Fort Zachary Taylor Beach

Locals call it Fort Zach or rocky beach, and the state park bills it as the best swimming in Key West: shallow enough to stand, deep enough for real laps, with breakwaters full of fish. The bottom is rocky, so wear water shoes. It sits beside the main shipping channel, whose currents keep the water clear; stay inside the swim buoys, well away from the boat traffic.

Directions

Photo: Julian Lupyan · CC0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 88/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 29°C, wind 10 km/h, waves 0.3 m, UV 4. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Water is shallow yet deep enough to swim and snorkel; currents from the adjacent shipping channel keep it clean and clear.
Getting in: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, 601 Howard England Way; entry $6 per vehicle; open 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year (the fort closes at 5 p.m.). Dedicated entry lane for cyclists and walkers.
Parking & transport: On-site park parking; plenty of bike racks.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards on duty; swim at your own risk.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Ft Zachary Taylor State Park' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Open year-round, 8 a.m. to sundown.
Watch for: Rocky sea bottom — water shoes recommended
Adjacent to Key West's main shipping channel
Paddlecraft and other hard floats must stay outside the swim buoys
Facilities: Restrooms · Rinse showers at two locations (water only, no soap) · Cayo Hueso Café (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) · Chickee hut renting chairs, umbrellas and snorkel gear · Shaded picnic area with grills · Free beach wheelchairs · Kayak/paddleboard launch at the east end of the beach