Things to do nearSmathers Beach

Smathers Beach sits on the Atlantic side of Key West, running for roughly two miles along South Roosevelt Boulevard near Key West International Airport. The beach takes its name from George Smathers, a Florida senator whose tenure spanned much of the mid-twentieth century, and it remains one of the few genuinely broad, sandy beaches on an island where waterfront space is limited and often privately held. The sand itself was brought in over time to build and maintain the beach, a common practice throughout the Florida Keys, where natural sandy beaches are relatively rare compared to the rocky and mangrove-lined shores found elsewhere in the archipelago.

Swimmers appreciate the calm, protected conditions on the Atlantic side, which tend to be gentler than the Gulf waters across the island. Windsurfers and kitesurfers take advantage of the consistent trade winds that sweep in off the water, and the beach draws a steady mix of families, solo travelers, and locals looking for an accessible outdoor escape. Volleyball nets are set up along the shoreline, and the vendor row offers everything from cold drinks to jet ski rentals.

The nearby Higgs Beach area and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park provide additional shoreline options for those who want variety during a longer stay in Key West. Smathers Beach carries a relaxed, unpretentious character that sets it apart from the more tourist-heavy activity around Duval Street, offering a quieter but equally authentic side of island life that rewards anyone willing to trade the bars and boutiques for open sky and warm water.