Is Key West worth visiting for spring break this year? You bet! If you’re looking for a spring break idea that doesn’t require a passport, look no further for a place that offers fun parties, delicious food and spirits, and music spilling into the streets until all hours of the night.
It’s still true that spring breakers from around the country pile into the place we like to call the Conch Republic each year to experience incredible beaches, endless sun, and the best bars for dancing and live music!
A tour we think you'll love
If you’ve always wanted to visit Key West, spring break packages throughout March can make this trip very affordable for college students. There’s no need for planning your trip to the Florida Keys to feel like extra homework. Simply check out this guide to spring break season to discover five things you need to experience with your friends when you come!
1) Go Night Kayaking In Key West
Experience the magic of Key West after dark with a guided tour in an LED-illuminated glass-bottom kayak! Once the sun sets, Key West Paddle guides you into the water to see nocturnal marine life under the glow of a star-filled sky.
Choose to glide along in crystal-clear tropical waters or hop in a two-person kayak with a buddy as your enchanted adventure through narrow mangrove tunnels begins. As you float along peacefully in calm waters, your expert tour guide will point out critters and curiosities that fill the night with celestial excitement. Our guests enjoy:
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Comfortable, state-of-the-art glass-bottom kayaks that bring the world under the water right before your eyes
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Friendly, knowledgeable guides
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Reasonable rates
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The option to book up to 18 guests at once
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A 24-hour cancellation policy with a full refund
Make this a spring break you’ll remember forever! Our easy booking options cater to spring breakers looking for unforgettable and affordable experiences. Book your spot with Key West Paddle today!
2) Enjoy Sun And Fun At The Beach
No compilation of Key West spring break ideas is complete without a rundown of the island’s best beaches! Is Key West worth it for the beaches alone? Yes, the island is famed for having some of the most amazing beaches in the Florida Keys:
Smathers Beach
The beach that all spring breakers know is Smathers Beach. As Key West’s largest public beach, Smathers Beach extends for half a mile along the Atlantic Ocean on the island’s south side. Offering tons of amenities, this is the perfect place to hang out with your group and mingle with college students who’ve arrived from across the country to party in the sun. The beach volleyball nets set up in the sand always attract crowds.
South Beach
If you’d prefer a slightly more subdued spot where you can sunbathe among swaying palm trees, visit South Beach during spring break. Nestled on Duval Street’s southern end, this quieter beach is famed for its warm, shallow water and ultra-soft sand. The best part is that South Beach is within walking distance of tons of great shops, restaurants, and bars. As you make your way back to Duval Street to grab food or drinks, stop at the Emma Carrero Cates Pier to take a stunning sunset photo with your spring break crew!
Higgs Beach
Higgs Beach is another spot that everyone loves. This white-sand beach with a cute pier covers 16.5 acres of oceanfront perfection on the Atlantic. It’s a great spot for some long walks with friends.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Finally, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is the perfect spot if you want a dreamy beach day with high potential for spotting some enchanted sea turtles in the wild! Perched at the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, this state park and beach offers exceptional swimming and snorkeling. Within the park’s 54 scenic acres, you’ll find a fortress from 1845 that has been declared a National Historic Landmark.
3) Savor The Party Scene On Duval Street
Is Key West fun at night? Allow us to introduce you to the list of amazing bars and restaurants where spring breakers enjoy parties on patios with string lights and palm trees all night long! You just need to know a few things before you head out for the night.
While Key West feels different from any other place in the United States, the drinking age is still 21! If you plan to legally drink while in town, the signature drink of the island is a cocktail called the Rum Runner that combines rum, banana and blackberry liqueur, and grenadine.
Check out the nightly parties and music happening in these popular spots during spring break:
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Fat Tuesday (305 Duval) – This fun spot is known for its DJs and alcohol slushies. Fat Tuesday is the perfect spot to dance with your crew in a low-key, friendly setting.
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Rick’s Bar and Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex (202 Duval) – Home to Key West’s biggest dance floor, Rick’s is a nightlife complex featuring eight separate bars with pulse-pounding music, champagne rooms, 10-foot sports screens, and laser shows. The biggest parties in Key West happen here every night. Whether you’re looking out over the balcony or sipping at the bar, you’ll feel like you’re in the center of it all.
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Sloppy Joe’s (201 Duval) – A staple of Key West’s nightlife scene since the 1930s, Sloppy Joe’s is known for its eclectic spirit, daily musical acts, look-alike contests, and more! This is also one of the best bars to grab a drink and a bite to eat! An iconic menu with delicious food features grilled shrimp, Havana nachos, fried pickle chips, conch fritters, and Key West-style wings!
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Sunset Pier (0 Duval) – This dockside eatery with amazing water views is the best spot to enjoy live music and drinks while watching the sun go down. Located within Ocean Key Resort & Spa, Sunset Pier is a great place to begin a night out!
Pro Tip: While you’re on Duval Street, take a moment to chat with the bartenders. They know the best drinks and can share some fun local stories. And if you hear live music, stop and enjoy it! Just have fun and soak up the Key West vibe!
4) Go Jet Skiing In Key West
Jet skiing is one of the most beloved water activities in Key West! There are plenty of options for jet skiing nearly anywhere off of Key West’s coast. In fact, the aforementioned Smathers Beach has jet ski rentals available.
A spot called Pearl Banks near Key West is another popular spot for jet skiing. Just be aware that the use of jet skis is prohibited in all Key West wildlife refuge areas.
Before you hit the waves, make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen and wear a swimsuit that stays put! Jet skiing can get splashy, and you don’t want to end up with a sunburn or wardrobe malfunction.
Pro Tip: Also, keep an eye out for wildlife while you ride – it’s a beautiful way to experience the waters around Key West!
5) Tour Old Town
If you want to spend a morning clearing your head and taking in some relaxing sights after a long night, pepper some culture into your Key West spring break with a dip into Old Town Key West.
Also known as the Key West Historic District, Old Town comprises 4,000 acres of land with borders that include Whitehead Street, Thomas Street, Angela Street, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Here are some highlights for when you explore this cultural jewel of the Florida Keys:
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Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum – Walk the halls of the Whitehead Street home where Hemingway lived and wrote during the 1930s. The ancestors of the author’s famed polydactyl cats still inhabit the residence! A visit will show you why Hemingway and so many other iconic authors and artists have fallen in love with the Florida Keys.
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Key West Lighthouse – Located across the street from Ernest Hemingway’s former house, the Key West Lighthouse invites you to climb 88 steps to the top of its tower for breathtaking views of the island and surrounding ocean!
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Southernmost Point Buoy – Marking the southernmost point in the contiguous United States, this iconic photo spot on Whitehead Street is just 90 miles from Cuba!
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable shoes when touring Old Town, as you’ll want to explore all the charming streets and historic sites without worrying about sore feet. And don’t forget your camera! The picturesque views and unique landmarks, like the Southernmost Point Buoy, are perfect for capturing memories of your Key West adventure.
Is Key West Worth Visiting? Let Us Show You!
Is Key West worth it for college kids? There’s a reason why spring breakers come year after year to have fun in Key West. This is one of the best ways to enjoy a tropical paradise without leaving the country for spring break. Key West Paddle is here to help you plan a spring break you and your friends will never forget.
Our guided night kayaking tours let you experience the hidden wonders of the ocean from inside a glass-bottom, LED-lit kayak. If you’re coming with your whole sorority, fraternity, or dorm floor, we can easily accommodate parties of up to 18. Spring breakers love our easy booking and reasonable rates! Book your night kayaking tour in Key West with Key West Paddle today!
