From the shallow blue-green seas surrounding the island to colorful conch cottages with palm trees and bougainvillea lining the streets, Key West is a dream for photographers. Read on for the 10 best photo spots in Key West.
1. Southernmost Point Buoy
The ultimate Key West photo spot is the Southernmost Point Buoy at the end of Whitehead Street. With the Atlantic Ocean spreading in the background, gather your group for a photo in front of this famous buoy where the saying “90 miles to Cuba” is famously scrawled.
2. Mile Marker 0
Second only to the Southernmost Point Buoy, a shot of the Mile Marker 0 sign on the corner of Fleming and Whitehead Streets is a must-snap photo spot. It’s your chance to get a shot of the end (or the beginning) of the road.
3. Top of Key West Lighthouse
Scale to the top of the Key West Lighthouse for bird’s-eye-views of the island surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect photo spot to switch your phone to panorama mode and see how much you can capture.
4. Southernmost House
The Southernmost House is one of the most beautiful and iconic historic Victorian mansions on the island. With an exterior in dreamy shades of seafoam green and conch shell pink, the photographer in you will find artful angles to shoot this captivating home.
5. Mallory Square
The Sunset Celebration takes place every night at Mallory Square offering front row seats to Key West’s world famous sunset. From street performers and musicians to stands selling conch fritters and mojitos, you’ll capture amazing photos set against the backdrop of the stunning sunset – so shoot away!
6. Bahama Village
Bahama Village is one of Key West’s most historic neighborhoods. Filled with captivating characters, it’s a portrait photographer’s dream. There’s a good chance you’ll spot some of Key West’s famous chickens ambling around the neighborhood’s charming streets lined with Bahamian conch cottages for great atmosphere photos.
7. Eastern Dry Rocks
Key West is home to the third largest barrier reef in the world and that means you’ve got a prime photo spot for underwater pictures. Eastern Dry Rocks is visited by many of the island’s snorkel boats, including Fury Water Adventures, and it’s a great spot along the reef for crystal clear visibility, thriving coral and diverse marine life. That means you can snap up some amazing, one-of-a-kind photos.
8. Top of La Concha Hotel
At six stories, La Concha Hotel on Duval Street is the tallest building in Key West. While its rooftop perch used to be home to a great little bar, it’s been converted into a spa. Even if you don’t book a spa appointment, it’s worth your while to take an elevator ride to the rooftop and spy the incredible views of Duval Street leading to Key West Harbor, especially at sunset. Have your cameras ready!
9. Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas are a chain of islands found 70 miles west of Key West and are accessible by taking a day-trip aboard the Yankee Freedom III. Home to a Civil War-era fort, unspoiled reefs and endless views of the aquamarine sea, Dry Tortugas National Park offers countless vistas perfect for your favorite Instagram filter and a monthly photo contest for shutterbugs to display their works of art.
10. Seven Mile Bridge
The drive to Key West down the Overseas Highway is one of the most scenic in the U.S. As you approach Marathon, prepare yourself for the epic Seven Mile Bridge, a floating bridge that runs for as long as its name suggests. Whoever is in the passenger seat, get your camera ready and consider capturing some video footage too.