No question about it, if you’re into snorkeling and visiting the Florida Keys, a guided boat ride that takes you to specific reefs or other areas is the way to go. However, maybe you’d rather explore something close to shore on your own or you’d like to do some DIY snorkeling and exploring in addition to a boat tour. For that reason and many others, Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys could be just the place you need to visit.
Located at Mile Marker 37 (in the Keys, locations are often given by their Mile Marker, or MM), Bahia Honda offers pristine views for snorkeling, beach time, fishing, kayaking, and lots more.
Some background to get you started: The 500-acre Bahia Honda State Park is located in the Lower Keys, meaning that it’s closer to Key West than it is to Key Largo in the Upper Keys. The islands in the Keys are 125 miles long that go from south of Miami to Key West. The famous Mile Marker 0 is in Key West.
Bahia Honda, which means “deep bay” in Spanish, was part of Spanish nautical maps hundreds of years ago, according to the park website. The Florida Park Service gained control of the park in 1961. If you want to discover more about the park’s history, including the role played by a massive hurricane in 1935 and some related railroad history, check out the details here on the park website.
5 Things to Do at Florida Keys’ Bahia Honda State Park
If you’re coming to Bahia Honda State Park from Islamorada or Marathon, you’ll cross the famous Seven Mile Bridge and drive a short distance before reaching the park. If you’re coming from the Key West area, you’ll drive through Big Pine Key and the area famous for Key deer. When you get to the park, be prepared to pay $8 per vehicle to enter the park.
Once you’re at Bahia Honda, here are just a few things you can do for fun:
Snorkeling: When snorkeling at Bahia Honda State Park, you’ll see small fish (and maybe the occasional big one), seagrass, shells, and clear water. If you’re a longtime snorkeler who’s been to the Caribbean, it may not compare. That said, you’ll have some decent underwater views and a relaxing beach day at Bahia Honda. During our visit, most of the people we saw in the water had their face masks and snorkels, with their heads underwater. The most interesting find for us while snorkeling was a six-inch living conch shell. It was a lot bigger than shells you may usually find while beachcombing.
The best time to snorkel is when it’s high tide. Here’s one site you can check for high and low tides. Did you forget to bring or buy snorkel gear? No worries. The park has a nifty gift shop (more on that later) where you can buy or rent snorkeling equipment.
If that doesn’t satisfy your desire to snorkel enough, Bahia Honda State Park also does boating tours that will take you snorkeling at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, where you’ll find reefs and coral. The boat leaves three times a day, and the price is $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for kids under age 18. You can bring your own equipment or rent it. We didn’t do the boat tour, but here’s where you can find more information about it, including a $3 off coupon for the 9:30 am tour. The tour allows you to snorkel for about an hour and a half.
Sunbathing: Many times, a visit to the Keys is focused on fishing, for all of the obvious reasons. However, maybe you just need some time to veg out on the sand and take the occasional dip in the water. There are two areas where you can do just that at Bahia Honda State Park. Loggerhead Beach is the longer of the two beach areas, although not very wide. Calusa Beach is smaller, more focused on swimming and snorkeling, and provides a view of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge. Between the two beaches, Calusa is the one where you can view those famous Florida Keys sunsets. There is a third beach area called Sandspur that is undergoing reconstruction due to damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Taking in the view along Old Bahia Honda Bridge: The Old Bahia Honda Bridge is an unused rail bridge that connects Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. Although a gap in the bridge prevents you from walking fully across, you can use a trail access point near the park’s gift shop and restrooms to access the bridge and get a super-scenic view of the park, the water, and the sky or sunset, along with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Even the gap in the bridge makes for some interesting photos.
Browsing the gift shop: Bahia Honda State Park has a pretty cool gift shop that’s clean and comfortably air conditioned, which will feel refreshing after you’ve spent time out in the sun. In addition to the usual mix of T-shirts, beach bags, mugs, and snorkel gear, you also will see some display-only items, like a finding from the Atocha shipwreck now famous throughout the keys. The gift shop is also where you go to check in for the snorkeling boat tours. Plus, the gift shop includes a deli with drinks, sandwiches, hot dogs, and yes, Key lime pie.
Fishing: You are in the Florida Keys, after all, so fishing is a natural part of the fun at Bahia Honda State Park. One fruitful spot we found was following the walking trail past Calusa Beach and walking until there’s a concrete barrier beside the water. You’ll have a close view of the Bahia Honda Bridge. Drop your line down in the water and see what you can catch. We think we spotted a small shark at one point that made the fish temporarily scurry. No spearfishing or collecting of tropical fish is allowed, according to the park website. Don’t forget to get your Florida fishing license.
And Even More Things to Do at Bahia Honda State Park
Above are some of things we were able to see or do while at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key, but there are plenty of other things you can do during a visit, including:
–Biking along the 3 1/2-mile hard road that is in the park
–Birding
—Camping for RVs and tents, but there are also six camping cabins
–Kayaking (rent a kayak from the gift shop area)
–Scuba diving
–Stargazing if you are camping there or staying at the marina (here’s info on boat slip rentals); it’s the darkest spot for stargazing in the Florida Keys, according to the park website
–Sunset watching
–Visiting the Sand & Sea Nature Center near the gift shop and main parking area. It includes displays of local sea life, but it was not open when we were there.
Three Quick Tips for Your Time at Bahia Honda State Park
- The park is open from 8 am until sundown, so plan accordingly.
- Dogs are allowed but there are several restrictions. They aren’t allowed on beaches, in buildings, or in the camping cabins. They must be well behaved and on a 6-foot leash.
- Use the map at this link to help you plan where to go.
