Place · 0.2 mi away
Overview
Tucked at the end of Reynolds Street on Higgs Beach, this compact wooden pier is where locals slip into the water for a quick snorkel and visitors escape the Mallory Square crush at sunset. It’s small, simple, and mellow—the appeal is easy ocean access and end‑of‑day color, not spectacle.
What You’ll See
Just offshore, the old remnant pilings (left intentionally during a 2018 rehab) act like a mini artificial reef. On calm days, look for schools of grunts and snapper, sergeant majors, parrotfish, the occasional barracuda, rays nosing over the sand, and—if you’re lucky—a cruising turtle or nurse shark.
Swimming and Snorkeling
Use the pier’s stairs to slip into deeper water, then follow the line of old pilings for fishy structure and circle back over the sand. Visibility swings with wind, tide, and sargassum, so mornings or slack tide are your best bet. The shoreline is inside the Key West Marine Park’s designated swim/snorkel zone—stay inside the buoys and give any anglers wide berth. Water shoes help with scattered rock and urchins.
Fishing (Use the Next Pier Over)
Reynolds is set up for swimmers. If you want to fish, head to neighboring White Street (Edward B. Knight) Pier; it’s the area’s go‑to fishing platform with more room and fewer swimmers to dodge.
Amenities and Nearby
Higgs Beach wraps the pier with practical perks: restrooms and showers, playgrounds, beach volleyball, tennis and pickleball courts, two gated dog parks, picnic tables and grills, beach chair/umbrella rentals, and a laid‑back beachfront cafe.
Best Time to Visit
- Sunrise to mid‑morning: clearest water and gentler winds for snorkeling.
- Golden hour to sunset: the money view, typically calmer than the main sunset scene downtown.
- Weekends see fuller parking and busier sand; weekdays are easier overall.
Know Before You Go
The park and pier operate roughly 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Conditions change fast—if it’s been windy, expect stirred‑up sand and lower visibility. Stay within the marked swim zone, and if buoys are sparse during maintenance, be extra cautious.
Pros
- Easy swim and snorkel access via stairs
- Lovely, lower-key sunset viewpoint
Cons
- Water can be shallow and murky after wind
- Closes at sunset; no evening hangout
Tips
- Go in the morning or at slack tide for the clearest water.
- Follow the old pilings for the most fish; return over sand to spot rays.
- Wear water shoes—there are scattered rocks and the odd urchin.
- For fishing, use White Street Pier next door and keep swimmers safe.
- Aim for weekday sunset for golden light without the downtown crowds.
