Key West City Guide
The Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West
The Southernmost Point Buoy stands at the corner of Whitehead and South Streets, anchoring the southern tip of Key West against the open Atlantic Ocean. Erected by the City of Key West in 1983 to replace a wooden sign that was repeatedly stolen by souvenir hunters, this four-ton painted concrete monument famously proclaims '90 Miles to Cuba / Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.' While geographical purists note that Ballast Key and the private Truman Annex shoreline extend fractionally further south, the buoy remains the undisputed photo icon of the island. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Best arrival times, photo queue strategy, and walking access
Read on 10 September 2026: The Southernmost Point Buoy is free and open 24 hours. The photo line grows to 40-50 people between 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM under direct sun with no shade. Arrive before 8:30 AM or after 7:30 PM to take photos with zero wait time. The site is a 5-minute walk from the southern end of Duval Street.
Key takeaways
- Arrive before 8:30 AM for quiet morning light, gentle Atlantic sea spray, and completely empty sidewalks.
- Bring sunglasses and water if visiting midday: there is no awning or canopy over the queuing area on South Street.
- Solo travelers can easily swap camera duties with neighboring visitors in line—Key West queue etiquette is friendly and cooperative.
- Hop on the free Duval Loop bus at Stop 11 (Simonton & South St), located just two blocks away.
Key facts
Opening hours
| Daily | Open 24 hours daily, 365 days a year |
|---|
Planning it
- Time needed
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Book ahead
- Optional — walk-up usually fine
- Address
- Corner of Whitehead Street & South Street, Key West, FL 33040
The buoy itself requires no admission fee, but several guided tours include it as a key narrated stop:
Walk up for a free photo, or book a narrated trolley tour for historical context:
| Option | Type | Highlights | Best For | Rate | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Guided VisitIndependent sightseers looking for an iconic photo checkpoint | Public monument | 24/7 access, Atlantic ocean views, photo opportunity | Early risers | Free ($0.00) | Official site |
| Conch Tour TrainVisitors wanting a seated historical narrative passing directly by the buoy | Narrated tram | Passes Whitehead Street landmarks with full Conch Republic history | First-time visitors | $42.95 | Check Availability |
| Old Town Trolley TourTravelers using hop-on hop-off transit across the southern beaches | Hop-on hop-off | Stop #4 (Truval Village) is a 3-minute walk to the buoy | Full-day transit | $48.50 | Check Availability |
| Guided Bike Tour with Cuban CoffeeActive cyclers wanting morning back-lane exploration | Bicycle tour | Morning ride pauses at the buoy for group photos without walking queues | Cyclists | $80.00 | Check Availability |
Combine your Southernmost Point photo stop with historic Old Town trams and bicycle routes.
from $42.95
Key West: Conch Tour Train 75-Minute Sightseeing Tour
The quintessential 75-minute loop through Old Town operating since 1958. Best for orientation and first-timers who prefer continuous live storytelling over walking in midday Florida heat.
Check Availability
from $48.50
Key West: Old Town Trolley 13-Stop Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Full-day transport covering 13 stops across the entire island from Mallory Square to New Town. Ideal for travelers visiting Key West without a rental car or avoiding costly Old Town parking.
Check Availability
from $80.00
Key West: Guided Bicycle Tour with Cuban Coffee Tasting
The most intimate way to explore Old Town back lanes, smelling jasmine and frangipani blossoms while hearing stories of wreckers, sponge divers, and rum-runners from a resident guide.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
The local secret: avoiding the midday photo queue
Between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM, tour trolleys and rental golf carts unload dozens of passengers at the corner of Whitehead and South Streets. The resulting queue stretches 50 to 80 feet along the sidewalk, and visitors spend up to 45 minutes standing on hot concrete just to get 60 seconds in front of the buoy.
To skip this entirely, set your alarm for 7:30 AM. At this hour, the rising sun illuminates the painted face of the buoy with soft eastern light, the Atlantic water behind is a calm turquoise sheet, and you will share the corner with perhaps two other early morning joggers. Another excellent window is twilight around 8:00 PM, when street lighting illuminates the buoy and the day-trip crowds have migrated to Mallory Square.
Geography and the '90 Miles to Cuba' claim
The buoy's bold lettering states '90 Miles to Cuba'. In strictly nautical terms, the distance from Key West to Havana is approximately 94 nautical miles (108 statute miles). Furthermore, the buoy does not sit at the absolute physical southernmost point of Key West land: that distinction belongs to the tip of Ballast Key (in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge 8 miles offshore) and the government-controlled shoreline of the Truman Annex.
However, this corner represents the southernmost point in the continental United States accessible to the civilian public by paved road. Standing on the stone seawall, you are closer to Havana than you are to Miami (which lies 160 driving miles up the Overseas Highway).
What to do after your buoy photo
Once you have taken your photos, do not immediately walk back up Duval Street. Instead, explore the immediate neighborhood:
- South Beach: Located just 300 feet east along South Street, this small sandy pocket is the southernmost beach on the island, featuring calm shallow water and the open-air Southernmost Beach Cafe.
- The Key West Butterfly Conservatory: Walk two blocks north along Whitehead to Duval Street to enter this magnificent climate-controlled tropical glass dome.
- Cuban Coffee at Sandy's or Cuban Coffee Queen: Grab a traditional cafe con leche and warm buttered Cuban bread nearby before starting your morning museum route.
Landmarks within 5 minutes walking distance
The southern terminus of Whitehead Street borders several key attractions:
Key West Butterfly Conservatory
Stunning glass solarium housing 50+ live butterfly species, flamingos, and exotic tropical birds.
3 minutes walk (250 meters)Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Hemingway's historic 1851 limestone estate with polydactyl cats and preserved writing studio.
6 minutes walk (500 meters)Key West Lighthouse
Climb 88 spiral steps for 360-degree views across Old Town and the ocean.
7 minutes walk (600 meters)Frequently asked questions about the Southernmost Point
How much does it cost to see the Southernmost Point?
Visiting the Southernmost Point Buoy is completely free ($0.00). It is a public roadside monument situated on a city sidewalk.
How long is the line at the Southernmost Point Buoy?
Midday lines typically take 25 to 45 minutes. If you arrive before 8:30 AM or after 7:30 PM, there is usually no queue at all.
Is there parking at the Southernmost Point?
Street parking near the buoy is extremely limited and consists mostly of 'Residential Only' permit zones (enforced with $100 fines). We recommend walking from Duval Street or taking the free Duval Loop bus to Stop 11.
Is Cuba really 90 miles from Key West?
The closest coast of Cuba is approximately 94 nautical miles (108 statute miles) south. Havana is about 105 miles south-southwest across the Florida Straits.
Is the Southernmost Point accessible for visitors with strollers or wheelchairs?
Yes, the monument sits on a flat, concrete city sidewalk with curb cut ramps, making it fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Key West on video: Southernmost Point
Verified video walkthroughs and footage of Southernmost Point, providing visual perspective before your visit.
Key West Southernmost Point Live Cam 2
Walkthrough of Southernmost Point by Beach Live Cams.
Video: beach live camsSouthernmost Point Live Camera - Key West, Florida LIVE Stream by The Southernmost Point Bar
Walkthrough of Southernmost Point by Southernmost Video Production.
Video: southernmost video productionNew Location Southernmost Point Buoy Key West or is this the real Buoy?
Walkthrough of Southernmost Point by Having Fun Wherever We Go.
Video: having fun wherever we goReviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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