NEW PORT RICHEY
Where
Long on spectacular sunsets and outdoor adventures, New Port Richey doesn’t offer many area beaches, with the notable exception of Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, located at 4835 Green Key Rd, New Port Richey, FL 34652.
Vibe
Small, clean beach with a friendly personality and comfortable amenities.
Palms, lush greenery and free parking welcome visitors to Rees Memorial Park, treating couples, families and sun worshippers to a relaxing day by the shore.
See, feel
Encompassing 45 acres on the Gulf of America, this manmade beach is small—only 920 feet with a designated swimming area of 185 feet—but every inch is bound to please. Sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns congregate on its cocoa-colored shores. The turquoise-hued waters are extremely shallow and tranquil, making it a favorite with children and timid swimmers. Dolphins often frequent the area.
The surf is usually minimal, but winds, tides and offshore systems can occasionally make conditions rough.
On or near the beach
Stretch out on a towel and catch some rays, cool off with a dip, or explore the shoreline.
On the north side of the park, discover the wheelchair accessible 650-foot boardwalk that spans the mangroves and wetlands. It culminates at a small, two-deck observation deck where you can spot dolphins and brightly hued Roseate Spoonbills. The little ones will love the playground, complete with slides, swings, and spring toys.
Birders won’t know which way to look: this compact peninsular park is part of The Great Florida Birding Trail, and more than 240 species of birds have been recorded here, including rarities such as the White-winged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and Cory’s Shearwater.
Fuel the salt water adventures with a picnic under the shade of a pavilion or palm tree.
Accessibility
Rees Memorial offers free ADA parking and a wheelchair accessible, 650-foot boardwalk.
Facilities
Amenities include pavilions; charcoal grills; restrooms; a playground; outdoor showers; and a boardwalk trail leading to a tower for viewing birds and sea life. Two small, rock-based boat ramps are available for launching canoes and kayaks. On weekends it’s common to find a vendor selling hot dogs and ice cream.
Lifeguards
There are no lifeguards; swim at your own risk.
Parking
The park promises limited, free parking. Plan ahead, as it often fills on weekends, holidays, and at sunset.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEW PORT RICHEY BEACHES
Q. Where do I go to the beach in New Port Richey?
A. The beach here is Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, still widely called Green Key Beach, at the end of Green Key Road on the Gulf west of downtown New Port Richey.
One thing worth knowing before you go: despite the New Port Richey address, the park is operated by Pasco County, not the city. Its rules and hours are county rules, so check Pasco County's page rather than the city's when you plan a visit.
Q. How big is the beach?
A. The park covers about 45 acres, but the beach itself runs roughly 920 feet, with a roped-off designated swimming area of about 185 feet.
This is a manmade beach on the Gulf, not a wide barrier-island strand. Most of the park's acreage is mangrove, wetland and boardwalk rather than sand.
Q. What are the hours, and is there a fee?
A. The park is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset; parking is free
Confirm current hours and any fees on Pasco County's Robert K. Rees Memorial Park page before you go.
Q. Are there lifeguards?
A. No. There are no lifeguards at the park, so you swim at your own risk, even inside the roped-off swimming area.
The Gulf here tends to be shallow and calm, which suits families, but conditions vary and are never guaranteed. The water can be rough due to tides, winds and offshore systems.
Keep a close eye on children and check the water before you get in.
Q. What amenities are there?
A. The park has restrooms, outdoor showers, pavilions and picnic shelters with benches and swings, charcoal grills, and a playground.
There is also water access for fishing and for launching a canoe or kayak. There are no concessions, so bring water and food. However, on weekends it’s common to find a vendor selling hot dogs and ice cream.
Q. Tell me about the boardwalk.
A. It is the park's other main attraction. A 650-foot boardwalk runs through the mangroves and wetlands to the north side of the park, ending at a small two-level observation deck.
It is a good spot for watching dolphins offshore and for birdwatching: herons, egrets and wading birds are regulars.
Q. Is the park accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
A. In part. The park offers free ADA parking, and the 650-foot boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, which makes the mangrove trail and observation tower reachable.
The sand itself has no roll-out matting, so getting to the water independently is harder. Contact Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources ahead of your visit to confirm what is available.
Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. No. Dogs are not allowed at Robert K. Rees Memorial Park.
Q. Can I go fishing?
A. Yes. The park provides shoreline water access for fishing, and the canoe and kayak launch opens up the surrounding flats and mangrove shoreline.
A Florida saltwater fishing license may be required; check current rules on the FWC saltwater fishing licenses page before you cast.
Q. What else is there to do in New Port Richey?
A. Sims Park, in the historic downtown along the Pithlachascotee River, has an amphitheater, boat and kayak launches, a playground and a splash pad, and it anchors the city's events calendar.
Downtown New Port Richey has restaurants, cafés and shops within walking distance of the park, and the river is popular for paddling.
Q. Where can I eat?
A. There are no concessions at the beach, so plan to bring a cooler or eat before or after. On weekends it’s common to find a vendor selling hot dogs and ice cream.
Downtown New Port Richey, about a ten-minute drive inland, has the nearest concentration of restaurants, and the surrounding Gulf communities have waterfront seafood spots.
Q. When is the best time to visit?
A. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather. Summer is hot and humid with the warmest water and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and it is the quieter season on this coast.
Winter days can be bright and pleasant for the boardwalk and birdwatching, but the Gulf is usually too cold for comfortable swimming. Because the beach and its parking are small, arrive early on weekends and holidays.
