Navigating the Key West Cruise Port: Golf Carts, Activities & More

Key West is a rare U.S. domestic cruise port included in some Caribbean itineraries. It may not exist as a stop for much longer, as it’s generally unpopular with the locals who continue efforts to shut down cruise ships from docking at Port of Key West in Florida. For cruisers who are fortunate to enjoy this stop still while it is an option, though, there are many fantastic things to do at the Key West cruise port.

Many cruise ports offer great beach day opportunities. While that’s certainly an option here (more on that below), this is one where I recommend cruisers enjoy the great history and cultural experiences that the port has to offer. Save the beach day for a different Caribbean port of call.

One of the first things you’ll notice when walking around Key West is the abundance of free-roaming roosters and chickens. These colorful birds are a beloved (and sometimes noisy) part of the island’s charm. Originally brought over for cockfighting, they were set loose after the practice was banned, and now they roam freely, protected by local laws.

In addition to its famous key lime pie, Key West is known for its lively bar scene and outstanding food. Due to its close proximity to Cuba, Key West has some of the best Cuban food in the U.S., making it a must-try while in port. Whether you’re looking for an authentic Cuban sandwich, strong Café Cubano, or a full ropa vieja meal, you won’t have to go far.

Fun fact: Key West is closer to Cuba (90 miles away) than to the nearest Walmart, which is in Florida City, which is about 126 miles away on the mainland.

Getting Around Key West

Key West is highly walkable, and that's one of the things I absolutely love about it, but depending on your mobility and how much you want to explore, you may prefer an easier way to get around. Here are your best options:

• Golf Cart Rentals – A popular way to explore, golf carts give you flexibility without the hassle of finding parking for a full-size vehicle. You can always book in advance, but rentals are also available near the port. If you opt to go the golf cart route, though, note that you have to treat it like a car for parking purposes, including paying for parking in most locations.
• Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley – A fantastic way to see all of Key West without worrying about navigation or parking, or having to pay for parking. The trolley stops at major attractions, and you can hop on and off at your convenience.
• Conch Train Tour – If you prefer a guided experience without the walking, the Conch Train offers a fun, narrated ride through Old Town, covering Key West’s top sites. This is not a "hop-on hop-off" experience, though, but more of an hour-long guided tour. I did this on a recent visit to Key West, and really liked it. I also learned a lot from the narration provided by the tour guide.

• Walking – If you’re up for it, Key West is compact and easy to navigate on foot. The majority of attractions are within a mile or two of the port. On my first visit there, we did a lot in one day, and after walking so much that our feet were raw, we made the Southernmost Point our final stop and then took an Uber back to the cruise port.
• Ride Share - Speaking of Uber (and Lyft), rideshare is an option here, and given the proximity of everything, rides are pretty cheap. While I don't recommend Ubering to and from various sites, it's a great option for scenarios like what I noted above, where you explore on foot during your port visit, end at a destination furthest from the port, then take an Uber back to the port at the end of your day.
• Guided Tours – If you’re cool with walking but want to learn some things from an expert along the way, you can book a Historical Walking Tour or sign up for a self-guided audio tour, which is a more affordable option.

Related: Watch all my Key West video content

Top Things to Do in Key West for Cruisers

Key West is rich in history, from presidential retreats to literary landmarks. Here are some of the best sites if you're into historic and cultural attractions: 

• Harry S. Truman Little White House – Walk the exterior and enjoy the grounds for free, or opt for the paid tour inside to learn about Truman’s winter retreat. The small gift shop also includes a free exhibit. I found this one to be a bit pricey (and honestly it didn't interest me too much), so I opted to wander around for free and get some nice photos.
• Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum – A must-see for literature lovers (or cat lovers). The house is home to dozens of polydactyl (six-toed) cats, many of which are descendants of Hemingway’s original pet. I visited here mostly for the cats, since I adore kitties, and it was delightful. 

• Southernmost Point – The famous red, black, and yellow buoy marking the southernmost point of the continental U.S. is one of Key West’s most iconic photo ops. Every time I post Key West content and point out this landmark, inevitably, someone comes along to obnoxiously point out that it’s not the true southernmost point of the continental U.S. So I'd like to point out here that title belongs to a restricted area on nearby Ballast Key, a private island about 10 miles farther south. But it's the southernmost point that's accessible to the public.
• Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory – Just steps from the Southernmost Point, and about 1.2 miles from the cruise port, this beautiful glass-enclosed habitat features hundreds of butterflies and exotic birds. I went here on my first visit to Key West and liked it a lot. Walking around with butterflies everywhere and landing on you was a fun experience.
• Mel Fisher Maritime Museum – Home to treasures and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, this museum is a fascinating stop for history buffs. This a highly rated, affordable attraction for cruisers.
• Key West Orchid Society – One of the few free attractions in Key West, this daily orchid exhibit (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) showcases beautiful blooming orchids, where visitors can vote for "Best of Show." It's the only orchid festival and show in the Florida Keys, and it's right by Higgs Beach.

Pro Tip: The line for photos at the Southernmost Point gets insane, so instead of wasting time in that line, stand to the side of it and snap a quick pic from that angle. You won't capture the writing on the buoy, but you'll save a ton of time! 

Quirky & Offbeat Key West Attractions

Key West is known for its eccentric charm, and there are some fun and quirky things to check out if you're into that sort of thing. If you’re looking for something different, check out these unique stops:

• Books & Books – This independent bookstore is owned by none other than author Judy Blume. It's a cute little bookstore, not far from port, and makes for a quick and easy visit. Although Judy is known to come in sometimes and work the register, sadly she was not on duty during my most recent visit.
• Robert the Doll – Housed at the Fort East Martello Museum, this famously haunted doll is one of Key West’s strangest and most talked-about attractions. They offer fun and spooky ghost tours at night, but this is unfortunately not an option for most cruisers, as the return to ship time is usually hours before these tours start.
• Key West Cemetery – This historic cemetery features above-ground graves, a necessity due to the island’s low elevation and high water table. Known for its quirky headstones, including one from the alleged town hypochondriac that reads, “I told you I was sick," it’s a fascinating place to wander. It's obviously free, and usually open to the public from around 8:30 am to 4 pm.
  
  

Best Key Lime Pie in Key West

You can’t visit Key West without sampling its famous key lime pie. On my first visit there, my bestie and I conducted our own self-guided "key lime pie tour" and we taste-tested six of the best key lime pies on the island.

In the cruise terminal, some shops sell Kermit's frozen key lime pie on a stick and coated with chocolate (yum!), so if you want to taste-test it without actually going to a Kermit's store, that's the easiest way to do it. But if you want to also visit some of Key West's best spots for pie, here are the ones to check out:

• Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe – My top pick for its perfect balance of tart and sweet. They have several locations and offer a ton of variety. In addition to the traditional key lime pie, they sell cookies (with free samples!), honey, and other key lime-flavored goodies.
  📍 200 Elizabeth St, Key West, FL 33040 

• Blue Heaven – Famous for its mile-high meringue and a fun, laid-back atmosphere with roaming chickens. While I loved the Blue Heaven vibe, and it was a fun stop in general, I thought this one was overrated and looked better than it tasted. 
  📍 729 Thomas St, Key West, FL 33040

• Key West Key Lime Pie Co. – A great stop for a classic slice of key lime pie, offering a variety of flavors and even pie-making classes. This was my second favorite overall, running just behind Kermit's.
  📍 511 Greene St, Key West, FL 33040

• Old Town Bakery – A hidden gem offering key lime pie with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, along with fresh pastries and sandwiches.
  📍 930 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040

• Cuban Coffee Queen – While best known for its strong Cuban coffee, this spot also serves an excellent key lime pie that’s worth trying. I love key lime pie, and also coffee, and I loved their coffee (I'm an iced mocha latte girl).
  📍 284 Margaret St, Key West, FL 33040 (Closest to the cruise port)

• Mattheessen’s – This dessert shop is famous for its oversized key lime pie slices, made extra rich and creamy.
  📍 419 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040

Oddly enough, one of the BEST spots for key lime pie is allegedly... PUBLIX. I haven't personally tried it, because the nearest Publix in Key West isn't walkable from the cruise port (it's about 2.5 miles away), but I hope to try it out one day. 

Beaches Near Key West Cruise Port

As I noted above, Key West isn't the best spot for a beach day. Why? Because the beaches are small here, and there are also so many other cool things to do.

The reason for the small beaches is due to the fact that Key West sits at the edge of North America's only living coral barrier reef, which plays a major role in shaping its coastline and beach conditions. The reef, located about 6-7 miles offshore, acts as a natural wave break, preventing large ocean swells from reaching the shore.

The upside of this is that it means that the waters around Key West are typically calm, making them ideal for snorkeling and making a great spot for parents with little kids who can't handle aggressive waves.

However, because of this protective reef system, Key West lacks the long, wide sandy beaches found in other Caribbean cruise port destinations. The reef disrupts the natural sand deposition process, meaning the island has very little naturally occurring beach area. Many of the beaches you see in Key West, such as Smathers Beach, have been artificially maintained with imported sand.

Some beach-loving travelers to Key West opt for a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, a remote island accessible by ferry. It's known for being stunning, featuring crystal-clear water and pristine white sand, but is difficult to visit during a cruise given the limited time at port. If you're traveling with a group of folks, you could book a private charter for a day trip, that will get you back to port in time.

If you're taking a cruise to Key West and want a beach day that's feasible within a short port of call, and not far from the cruise port, here are some options: 

1. Simonton Beach (Closest to the port)

📍 Simonton St & Front St, Key West, FL 33040 (half a mile from the port)

• The closest sandy beach to the cruise port, just a short walk away.
• Small but offers calm, shallow waters and a laid-back atmosphere.
• There are limited amenities, but it’s great for a quick beach visit.

2. Higgs Beach

📍 1000 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040 (1.5 miles from the port)

• One of the best public beaches in Key West with free entry.
• Offers soft sand, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, and nearby restaurants.
• Also home to the Key West Orchid Club, which I detailed above.

3. South Beach

📍 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040 (1.3 miles from the port)

• A small but scenic sandy beach at the southern end of Duval Street.
• It's right by the Southernmost Point
• Calm, shallow waters make it great for wading.
• There’s a beachfront café, but few other amenities.

4. Smathers Beach

📍 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040 (2.5 miles from the port)

• The largest and most well-known public beach in Key West.
• Features imported white sand, palm trees, restrooms, food trucks, and water sports rentals.
• Great for sunbathing and long walks but requires a taxi, bike ride, or golf cart to reach.

5. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach

📍 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL 33040 (Less than one mile from the port)

• Located inside Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
• A mix of sand and coral rock, with clear waters for snorkeling.
• Has picnic tables, restrooms, and a small café.

Is Key West Worth Visiting as a Cruise Port Destination?

It makes me a bit sad that some cruisers actively avoid cruise itineraries that include Key West as a port of call, thinking that it's not "exotic" enough, or that it's "just Florida." They perceive cruising as an opportunity to travel internationally. 

And I get that, I really do. I even thought that myself at first. But... Key West is like its own little world, and I've visited it a few times now as a cruise port and I absolutely love it every time. 

While some residents want to put an end to cruise tourism, Key West remains one of the most unique and historically rich cruise ports in the U.S. Its quirky charm, historic sites, and fantastic food make it a must-visit destination. If it’s on your itinerary, take advantage while you still can.

Key West Cruise Port Ship Schedule

The Key West cruise port schedule is located here.