Enjoy fun in the sun at Higgs Beach

Introduction

Located on the south side of the island along the Atlantic Ocean, Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park encompasses 16.5 acres of oceanfront, two piers (one on each end), a Civil War-era fort, and the site of what's believed to be the only known African refugee cemetery in the U.S. Beachgoers can enjoy a day of swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding in the ocean, plus land activities ranging from sunbathing to beach volleyball, tennis, and pickleball.

Beach Features

Sand and Water Quality

Higgs Beach is known for its fine, white sand and shallow water, making it an ideal beach for families with small children. However, when you first enter the water, the sand can be rocky. It's advisable to bring water shoes. You can avoid the rocks entirely by walking down the Reynolds Street Pier past the rocky shore to a ladder, where you can step down into the water.

Amenities

Beach chairs and umbrella rentals are available, or you can set up at one of several tiki huts, permanent wooden umbrellas, or picnic tables with barbecues. The park also offers visitors a bike path, a children's playground, a dog park, plus public restrooms and showers.

Historic Landmarks

West Martello Tower

Within the park's boundaries is West Martello Tower, a Civil War-era fort now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to the Key West Garden Club. You can take a free self-guided tour of the historic site and explore almost two acres of beautiful gardens.

African Refugee Memorial

There's also the African Refugee Memorial, which marks the burial site of African refugees who were rescued from three ships involved in illegal slave trade and brought to Key West in 1860. Due to inhumane conditions aboard the ships, 294 of those men, women, and children died and were buried in unmarked graves at the beach.

Edward B. Knight Pier

Finally, at the entrance of the Edward B. Knight Pier is the Key West AIDS Memorial with the names of 1,000 men and women who've died of complications due to AIDS engraved in granite. Poems are engraved in stone nearby and benches are available for visitors to sit and reflect.

Operating Hours

The public beach is free to visitors and open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Key West Garden Club and West Martello Tower are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with free admission.

Getting There

Higgs Beach is conveniently located a block from stop No. 10 of the Old Town Trolley Key West tour, and there is free parking just outside the Garden Club. It can also easily be reached by bike or on foot from most of Old Town.

For more information about the beach park facilities, visit the county website.