Bahia Honda State Park
State park · Monroe ·
Park with 3 beaches, kayak rentals & snorkeling tours
Park with 3 beaches, kayak rentals & snorkeling tours
"Tranquil and wildly scenic, this 500-acre island at Mile Marker 37 in the Lower Keys wraps three gorgeous beaches around aquamarine shallows and frames it all with the historic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, blending history with paradise. Open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown and prone to reaching capacity on busy mornings, it’s long been celebrated—Dr. Beach even named it the No. 1 U.S. beach in 1992—and invites slow exploration: take concession-run snorkel trips to nearby Looe Key, paddle calm waters where dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees may glide by, cast from shore or launch at the ramps, and climb the bridge overlook for panoramic views of the Atlantic and Florida Bay. Nature thrives here, with 150-plus plant species including the largest known stand of Florida silver palms, rare yellow satinwood, and the endangered small-flowered lily thorn, and it’s a premier stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail for nesting white-crowned pigeons, migrating warblers, and shorebirds at low tide. After dark, some of the Keys’ darkest skies make stargazing a standout, complemented by twice-monthly ranger-led astronomy programs; by day, the Wings and Waves Butterfly Garden and a handful of geocaches add low-key discoveries. Stays range from 80 campsites to stilted duplex cabins over the bay (reserve far in advance), and boaters can use the 19-slip marina, while on-site concessions, picnic areas, rentals, and limited shade keep beach days simple." - Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker is a Florida-based writer who has hauled oyster cages off the Forgotten Coast of Florida, made Guavaberry Liqueur with a 7th generation distiller on St. Maarten, and stomped cacao pods in Grenada. She writes about food, drink, travel, and culture for Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveler, Wine Enthusiast, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Located at mile marker 37 on the Overseas Highway, Bahia Honda State Park sits where the Atlantic meets the Gulf and surprised me with some of the Keys’ finest sand, strong snorkeling and kayaking options, excellent fishing, and the dramatic remains of Henry Flagler’s elevated overseas railroad towering above the landscape." - Paul Rubio
"For budget-friendly island nights I camped at Bahia Honda State Park, which offers both primitive campsites and RV sites with water and electrical hookups and is one of the Keys’ best spots to camp." - Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A popular Big Pine Key destination prized for its natural beaches and clear, shallow snorkeling atop grassy flats where juvenile reef fish and passing rays are commonly spotted. Waterfront campsites are hard to secure but rewarding; visitors can rent kayaks and snorkel gear on site or join trips to reefs within a nearby national marine sanctuary, and a short nature trail to the old bridge offers excellent sunset viewing of fish, turtles, and dolphins." - Terry Ward Terry Ward Terry Ward is a writer covering family travel, culture, scuba diving, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Bahia Honda State Park preserves 524 acres on Big Pine Key in the Lower Keys, and it's about 37 miles east of Key West. The park also happens to have long stretches of beautiful natural beachfront, making it great for sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming. The name Bahia Honda comes from the Spanish for “deep bay,” and that makes sense, since the waters here tend to be deeper, and therefore a bit cooler and more refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Set up your beach gear at Calusa Beach, near the Bahia Honda Bridge, or the mile-long Sandspur Beach near the park’s entrance, Both are great for swimming and snorkeling. Showers are available for day-use visitors, and there are 80 campsites, six stilted cabins, and options for RVs. Kayaks and bikes can be rented to explore the park, and boat trips take snorkelers out to the reef at nearby Looe Key." - Travel + Leisure Editors
