5 Awesome Family Friendly Beaches in Florida Keys
A Florida vacation is certainly an exciting one that offers amazing views and a lot of fun for the whole family. Should you look for the perfect places where you can take your kids to enjoy the sand and water with interesting attractions nearby, surely you will find our recommendations of the best beaches in Florida Keys for families helpful!
Fort Zachary Taylor Beach
If you are considering the Florida Keys with kids, make sure to add the Fort Zachary Taylor Beach to your itinerary. The area near the southern tip of Key West is one of the safest beaches to swim on the island. Moreover, it has several other attractions for the family to enjoy. The main one is pre-civil War Fort Taylor, which is a National Historic monument.
The beach at Fort Taylor has a rocky bottom, so it’s recommended wearing swim shoes. You can rent snorkel gear too so the entire family can few the area’s rich sea life. There are also opportunities to fish, kayak, and bird watching along the shoreline and wilderness.
Higgs Beach
Established in a more urban section of Key West, Higgs Beach is known as one of the best beaches in Florida Keys for families. The area has close to 17 acres of ocean vista and it is filled with combed sand that spreads out into the Atlantic Ocean. Higgs Beach is also home to the only shore-accessible underwater marine park in the U.S.
On top of the swimming and sailing opportunities, families can also enjoy on-land attractions. For instance, the Astro City children’s playground and the West Martello Tower. There’s also an exhibit that commemorates the 300 Africans who died in 1860 after being rescued from ships bound for South America.
SeaSpiration Tip: Most kids love collecting shells. If yours enjoy it too, read what East Coast beaches are the best to find seashells!
Sombrero Beach
When wondering which Florida Key island is the best for families, Marathon is definitely a top choice. Our personal favorite is the Sombrero beach. It is not only a nice place to enjoy the sand and sea, but also a turtle nesting beach from April to October. Though direct contact with the turtles is prohibited, there are tours that allow visitors to observe what is going on from a safe distance.
There is also a shady park area that features picnic tables, volleyball courts, as well as showers. The waterfront and park areas are completely handicap accessible. This a benefit for disabled family members.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
When planning a family vacation to the Florida Keys, don’t forget to make a stop at the biggest island in the chain, Key Largo and visit the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It is one of the most popular state parks in the Florida and offers numerous activities to enjoy.
SeaSpiration Tip: Find out here what the best beaches on the Gulf Coast are!
Walking around in the surrounding forest provides the opportunity of teaching the kids about the local flora and fauna. To spot alligators and small reef sharks, rent a kayak and paddle around the in mangroves!
To see more marine life, sign up for a snorkeling tour! The John Pennekamp State Park is also a starting point for boats to the surrounding reefs. In addition to corals of many colors and sizes, snorkelers can explore a Spanish shipwreck or the famous Christ of the Abyss underwater statue. Furthermore, the visitor center of the park has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium filled with more marine life.
Harry Harris Beach and Park
Harry Harris Park, this small beach is also another family-friendly place in Key Largo. The sand that’s imported into it gives the area a more tropical feel over some other Key beaches.
For the small admission fee, families can take advantage of the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. They can also use the playground, shoot hoops at the basketball court, or have a picnic lunch at one of the areas nearly three dozen tables.
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