North Beach

North Beach is a sandy swimming shore on Garden Key, tucked against the north side of Fort Jefferson. Its gradual slope and easy entry make it a good choice if you want to get into the water without a steep drop-off. The walk around the back of the fort is longer than the direct ferry-side route to South Beach, so it fits a visit when you have time to wander before a swim.

Garden Key is reachable only by boat or seaplane. From the dock, North Beach is around the back of Fort Jefferson; it is a less direct walk than South Beach. There is no road access to this shore, so follow the park's route and posted boundaries rather than guessing a shortcut.

The Garden Key beaches have a gradual slope and easy water entry, which makes them suitable for beginner swimmers and snorkelers. There is no lifeguard, and currents can be strong. Stay within your ability, keep a close watch on children, and do not swim alone. Stay off coral and seagrass, and never enter the fort moat or dive from its walls.

The beach is worth photographing with the brick fort wall and seawall behind the sand; that pairing is what makes this shore distinctive. A frame of open water alone misses the unusual setting beneath Fort Jefferson.

If you continue to the nearby North Coaling Docks, their surviving pilings are a separate snorkel stop. The Navy built the docks and warehouses in the late 1800s to refuel ships; a hurricane later destroyed the structures, but the pilings remain. They shelter fish beside a dredged channel, adding a second bit of island history to a North Beach visit.