While you might think that Key West is a place to frolic with friends or family, you’d be surprised how many solo travelers find their way to this tropical paradise. There are plenty of hidden gems in Key West for singles to discover. From the thrilling nightlife of Duval Street to the many state and national parks to explore, there are tons of things to do alone in Key West.
You might be wondering, “Is Key West a safe place for solo travelers?” You’ll be relieved to know that Key West is highly regarded as a safe location for a solo trip. Whether you want to stroll on one of the beautiful beaches at night or make new friends at one of the lively restaurants or bars, you can rest assured that you’re in a great place for your first solo trip.
A tour we think you'll love
To make your solo travel to Key West even easier, skip the grueling road trip and fly into the Key West International Airport to get the fun started as soon as possible!
1) Kick Off Your Key West Solo Travel Plans With Key West Boat Trips
One of the greatest advantages of taking a solo trip to Key West is having the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. At Key West Boat Trips, we offer exciting excursions that get you away from the crowds in town without leaving you feeling lonely.
Enjoy an adventure like no other on our sandbar hopping tour where you can join a group as we guide you to premium sandbar locations. Hop out and take a few Instagram-worthy selfies or keep an eye out for nearby marine life as you stand in what looks like the middle of the sea.
Contact us ahead of your solo adventure so we can get you set up with an unforgettable experience here in the Florida Keys!
2) Spend The Day At One Of Key West’s Stunning Parks
If you’re a solo traveler who loves to be in the great outdoors, but you don’t necessarily have to spend your time lounging on a beach, then there are a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss while visiting the Florida Keys. The Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most elusive parks in the entire country and requires you to either find a boat rental to take you or ride the Yankee Freedom Ferry to the island.
Once you reach Dry Tortugas National Park there’s a myriad of things to do. Wander the island and explore the many lush trails available, take your own solo tour of the historical Fort Jefferson, or head to the beach and check out the teeming marine life just waiting to be discovered. If you’re feeling brave, you can even camp out for the night at Dry Tortugas National Park but keep in mind that there are no vendors for food and only compostable bathrooms available from 3 pm to 10:30 am.
Here are a few other parks a solo traveler can explore near Key West:
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Bahia Honda State Park – Have an overnight camping trip here as well
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Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to watch historical reenactments
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Take your pup to Higgs Beach Dog Park
Most of these parks are within walking distance of other amenities like restaurants, public restrooms, and water sports rentals, so be sure to check out the area before making your decision on which park you’d like to visit on your Key West vacation.
3) Take Some Time To Explore Old Town In Key West
If you’re looking for things to do alone in Key West but don’t necessarily want to run all over the island to find a good time, then you might want to schedule a day to explore Old Town. The Conch Tour Train is a hop-on-hop-off tour ride that gives you all-day access to the trolley. There are tons of different attractions and places to see, but the train makes it easy to see them all in one day.
The Key West Aquarium is one of the most popular stops on the train and allows you to get up close and personal with marine life and learn more about your favorite creatures. You can also stop at locations like Mallory Square in the evening to see the best sunset in the Florida Keys, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere full of vendors, street performers, and more.
Here are some of the other stops you’ll enjoy on the tour:
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Truval Village
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Station Depot
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Harry S. Truman Little White House
Pro Tip: Your ticket for the Conch Train Tour will give you free access to the Sails to Rails Museum in Key West!
4) Take A Solo Adventure To The Southernmost Point
Southernmost Point is an iconic location to stop at while you’re in Key West. This location is home to the Southernmost Buoy and is a go-to place to take commemorative selfies of your trip to Key West. There are a few other locations nearby that you’ll want to visit if you’re exploring Key West by yourself.
Head to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory to see hundreds of fluttering butterflies and other beautiful creatures amidst a lush and beautifully landscaped scenery. One of the perks of visiting this location on your own is not having to feel rushed by other people. Take your time and soak in the natural beauty of this hidden gem in Key West!
Another great place to explore in the Florida Keys is the Key West Lighthouse! Not only is the area stunning and offers great views of the crystal clear waters, but you can climb to the top of the lighthouse and see how its keepers once lived by looking at preserved belongings and historical items from long ago!
5) Meet The Locals And Make New Friends On Duval Street
Duval Street is a lively location best suited for nightlife and getting to know how the locals get down and party! Whether you’re looking for a hot spot to dance to live music or you want to try some of the best cocktails, craft beer, and other drinks on the island, then Duval Street should be at the top of your list for a lively night of fun.
Here are just a few of the best places to stop and make new friends on Duval Street:
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The Rum Bar
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Sloppy Joe’s
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Fat Tuesday
Duval Street is also home to a myriad of hotel and resort options. If you plan on spending your nights here, you might just find comfortable accommodations within walking distance.
6) Lounge On The Beautiful Beaches Of The Florida Keys
It wouldn’t be a true Key West vacation if you didn’t spend some time soaking up the sun on our amazing beaches. Smathers Beach is one of the more popular beaches to visit in Key West because of the amazing amenities included there. You’ll find showers and public restrooms near the beach, there are rental companies with the best equipment for jet skiing for a day on the water, and some of the best views of the setting sun in Key West.
Smathers Beach isn’t the only place to enjoy the warm weather and fun on the water in Key West. If you’re looking for more exciting activities to enjoy at Key West’s beautiful beaches, you can also find snorkeling trips at many locations and other water sports rentals for those solo travelers seeking a thrill.
Here are some of the other beaches where you can lounge in the sun on your trip:
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Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
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Higgs Beach
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Sunset Beach
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to bring the essentials like your beach blanket, and some sun protection if you plan on basking in the sun!
7) Take A Trip To Key Largo For The Day
Key Largo is the perfect place to visit if you love the beauty and nature of the Florida Keys. Not only is it a much quieter, reserved location than the heart of Key West, but you’ll have multiple opportunities to see the marine life and wildlife of the islands from a closer perspective.
You can visit the Wild Bird Sanctuary or the John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park, to name a few amazing locations.
8) Taste The Island’s Signature Flavor With A Key Lime Pie Tour
Key Lime Pie is well-known in Key West and is a flavor you can find at nearly every restaurant on the islands. But what you might not know is that you can find this tropical flavor combination in far more than just pie form.
Many restaurants and eateries step outside of the box to create creative dishes with these same flavors. You will even find bars hosting this flavor in cocktails! Here are just a few locations where you can find Key Lime Pie goodness:
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Blue Heaven
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Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
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Lime and Pies
Pro Tip: Search for food tours before your trip to find the best flavors in the city!
9) Experience An Unforgettable Key West Sunset
The sunset is unlike anywhere else in the world here in Key West, and there are plenty of ways to experience it for yourself. Whether you want to walk on a beach in solitude or join the masses at Mallory Square to kick off the Sunset Celebration every evening, there’s always a magnificent way to experience this event.
You can even find countless sunset cruises and other tour experiences that allow you to see the setting sun from a new perspective!
Make The Most Of Your Solo Adventure To The Florida Keys
Here at Key West Boat Trips, we want to make sure you have an unforgettable experience in the Keys. Take a trip through crystal clear waters to unforgettable sandbar locations surrounding Key West for a day on the water like no other! Our knowledgeable guides will lead you to the best spots, making you feel like you’re walking on water in the middle of the ocean.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Visit our website now to get in touch and book your solo tour experience. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!