Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach

The basics

Along with enjoying the surf and sand at Higgs Beach, visitors can explore the West Martello Tower, a 19th-century fortification that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s home to the Key West Garden Club, where you can take a self-guided tour of the grounds.

There's also the African refugee cemetery, which marks the burial site of African refugees who were rescued from ships involved in the slave trade, and the Key West AIDS Memorial, which includes benches where visitors can sit and reflect.

Things to know before you go

• Tiki huts, permanent wooden umbrellas, and picnic tables are available at the beach.

• The shore can be rocky, so water shoes are recommended.

• There are public restrooms and showers on-site.

• Items such as chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and paddleboards are available to rent.

• The park hosts a large dog park with separate runs for small and large dogs.

How to get there

Higgs Beach is easy to walk or bike to from most of Old Town Key West. It’s a block from one of the Old Town Trolley tour stops, and can be reached by bus as well. There’s also free parking outside the garden club. Taxis and rideshare services are readily available in Key West.

When to get there

The beach is open daily. The Key West Garden Club and West Martello Tower are also open daily (except for Christmas and New Year’s Day) with free admission. Guided tours of the fort and gardens take place every Monday morning. Key West’s peak season runs from late December to mid-April, so expect the largest crowds then.

More about the Key West Garden Club

At the historic West Martello Tower, the Key West Garden Club is dedicated to tropical gardening with a rare collection of native and exotic trees and plants, including blooming orchids and bromeliads, as well as a butterfly garden. There are also regular events and programming for the community, including open-air yoga.