South Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
United States
Florida (FL)
Florida Keys
Key West
Things to Do in Key West
South Beach
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South Beach

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South Beach
4

Top ways to experience South Beach and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
373 within 3 miles
The Breakfast Club, Too
912
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Hot Tin Roof
2,839
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Fisherman's Cafe
351
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Mattheessen's
525
0.1 mi$ • Dessert • American
Clemente's Trolley Pizzeria
363
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Mattheessen's Candy Kitchen
367
0.2 mi$ • Bakeries • American
The Flaming Buoy Filet Co.
2,007
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Glazed Donuts
981
0.1 mi$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Garbo's Grill
4,513
219 ft$ • Quick Bites • American • Caribbean
Sunset Pier
1,386
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Caribbean • Bar
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Attractions
159 within 6 miles
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
1,997
471 ftSpeciality Museums
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
707
312 ftHistoric Sites • Gardens
The Oldest House Museum & Garden
521
490 ftSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
7 Artists & Friends Key West
288
0.1 miArt Galleries
Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House
532
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Curry Mansion Inn
264
308 ftHistoric Sites
Waterfront Playhouse
267
0.1 miTheaters
Hemingway Rum -Papa's Pilar Distillery
580
0.1 miDistilleries
Fantasy Fest
100
364 ftCultural Events
Vandenberg Wreck
406
0.1 miReefs
See all

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles964 reviews
Excellent
324
Very good
281
Average
262
Poor
64
Terrible
33
Victoria B
Raleigh, NC1,654 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Small, but it works
Dec 2019
We had visited South Beach on our first morning in Key West, but I didn't know it was an actual beach. It was cloudy and a bit rainy and no one was out. We walked down the "pier" and on the sand and then left.
On our last day in Key West the weather was actually sunny and the warmest it had been. I searched for beaches and South Beach came up, so we popped over there and discovered it was the same little slice of land we had seen earlier in the week. Crazy! Luckily we arrived right after breakfast and it wasn't too crowded yet. We rented chairs and an umbrella and started our day. My husband and daughter had a blast playing in the sand and the water. They swam out as far as the tip of the "pier" because he could touch that far out. We ordered food and at our lunch and my little one even had a nap on my chair before we packed up and headed out for the day. By the time we left, there were probably 150 people on that little piece of beach. Ridiculous!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia17,797 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Head to the Higgs beach instead
Jan 2020
The South Beach is the closest one from KW's famous landmark - the southernmost marker. While waiting in a long line, you'll wish to cool down in the sea and this seems like a good option.
However the beach was pretty small and narrow so we walked some 15 min north to the Higgs beach, much better than this one, and you also have free botanic gardens there.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyK300
New Jersey1,988 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Small but scenic and quiet - part of the Southernmost Resort but open to public
Nov 2019
Right off South St and a few feet into the Southernmost Resort Property you'll find this small beach with smaller water's edge. The charm is that it is scenic, close to a full restaurant and bar (Southernmost Beach Cafe) and uncrowded.
The water was full of seaweed when we visited (which was in November) but be aware that when you're in water, the bottom is rocky and can cause pain to bare feet.
Other than that it's especially great if you're staying at the resort
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry L
Boston, MA315 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Very serene
May 2021
There are so many different aspects to appreciate about South Beach. What I love is not the beach itself but the pier at the tip that sticks out over the water with endless seas beyond. The view is amazing and every night I end up there letting my thoughts go. You can see South Beach, the Southernmost Motel and the whole area is excellent for pictures and simple relaxation. Note this is a bit away from the buoy and less touristy., Go at sunset or later and the sky and water is beautiful.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rockiroads
Oshawa, Canada1,271 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
A nice little beach
Dec 2019
It was hard to find a beach to walk to to quickly sit around and relax a bit. This was a nice little gem at the end of Duvall. A resort beside it, it was definitely a place to have a quick dip and lay out without going too far. If not walking the other beaches are a bit far away. The water very swimmable.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia H
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Lovely Beach day
Jun 2023 • Couples
Really great beach but it is small! Bring towels if you are not a hotel guest. Chairs/umbrella available to rent (i believe $10 each). Cafe is right next to the beach & there are drink stands a short walk away. Water was very warm and beautiful. We spent a couple of hours here! No problems with seaweed!
Written June 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth C
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Eh.
Feb 2021 • Couples
Nice, small beach, however we didn’t get to stay and enjoy it. We had a complimentary umbrella, towel, and chair card from our hotel, but there wasn’t a beach attendant anywhere on site. We waited and then finally asked the hostess at the cafe. She was also unable to locate them. So we walked back to our hotel annoyed.
Written February 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
USMC_Recon_2003
United States189 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Drive by and keep going
Jul 2015 • Couples
This is just another of the points of interest that tourists are all told to come and check out. As a native conch, someone born and raised in Key West I can tell you that this isn't even a place that should be on your radar. Hard to find expensive parking and just and average point of interest are the 2 main drawbacks. This is my first trip back home in a while and things are getting so touristy here, much worse than before.
Written July 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sweetlife
Jacksonville Beach, FL197 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
do not bring the kids to South Beach....
May 2013 • Couples
unless ur ok with the little ones swimming and/or building sandcastles as the topless sunbathing women lay out and go in the water at this particular beach in KW...of course my boyfriend loved all the different sized views!
Written July 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
throughroseglasses
Akron, OH17 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Don't waste your time
Jun 2013 • Couples
The only thing this beach has going for it is its location right at the end of Duval Street. It's convenient if you're just planning on hitting the beach between bars -- all the frat guys and tourists had that idea.

It's kind of smelly, seaweed-y and had murky water. Definitely the smallest & worst beach we went to! If you're looking to go to a beach in Key West, we would recommend Fort Zachary Taylor. (And maybe Smathers, we didn't get a chance to check that one out.) If you're willing to drive to find a great beach, Bahia Honda -- about an hour away -- is absolutely the way to go.
Written June 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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South Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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