Anne's Beach, Islamorada

On a thin strip of land at the southern tip of Lower Matecumbe Island in Islamorada is Anne's Beach. Here you can pull off the Oversees Highway to the left (if you're headed toward Key West) and park in one of two small lots. The northernmost lot is the best if you want shade as you walk to the beach. There is a wide wooden boardwalk amongst the trees along the entire length of this tiny stretch of land. Little steps lead down to different private sections of beach. The beach is just a ribbon of sand along the shore. The water is swampy, brown, and not very enticing, but it's fun for kids to play here and search for crabs and other creepies.

The best part about this beach is that there are shaded huts up high above the sand amongst the trees. Each hut has a picnic table and a good view of the water and your kids playing below. It's a wonderful place to spend a few hours in the shade while your kids work off their energy. Bring some mosquito repellent because there is plenty of vegetation around here.
At one of the stairways to the sand there is mud with little bubbly holes where crabs peek out like gophers at a carnival game. Everyone will get a kick out of this!
I wouldn't recommend the Keys during the summer (June-October) because it is too hot and you can't come out at sunrise or sunset to beat the heat because that is when the mosquitoes (who gift you with HUGE, itchy bites) are out.

Directions

Anne's Beach is located at Mile Marker 73 in the Florida Keys. There are signs along the Oversees Highway showing you where to turn into the parking lot.
From the Turnpike, take Highway 821, the Turnpike extension toward Homestead. Follow it for 46 miles to the end. Follow the signs to U.S. Highway 1 south. Continue 56 miles into the Florida Keys. You are at Lower Matecumbe Key. Anne's Beach is on the left at the last stretch of island before the bridge.

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