Higgs Beach, officially Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park, is a 16.5-acre county-owned beach park at the end of Reynolds Street in Key West, Florida. This guide covers hours, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your trip.
This guide was last updated in August 2026. Monroe County, which owns the park, lists official hours as 7:30 am to sunset, more restrictive than the 6 am to 11 pm figure many travel sites still quote, likely carried over from Key West’s separate city-run beaches, so it’s worth checking current signage if you’re planning an early or late visit.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 7:30 am to sunset (per Monroe County; some sources list later closing hours) |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Parking | Free, but limited |
| Address | 1000 Atlantic Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040 |
| Nearest transport | Old Town Trolley stop #10 is nearby; Key West International Airport is about 10 minutes away |
| Typical visit length | 2 to 4 hours |
Higgs Beach opening hours
Monroe County, the park’s owner, lists Higgs Beach as open daily from 7:30 am until sunset. Some third-party guides list longer hours of 6 am to 11 pm, which may reflect the separate hours of Key West’s city-run beaches rather than this county park, so check posted signage if you’re arriving very early or staying late.
The adjacent West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club keep their own hours, open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm for free self-guided garden tours.
5 great Key West experiences to book
- 🛶 Look for wildlife in the mangroves on a guided kayaking tour.
- 👻 Go on a ghosts and mysteries tour and discover Key West’s dark side at night.
- 🐬 Combine dolphin-watching and snorkelling on a half day adventure.
- 🍴 Take a cultural food tour and learn about Keys heritage as you eat and drink.
- 🍹 Explore lesser-known bars on a craft cocktail crawl.
Higgs Beach ticket prices
There is no fee to enter Higgs Beach. This was checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Parking is free, though space is limited. Optional paid extras include beach chair, umbrella, kayak, paddleboard, and snorkelling gear rentals from the on-site concession, plus dining at Salute! On the Beach, the park’s beachfront restaurant. Higgs Beach is not included in any bundled city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS.
How to get to Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach is located at the end of Reynolds Street, where it meets Atlantic Boulevard on Key West’s south side, next to the Casa Marina Resort. Key West International Airport is roughly 10 minutes away by car.
The beach is a block from stop #10 on the Old Town Trolley route, and it’s an easy walk or bike ride from most of Old Town Key West.
Why book the Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?
- 🚋 Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off: Explore Key West at your own pace with a ticket that allows you to board and depart at any of the 13 conveniently located stops across the island.
- 🎤 Live Narrated Commentary: Enjoy “transportainment” from expert local guides who share fascinating stories of pirates, wreckers, and the Civil War as you cruise.
- 🏝️ Comprehensive Island Views: See over 100 points of interest, including iconic landmarks like the Southernmost Point, Duval Street, and the Ernest Hemingway House.
- 🏛️ Sails to Rails Museum Included: Your ticket grants you free admission to this unique museum, offering a deep dive into the history of the Florida Keys and Henry Flagler’s railroad.
- 🚶 Bonus Walking Tours: Take advantage of included guided walking tours through the Historic Seaport and the downtown area to discover hidden gems on foot.
Parking at Higgs Beach
Free parking is available along Atlantic Boulevard and near the Key West Garden Club entrance, though spaces are limited and fill up on busy days. Arriving earlier in the day improves your chances of finding a spot close to the beach.
There is no metered parking directly at the beach itself, which sets Higgs apart from some of Key West’s other public beaches.
How long to spend at Higgs Beach
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours at Higgs Beach, enough time for swimming, a walk out on the pier, and a stop at the on-site restaurant. Its range of amenities, from tennis and pickleball courts to a dog park, makes it easy to extend a visit into a longer outing.
Visitors adding a self-guided walk through the West Martello Tower gardens, or a stop at the nearby Key West AIDS Memorial and African Cemetery, often turn it into a half-day outing rather than a quick beach stop.
Accessibility at Higgs Beach
Paved paths connect the parking areas to the beach, playgrounds, and courts, and restrooms are available on-site.
There are no lifeguards on duty at Higgs Beach, a rule that applies to every public beach in Key West, so all swimming is at the visitor’s own risk.
Inside Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach offers a wide stretch of imported white sand and calm, shallow water, backed by a newly renovated wooden pier at the end of Reynolds Street. It’s home to the only shore-accessible underwater marine park in the country, making it a popular spot for snorkelling directly from the beach.
Across Atlantic Boulevard, visitors will find two children’s playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, and a dog park. On the historic side, the park contains West Martello Tower, a Civil War-era fort on the National Register of Historic Places that now houses the Key West Garden Club’s nearly two acres of gardens, alongside the Key West AIDS Memorial and the historic African Cemetery. Picnic tables, grills, tiki huts, and pavilions are scattered throughout, and the nearby White Street Pier offers additional sunset views.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive early, since free parking near the beach is limited and fills up. |
| Crowds | Weekends and midday hours draw the largest crowds to the beach and courts. |
| Layout | The beach and pier sit on the ocean side, with courts, playgrounds, and the dog park across Atlantic Boulevard. |
| Entry process | There is no gate or ticket; walk in freely once you’ve found parking. |
| On-site logistics | Bring snorkelling gear or rent it on-site to make the most of the shore-accessible marine park. |
Frequently asked questions about Higgs Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Higgs Beach free to visit? | Yes, both entry and parking are free. |
| Are there lifeguards at Higgs Beach? | No. There are no lifeguards on duty at any Key West public beach. |
| Are dogs allowed on the beach? | Dogs are not permitted on the main sand but are welcome at the park’s designated dog park. |
| Is snorkelling good at Higgs Beach? | Yes, thanks to the shore-accessible underwater marine park just off the beach. |
| Is there food available on-site? | Yes, at Salute! On the Beach, a restaurant located directly on the sand. |
Things to do near Higgs Beach
- Casa Marina Resort: a historic beachfront hotel directly adjacent to the park.
- White Street Pier: a long pier popular for walking and sunset views, a short walk away.
- Southernmost Point Buoy: a well-known photo landmark, about a 10-minute walk or drive.
- Duval Street: Key West’s main entertainment and dining strip, roughly a 10-minute walk.
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: a beach within a Civil War-era fort site, about 10 minutes’ drive.
What to visit tomorrow
- Smathers Beach: Key West’s largest public beach, about 10 minutes away.
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: a beach and fort site, roughly 10 minutes’ drive.
- Bahia Honda State Park: a beach known for beginner-friendly snorkelling, about 50 minutes away.
- Sombrero Beach: a sandy beach and park in Marathon, roughly 50 minutes’ drive.
- Anne’s Beach: a boardwalk beach in Islamorada, about an hour and 45 minutes away.
More Key West travel
Other Key West travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Key West mangrove kayaking guide.
- Know the differences between the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum.
- How to spend three days in Key West – including the Hemingway Home and Museum, Harry Truman’s Little White House and a cruise to Dry Tortugas National Park.
- What to expect at Key West Aquarium.
- Can you go inside the Key West Lighthouse?
