This Key Largo Beach is inside Monroe County’s Harry Harris park in the town of Tavernier. Harry Harris Beach is a man-made beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is protected from wave action and large fish by a coral rock barrier. This barrier has several screened culverts which make it basically a protected tidal pool. There is a wide expanse of white sand with a number of covered picnic tables and a bath house.
Note: This beach is more of a “Kids Beach” than an adult beach. There are many family friendly features throughout the park, noted below.
Directions:
Mile Marker 92.5 oceanside, Overseas Highway. Take Burton Drive to its end. Map
Other Park Features:
11 Covered Pavilions, 12 Barbecues, 34 Picnic Tables, Children’s Playground, 1 Basketball Court, 2 Baseball Fields, Restrooms with Showers, Boat Ramps, Fishing Jetty, Bike Path.
Park Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset.
Park Fees:
Local Residents FREE. Fee’s are charged on holidays and weekends for non residents $5.00 per person and $10.00 to launch boat.
History:
Harry Harris Park is named for a popular and influential Monroe County Commissioner. Mr. Harris is at rest now in the park. According to Mrs. [Kay] Wilkinson, the ashes of Mr. Harris, formerly at the hurricane monument in Islamorada, now are enclosed in the park memorial.”
The inscription reads: “Harry L. Harris, born July 12, 1904, died July 8, 1978. A pioneer during the days of the Keys emergence, he continued the traditions of Planter and Tavernier settlers in caring for their own. He served his fellow citizens in Monroe County as a County Commissioner for 34 years (1942-1976.) He is remembered with esteem and affection by his family, neighbors and countless friends. This memorial is dedicated in his honor, March 1985.”