Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

the locals

the beach

directions

fort circa 1845

USS Spruance


If you are looking for a nice sandy beach with waves and seashells, the Keys is not the place for you. There is a coral reef that stretches all along the Florida Keys. The reef protects the Keys from pounding waves of the ocean, which by the way is why there are no natural beaches in the Keys. There are no pounding waves to erode the rock away and create sand. This reef is the longest reef in the region, and the only reef in this part of the world.

That being said, there is a sandy beach across from our condo, Smathers Beach. It is a great view. The sand was imported from the Bahamas at great expense. There are still no waves, and the water is filled with seaweed making it an unpleasant place to swim.

We found a beach on Saturday that so far is the best one we have been to in the Keys at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. It has everything we were looking for in a good beach (except the sand), clear blue water good for snorkeling or swimming, shade trees (!) picnic tables, a snack bar with reasonable prices. Just remember to take some water shoes because it is rocky. There is even a civil war fort and a great view of the newest Navy ship docked nearby.


Fort Zachary Taylor State Park