Key West - swimming on cruise stop.
 

Just found out we are going on a cruise Presidents week, and one of the ports is Key West. After walking around town, I'm wondering if there is a beach fairly close to downtown where the kids could swim. What is the best way for 3 adults and 3 children to get there? Are there any within walking distance? Thanks.

Fort Zachory Tayor just off of Southard Street.

Bob, I read in Fodors that it's very rocky there and not great for swimming, is that accurate? I don't mind rocky, as long as it won't cut up your feet. Is it a swimmable beach at Fort Zachary Taylor? Thanks.

I can't speak for all beaches in Key West but I understand that all are the way you describe. When we went to Fort Zachory we brought old tennis shoes so we didn't cut our feet getting in and out of the water.

Key West is not a beach destination.

I've been to Key West and know it's not a beach destination, but given that it is one of the stops on our cruise, we'd like to take the children to a beach, rather than dragging them around all day sightseeing.<BR><BR>Thanks Bob, we'll bring water shoes for the kids.

Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach known as County Beach. This beach is located one-half mile west of Smathers Beach on Atlantic Blvd near the south end of White Street.<BR><BR>C B Harvey Rest Beach Park is located on the Atlantic Ocean near White St. Pier.<BR><BR>South Beach found at the end of Duval Street. It's a small public beach with picnic tables and bathroom facilities.<BR><BR>Smathers Beach just west of the airport on S. Roosevelt Blvd. It has food and beverage vendors, bathrooms and showers, equipment rental, etc.<BR><BR>Fort Zachory Taylor Beach is a state park with all the facilities but you have to pay to get in. $3.00 - 4.00/ car. Location is through Truman Annex and is the favorite beach in Key West.<BR><BR>There are taxis, buses, bikes (rent) and so on to get to any of the beaches.

Thanks stormi. Are water shoes needed for South Beach as well?

Beach shoes are needed just about all beaches in the Keys. South Beach is now a part of Kellys Restaurant and usually smells of sewage. Fort Zack is the best and it is also very close to where the cruise ships dock.

What website did you copy that from Stormi??

Fort Zachory is great! I give it 2 thumbs up. Here is a nice review of it.<BR><BR>http://www.showtimeinteractive.com/t...-18878,00.html

Thanks for the help. Fort Zachary it is then. And thanks for the review Mick.

there is tons of stuff to do with the kids instead of bringing them to a rocky beach. The Aquarium is fun, The Shipwreck Museum is interesting, take a glass bottom tour out to the reef, climb the lighthouse, see the kitties at Hemingways house.....

Thanks home, but believe it or not, my sons love rocky beaches, and so does my nephew. They would spend hours doing this along the coast of Maine where it's too cold to go swimming.<BR><BR>Boys have this thing about tossing rocks into water. I don't get it either, but they seem to love it.

Keep in mind Feb can be a chilly and windy month in Key West. You may not have the option of going to the beach but with that said I would also choose Fort Zack.

I agree with the above post. You can't rely on the weather being warm enough to swim in February. And one other caveat...Fort Zachary Taylor is not within walking distance unless you're very energetic and have lots of time. You shouldn't have a bit of trouble getting a cab, though.

Nina, keep in mind rocky Maine coasts are very different from sharp coral keys water access.<BR><BR>Did you decide to bag the Grand Canyon/Scottsdale trip?

xxx,<BR>Is the coral really that sharp? We will probably visit the aquarium and Hemingway's house while in Key West as well.<BR><BR>Regarding the Grand Canyon/Scottsdale - it's absolutely still on! My husband and I and the kids are going there over April vacation. The cruise is in February, over President's week. It's my mom, sister and our kids. Our husbands hate cruises, so they aren't coming.

I would either stay on the cruise ship and let your kids hang out at the pool or get a day pass from the Wyndham Reach for use of their pool and beach.

Walking on coral is sort of like walking on lava rock, maybe worse! Though kids can and do swim in pretty much any water, you might not care to. It's pretty cool by February!

Thanks Olive and xxx. Didn't realize it was so cool in Feb. I also didn't realize you could obtain a day pass at the hotel. That's a good idea and I think I'll look into it.<BR><BR>Have a great Holiday everyone.

nina please, don't allow the kids to throw rocks in the water, there are much too many already!<BR><BR>KW is not a beach destination. If you want to swim, treat yourselves to a snorkeling or diving trip (numerous on Duval to choose from) out to the reef and have a great experience. the reef is great, the water will be at least 20 degrees warmer than Maine on its warmest day. The kids (especially if they haven't snorkeled yet) will never forget it.

Last I was there the Reach discontinued the pass program. I understand when Wyndham took it over is when it was ended.

Nina, why don't you look now into some shore excursions for Key West. That way you can utilize your time and your childrens time well. Find out what is available for the excursions. Maybe they offer a snorkeling trip, (sure they do) or a day at some beach where the swimming doesn't include cutting up your feet. That doesn't sound appealing to me at all.

I would call the Wyndham Reach directly along with the Casa Marina, Hilton, and Hyatt to see if they offer day passes. Going to a KW *beach* would be a chore. You'd need beach chairs, snacks, towels, drinks, etc.

I would really doubt if any of the hotel beaches offer day passes in Key West. The beaches are all very small and if I was a paying guest already fighting for a spot on the beach with other hotel guest, I would be really pissed if outsiders were allowed in for the day.

I think Hyatt's beach is all of 10 yds long, if that, so officer has a point. We were there in January and it was too cold then for me...but my MA roots rotted long ago and now it has to be 80 (water temp) before I'll get in. Actually, I think all the guests while we were there were using the pool, not the beach. The beaches just aren't beaches in the normal sense of the word. Where else does your cruise stop Nina?

OO, you are being generous giving the Hyatt and 10 yard beach. They do have that cool floating dock thing with chairs on it.

Olive, Just got back from some last minute shopping, in a torrential downpour, but at least I don't have to go back out there before Christmas! Since we swim off Nantucket in late June, Key West in Feb. will still feel like bathwater.<BR><BR>Anyway the other stops are Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Progreso (Merida) in Mexico. It's the Celebrity Mercury.

xxx You are very astute. My mom is taking us on the cruise as our Christmas present. She's very generous and loves to take us on trips, especially since my dad passed away. <BR><BR>And your also correct about how long it's been since I was in Key West. It was about 16 years ago!