Why go
Read the harbor as more than a convenient arrival point. A city pier opened at Mallory Square in 1984, placing large ships next to a public waterfront already used for sunset watching. The narrow approach through the surrounding waters and the island's coral habitat help explain why proposals to expand cruise access have drawn opposition.
The full story
Cruise ships first called at Key West in 1969, using the Navy's pier or privately owned Pier B. The city's 1984 pier brought docking directly to Mallory Square. Some residents opposed that move because they feared it would interfere with the square's sunset tradition. The tension is easy to understand from the waterfront: ship berths, public gathering space and a small historic center occupy the same edge of the island. Larger ships later prompted discussion of widening the approach channel. In a 2013 city vote, residents rejected a proposal to seek a federal feasibility study for dredging. The dispute was about more than passenger numbers. Supporters pointed to visitor spending, while opponents raised concerns about the character of downtown and the coral habitat around Key West. Looking across the harbor, the piers show how closely the island's visitor economy, public space and marine environment meet.
Useful to know
- If arriving by ship, check your assigned pier and current port instructions before planning the walk into Old Town.