Gorgeous Bahia Honda State Park, one of Florida’s southernmost state parks, is located in the Florida Keys, 12 miles south of Marathon and 37 miles north of Key West.
This 524 acre recreational area has long stretches of sandy beaches overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, camping, birdwatching and more is available for guests to experience at this tropical destination.
Activities
Whether you visit for a day or stay longer you’ll be sure to enjoy all that this popular Florida state park has to offer. If you are visiting for the day keep in mind that the park may close once it reaches full capacity, so be sure to get there early.
The park’s amenities include a pavilion, picnic areas with grills and a concession that carries snacks, ice, sandwiches, apparel, souvenirs and more.
Here’s a closer look at some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Bahia Honda State Park:
Boating at Bahia Honda State Park
Enjoy a leisurely day in the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean surrounding the park. The park’s 2 boat ramps are located in the main marina area.
Bring your own or rent – kayak and canoe rentals are available through the park’s concession. For more information on boat rentals visit Bahia Honda Park’s concession website.
The park also offers 19 boat slips for overnight rental. These include water, electricity and access to bathrooms and hot showers.
Swimming at Bahia Honda State Park
Enjoy the beautiful clear and warm (except in the winter) water and sandy beaches at Bahia Honda State Park. The park boasts the largest natural sand beach in the Keys!
Pack your swimsuit and suntan lotion and hurry to one of the park’s three beaches – Loggerhead Beach, Calusa Beach and The Sandspur Beach.
Familiarize yourself with the Warning Flags System used on the Florida coast. Each colored flag indicates swimming conditions at the beaches:
- Green – waters are safe
- Yellow – swim with caution
- Purple – marine pests nearby
- Red – high surf and/or strong currents
- Double Red – swimming not allowed (high winds/undertow currents)
Snorkeling and scuba diving are both extremely popular with swimmers wanting to get a closer look at the beautiful colors of the varied sea life and coral.
Hiking at Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park has one trail, a 0.4 mile nature trail that leads to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge.
This trail follows the route that was once US 1 and ends with a breathtaking view of the entire island from above.
Biking at Bahia Honda State Park
Bring your bicycle, mountain bikes and kids bikes and enjoy riding along the 3.5 miles of paved road way throughout the park.
Bikes are not permitted on the trail leading to the top of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, boardwalks or footpaths.
Fishing at Bahia Honda State Park
Catch redfish, mackerel, cobia, trout, pompano, snook, tarpon, bonefish, snappers, mahi mahi, tuna and more during your visit to the Florida Keys.
Make sure you check the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida website before your visit to get the most up to date fishing rules and regulations information.
Birding at Bahia Honda State Park
Birds are everywhere at Bahia Honda State Park! Discover shorebirds (short-billed dowitchers, plovers, sanderlings, willets and ruddy turnstones) and wading birds (egrets, herons and ibis) along the shallow sand flats at low tide.
And keep an eye out overhead, you just may catch a glimpse of a hawk or two.
Nature and Wildlife at Bahia Honda State Park
You’ll see lots of wildlife during your visit – butterflies, birds, deer, rabbits, raccoons, sea turtles, bottle-nosed dolphins, ghost crabs and many more.
Pets at Bahia Honda State Park
Pets are allowed at Bahia Honda State Park in all areas except the beach and water, cabins, pavilions and inside the concession building. (Service animals are allowed everywhere throughout the park).
Please attend to your pet at all times and keep leashed on a leash no longer than 6’.
Camping at Bahia Honda State Park
Extend your stay at Bahia Honda State Park by staying in one of the park’s campgrounds, cabins or on your boat at the marina.
There are 80 campsites spread out among three campgrounds within the park:
Buttonwood and Sandspur campgrounds have electricity and water for campers, tents and RVs. These sites each have a picnic table and grill and are conveniently located near bathhouses.
Bayside Campground has 8 primitive sites with water, grills and picnic tables. A restroom is located near these sites but bathhouses are a half mile away. The Marina has 19 boat slips available for overnight rental.
These include electricity, water and sewage pump-out and are near bathhouses.
The park’s cabins are duplex style on stilts for a beautiful view of the bay. Each cabin has 2 bedrooms, full bath, living room, full kitchen, dining area and a porch. All cabins, except #2 can accommodate up to 6 guests.
Pets are not allowed in the cabins.
Park Location
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
Phone: 305.872.2353
Map
Video
Here is a great video giving a tour and review of Bahia Honda State Park:
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