If you're coming from Key West midtown, the drive takes around eight minutes. There is no dedicated beach parking; metered street parking is available nearby, and public lots are within walking distance, though residential permit zones limit free options.
Who it's for
For couples
The short wooden pier at dusk, turquoise water glowing in the last light, with the Southernmost Point just a few minutes' walk away — it's a natural end-of-day wander for two. The adjacent tiki bar makes it easy to transition straight from sunset to cocktails without losing the view.
For families
Calm, shallow turquoise water makes South Beach one of the safer spots for young swimmers in Key West, though remember there are no lifeguards on duty. The five-minute walk from Duval Street means you can retreat quickly for food or shade, and the compact size keeps little ones easy to track.
Our take
South Beach is not a secret, and it doesn't pretend to be. What it offers is genuine convenience: white sand, turquoise water, a pier, a tiki bar, and the Southernmost Point of the continental United States practically in your eyeline. No lifeguards are on duty, the water's edge is rocky in places, and August can bring seagrass odour that no postcard mentions. Skip March and October entirely — this compact beach simply cannot absorb those visitor volumes. Come in the calmer months of June through September, walk down from Duval Street, and take it for what it is: an easy, lively slice of Key West that earns its place on the itinerary without needing to oversell itself.
What to do
The Southernmost Point Buoy — the iconic concrete marker of the southernmost point of the continental United States — is just 0.3 kilometres away and worth the short stroll. History lovers can head 0.8 kilometres up the road to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where daily tours wind through the preserved home and its famous six-toed cats. The Key West Lighthouse is another 0.9 kilometres from the beach, offering a different vantage point over the island.
The small wooden pier is the beach's most photogenic structure — frame it against the turquoise water at sunrise before the daytrippers arrive.
The Southernmost Point Buoy, 0.3 kilometres away, is an unmissable shot; go early to avoid the crowds. White sand foreground with the tiki bar and open water behind makes for a classic Key West beach frame in the late afternoon light.
Where to eat
Tong's Garden is the closest dining option, about 1.1 kilometres from the beach. A short walk further brings you to Kim's Kuban for Cuban flavours and Sister Noodle House for Chinese, both around 1.4 kilometres away — handy for a post-swim lunch without venturing far into town.
Where to stay
The IsLAnd House is the listed accommodation option in the area, sitting about 2.9 kilometres from the beach. Key West's compact layout means you're never far from the water regardless of where you stay.
Photography
Shoot from the small wooden pier at golden hour for a low-angle view of the turquoise water with the open sky behind you. The Southernmost Point Buoy, just 0.3 kilometres away, is a popular landmark worth visiting early in the day.
Good to know
No lifeguards are on duty at any time — swim within your limits and keep an eye on children. The water's edge can be rocky with seaweed, so water shoes are strongly recommended; in August, significant seagrass and sargassum accumulation can also produce noticeable odour. Leave glass containers at home — they are prohibited on the beach. Avoid visiting in March (Spring Break) and October (Fantasy Fest), when this small beach becomes severely packed.
Map
Nearby places
Tong's Garden
Sister Noodle House
Kim's Kuban
Pizza Hut
Denny's
The IsLAnd House
Mile 0
Southernmost Point Buoy
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Key West Lighthouse
Things to see around Key West
Southernmost Point Buoy
Iconic concrete buoy marking the southernmost point of the continental United States.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Preserved home of Ernest Hemingway with six-toed cats, tours daily.
Key West Lighthouse
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
Other lively beaches in United States
More beaches in Florida Keys
Reviews of this beach
- No reviews yet, what a shame — leave yours and share your experience.
Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Max and Dee · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 2 — trvlto · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 3 — dcwriterdawn · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 4 — dcwriterdawn · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 5 — Florida Memory · source · Public Domain
- Photo 6 — dcwriterdawn · source · CC BY-ND 2.0