Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Driving Direction to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, By submitting this form, you consent to share the comment along with your name on the site. The water temp in March was NICE and warm but the wind was kicking up so it was very choppy. If conditions are good, you can see plenty of fish around the rocks at Fort Zachary … We do not sell personal data to third parties. A beautiful beach with a nice sandy beach area. They have large rock barriers that protect the beach about 30 yards off the beach. One of several forts built in the mid-1800s to defend the … (: Snorkeling. The view was great. I didn't really see much of the fort, but I came over here to visit the small beach. We just got back from Key West and we were pleasantly suprised with Fort Zachary Talyor State Park. If you are below 16 years of age, you are required to obtain prior permission from your legal guardian(s). You need to pack chairs and towels. There is a picnic area in the pines, and everything was very clean. On Key West, the snorkeling at Fort Zachary Taylor Park is considered by some locals as the best shore-based dive on the island. Fish off the west rock jetty. Maybe it was because I was so excited to be there!! Bahia Honda State Park is home to some of the most popular campsites in the country, just steps away from some of the… The snorkeling around … A beautiful Way to spend the day in Key West is to go to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach is beautiful you could hang a hammock in the pine trees and just relax with the ocean breeze Nothing like Hawaii or Caribbean Islands with near shore coral and patch reefs. It was so great! At Fort Zachary Taylor, the rocky bottom and rock formations off shore attract a number of tropical fish, so it makes a good spot for snorkeling from shore. Snorkeling equipment can be rented or purchased at the concession located in the picnic area. Explore this beautiful 54 acre park along the shoreline with the best beach on Key West. I know a lot of people say they visit on foot or by bike, but it sure seemed like a long drive from the entrance to the beach. Cheap! There are plenty of fun things to do in Fort Zachary Taylor. It was a nice break from busy Duval St. and a relaxing afternoon. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Swim with snappers, grouper and parrot fish. You can look into that area and see the cannons protruding from the mass of solid concrete. Snorkel tours leave directly from Bahia Honda State Park, a must-see location in itself. Explore wooded trails, bike the shaded paths, or take a narrated tour of Fort Zachary Taylor … 5. They have rentals but, they are not cheap! The walk will kill you and after a day at the beach why would you want to walk over two miles lugging your beach stuff home! Once we found one, we didn't want to move our car and walked all over Key West. There are shady spots for picnics or to catch up on a good book. You can rent snorkeling here there for around $15 or you can bring your own! Where can I go snorkeling at Fort Zachary Taylor Park in Key West? Sands are a bit rocky, but the unparalleled atmosphere makes up for it. Bring your snorkel gear or rent it there, as this is a great place for beginners or novice snorkelers to explore. I used to go there just to relax on the beach and read a book. There were some bathroom to change in and a few picnic tables. If you do go to the park, I recommend that you go early before the crowds get there to claim your spot. !This park has nice amenities and there was a sculpture show going on (see pictures) so there were cool sculptures in unexpected places. They have large rock barriers that protect the beach about 30 yards off the beach. more. Things to do at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. We wanted to see this fort and it didn't look like that far of a walk on the map. Yes, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has one of the best beaches in Key West. I highly recommend Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. They do have food and drinks there but, they are not cheap! You need to pack a cooler with food and drinks. Admission to the park is based on whether you are bringing in a vehicle or walking or biking. The fort grounds have a beautiful beach area, and we understand the sunset from the parking area next to the water is beautiful. The park is located at the southernmost tip of Key West at the end of Southard Street on Truman Annex and is home to the historic civil war Fort … We made a very quick (TOO quick) visit in March 2007 over our Spring Break vacation. The best decision that I made was to drive to this beach because it made the day so much more enjoyable knowing that I did not have to walk back to the hotel after a long day at the beach. We had driven down for the day from Key Largo and had a rental car. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. (see picture)The locals say it is the best beach and I have to agree. Rich in history, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West is the site of a pre-Civil War fort and contains the nation’s largest cache of Civil War weapons. Snorkeling from shore here is really not that great. 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Truman Little White House, Hotels near Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum, Hotels near Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, Hotels near Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, Hotels near Florida Keys Community College, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Key West, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park: Tickets & Tours‎, The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory: Tickets & Tours‎, Harry S. Truman Little White House: Tickets & Tours‎, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum: Tickets & Tours‎, Key West Historic Seaport: Tickets & Tours‎. Best reef for history buffs. The water was beautiful, warm and clean. You need to bring your snorkel gear. You need to take your car to this park. They hurt your feet, wear water shoes. Unlike most great snorkeling … Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Snorkeling at the main beach is not very good - See 6,705 traveler reviews, 3,930 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Fort Zachary Taylor and Saltwater Moat Besides the beautiful natural setting, the other highlight of this beach is Fort Zachary Taylor. If we had to do it again, we would have rented a bike or taken a taxi. Does Fort Zachary Taylor Key West have a beach? Join us for a historic Fort Tours and reenergize at our Cayo Hueso Café. You do need a dive flag while snorkeling per Florida snorkeling … The snorkeling here was the best we experienced on the island. (You do need to … Chairs, … I really thought it was much nicer than Smathers. The glistening blue waters of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park are an inviting sight to behold for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike, and it’s an ideal place to become … Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers some of the best snorkeling right from the beach due to the exceptionally clear water and unique marine environment. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. The beach is kinda rough(rocks and coral) so, you may want to pack water shoes if you plan to go in the water. Cottrell Key. You can rent snorkeling here there for around $15 or you can bring your own! The fort is fairly interesting but is in a stage of decay and there are not many signs or any guides to interpret what you are seeing. The waves will push rocks into your ankles, so try to go on a less wavey day if you have small kids.There were lots of shells that came in with the waves. The snorkeling around the barriers is excellent, and the barriers are made of rocks so, if you get tired just stand on a rock for a couple of minutes. The park has attractions for every kind of visitor. It isn't anything spectacular, but at least it wasn'tcrowed the day I visited. Please note that Fort Zachary Taylor … Discover and become a part of this beautiful underwater habitat. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The jet skis and boat increase as the day goes by and the water gets a little churned up if you want to snorkel. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Parks offers visitors a picturesque location with amenities abound. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Enjoyed the snorkeling here - See 6,711 traveller reviews, 3,940 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. The fish were so bright and actively swimming around. ... Fort Zachary Taylor … This was a bummer since the best coral reefs are located about 7 miles off the coast of Key West, but we tried to make the most of our time by doing some off-shore snorkeling … It looked just wonderful! My son and husband loved the giant metal chicken which I didn't really get, but I get it now that I understand the chicken connection to Key West !We didn't take any chairs or blankets with us, but there were a nice selecton of picnic tables in the pines so we set up there for lunch. The snorkeling here was better than the snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas. Situated next to the main shipping channel, the currents here keep the water clean and clear. Considered by many to be the best beach in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is also a one of the top spots for snorkeling in Key West. Note-when walking on the beach or in the water it is all rocks. It was … There were a good number of people at the beach (see pictures) . Again, do not walk to this beach!! As one of most beautiful natural beaches in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers everything needed for fun in the sun, as well as a bit of history with a pre-Civil War Fort. Located on the southwestern tip of the island, the park is a relaxing … As one of most beautiful natural beaches in Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers everything needed for fun in the sun, as well as a bit of history with a pre-Civil War Fort. Inner Yard at Fort Zachary Taylor and the Key West Main Ship Channel This positioning near the ship channel, a main migratory route for fish moving between the Gulf and the Atlantic, means that Fort Zach beach offers excellent snorkeling … Daily informative tours of historic Fort Taylor … If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It is actually getting to the fort and the beach that takes forever. … Secret Food Tour of Key West w/ Private Tour... Key West Day Trip from Miami with Free Time... Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters Museum. When progress allowed creation of ammunition that could pierce the standard fort walls, they dumped the old cannons into the outside batteries and filled them with concrete to create a solid wall that could take the pounding of the ammo from the newer weapons. A car of 4 people was $7.00 total. It also has an old civil war fort to look around in.There is a small fee for going in but it is well worth it.The locals say it is the only beach they will swim in because it is bacteria free.All in all a great beach. Explore this 87-acre state park and spend a day at the beach swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. Very unusual. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is the site of a pre-Civil War fort and home to the largest cache of Civil War weapons … A rock peir for fishing, beautiful sunsets. Fort Zach is one of the best places to snorkel … The fort was very nice as well and my guys spent probably an hour or more there even though it was quite warm. Join us for a historic Fort Tours and reenergize at our Cayo Hueso Café. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Parks offers visitors a picturesque location with amenities abound. The snorkeling here was better than the snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas. Ways to Experience Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Piers & Boardwalks, Parks, Points of Interest & Landmarks, History Museums, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Historic Sites. Activities: Swim and snorkel at Key West’s best beach! It is where the turquoise blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the Atlantic Ocean and offers visitors a perfect place to swim, relax, rent a jet ski or snorkel. Fort Zachary Taylor Key West: Beach, Snorkeling, and Diving. ... Fort Zachary Taylor … Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on a tour that introduces you to both the history and natural beauty of Key West. Swim and snorkel with tropical marine life and corals. Welcome to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West's BEST BEACH offers beach equipment & watersport rentals: floats, chairs, snorkel gear, etc. Fort Zachary Taylor. While we were disappointed in the fort itself because of the deteriorated condition, it has one interesting aspect. If you wish to access or erase your personal information, you can do so by submitting your details. This natural shelter attracts all flavors of fish. They have rentals but, they are not cheap! Chairs, umbrellas, snorkel … The entrance to the park is a walk but not terrible. We stayed in the historic quarter of Key West and had a little bit of a problem finding a parking space. Unfortunately, we didn’t discover that in time to go there for a sunset. Snorkel off the beach and experience rich tropical marine life … Explore this 87-acre state park and spend a day at the beach swimming, snorkeling… Fort Zachary Taylor dates back to 1845, and played a pivotal role in the Civil War, while the 54-acre park surrounding it harbors some of the best beaches, sunset outlooks, biking trails, birdwatching, and water for snorkeling in the Florida Keys. Admission to the park is just a few dollars. The fish were so bright and actively swimming around. The real jewel of snorkeling from shore is Fort Zachary Taylor. The snorkeling here was the best we experienced on the island. Just off the beach in front of the Cayo Hueso Cafe sits a small bay with two little rock islands. We were supposed to do a snorkel trip this afternoon to the reefs, but canceled due to rough seas. The beach was beautiful and uncrowded. Your email address will not be made public but maybe used by us for communication purposes. Cottrell Key is located 9 miles northwest of Key West on the Gulf side. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Taylor. The park road has to wind around a naval base and it takes forever to work your way to the end. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: Excellent Beach Snorkeling - See 6,705 traveler reviews, 3,930 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Overall, this place is awesome! Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. I wanted to snorkel around the rocks, but there was a lot of chop so I didn't stay in the water too long. The scenery is very nice. The beach has some sharp coral so be sure to wear your water shoes! Snorkel off the beach and experience rich tropical marine life such as parrot fish, schools of yellowtail snapper, lobster, and various hard and soft corals. On our most recent Key West trip we stopped at Ft. 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