Fort Zachary Taylor Beach (Truman Beach)

Set on the western tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is Florida’s most southerly state park. It is also home to what is highly regarded as Key West’s best beach.

A stretch of near-white coral sand, lapped by the clear blue waters of the what feels like the Caribbean Sea make this spot is idyllic. The look is completed by a backdrop of palm trees and Australian pines, making it easy to imagine you are on a tropical island - which in fact you are!

Beyond the shoreline the seabed can be a little rocky in places. Whilst this shouldn’t spoil going for a paddle it is a boon for snorkelers. The rocks make the perfect home for a number of tropical fish. If you didn’t bring your snorkeling gear, don’t worry as you can rent it on the beach.

As you may have guessed, the beach gets its name from the nearby fort. This was built in the 1840s as part of a defensive network and is in turn named after the then president, Zachary Taylor. The fort saw action in both the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Taylor