Key West Cruise Port Guide: Golf Carts, Food & Top Attractions

By Melissa Newman

Published October 2025 | Updated June 2026

Navigating the Key West Cruise Port: Golf Carts, Food, and Fun in Port

The Key West cruise port is a rare U.S. domestic stop included in some Caribbean itineraries, and it may not exist as a stop for much longer, as it’s generally unpopular with the locals who continue efforts to shut down cruise ships from docking at Port of Key West in Florida.

It also is an often overlooked and underrated cruise port. Some cruisers skip itineraries with Key West, thinking it isn’t exotic enough. I’ve heard a lot of cruisers say “Why would I want to cruise to Key West? It’s just Florida!”

Look, I get it. I used to think that, too. But Key West feels like its own world, with quirky charm, deep history, and great food. Trust me, it’s a pretty awesome cruise port destination. While some residents oppose cruise tourism, it remains one of the most unique U.S. cruise ports. If it’s on your itinerary, take advantage while you can.

For cruisers who are fortunate to enjoy this stop while it is still an option, there are many fantastic things to do at the Key West cruise port. Many cruise ports offer great beach day opportunities. While that’s certainly an option here (more on that below), I recommend that cruisers enjoy the incredible history and cultural experiences the port has to offer. Save the beach day for a different Caribbean port of call.

One of the first things you’ll notice when walking around Key West is the abundance of free-roaming roosters and chickens. These colorful birds are a beloved, and sometimes noisy, part of the island’s charm. You’ll also notice tons of bakeries, bars, and restaurants. In addition to its famous key lime pie, Key West is known for its lively bar scene and outstanding food. Due to its close proximity to Cuba, the Key West cruise port area has some of the best Cuban food in the U.S., making it a must-try while in port.

Key West Cruise Port Location and Map

The Key West cruise port consists of three piers (Pier B, Mallory Square, and the Navy’s Outer Mole Pier) all located on the western side of the island. Most cruise ships dock at Pier B or Mallory Square, placing you directly in the heart of Old Town Key West and within easy walking distance of major attractions like Duval Street, the Mel Fisher Museum, and Mallory Square itself.

Port at a Glance: Ships dock at 1–2 of three possible piers. Wi-Fi is widely available at local cafes and bars. ATMs are plentiful downtown. The port address is 201 Wall St, Key West, FL 33040. You dock directly in the city center.

Download a port map for Key West

Getting Around Key West Cruise Port

The Key West cruise port is highly walkable, and that’s one of the things I absolutely love about it, but depending on your mobility and how much you want to explore, you may prefer an easier way to get around.

Golf Cart Rentals

A popular way to explore, golf carts give you flexibility without the hassle of finding parking for a full-size vehicle. You can always book in advance, but rentals are also available near the port. If you opt to go the golf cart route, note that you must treat it like a car for parking purposes, including paying for parking in most locations.

Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

A fantastic way to see all of Key West without worrying about navigation or parking. The trolley stops at major attractions, and you can hop on and off at your convenience.

Conch Train Tour

If you prefer a guided experience without the walking, the Conch Train offers a narrated ride through Old Town, covering Key West’s top sites. This is not a “hop-on hop-off” experience, but rather an hour-long guided tour. I did this on a recent visit and enjoyed both the ride and the narration from the guide.

Walking

If you’re up for it, and don’t have mobility limitations, Key West is compact and easy to navigate on foot. The majority of attractions are within a mile or two of the port. On my first visit, we did a lot in one day, ending at the Southernmost Point before taking an Uber back to the port.

Ride Share & Guided Tours

Uber and Lyft are available in Key West, and given the proximity of most attractions, rides are inexpensive. While I don’t recommend Ubering between every site, it’s a great option for returning to the port after exploring on foot. If you’d like to explore with more context, you can book a historical walking tour or a self-guided audio tour, which is a more affordable way to learn as you go.

Related: Watch all my Key West video content

Is Key West Closer to Cuba Than a Walmart?

Key West is famous for being a remote island paradise, but just how remote is it? Here’s a wild fact that really puts things in perspective: the island is actually closer to Havana, Cuba (about 90 miles) than it is to the nearest Walmart, located 126 miles away on the Florida mainland.

This isn’t just a quirky trivia tidbit, but it genuinely shapes the character of Key West. The island sits at the very tip of the Florida Keys, connected to the mainland by the famous Overseas Highway, which stretches 113 miles across 42 bridges. That’s a long way to go for groceries! Key West’s proximity to Cuba has influenced everything from its architecture and cuisine to its cultural vibe. You’ll notice strong Cuban influences throughout the island, especially in the food scene.

Top Things to Do in Key West Cruise Port

Key West is rich in history, from presidential retreats to literary landmarks, and that’s one of the things I love about calling to the Key West cruise port. Here are some of the best sites if you’re into historic and cultural attractions:

Harry S. Truman Little White House

Walk the exterior and enjoy the grounds for free, or opt for the paid tour inside to learn about Truman’s winter retreat. I found the entry price a bit steep, so I just walked around the property and popped in to the gift shop. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes and provides fascinating insight into Truman’s 11 visits to Key West, where he made important Cold War decisions.

Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

A must-see for literature lovers (or cat lovers). The house is home to dozens of six-toed cats, many descended from Hemingway’s original pet. Plan for about an hour to tour the Spanish Colonial home where Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works, including For Whom the Bell Tolls. The lush gardens and pool are just as captivating as the house itself, and you’ll likely spot several of the famous polydactyl cats lounging around the property. Honestly, as a cat lover myself, and not much of a Hemingway fan, I went just for the cats and found that element alone worth the price of admission.

Southernmost Point

The famous red, black, and yellow buoy marking the southernmost point of the continental U.S. is one of Key West’s most iconic photo ops. Technically, the true southernmost point is on nearby private Ballast Key, but this buoy is the southernmost publicly accessible spot. It’s just 90 miles from Cuba, and on a clear day, you can feel the proximity to the Caribbean. The area gets crowded midday, so if you’re aiming for that perfect shot without the crowds, try to visit early in your port day or later in the afternoon. But here’s my secret pro tip: even if you get there at peak times, instead of waiting, stand to the side of the buoy instead and snap a quick pic from that angle. You may not capture the writing on the buoy, but you’ll save valuable port time.

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Just steps from the Southernmost Point, this glass-enclosed habitat features hundreds of butterflies and exotic birds. It’s a must-visit for families and nature lovers. The climate-controlled conservatory offers a peaceful escape from the heat, and you can easily spend 30–45 minutes watching butterflies land on flowers (and maybe even on you!). The flamingos and waterfall add to the tropical ambiance, making this a surprisingly serene experience in the middle of busy Key West. I stopped by here on my first visit and found it worth the stop.

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

Filled with treasures and artifacts recovered from shipwrecks, this museum is perfect for history lovers and is budget-friendly. The highlight is the treasure from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sank in 1622 and was discovered by Mel Fisher in 1985 after a 16-year search. You can even hold a real gold bar (under supervision, of course!), and the collection of emeralds, silver coins, and jewelry is absolutely stunning for anyone fascinated by maritime history.

Key West Aquarium

Located right near Mallory Square and extremely close to where cruise ships dock, the Key West Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums in the United States and makes for a convenient, family-friendly stop. The interactive touch tanks are a huge hit with kids, allowing you to get hands-on with sea stars, conch, and horseshoe crabs. The shark feeding demonstrations happen multiple times daily and are definitely worth catching if you time your visit right. The aquarium is small and can be explored in about 45 minutes to an hour, making it perfect for cruise passengers on a tight schedule.

Related: Watch my Key West Cruise Port Videos on YouTube

Quirky & Offbeat Key West Attractions

Key West is known for its eccentric charm, and there are some fun and quirky things to check out if you’re into that sort of thing.

Books & Books

This independent bookstore is owned by author Judy Blume. It’s a cute stop not far from port and makes for a quick visit. Although Judy sometimes pops in to work the register, she wasn’t on duty during my most recent visit, sadly, and my “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” loving heart was a little broken. The shop is pretty small, but has a great selection of local interest books and beach reads, making it the perfect place to pick up something to enjoy on your sea days.

Robert the Doll

I love, love, love spooky things, so this next one is a real treat. Housed at the Fort East Martello Museum, this famously haunted doll, affectionately named “Robert the Doll,” is one of Key West’s strangest attractions. The museum offers spooky night tours, but those are usually after typical cruise all-aboard times, so sadly, I’ve never been able to visit. Legend has it that Robert was given to artist Robert Eugene Otto in 1906, and the doll is believed to cause misfortune to anyone who photographs him without permission. The museum itself is housed in a Civil War-era fort and includes Key West history exhibits alongside the creepy doll display.

Key West Cemetery

This historic cemetery features above-ground graves and quirky headstones, including one that reads, “I told you I was sick.” It’s free and typically open from around 8:30 AM to 4 PM. The cemetery reflects Key West’s unique character, with humorous epitaphs, elaborate mausoleums, and sections dedicated to everyone from Cuban exiles to Navy sailors. Located near the center of the island, making it an easy stop if you’re already exploring Old Town on foot.

Best Key Lime Pie in Key West

You simply cannot visit Key West without sampling its famous key lime pie. On my first visit, my bestie and I ran a self-guided “key lime pie tour,” and taste-tested six top spots. You can even grab Kermit’s frozen chocolate-dipped pie on a stick right in the cruise terminal. For sit-down slices, try these:

Pro Tip: Oddly enough, one of the best key lime pie slices is rumored to be at Publix, of all places! Yes, a grocery store. It’s about 2.5 miles from the port, though, so not practical on a short call.

Beaches Near Key West Cruise Port

Key West isn’t my top pick for a beach-day port because the beaches here are small and there’s so much else to do. Save the beach day for another Caribbean port instead. Another reason I don’t utilize Key West as a beach day is that the nearby coral reef keeps the waters calm, which is great for families with younger kids, but limits natural sand deposition, so many beaches use imported sand. It has a very manufactured feel.

Some travelers opt for a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park for pristine beaches, but many calls to Key West are short, making this difficult. However, if you have the time, a private charter can be a great option for groups. If you still want sand and sun near the port, here are your options:

Simonton Beach

The closest sandy beach to the Key West cruise port, with calm, shallow water but limited amenities. Small and cozy, perfect if you only have a couple of hours. It faces the harbor, so you’ll have views of the cruise ships. Simonton St & Front St (appx. 0.5 miles from port).

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach

Consistently rated one of the best beaches in Key West. Exceptional water clarity for snorkeling, with tropical fish visible right from shore. Entry fee: $2.50/person (pedestrians) or $6/vehicle. Bring water shoes for the rocky areas. 601 Howard England Way (appx. 0.6 miles from port).

South Beach

Small, scenic beach with shallow water right by the Southernmost Point. Great for combining your photo op with a swim. Calm and crystal clear. 1405 Duval St (appx. 1.3 miles from port).

Smathers Beach

The largest public beach near the Key West cruise port, built with imported sand. Amenities include restrooms, food trucks, and jet ski/paddleboard/chair rentals. Half-mile stretch with shallow water safe for kids. 2601 S Roosevelt Blvd (appx. 2.5 miles from port).

Related: Shop my favorite cruise swimwear, clothes, and essentials

Why Are There So Many Chickens in Key West?

One of the first things you’ll notice when walking around Key West is the abundance of free-roaming roosters and chickens strutting down sidewalks, perching on fences, and occasionally blocking traffic. These colorful, confident birds are everywhere, and they’re completely unfazed by tourists.

The story behind Key West’s chicken population is actually pretty interesting. Chickens have been part of island life since the 1800s when Cuban immigrants brought them over. The population really exploded after cockfighting was banned in the 1970s, when owners released their birds rather than get rid of them, and the chickens have been multiplying ever since. Today, the chickens are protected by local ordinance, meaning it’s illegal to harm or capture them. The city even has a “chicken lady” who rescues and relocates problem birds.

Nightlife at the Key West Cruise Port

Most cruise ships call at the Key West cruise port during daytime hours only, departing before sunset. However, some itineraries, particularly longer voyages or repositioning cruises, do offer overnight stays or evening port time. If you’re fortunate enough to experience the Key West cruise port after dark, you’re in for a treat. The nightly Mallory Square Sunset Celebration is a quintessential Key West experience, featuring street performers, musicians, and artists gathering to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

After dark, Duval Street comes alive with its legendary bar scene, including iconic spots like Sloppy Joe’s (Hemingway’s old haunt), the Green Parrot Bar (a local favorite since 1890), Captain Tony’s Saloon, and Irish Kevin’s. Live music spills out onto the streets, and the festive atmosphere makes for an unforgettable evening in this quirky island paradise.

Video: A Cruiser’s Guide to Key West

Key West Cruise Port FAQ

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