Smathers Beach

Smathers Beach, named after George Smathers, a former governor, sits on Roosevelt Boulevard on the south side of the island. It is just west of the airport and covers the area just east from White Street to the Cow Key Channel. Originally, the land rose from dredged up fill as the island expanded to provide room for a growing population. The Army Corps of Engineers, in the 1970s, decided the practice was harming the nearby reef and put an end to it.

Smathers Beach, Key West, now fully reconstructed, has completely recovered from both Hurricane George’s 1998 destruction and the devastation of Hurricane Wilma in 2005. In 2005, Smathers Beach lost its sidewalk and the nearby road. It required both labor and money, but Smathers Beach now basks in its former glory.

This popular beach occupies two miles of sand. It is the longest beach in Key West. It is also the main beach. Today, Smathers Beach in Key West, Florida, provides both locals and vacationers with all the amenities possible. There are volleyball nets, favored by the Spring Break crowd. You can rent windsurfers, kayaks and rafts. You can parasail, water ski or swim in the warm water. You can also wade out into the deep without fear of a strong under current. At nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, don snorkels or dive suits. Take a trip under water and look at the living reef. Check out the Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue submerged in the nearby waters. For a touch of culture and a glimpse of the area’s literary past, visit the nearby Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

There is also Theatre of the Sea. It provides guided tours devoted to discovering and exploring the life under the sea. Take in a parrot or sea lion show or swim with the dolphins. Another nearby attraction is a firm reminder of the dangers of maritime sailing. The Key West Shipwreck Historeum Museum provides visitors with hands-on exhibits detailing the heritage of sea life.

The beach is also lively at night. In fact, beach parties can last until the wee hours of the morning. Celebrate the sunset and hold a wedding. At Smathers Beach, weddings are a common sight. The beautiful beach is a perfect setting for a non-traditional wedding. You can run barefoot through the surf and go back to any of the many nearby hotels on Smathers Beach to have your reception. If you prefer, you can arrange to stay in a suite or apartment or even in any one of the wall of condos that are lined up facing the beach.