Southernmost Point: Yes or No?

The Southernmost Point in Key West Florida is considered the southernmost point of the continental USA, although it should actually be called the southernmost accessible point. The actual southernmost continental point is on the neighboring military base, and the southernmost point of the USA overall is Ka Lae on Big Island, Hawaii.

Opinions are divided on whether one must absolutely visit this southernmost point in Key West. It’s located just a few minutes from the city center. Therefore, you can calmly pass by, but shouldn’t expect too much from it.

More fuss is made about it than it’s worth. Usually, some tourists gather in front of the black-red-yellow painted “buoy” with white lettering, and you have to wait a bit for your own photo opportunity. You rarely find the location as empty as in the picture. That’s about it – on to the next attraction.

The Southernmost Point of the Continental US – Good to Know

The Southernmost Point is just a few minutes’ walk from the southern end of Duval Street – right in the middle of the action. Those who want the famous photo without crowds should come early in the morning or just before sunset. Parking spaces in the area are scarce and usually require payment. It’s therefore worthwhile to plan the visit on foot or by bicycle. If you have time after taking the snapshot: South Beach is just a few steps away and is a nice place to catch your breath.

Conch Blower Statue

The bronze statue at the Southernmost Point shows a man blowing into a large sea snail (Conch) – a symbol of independence and cultural identity of the Florida Keys. The man embodies a typical “Conch” (nickname for long-time residents of Key West) and commemorates the humorous “secession” of Key West in 1982, when the city symbolically declared itself the “Conch Republic”.

This was a protest against a US customs road block – since then, the Conch Republic has been an integral part of the island culture. The Conch is often somewhat overlooked, but it’s a real cultural treasure for those who want to delve deeper into the history of Key West.

Naval Air Station Key West

The large white radar domes (“radomes”) and parabolic antennas belong to a surveillance and communication unit of the Navy. The tall transmission mast is part of the telecommunications and data transmission system. The facility is used for military communication, weather observation, and radar surveillance, among other things.

The actual southernmost point of the continental USA is not at the famous tourist monument, but on this exact military grounds – it’s just not accessible to the public. That’s why it’s correctly called: “Southernmost accessible point”.

People of various cultures speaking different languages meet at the Southernmost Point for a few minutes. Those who want a nice souvenir photo without them can find quieter alternatives a few streets away – for example, at the end of the White Street Pier or at Higgs Beach, where you can also gaze far out over the sea.

For a coffee or quick breakfast, the cozy Cuban Coffee Queen is a good option (at the harbor or on Duval Street). Authentic, delicious, and guaranteed Caribbean flair – without the queue.