8 Delicious Beaches In The Florida Keys Slideshow

Whether you're into swimming, snorkeling, biking, people watching, or simply relaxing in the sun, beaches in the Keys are ideal.

Bahia Honda Beach at Bahia Honda State Park features clear waters and soft sand. Situated at mile marker 37 in Big Pine Key, this beach was rated 17 out of 25 on TripAdvisor's 2014 awards for best beaches in the continental U.S. Bahia Honda State Park includes Calusa Beach and Sandspur Beach. Pack a lunch or buy one at the on-site concessions featuring sandwiches, hot dogs and ice cream.

Smathers Beach in Key West, one of the city's largest beaches, hosts 150,000 people a year. Parking is free and there's a lot to do including jet skiing, biking, and volleyball. Pack a lunch and take in the scenery while you eat.

Another public beach in Key West, South Beach has 200 feet of white sand. Situated near Duval Street, this beach is east of the official southernmost point in the continental 

This sandy spot on the Atlantic near Marathon is next to a park complete with picnic pavilions. Head to Sombrero Beach to relax, play volleyball, and enjoy lunch. It's also a turtle-nesting beach from April through October when Loggerhead Turtles lay their eggs on the beach at night. The city monitors nesting activity and often limits human activities in the nesting area, which typically takes less 10 percent of beach area. 

A pet friendly beach, Anne's Beach is at mile market 73.5 in Islamorada. There's free parking at this beach, which is a prime location for swimming, kite boarding, and picnicking. Have a snack and hang out with your pet at this beach that's named after Anne Eaton, a local environmentalist.

This beach in Key West, located at Zachary Taylor State Park (a national landmark since 1973 and Florida's southernmost state park) is known locally as "Fort Zach" or "Rocky Beach." It's a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and soaking up the sun. But there are no lifeguards on duty here so always be careful! The water is clean and clear but wear water shoes since the sea bottom is rocky. Pick up snacks at the concession stand, and eat lunch on the shaded patio at Cayo Hueso Cafe, which is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Located in Key Largo at mile marker 102.5, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has two man-made beaches including Canon Beach, the primary snorkeling beach, which showcases some remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck, about 100 feet offshore. The other beach, Far Beach, is a relaxing place to swim and hang out under the palm trees.

Pack a lunch or plan a BBQ! There are picnicking pavilions throughout the park including some on-site grills. Call ahead to rent a pavilion. Stop by the food counter for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. 

Locals love Library Beach in Islamorada. The village of Islamorada owns this beach, located at mile marker 81.5, which has a picnic and barbeque area. Stock your cooler with tasty foods you can cook up at the beach.