Pros & cons
PROS
- Rebuilt, accessible boardwalk with accessible parking at both ends
- Six shaded picnic cabanas spaced along the route
CONS
- Small parking lots that often fill quickly
- Some highway noise along the walk
Two small lots at the north and south ends at MM 73.5 (oceanside); they fill fast. An additional bayside lot sits about a block south. Accessible spaces at both ends; restrooms at the north lot.
No lifeguards; slippery algae on steps; bugs at dawn and dusk; intense sun; no open flames or grills; limited parking during peak times.
Overview
A breezy stroll more than a hike, Anne’s Beach Boardwalk strings together shallow, glass-clear water, mangroves, and six shaded picnic cabanas along the Atlantic side of Lower Matecumbe Key. The composite boardwalk was rebuilt after Hurricane Irma and reopened in 2019 with accessibility in mind. Expect easy grades, ocean views, and frequent stair spurs leading down to hard‑packed sand and ankle‑to‑knee‑deep water.
Route and Length
Plan on about 0.5 miles total if you walk from one parking area to the other and return (the boardwalk itself is roughly 1,300 feet one way). It’s flat, family‑friendly, and a pleasant amble for photos and wildlife spotting rather than a workout.
What You’ll See
Mangroves and buttonwood frame the path, with chances to spot ospreys overhead and wading birds working the shallows. Keep an eye out for crabs scuttling around the roots and small songbirds moving through the coastal scrub.
Amenities and Vibe
Six covered pavilions with picnic tables break up the walk, plus restrooms at the north lot. It’s dog‑friendly on leash. The setting is serene, but you’ll hear some highway hum; this corridor ties into the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
Tips and Best Times
This shines in the dry season (November–April) for lower humidity and mellow temps. Mid to high tide gives the best wading; at very low tide you’ll find broad tidal flats. Sunrise to sunset only, and it’s free. Parking is limited and fills quickly on weekends and holidays—arrive early or later in the day. Bring reef‑safe sun protection, bug spray for dawn/dusk, and water shoes for shells and limestone.
Need‑to‑Know
There are no lifeguards—swim and wade at your own risk. Surfaces and steps can grow slippery with algae. Follow picnic rules (no open flames or grills) and pack out every crumb. Leashed pups are welcome; be courteous with waste and water needs.
Where it starts
24.8485, -80.7410Wildlife on this trail
Near Anne's Beach Boardwalk
All places →All trails →
0.2 mi awayHabanos OceanfrontCasual Cuban plates with breezy oceanfront viewsRestaurant · Food
0.5 mi awayChannel Two Fishing BridgeClassic Keys bridge for easy fishing and sunrise/sunset viewsParking · Scenic Viewpoint
0.7 mi awayChannel Two BridgeClassic Keys fishing bridge with big views and bigger tidesPullout · Parking
2.1 mi awayChannel Five - WestEasy bayside pull-off for big views and bridge fishingParking · Scenic Viewpoint
5.6 mi awayGolden Orb Nature TrailKeys ecosystems sampler: hammock, mangroves, salt pan, and surfEasy · 1.2 mi · 1 hr
7.4 mi awayGreen Turtle Hammock Nature TrailShady 0.4 mile loop through rare Keys rockland hammock.Easy · 0.4 mi · 30 min
11.8 mi awayWindley Key Quarry TrailShort loop among coral-quarry walls with fossil coral up closeEasy · 0.4 mi · 30 min
11.8 mi awayWindley Key Hammock TrailShady 0.6 mile loop through Keys hammock and fossil reef historyEasy · 0.6 mi · 30 min
