The first I visited Florida, I wondered why are there no beaches in Florida Keys? Florida Key’s found in the state of Florida, in the southern part of the American continent.
I discovered that the Florida Keys are not rich with chains of beautiful, expensive beaches as are seen in other parts of Florida State. However, there are lots of small, sandy beaches the Florida Keys are blessed with.
The environment of these beaches is beautified by flourishing palm trees that provide shade for tourists. Major activities fun-seekers get engaged in on Key beaches are scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
Here are some of the places you can visit for your water activities:
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Do you enjoy swimming? There are three areas in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park where you can swim and enjoy yourself. Among these three swimming areas is Cannon Beach. 100 feet offshore of Cannon Beach are wreckages of early Spanish shipwrecks.
At Far Beach, I can comfortably relax under palm trees after swimming in calm waters. Although fun seeker’s come to this beach for camping, fishing and picnicking as fun pastimes, but the outstanding point of attraction in the beach is the underwater park.
This is the first underwater park in the world. You will catch a lot of fun if you can go snorkeling, scuba diving or go on tour with the glass-bottom boat, to explore the coral reefs and sea grass beds.
Harry Harris Beach and Park
If you visit the beach at Harry Harris Park, located at Tavernier, you will be amazed by the man-made lagoon, filled with clean ocean water in which you can swim. The beach has a vast playground, restrooms, picnic tables, and barbecue grills, all for your leisure.
Indian Key Historic State Park
Indian Key Historic State Park is located off the north shore of Lower Matecumbe Key. It is on more than10 acres of land. There are so many historical events that are associated with this park.
This park housed the first Dade Country government. The foundations of the government houses still exist there today. In this park canoeing and scuba diving engage common offshore activities for fun seekers. Once in a while, some local marinas would pay a visit to this park, with stops for snorkeling.
Anne’s Beach
This beach is located at the southern tip of lower Matecumbe key, in the city of Islamorada. Anne’s beach was built in remembrance of Anne Eaton, a local environmentalist.
The swimming area of the beach is shallow. It has covered picnic tables, a boardwalk, and restrooms. As a result of its location at the Atlantic Ocean, tourists have the opportunity to enjoy clear and warm water on this beach at any time of the year.
Long Key State Park
I like this park because it is known for all manner of activities such as swimming offshore to shipwrecks, fantastic fishing, and overnight camping. This park houses remnants of ancient coral reefs.
These reefs were formed within the last 100,000 years when the sea level was 20 to 30 feet higher than what it is today. The park has three nature trails, of which a canoe trail, which you can paddle through the park, is one.
The campground of the park is comfortable and secure I spent my night here. Every minute you spend in this park for your leisure and picnic is worth it.
Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach is a public beach that occupies a vast land area of about 12.6 acres. You will find it 3/4 of the way down the Keys in Marathon. The beach slopes gradually down into the Atlantic Ocean.
There are picnic tables, comfortable playing ground, and restrooms on Sombrero beach. There are covered shelters for your comfortable relaxation as well as a cove for children at the west end of the beach.
Bahia Honda State Park
You will find the best beaches in the Florida Keys at Bahia Honda State Park. In 1992, Stephen Leatherman, a beach expert, popularly known as Dr. Beach ranked Park’s Sandspur Beach as the best.
He considered the beach’s crystal clear, turquoise water as well as the coconut palms that line up the white coral beach.
If you have time to spend in Calusa Beach, you can engage yourself with fishing, camping, and bird watching. You will have a lot of fun walking the nature trails or chasing butterflies in the butterfly garden.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is located in Key West. It covers an area of about 56 acres of land. This is the best place you can learn all you need to know about Civil War history.
Presently, this park features a pretty beach, nature trails, snorkeling, fishing, guided tours, picnic areas, showers, scuba diving, and restrooms. If you want to watch the beautiful Key West sunset, go to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of 7 islands. You can only get to this park by boat or seaplane. This park is located about 70 miles southeast of Key West. You will find Fort Jefferson National Monument on these islands.
Fort Jefferson National Monument is a historic U.S military installation. These islands are full of reefs and sands. They are known as the best places for scuba and snorkeling. They are also known for their bird and marine life, activities of pirates, and sunken gold.
FAQs
Do any of the Florida Keys have beaches?
If you are a visitor, you will never forget the experience of the beautiful beaches you will explore between Key Largo and Key West. Cannon Beach is one of the two man-made beaches in Florida Keys. It is located at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Large Sound.
Does Key West Florida have beaches?
Key West is home to a lot of beautiful beaches. You can choose from any of them. Smathers Beach is on a stretch of 3,000 feet of land. It is one of the longest beaches in Key West. It has so many sports rentals, which will give you maximum satisfaction for your day out on the beach.
Why are there no beaches in Florida Keys?
The Florida Keys do not have beaches because they are coral islands. They are protected by offshore reefs, and as a result of wave actions, large beaches cannot be able to develop in that area.