Region: Southeast
BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK
Big Pine Key, Florida
Contact Information
36850 Overseas Hwy.
Big Pine Key, 33043
(305) 872-2353
Driving Directions
Bahia Honda is located 12 mile south of Marathon
on US1.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown
365 days a year.
The channel between the old and new Bahia Honda
bridges is one of the deepest natural channels in
the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda is unique among other
islands in the Keys because it has extensive sandy
beaches and deep waters close enough offshore to
provide exceptional swimming and snorkeling.
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Park Activities
Beaches
Bahia Honda has several white sandy beaches for you
to enjoy.
Calusa is the smallest beach; it is located on
the northwest side of the island. There are several
small pavilions in this area and a bathhouse with
outdoor, fresh water showers.
Loggerhead is the shallowest beach and is located
on the south side of the island. It is known for
the large shallow sand bar just a few feet offshore.
It shares the same bathhouse with the Calusa beach.
Sandspur is the largest beach; it is located on
the southeast end of the island. There are three
large pavilions in the Sandspur area and a bathhouse
with outdoor, fresh water showers.
Birding
Bahia Honda is a very good place to see wading birds
and shorebirds. There are shallow sand flats during
low tide on the ocean side of the island where the
birds feed and rest. A variety of shorebirds including
Willets, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Short-billed
Dowitchers and Plovers may be seen along the shore
feeding and resting. Several species of wading birds
may be seen in the park as well. These include Great
White Herons, Great Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons,
Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and White Ibis. During
the fall hawk migration, from mid-September to mid-November
you will see a variety of hawks soaring overhead.
The endangered White-crowned Pigeon can also be seen
feeding and resting in the Poisonwood trees during
the summer months.
Boat Ramp
The park has two modern boat ramps located in the
main marina. The controlling depth in the marina
is 3 ½ feet. Nineteen boat slips are available
for overnight rental and include water, electricity
and full use of the park facilities (bathhouse,
hot showers, trash disposal and sewage pump-out).
Reservations are recommended. Call (305) 872-3210
or VHF Channel 16.
Boat Tours
The concession offers a snorkel tour that allows
young and old alike to experience the breathtaking
beauty of Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. For
more detailed information go to www.bahiahondapark.com
Boating
Boating is a very popular activity at Bahia Honda;
boaters have access to the Gulf of Mexico or the
Atlantic Ocean.
Cabins
Three duplex cabins (6 units) are furnished with
accommodations for up to a maximum of 6 people per
cabin. Each cabin is equipped with kitchen appliances,
utensils and linens. The cabins have a full bath,
central A/C and heat, 2 bedrooms and a living room
area. The cabins are on stilts and accessible by
steps only, no lift is currently available. Each
cabin has a porch above and a wood deck on ground
level with a picnic table and grill. The road to
the cabins has a vehicle height restriction of 6’8”.
Your vehicle has to be able to go under the New
Bahia Honda Bridge. Reservations are required 11
months in advance during the winter months, weekends
and holidays.
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