Monroe County, Florida
Boca Chica Beach
Boca Chica Beach is a quiet, shell-strewn stretch of sand on Boca Chica Key in the Lower Florida Keys, at the western end of the Overseas Highway corridor about 10 miles east of Key West.
- Day use
- LGBTQ-friendly
About this place
Boca Chica Beach is a quiet, shell-strewn stretch of sand on Boca Chica Key in the Lower Florida Keys, at the western end of the Overseas Highway corridor about 10 miles east of Key West. The beach faces the Florida Strait and gets the warm, clear shallow water typical of the Lower Keys — flat calm on most days, with gradual sandy bottom and the occasional sea turtle or small nurse shark visible in the shallows.
The clothing-optional tradition here is informal and long-established among Key West locals and visitors who know to explore beyond the main development corridor. Boca Chica Key's limited road access and the adjacent Naval Air Station Key West (which restricts civilian movement in parts of the island chain) means that the beach sees far less traffic than the more accessible Key West beaches. That quiet is the primary appeal.
Key West's historically LGBTQ+-friendly, body-positive culture extends to the surrounding islands — the Keys have a long history of C/O beach use, and Boca Chica fits into that tradition rather than standing apart from it.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Key West locals and long-term visitors, Lower Keys regulars, people exploring beyond the main tourist circuit.
How to find it
Drive US-1 west toward Key West. Boca Chica Key is at approximately mile marker 9-10. Specific beach access points are via side roads off US-1; the NAS Key West security zone limits some areas. Check current access restrictions before attempting.
Things to watch out for
Some parts of Boca Chica Key are within NAS Key West's restricted zone — do not enter posted restricted areas. The beach has no facilities. Summer heat and humidity in the Lower Keys are intense; sun protection is essential.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
C/O is informal; read the beach population before disrobing. Respect any NAS boundary signs.
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