{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2265,"slug":"higgs-beach-key-west","name":"Higgs Beach","country":"USA","state":"Florida","city":"Key West","coords":{"lat":24.5555,"lng":-81.7965},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous","urban","family","sunset"],"article":{"hero":"Higgs Beach runs along Atlantic Boulevard like a neighborhood living room that happens to front the ocean. The sand is tan and pebbly in spots, kept company by Australian pines that throw late-afternoon shade across volleyball courts and a dog park where labs shake seawater onto unsuspecting sunbathers. You'll hear the thwack of a ball, smell charcoal from the grills, and watch stand-up paddleboarders navigate the calm shallows near the old White Street Pier.\n\nThe beach earned its name from a cemetery—yes, a cemetery—that sits just inland, a quietly historical counterpoint to the beach's recreational buzz. Families stake out tables under the pavilions by mid-morning, coolers anchored in the sand, while tennis players volley on the public courts that back the shoreline. The water stays shallow for thirty yards, gentle enough for toddlers and snorkelers scanning for sergeant majors in the turtle grass.\n\nAs the sun drops, you'll see the ritual unfold: folding chairs dragged to the waterline, phones raised, couples leaning into the amber light. It's not Mallory Square's circus act—no fire jugglers, no applause—just the dependable theater of a Key West sunset observed from a public beach where parking is free and the only price of admission is finding a spot for your towel.","teaser":"You'll find flip-flops kicked beneath picnic tables, the salt-and-sun smell of reef-safe lotion, and paddleboarders wobbling past the pier. This is where locals bring coolers on Sunday afternoons and families claim grills before noon—a working beach that earns its crowds.","uniqueAngle":"It's the only Key West beach where you can swim, grill your own lunch, walk your dog, and watch the sunset without spending a dime.","accessType":"Drive-up with free parking","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the shallows","subtitle":"Calm water, sandy bottom gradual"},{"icon":"snorkel","title":"Spot reef fish","subtitle":"Sergeant majors in turtle grass"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Stake sunset spot","subtitle":"Arrive by five-thirty, claim sand"},{"icon":"food","title":"Grill your catch","subtitle":"Public barbecues, bring charcoal briquettes"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Higgs isn't a surf beach—the Keys face the wrong direction for Atlantic swells, and the reef offshore keeps the water as flat as a lake most days. If you're desperate to paddle, bring a longboard for ankle-slappers on rare winter northerlies, but don't expect barrels. The pier pilings collect current on outgoing tide, good for a drift if you're bored. Most surfers treat Key West as a layover, waxing boards in parking lots before heading to Florida's east coast where actual waves break.","couples":"Claim a patch of sand near the old pier pilings an hour before sunset, when the light turns everything amber and forgiving. The beach faces southwest, so you get the full solar descent into the Gulf. Afterward, walk two blocks to Salute! on the Beach for cracked conch and a table on the deck, or grab fish tacos from the food truck that parks on Atlantic Boulevard most evenings. For lodging, the Reach Resort sits a half-mile south—ask for a room with a balcony facing the water, where you can hear the tide without the Duval Street bachelorette parties.","backpacker":"Sleep cheap at the Seashell Motel a mile up the road—ask for weekly rates and you'll drop below forty dollars a night if you're flexible. Beach access is free, parking is free, and the outdoor showers mean you can rinse salt without burning hostel tokens. Tacos from El Siboney run six bucks; their ropa vieja plate feeds you for two meals. The 4 bus runs Atlantic Boulevard for two dollars and connects to Old Town. Fill your water bottle at the beach pavilion fountain and you've just survived Key West on a backpacker budget.","local":"Arrive before eight on weekday mornings when the beach belongs to the dog walkers and the yoga instructor who teaches donation-based classes under the pines. The north end, past the tennis courts, stays quieter even on cruise-ship Saturdays. Locals know to check the tide chart—low tide exposes more sand and pushes the tourists toward Smathers. If you're grilling, claim a pavilion by ten or accept defeat. The Secret Garden Café across Atlantic makes the best Cuban coffee on this end of the island; grab two and you've just made a friend on the volleyball court.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Higgs Beach is generally safe for swimming, with calm, shallow waters ideal for families and beginner swimmers. The beach faces the Atlantic Ocean but is sheltered, resulting in gentle waves most of the year. Lifeguards are not always on duty, so supervise children closely. The water is typically clear and warm year-round. Watch for sea grass and occasional jellyfish during summer months. The gradual slope makes it easy to wade out comfortably. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available to rinse off after swimming.","q":"Is Higgs Beach safe for swimming and what are the water conditions like?"},{"a":"Higgs Beach is enjoyable year-round thanks to Key West's subtropical climate. Winter months (December-April) offer the most comfortable temperatures with lower humidity and minimal rain, though beaches are busier. Summer brings hot, humid weather with afternoon thunderstorms but fewer crowds. Sunrise visits are perfect for peaceful walks, while late afternoon attracts sunset watchers heading to nearby spots. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. Water temperature stays warm throughout the year, ranging from the mid-70s°F in winter to mid-80s°F in summer.","q":"What is the best time to visit Higgs Beach?"},{"a":"Higgs Beach is located on Atlantic Boulevard (South Roosevelt Boulevard) on Key West's south shore, about two miles from downtown. Free parking is available in a large paved lot directly adjacent to the beach, making it one of the easiest Key West beaches to access. You can also reach it by bicycle via dedicated bike paths, which is popular given Key West's bike-friendly layout. The island's transit system, Key West Transit, has stops nearby. The beach is easily walkable from many hotels along the southern coast.","q":"How do I get to Higgs Beach and is parking available?"},{"a":"Higgs Beach offers excellent amenities including clean restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic pavilions, and grills for cookouts. The on-site Salute! restaurant serves Italian cuisine with beachfront seating. Several food trucks often park in the lot offering casual fare. Within walking distance along Atlantic Boulevard, you'll find additional restaurants and cafes. The beach has playground equipment, volleyball courts, and tennis courts. Nearby accommodations range from small guesthouses to larger resorts along the southern shore. Beach chair and umbrella rentals are sometimes available through vendors.","q":"What food options and amenities are available at or near Higgs Beach?"},{"a":"The West Martello Tower is a Civil War-era fort located at the western end of Higgs Beach, built in the 1860s but never completed. Today, the historic brick fortress houses the Key West Garden Club's free public garden, featuring tropical plants, orchids, and native flora in a unique setting. The fort ruins and gardens are open daily for self-guided tours. It's a distinctive landmark that sets Higgs Beach apart from other Key West beaches, offering both historical interest and beautiful garden scenery alongside your beach visit.","q":"What is the West Martello Tower at Higgs Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Higgs Beach in Key West: Palms, Piers, and Sunset Swims","description":"Key West's favorite locals' beach pairs warm shallows with historic pier views. Volleyball nets, shaded pavilions, and fiery sunset sessions steps from downtown.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8051/8447072172_cfddd8b58b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"515163","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8085/8445983573_6002be90dc_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8085/8445983573_6002be90dc.jpg","alt":"Monash Abroad - South East Asia"},{"id":"515165","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8184/8447070518_f4c7fb2db6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8184/8447070518_f4c7fb2db6.jpg","alt":"Monash Abroad - Spain"},{"id":"515169","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8472/8447072560_5895b862ce_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8472/8447072560_5895b862ce.jpg","alt":"Monash Abroad - Turkey"},{"id":"515171","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8501/8447055572_6ec81f5280.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8501/8447055572_6ec81f5280.jpg","alt":"Monash Abroad - Korea"},{"id":"515173","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7513/15625227834_dcd57d02cd_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7513/15625227834_dcd57d02cd.jpg","alt":"Higgs Beach Heron"},{"id":"515175","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7522/16174577036_00af050819_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7522/16174577036_00af050819.jpg","alt":"Key West Sunset"},{"id":"515178","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8561/16234090432_5d6aafd0fd_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8561/16234090432_5d6aafd0fd.jpg","alt":"Higgs Beach, Key West"},{"id":"515180","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52905271155_1f7e9dea41_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52905271155_1f7e9dea41.jpg","alt":"MM00053492x"},{"id":"515182","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48283585072_c7db39056a_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48283585072_c7db39056a.jpg","alt":"Key West's Higgs Beach 2015 2"},{"id":"515184","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752899933_a8158c5f6c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752899933_a8158c5f6c.jpg","alt":"West Martello Tower Garden Club"}]}}