Smathers Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Key West. It's also the largest public beach in the Keys and is filled with exciting activities. In this guide, we'll tell you all about this beautiful, fun seaside destination.

About Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach is a man-made stretch of coastline off the southern shore of Key West, Florida. It was developed in the early 1960s and is named after a former US Senator, George Smathers. It's said that the soft white sand was brought from the Bahamas. Today, it's the longest stretch of shoreline in the Florida Keys.

With a sandy shoreline about half-mile long and clean, warm waters, It's the perfect place to enjoy a day by the sea. It's almost always warm and sunny, making for the perfect beach weather.

The beach offers many amenities, including public restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and food trucks. There are umbrella and chair rentals, too. A ramp to the shore also makes it easy to access with all your gear.

There are many beach activities, from volleyball courts and jet ski rentals to sunbathing and seacombing. Gentle waters also make it a great place to get on paddle boards or go for a swim.

Although the beach can get crowded, especially during Spring Break and summer, it remains clean. There's also plenty of space to spread out and enjoy time on the soft white sand.

Beach Activities

This Key West beach offers endless activities for all kinds of beachgoers. Whether you're looking to take a stroll, go for a swim, or sunbathe, there's something for everyone.

Sunset Watersports is also a local watersports equipment rental on the beach and offers something for everyone to enjoy, like jetski tours, boat rentals, kayak adventures, and sunset cruises. Learn more here!

How to Get There

Smathers Beach is located at 2601 South Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040. It's about 160 miles south of Miami and just one mile from the Key West International Airport.

Getting to the beach is simple. If you're driving, take Highway 1 South. At the end, you'll turn left onto Roosevelt Blvd, which will run along the ocean for about 2.5 miles until you arrive at Smathers Beach.

There is plenty of places to park along the street next to the beach. It's $5 per hour, and there's a ramp to get onto the beach.

Smathers Beach Review

Most visitors consider Smathers Beach a fantastic beach in Key West. It's large, beautiful, and offers plenty of fun activities. Best of all, it's free to visit.

It's nice to have conveniences like clean restrooms and showers, beach equipment rentals, and concessions. There are also many places to park for easy access to the beach.

Because the beach is one of the most popular in Key West, we recommend going early in the morning or in the late afternoon. It also offers gorgeous views at sunrise and sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

While families appreciate the shallow, calm waters for children, there aren't any lifeguards on duty. There are also palm trees lining the beach for ample shade.

The shore is primarily sandy, making for an ideal space to have a picnic, sunbathe, or go for a walk. However, there are some rocky areas in the water, so it's best to bring water shoes.

Overall, Smathers is one of the best beaches in Key West to appreciate sand, sun, and sea.

Where to Stay

If you're visiting Smathers Beach and need somewhere to spend the night, there are several options nearby. There's only one major hotel on the water at Smathers, Margarita Beach House, but we highly recommend it because it's a great place to spend a vacation.

There are also several hotels around the Key West area and various vacation rentals. Another one of our favorites is Flamingo Hideaway, a tropical cottage with a pool and close to the ocean.