Best Places to Elope in Key West in 2026

You’ve decided you want to elope in the Florida Keys and now it’s time to find the BEST places to elope in Key West! This island is packed with charm, adventure, and epic views. As a Key West elopement photographer who’s helped dozens of couples create fun and unique elopements, I’m here to share the insider scoop on all the best places! Whether you want to keep it simple on the beach or make it a total adventure (may I suggest the Dry Tortugas?!), this guide will help you find the perfect place to elope in Key West and what you need to do next!

Jump to what you’re looking for…

• How to Choose From the Places to Elope in Key West
• Best Places to Elope in Key West
  • Catamaran, Yacht, or Charter Boat
  • Dry Tortugas National Park
  • Smathers Beach
  • Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
  • Monroe County Courthouse
  • Garden of Eden Rooftop Bar
  • Duval Street & Mallory Square
  • Key West Garden Club
  • Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
• Find a Key West Elopement Photographer

How to Choose From the Places to Elope in Key West

Before you dive into all the best places to elope in Key West, let’s talk about how you decide which location is right for you and your partner. Here’s a few simple questions you can ask yourself:

• Do you want to elope on a beach? Or would you like non-beach locations?
• How intimate do you want your ceremony to be? Super secluded or open to people being around?
• Are you thinking about a morning or evening ceremony?
• What kind of activities do you want to include as part of your day (boating, bar hopping, snorkeling, sunset cruising)?

Once you’ve got some of those answers, it’ll be much easier to narrow down the options! In this guide, I’ll help show you which locations best align with your vision.

Best Places to Elope in Key West

Catamaran, Yacht, or Charter Boat

Perfect For: Couples that want total privacy and/or to be adventurous for their elopement.

If you’re looking for one of the most unique places to elope in Key West, this is it. Boat elopements are totally private (since you’ll book the entire vessel for your elopement) and offer the flexiblity to include any sort of adventures want throughout your time like snorkeling, island hopping, wildlife watching, etc. This option is great if you’re inviting a few guests to celebrate with you, but keep in mind that there are United States Coast Guard limitations for how many people can be aboard.

Location Scenery: Ocean views
Privacy: Maximum Privacy
Best Time of Day: Anytime of day, but highly recommend sunrise or sunset as part of your booking time.
Best Post-Activities: Snorkeling, fishing, swimming, island hopping, wildlife watching, partying on the open water with friends and family
Permitting Requirements: No photography or wedding permits are required for this option; however, you will need to book the boat for your adventure.

Things to Know:

• There are tons of boat types to choose from. Make sure you pick one that aligns with your invite list and the types of activities you plan to do throughout the day. Talk with the captain about your plans before booking.
• If you plan on fishing, some charters require permits or follow fishing seasons. Check with your charter captain to coordinate the fishing seasons.
• Want more guidance on boat elopements? Read the guide: How to Elope on a Boat in Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park

Perfect For: Couples that want to be adventurous and check off a bucket list location at the same time!

Seeking a little more adventure as part of your elopement day? The Dry Tortugas offer just that! As the nation’s most remote national park, the Dry Tortugas offers a completely unique elopement adventure with accessibility only available by boat or seaplane.

Location Scenery: Beach with vast turquoise ocean views
Privacy: Relatively private, but there are other visitors at the park
Best Time of Day: The time of arrival will depend on the transportation tour you’ve booked, but I highly recommend the morning.
Best Post-Activities: Snorkeling, fishing, swimming, wildlife watching, exploring the fort, sunbathing, picnic on the beach
Permitting Requirements: There’s a special use permit required from the National Park Service and you’ll need to book transportation accommodations. Learn more by reading the Dry Tortugas Elopement Guide.

Smathers Beach

Perfect For: Couples who love palm tree lined beaches and don’t mind a few people around.

Contrary to popular belief, the Florida Keys do not have long stretches of beach. However, Smathers Beach has an expansive shoreline to satisfy anyone wanting a beach ceremony! There’s tons of tall palm trees that make it iconic. But because this is one of the few beaches in Key West, it’s quite popular. Meaning there could be other weddings happening or beach goers sunbathing during your ceremony.

Location Scenery: Beach with ocean views and palm trees.
Privacy: Privacy is not guarunteed.
Best Time of Day: Sunrise or sunset
Best Post-Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, picnic on the beach, exploring Duval or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: No photography or wedding permits are required for this option; however, the beach spots are first come, first served. I highly recommend staying at Margaritaville if you’re eloping here for easy logistics as it’s directly across the street.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Perfect For: Couples who want a a little more privacy than what would be offered at Smathers Beach.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is the perfect mix of Florida beaches and history! While this park is on the smaller side compared to other state parks, it packs a punch with ocean views, palm trees and Austrialian pines, and Civil War-era architecture. Since this beach is off the beaten path and requires a fee to enter, the number of visitors will be lower than Smathers.

Location Scenery: Beach with ocean views and tall Australian pines. Watch my walk-through on TikTok!
Privacy: Relatively private, but there are other visitors at the park.
Best Time of Day: As close to sunrise or sunset as the park hours allow.
Best Post-Activities: Snorkeling, swimming, exploring the fort, sunbathing, picnic on the beach, exploring Duval or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: Wedding and photography permits are required through the park service and based on how many will be in your group.

Monroe County Courthouse

Perfect For: Couples who want efficiency and historic architecture as part of their wedding vows.

The Monroe County Courthouse is a great place to elope in Key West if you want efficiency by picking up your marriage license and getting married at the same time. Ceremonies done by the Clerk of Court happen indoors in a small room decorated in beach motif, but you can step outside for iconic historic architecture after the ceremony. The historic courthouse would make it simple if you’re planning to explore the city afterwards.

Location Scenery: Historic unless you have the Clerk of Court marry you, then indoor beach motif.
Privacy: Relatively private
Best Time of Day: Any time of day
Best Post-Activities: Exploring Duval, grabbing cocktails or the Duval Bar crawl, picking up key lime pie, or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: No permit required, but there may be a small fee if the Clerk of Court performs the ceremony.

Garden of Eden Rooftop Bar

Perfect For: Bold, fun-loving couples who want to elope somewhere unforgettable and slightly scandalous (or just want a rooftop ceremony).

This one’s for the adventurous. The Garden of Eden rooftop bar is famously clothing-optional, but it also offers a killer view and intimate setting for elopements with guests or intimate wedding celebrations. It’s very much a Duval Street bar so it’s rough around the edges, but tons of fun. Not recommended for families.

Location Scenery: Rooftop views of Duval Street
Privacy: Private
Best Time of Day: Any time of day
Best Post-Activities: Exploring Duval, grabbing cocktails or the Duval Bar crawl, picking up key lime pie, or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: No permit required, but advanced booking with Garden of Eden required.

Duval Street & Mallory Square

Perfect For: Couples who want a quick ceremony and instant celebration with drinks, music, and good times (no privacy needed).

Looking for a truly Key West experience? You can elope right on Duval Street or at Mallory Square with no permit needed. This is a great option for couples that are writing their own vows, don’t need an officiant (hey, I can make it legal as a Florida notary) and aren’t inviting guests. Since you’re eloping in the middle of the action, expect some curious onlookers, hi fives, free drinks, and plenty of photo bombs.

Location Scenery: Rooftop views of Duval Street
Privacy: None
Best Time of Day: Any time of day; highly recommend sunset for Mallory Square
Best Post-Activities: Exploring Duval, grabbing cocktails or the Duval Bar crawl, enjoying the sunset festival at Mallory Square, picking up key lime pie, or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: No permit required

Key West Garden Club

Perfect For: Couples who want a semi-private romantic garden ceremony.

Tucked inside a Civil War-era fort, the Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower is stacked with tropical plants and foliage. It’s easy to miss as you’re exploring Key West, which makes it one of the best options for a more private ceremony. The garden has tons of different pockets which make it even more perfect for intimate ceremonies.

Location Scenery: Tropical garden
Privacy: Semi-private as there will be garden visitors.
Best Time of Day: Any time of day
Best Post-Activities: Exploring the garden, heading to Duval, grabbing cocktails or the Duval Bar crawl, or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: Wedding permit required for an elopement ceremony through the Garden Club.

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

Perfect For: Couples who want a weather-proof, unique garden elopement ceremony.

Step into a tropical paradise filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and lush plants. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is one of the most enchanting indoor places to elope in Key West and perfect for couples looking for something totally unique. You’ll be surrounded by butterflies (and maybe a few flamingos!) during your vows. There’s not a great “ceremony” location as the garden is a thin walking path so this location isn’t great if you’re inviting guests.

Location Scenery: Indoor tropical garden with butterflies and flamingos
Privacy: Private after hours
Best Time of Day: After hours
Best Post-Activities: Exploring the garden, heading to Duval, grabbing cocktails or the Duval Bar crawl, or booking another adventure activity.
Permitting Requirements: Booking required for an elopement ceremony.

Find a Key West Elopement Photographer