Clarence S.Higgs Memorial Beach image

Clarence S.Higgs Memorial Beach

Bar Tourist attraction Public beach

Small beach with a pier, plus monuments documenting the site of an 1800s African slave cemetery. People often mention beach, water, nice, sand, area, parking, beautiful, pier, West, great,


Address

1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, United States

Website

www.monroecounty-fl.gov

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (4.8K reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Thursday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Friday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Saturday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Sunday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Monday: 6 am to 11 pm
  • Tuesday: 6 am to 11 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beach (34) water (15) nice (13) sand (9) area (9) parking (9) beautiful (8) pier (8) West (8) great (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Yolanda M. 2 years ago on Google
    While this park had beautiful memorials throughout, there were some particularly disturbing revelations uncovered- like the memorial to the Africans who were enslaved and brought here is on top of these same Africans unmarked graves and we don’t even know their names. That the memorial of all those who died of AIDS was MUCH bigger than the memorial to those who were shackled and drug here against their will, and we knew All the AIDS victims names. Saddest of all is as I go through these reviews and photos I see maybe 3pics out of a hundred that even refer to the African memorial. It must be nice to know who your ancestors are. It is a very beautiful, very sad place. I hope my photos can shed some light on this memorial so this place may become more attractive to all people because it has a lot to offer.
    23 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amber S. 2 years ago on Google
    A few things rolled into one, you can visit the beach and also other memorials if you go past to the second pier. There is a nice sand beach, pier and tons of open area to swim. The sand is soft, white and powdery fine. A fun little beach restaurant onsite and clean public restrooms 🙏🌈🌴
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angel M. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best beaches in Key West! Very clean and well taken care area. A bit old facilities but well maintained. The water is crystal clear. One of our favorites in Key West. There is limited amount of free parking. Perfect place for a perfect day at the beach. Restrooms are available. There is a safe area playground with all kind of goodies for the kids. We saw a place where you can rent umbrellas and chairs. Nice cafeteria as well. We'll definitively be back here!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kylie M. 7 months ago on Google
    A beautiful and clean beach with volleyball, a gazebo, a pier, restrooms, showers and a restaurant! Sunsets and sunrises here are amazing! White powdery sand with a few rocky areas. Water is pretty turquoise color. Safe and usually not over crowded. Limited number of free parking spaces. One of the Florida Keys best beaches!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Key West T. 1 year ago on Google
    People Love a great Sunset but Higgs Beach is my FAVORITE 🤩 for Sunrises! (If you can wake up for them) 😊❤️ Make sure to check out this beach also on Sunday evenings for live music 🎶!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Motunrayo 2 years ago on Google
    I recommend Higgs over Smathers beach because it is less crowded and clear. It’s most beautiful during the sunset and but be sure to come with your own chairs and umbrella. There is a volleyball court and rather few changing room so be prepared to wait.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eliza W. 7 months ago on Google
    Perfect location. Free parking around the beach. Restaurant on the beach, chair and umbrella rental on the beach. If you have little ones, the water is shallow for a good 70 yards (at least this year). So you can be a little easy and relax.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer W. 1 year ago on Google
    This is our favorite beach to visit in Key West. The sand is soft and you can wade out into water for quite a distance. There are two playgrounds for children to enjoy. You can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas as well.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rachel M. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a fun beach. I can tell on a busy day it fills up fast. The water is kind of an alcove so easy to stay in the area. You can snorkel, paddle board, swim and it is not too deep. The sand is fine white sand perfect for enjoying the sun.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sylvia A. 11 months ago on Google
    I sat in an area by the Aides Memorial. There was a strong breeze. There were 7 men with what I believe is called kite boards. They were having a good time and lots of people were watching. I stayed until sunset.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 kenneth r. 7 months ago on Google
    Keywest isn't know for their beaches. Their is a lot of seaweed and has a really need smell in the hot sun. Most of the time this beach water has the color and unclearity of conn. Beach water
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gainesvillain 8 months ago on Google
    Large beach complex between the (currently closed for renovation) Casa Marina Resort and the White St. pier. Large sandy beach, but water shoes are definitely recommended out in the shallow water. Not a great swimming beach, but it is a good place to snorkel (esp along the old pylons off the end of Higgs pier). There are several covered pavilions (both small and large), a mostly shaded playground, a couple of beach volleyball courts, a beautiful city garden (in the West Martello Battery), a historic African cemetery, and an awesome beachside café (Saluté, the sister restaurant of the more-famous Blue Heaven in Bahama Village). As an added bonus, just across the street are several tennis courts, an additional playground, several regulation bocce courts, and a dog park (with separate areas for small and large dogs). UPDATE: Be aware that there is still some ongoing construction from damage caused by Hurricane Ian, but it does not interfere with a great day at the beach.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Upper S. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a great beach but I can see how it will fill up quickly on a nice day. They do rent chairs and umbrellas here. There is a big kids playground. They have public restroom and a rinse off outside shower. The water is shallow and great for kids. You can snorkel and paddleboard.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sandraella C. 9 months ago on Google
    White sand & recreation area. Lots of seaweed but safe from sharks and such. Great for family’s. Eatery nearby. Try to being ur own cooler of refreshments. Rental of chairs and umbrella’s. Chickens all around! Lol
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Shannon O. 11 months ago on Google
    One of the few actual beaches in Key West. Had volleyball nets, a restaurant area, easy parking (although not a ton of it if you're there at peak hours or times of the year). We visited the day after a big storm, so the water was a bit murky with lots of plant life washed up on the shore, but it's likely more beautiful when not as windy. Couple of nice piers to walk out on, & great area for wind surfing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Khwanchai P. 1 year ago on Google
    Give the very good credit to the bridge very nice and cool beautiful for a picture. The beach is nice but after storm the whole beach covered with sea grasses smell bad. But other than that is cool.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Candee C. 9 months ago on Google
    I went with friends for a turtle release. Higgs beach was beautiful. It a small beach,very nice. The pier was nice also. It was walking distance from the motel. I will definitely go back.

  • 4/5 marian n. 1 year ago on Google
    There was a lot of seaweeds at the shore, thats why I gave 4 🌟's The sand was nice and white.

  • 4/5 EpikOne 9 months ago on Google
    It's a nice low tide beach with pretty clear water. The sound of construction can be heard as they are building and demolishing nearby properties. Also, lots of seaweed further out. There is a dock which has stairs into the water which is nice. All in all, it was one of the better beaches in Key West!

  • 5/5 Kendra W. 9 months ago on Google
    I really enjoyed this key west beach! There is parking along the beach and a place to rent chairs and umbrellas! The chair rental is cash only. To rent one chair it was $10. There was a little bit of seaweed but a beach is a beach so no complaints here! There is also a restaurant right on the beach for convenience but it's also not a far walk from a few other places.

  • 5/5 アオキサマー 7 months ago on Google
    We had a great time snorkeling along the barrier! We spotted a large conch, a small shark, and many colorful fish. The water is warm near the beach, but once you go out a little ways, it gets nice and cool. I'm 160 cm and could stand until quite a ways out. There are also stairs for quicker access. Along the pier we spotted lots of fish, and there are two free viewers/binocular things.

  • 5/5 Nik R. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best beaches in Key West. As a family with kids we actually preferred Higgs vs Smathers. A few important reasons - free parking, showers, playground and better grounds. We were there during Xmas 2021.

  • 4/5 Darcy L. 6 months ago on Google
    Higgs beach is a small beach on Key West and one of the better ones on KW. Just east of the Southernmost point landmark. There is free parking around the area but you need to get here early. Also paid parking, a beach volleyball court, the famous Higgs pier and warm warm ocean water. The sand was nice and warm on the toes. Nice scenic Palm trees on the beach plus lots of great photo or video backdrop opportunities for your Insta or TikTok account if that is your jam.

  • 3/5 keyz_amazing 6 months ago on Google
    Water is not clear, kinda murky. Easy parking. People seem to enjoy though. Something to do and enough room to spread out.

  • 4/5 Tom Y. 2 years ago on Google
    This place has a little something for everyone whether you are looking for a relaxing day or engaging in some activities. Beautiful water views and a good place for a stroll.


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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