Anne's Beach

Anne’s Beach is a small public beach on Lower Matecumbe Key in Islamorada, along Florida’s Overseas Highway. A wooden boardwalk winds through mangroves to several sandy coves and covered picnic spots, making this a handy place for a short walk or a break on the drive south. The water is calm and shallow, suited to wading and kayaking, though the shoreline is not a broad stretch of soft sand and some entry points can be muddy or weedy. Bring a picnic and take time to look for fiddler crabs and other wildlife.

A beach of small coves

Anne’s Beach is named for local environmentalist Anne Eaton. The public beach sits on Lower Matecumbe Key in Islamorada, beside the Overseas Highway. Rather than one wide shoreline, it is a series of small sandy areas along the mangroves.

A wooden boardwalk connects the coves and picnic spots. Covered tables along the route give you a place to pause in the shade, and the path offers a way to explore the mangrove edge without staying on the sand. The beach is a convenient stop while travelling through the Keys, especially if you want a short walk or a picnic by the water.

Wading and exploring the shallows

The water is calm and shallow for a considerable distance from shore, so wading is a better fit here than a deep-water swim. Kayaking is another way to spend time on the water. Conditions and the amount of exposed beach can change with the tide; near high tide, little or no sand may be visible.

Some water entries are muddy, and seaweed can collect along the shore. Water shoes can make getting in easier. The mangroves and shallows are also a good place to watch for fiddler crabs and other wildlife. The beach is compact, so plan for a relaxed stop rather than a full day on a broad sandy shoreline.