Key West’s Most Photographed Landmark Gets a Doppelganger...For Now
FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY September 4, 2025
Contacts: Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585 or Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441
Story: Key West’s Most Photographed Landmark Gets a Doppelganger...For Now
Locator: Key West, Fla.
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Producer’s Note: B-roll of the replica Southernmost Point Buoy being placed at its temporary new location, the original buoy being painted over for protection, and file footage of tourists taking photos at the landmark. Also includes SOTs with Key West Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez.
TRT: 2:58
Filename: SouthernmostBuoyMoves.mpg
Video Source: Florida Keys News Bureau
Key West’s Most Photographed Landmark Gets a Doppelganger...For Now
KEY WEST, Fla. (September 4, 2025) - The iconic Southernmost Point Buoy has been living on island time for more than 40 years — and now it’s taking some island time off. The concrete landmark, photographed by millions, marks the Southernmost point in the continental United States. The point itself isn’t going anywhere — geographically speaking. But the buoy that marks it? That’s another story.
“The city of Key West is known for being so laid back,” said Key West Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez. “Since we’re so laid back, our Southernmost buoy is going to take a vacation.”
Not to worry — a replica already stands ready for social media selfies just a block away at 1400 Duval Street.
The “Southernmost swap” got underway overnight in Key West. It’s not a mid-life crisis for the original 41-year-old buoy. While the famous landmark might enjoy a break from the buzz, the real reason behind the switch is because the Southernmost Point Plaza needs repairs. Years of storms and saltwater have taken their toll on the seawall at the corner of South and Whitehead streets. Crews will need to close off the area for a year-long project which includes landscaping the area.
Once that’s complete, the original Southernmost Point buoy will reclaim its rightful spot, marking the Southernmost point in the continental United States.
“It is the most photographed landmark in the city of Key West,” Henriquez said. “You can come here at eight in the morning...there’s already a line. Come here at 11 at night. There’s already a line.”
According to Henriquez, the landmark’s origins date back to 1972 — when “Southernmost Buoy” was simply painted on a piece of plywood. On September 10, 1983, the city of Key West unveiled the now-iconic concrete buoy seen around the world in photos today.
As for the future of the temporary buoy, could it stay afloat after the original buoy returns, offering a second photo op location? That remains to be decided.
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Workers from the City of Key West carefully position a temporary replica of the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy in the early morning hours Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. The swap was needed to allow for year-long repairs and landscaping at the Southernmost Point Plaza, where the original 41-year-old buoy has stood since 1983. The landmark, one of the most photographed spots in Key West, will return to its rightful home once the project is complete. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Christjen Johnson/Florida Keys News Bureau).
A City of Key West worker applies finishing touches to the temporary replica of the iconic Southernmost Point Buoy in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, 2025. The stand-in landmark was installed while the original buoy takes a year-long break during plaza repairs. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).
A group of tourists from Chicago pose for one of the first photos at the stand-in replica of the Southernmost Point’s Buoy in Key West, Fla. on September 4, 2025. The temporary replica of the landmark was installed while the original buoy is inaccessible while plaza repairs are made to its original location. The project is expected to last about a year. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).
Key West’s original Southernmost Point Buoy isn’t getting a makeover...it’s being painted over and will be boxed up for protection during plaza reconstruction. A stand-in buoy has been placed one block away to allow tourists to continue snapping selfies at Key West’s most famous landmark. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).