Key West beaches are small by Florida standards — this is a coral island, not a barrier island, so you will not find miles of wide sand. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has the best beach on the island, with decent snorkeling right off shore and shade from Australian pines. Smathers Beach on the south side is the longest stretch of sand and the most popular with tourists. Higgs Beach, next to the White Street Pier, is a good middle ground — calm water, food trucks nearby, and less crowded than Smathers. South Beach at the end of Duval is tiny but has the novelty of being steps from the bars.